This whipped ricotta dip with honey and herbs is a creamy and flavourful appetizer or side dish for your summer BBQ or holiday celebrations. It comes together in under five minutes and is a vegetarian, gluten-free and low histamine dip.
Check out my whipped ricotta crostini for another fun appetizer!
Dips always feel fun and like a treat. My spicy zucchini baba ganoush and beetroot hummus are other easy recipes that go so well with crudites or breads for summer BBQs or 'picky' dinners. If you love fresh cheese, then you may also like to see my cottage cheese tzatiziki!
The cheese in this dip is so creamy and indulgent, and the herbs and honey really elevate the flavour. Such a simple recipe but a lovely treat!
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⭐ Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to make: this is a very quick and easy dip that just requires a few ingredients and a blender.
- Versatile: add more or less herbs and honey to preference.
- Fresh cheese: more suitable for people with certain dietary requirements.
🧀 Ingredients
This whipped ricotta dip is full of fresh ingredients that make it perfect for summer. You will need:
- Ricotta: the creamiest fresh cheese that is so good at taking up flavour.
- Cream cheese: just a touch but I find that it gives a slightly thicker texture to the dip as well as adding a different flavour.
- Honey: for a little sweetness, it goes perfectly with the cheese and herbs. I like Rowse honey.
- Basil: the fresh taste of summer.
- Thyme: for added flavour, and a deeper flavour than basil.
- Extra virgin olive oil: for that all important drizzle on your dip. I suggest using an extra virgin olive oil for better flavour (and health benefits). I like the Filipo Berio extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic: this is optional, but if you can tolerate it then it adds a nice hit of flavour. Fresh is better than powder if you have it.
📖 Variations to the recipe
For herbs, I suggest basil is the best option but you may like to try other combinations. Mint in place of thyme would be bright and fresh, or you could do a pinch of coriander or parsley.
🔪 Step by step instructions
Making this fresh whipped ricotta dip with honey couldn't be more simple and is so quick to do, which means it is perfect for a quick lunch or get-together with friends (even an unexpected meet-up!).
Step 1
Assemble all the ingredients. Place all of them, with the exception of the toppings, in your blender. Blend until all combined. Make sure the garlic has been blended as it wouldn't be pleasant to have large pieces in the dip!
Step 2
Transfer to your bowl, and drizzle on some extra virgin olive oil and some fresh herbs.
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- Use fresh ricotta and cream cheese. I would suggest using cheese with as few additives as possible.
- Adjust the amount of garlic to taste preference.
- For a fresh summer flavour, a pinch of mint would also be nice.
- Stirring a spoonful of pesto through the dip would add lots of flavour as a variation.
📋 Frequently asked questions
I haven't tried it myself, but I would think it is just so-able. It won't have quite the same whipped texture as using a food processor though.
Agave syrup should work well!
It's not essential, but gives a nice flavour and texture. You can use all ricotta if you like!
🍽 What to serve with your dip
I typically serve this dip with my multi-seed crackers or quinoa crackers if I have time to make a batch, french bread (for those who tolerate gluten) and lots of crudites such as carrot sticks, celery and radishes.
🥣 More appetizers to enjoy
Find lots of fun appetizers, including my cream cheese stuffed mini peppers and my cauliflower hummus. Some recent recipes to enjoy:
I’m always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram and Facebook to be the first to hear of new recipes. Please do leave a star rating if you tried the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Whipped Ricotta Dip with Honey and Herbs
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese
- large handful basil
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ garlic clove optional, you may wish to mince prior to blending
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper
For the topping
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- thyme leaves
- black pepper optional
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients for the dip (not the toppings) to a blender and blend for 5-10 seconds until slightly whipped and all the ingredients are combined.
- Transfer to your bowl, and drizzle on some more olive oil and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Grind a little black pepper, if using.
Notes
- If you would like a stronger herb flavour then simply add more basil and thyme.
- Mincing the garlic before adding to the blender would be beneficial to ensure that it distributes evenly through the dip.
- Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- garlic, which scores 1.
- black pepper, which scores 2.
Sara says
I’m not ashamed to say, I eat this on everything 😂 I made a burrito with the Ginger Turmeric Chicken Pilaf and put in on that. It makes a great spread since there are so many condiments we can’t have. I’ve bought a basil plant finally so I can’t stop buying it at the store and keep recipes like this coming. Thank you for another tasty recipe and universal option.
Claire says
Oh I love the idea of a burrito with this dip as a topping! Will definitely have to try that out, it sounds good 🙂