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Delicious Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey

Delicious Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey

Delicious Ricotta Dip with Hot Honey is a creamy, sweet, and spicy appetizer that combines fresh whole-milk ricotta cheese with fiery hot honey, bright lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil. This effortless and versatile dip is perfect for snacking or entertaining, pairing wonderfully with crackers, fresh veggies, or bread. Customize the spice and garnishes to suit your taste and impress your guests with this flavorful and easy-to-make treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons hot honey (or regular honey infused with chili flakes)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • Crushed red pepper flakes (for extra spice)
  • Fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary, or mint (chopped)
  • Toasted pine nuts or sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ricotta Base: Place fresh ricotta cheese into a mixing bowl and stir gently to loosen its texture, making it smooth and creamy but not runny. This creates the perfect foundation for your dip.
  2. Add Lemon Juice and Olive Oil: Pour in freshly squeezed lemon juice and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to enhance flavor complexity and add a silky mouthfeel. Mix until fully combined.
  3. Season with Salt and Pepper: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, balancing the sweetness and enriching the overall profile of the dip.
  4. Drizzle Hot Honey: Generously drizzle hot honey over the ricotta mixture. Swirl it gently using a spoon to keep the honey’s spicy-sweet magic intact while combining it beautifully with the cheese.
  5. Optional Garnishes: Top your dip with crushed red pepper flakes, chopped fresh herbs, or toasted nuts to add layers of texture and flavor. Personalize it to your liking.

Notes

  • Use high-quality ricotta for the creamiest and most flavorful dip.
  • Adjust the amount of hot honey gradually to control the heat level.
  • Don’t skip the fresh lemon juice; it adds essential brightness.
  • Serve the dip cold or at room temperature for best texture and flavor.
  • Pair with crunchy crackers or fresh veggies to contrast the creamy texture.
  • For a vegan version, substitute ricotta with a plant-based ricotta alternative and use agave syrup infused with chili in place of honey.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days; flavors deepen over time.
  • Freezing is possible up to one month but may alter texture slightly.
  • Reheat gently at room temperature or low microwave setting to maintain creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: ricotta dip, hot honey dip, spicy dip, creamy appetizer, easy dip recipe, gluten free appetizer, Mediterranean dip