Whipped Ricotta is a creamy appetizer made with whole milk ricotta, olive oil, fresh lemon, garlic, and herbs whipped together until light and smooth. Serve it as a dip with crostini, crackers, or vegetables, or spread it over toasted bread.
This is one of my favorite appetizers when I want something that looks impressive without spending much time in the kitchen. Whipping the ricotta completely changes the texture, and the lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs add plenty of flavor without needing a long list of ingredients.
Why I Love Whipped Ricotta
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese: Whole milk ricotta gives the dip its rich, creamy base and whips up nicely.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps create a smooth texture while adding a little richness.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances the creamy ricotta.
- Lemon Zest: Gives the dip extra fresh lemon flavor without adding more liquid.
- Garlic: Adds a savory bite to the mild ricotta.
- Fresh Herbs: Parsley, thyme, oregano, or a combination all work well.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Season to taste after the ricotta has been whipped.
- Optional Toppings: Finish with honey for sweetness, olive oil for richness, red pepper flakes for heat, or additional fresh herbs.
- Optional Dippers: Crostini, grilled bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables are all great for serving.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Whipped Ricotta
- In a bowl, add the ricotta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, and chopped fresh herbs.
- Using a hand whisk or an electric mixer, whip the mixture together until smooth and creamy.
- Continue whisking for about 2-3 minutes to ensure a light and fluffy texture.
- Taste the dip and season with salt and black pepper according to your preference. Adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the desired flavor.
- Transfer the whipped ricotta dip to a serving bowl or dish.
- If desired, you can drizzle a small amount of honey over the top of the dip for a touch of sweetness.
- Alternatively, drizzle on additional olive oil or sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
- Garnish the dip with additional fresh herbs for an appealing presentation.
- Serve the whipped ricotta dip immediately with your choice of accompaniments such as toasted bread slices, crackers, vegetable sticks, or chips. Enjoy!
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Use whole milk ricotta: It gives the whipped ricotta a richer flavor and creamier texture than lower-fat ricotta.
- Drain excess liquid: If your ricotta looks watery, drain off the extra liquid before whipping so the dip doesn’t become too thin.
- Whip until smooth: Give the ricotta enough time in the food processor to become light, creamy, and smooth.
- Use fresh lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest give this simple dip much better flavor than bottled juice.
- Taste before serving: Ricotta is mild, so taste the finished dip and adjust the salt, pepper, lemon, or herbs as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Appetizer Recipes I Love 💙
Yield: 1 1/4 cups
Whipped Ricotta
No Ratings
Whipped Ricotta is a creamy appetizer made with ricotta, olive oil, fresh lemon, garlic, and herbs.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Additional Time
10 minutes
Total Time
20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 1 Clove Garlic, Minced
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Herbs (Such as Parsley, Thyme, or Oregano), Chopped
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- Optional Toppings: Drizzle of honey, olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes, additional herbs for garnish
- Optional Dippers: Crostinis, grilled bread, crackers, or vegetables
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the ricotta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, and chopped fresh herbs.
- Using a hand whisk or an electric mixer, whip the mixture together until smooth and creamy.
- Continue whisking for about 2-3 minutes to ensure a light and fluffy texture.
- Taste the dip and season with salt and black pepper according to your preference. Adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the desired flavor.
- Transfer the whipped ricotta dip to a serving bowl or dish.
- If desired, you can drizzle a small amount of honey over the top of the dip for a touch of sweetness. Alternatively, drizzle on additional olive oil or sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
- Garnish the dip with additional fresh herbs for an appealing presentation.
- Serve the whipped ricotta dip immediately with your choice of accompaniments such as toasted bread slices, crackers, vegetable sticks, or chips. Enjoy!
Notes
Drain the ricotta if it has excess liquid before whipping. For the creamiest texture, whip until completely smooth. Top with honey, olive oil, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs just before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
5Serving Size:
1/4 CupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 139Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 42mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 6g
