Spicy Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey Recipe
This Spicy Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey is a quick and easy appetizer featuring creamy fresh ricotta cheese blended with lemon zest, olive oil, and a touch of spice from a homemade hot honey drizzle. Perfectly balanced with sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, it’s ideal for last-minute entertaining or as a delicious addition to any cheese board.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook, blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ricotta Base
- 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
Hot Honey Drizzle
- 1/4 cup runny honey
- 1 teaspoon spicy sauce (such as hot sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed chili flakes
Garnish
- 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 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 on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Spread the whipped ricotta in a shallow bowl and set aside.
- Prepare the Honey Mixture: In a small bowl, stir together the runny honey, spicy sauce, and crushed chili flakes until fully combined, creating a sweet and spicy drizzle.
- Assemble the Dish: Drizzle the prepared hot honey mixture evenly over the whipped ricotta. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and freshly minced rosemary on top for added texture and aromatic flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the dip with crackers, crostini, warm pita triangles, crusty bread, or fresh vegetables. Let guests scoop up the creamy, sweet, and spicy dip and enjoy the flavorful combination.
Notes
- Use high-quality whole milk fresh ricotta for the best creamy texture. If it’s watery, drain it using a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth for 30 minutes before using.
- If fresh lemon isn’t available, substitute with lime juice or 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar.
- Store the ricotta dip and hot honey separately; the dip keeps refrigerated up to 3 days in an airtight container, and the honey mixture can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Bring the ricotta dip to room temperature about 30 minutes before serving to achieve the best texture and flavor.
- Customize the garnish with nuts like pecans, pistachios, or pumpkin seeds for nut-free option, and use fresh thyme or sage instead of rosemary if preferred.
- Be careful not to overheat the honey when mixing, as it can become bitter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of recipe (approx. 130g)
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: ricotta dip, hot honey, spicy dip, appetizer, party dip, easy dip recipe, creamy ricotta, sweet and spicy