Spicy Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey

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Coming up with crowd-pleasing party appetizers that don’t require hours in the kitchen can feel like a real challenge. Between juggling last-minute RSVPs, tidying up the house, and trying to make everything look effortless, the last thing you need is a complicated recipe with a mile-long ingredient list.

That’s why this ricotta dip with hot honey has become my go-to appetizer: it’s quick to throw together, uses simple ingredients you might already have, and somehow manages to hit those perfect sweet and savory notes that keep everyone coming back for more.

What Kind of Ricotta Should I Use?

Fresh ricotta is really the star of this dip, so it’s worth seeking out good quality whole milk ricotta from your local cheese shop or dairy section. The texture should be creamy and smooth – avoid any ricotta that seems grainy or watery. Store-bought ricotta works fine, but if you spot brands like Bellwether Farms or hand-dipped ricotta at specialty stores, they’ll give you an even better result. If your ricotta seems a bit watery when you open it, you can strain it in a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth for about 30 minutes before using it in this recipe. This will help achieve that perfect, spreadable consistency we’re looking for.

Options for Substitutions

This creamy dip is pretty adaptable and here’s how you can switch things up:

• Fresh ricotta: While fresh ricotta gives the best texture, you can use cottage cheese that’s been blended until smooth. Greek yogurt or mascarpone can work too, though the flavor will be slightly different.
• Lemon: Out of lemons? Try lime for a different citrus kick, or use 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar for that tangy note.
• Hot honey mixture: No need to buy special hot honey – that’s why we’re making our own! But if you already have hot honey, use 1/4 cup of it and skip the regular honey, spicy sauce, and chili flakes.
• Walnuts: Any nuts work great here – try pecans, pistachios, or pine nuts. For a nut-free version, try roasted pumpkin seeds.
• Rosemary: Fresh thyme or sage can step in for rosemary. If using dried herbs, use just 1/2 teaspoon as they’re more concentrated.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making ricotta dip is using cold ricotta straight from the fridge, which can result in a lumpy, hard-to-mix texture – instead, let your ricotta come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.

Another common mistake is not draining excess liquid from the ricotta, which can make your dip watery – simply place it in a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth for 30 minutes before mixing.

When making the hot honey, be careful not to overheat it as this can cause the honey to become bitter and lose its natural sweetness – warm it gently over low heat just until it’s runny enough to mix with the chili flakes and spicy sauce.

For the best flavor balance, add your lemon juice gradually and taste as you go, since different ricotta brands vary in saltiness and adding too much acid at once can overwhelm the creamy cheese.

What to Serve With Ricotta Dip?

This creamy ricotta dip is super flexible when it comes to dippers – I love setting it out with a mix of different options! A basket of warm pita triangles or crusty bread chunks works great for scooping up the creamy ricotta. For something lighter, try arranging fresh veggies like cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and carrot sticks around the dip. If you’re putting together a bigger spread, this dip fits right in on a cheese board alongside crackers, breadsticks, and fresh fruit like figs or grapes. The sweet and spicy combo also pairs really well with salty pretzels or toasted baguette slices.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This ricotta dip stays good in the fridge for up to 3 days when kept in an airtight container. The honey mixture can be stored separately in a small jar at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. I like to keep them apart until serving time to maintain the perfect texture.

Make Ahead: You can prepare both components of this dip in advance! Mix up the ricotta base and make the spicy honey mixture separately up to 2 days before serving. When you’re ready to serve, just bring the ricotta to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then drizzle with the honey mixture and add fresh toppings.

Serve: For the best taste and texture, let the dip sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. This helps soften the ricotta and makes it easier to scoop. If you notice any liquid separation, just give it a quick stir before topping with the honey mixture.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1100-1300
• Protein: 25-30 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 95-105 g

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh ricotta cheese (around 475g)
• Grated zest from half a lemon
• Juice from half a lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• A dash of black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup runny honey
• 1 teaspoon spicy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed chili flakes
• 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Step 1: Blend the Ricotta Mixture

In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Blend these ingredients on high speed until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, which should take about 1-2 minutes.

Once blended, spread the whipped ricotta in a shallow bowl and set it aside for the next steps.

Step 2: Prepare the Honey Mixture

In a small bowl, mix together the liquid honey, hot sauce, and chili flakes until fully combined.

This will create a sweet and spicy drizzle that adds a burst of flavor to the ricotta.

Step 3: Assemble the Dish

Drizzle the prepared honey mixture over the smooth ricotta in the bowl.

Then, top the whipped ricotta with chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of minced rosemary for added texture and aromatic flavor.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

This delightful dish is best served with crackers or crostini.

Invite your guests to scoop the delicious whipped ricotta and honey mixture onto the crackers or crostini.

Enjoy the combination of creamy, sweet, and spicy flavors!