Ricotta Dip
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Ready in just 5 minutes, this wonderfully creamy and fluffy ricotta dip is fresh, herbed, and slightly sweet. It makes an easy, economical, and delightful appetizer or spread.
Published on Nobv 2022/Updated on March 2025
I love ricotta—a lot. This soft Italian cheese makes almost anything better, from lemon pasta to one-pot tomato pasta, and from moist strawberry cake to raspberry bread. Yes, I use ricotta in so many recipes!
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Unsurprisingly, this soft cheese also makes a super easy ricotta appetizer that is fresh, flavorful, and perfect for entertaining. In just a few minutes, the Italian cheese turns into a rich, creamy, versatile dip.
And yes, that fluffy, creamy texture is everything!
For this recipe, a very loose version of the popular Boursin flavoured with garlic and herbs, you just whip fresh ricotta, garlic, lemon juice and zest, and a touch of olive oil until smooth and fluffy. Finally, stir in the fresh herbs and drizzle generously with runny honey. And you’re done!
Serve this luscious, tangy whipped ricotta dip with crusty bread, crackers, pita chips, or your favorite veggies. Spread it on your toast or sandwiches, or use it as a bed for roasted veggies.
It’s also delicious served with warm focaccia or crispy breadsticks or on a platter along with more delicious Italian appetizers!
This simple herbed ricotta dip is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties or a high-protein weekday snack.
List of the ingredients
- Ricotta cheese
- Lemon
- Basil + thyme
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Honey
- Salt & pepper
How to make whipped ricotta
(Note: This is a quick description; the full recipe is at the bottom of the page.)
- Whip ricotta, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper, and grated garlic in a food processor for about one minute or until smooth and fluffy. You can also use an electric mixer (stand mixer) with the whisk attachment.
- Stir in the herbs into the ricotta mixture and season to taste.
- Garnish & serve! Transfer to a dip bowl, drizzle with runny honey, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and red pepper flakes, and serve with crusty bread, crackers, vegetables, or your favorite dipper!
Recipe notes
Ingredients & substitutions
Ricotta: I advise you to go for whole milk ricotta cheese, which tastes more delicious than skim ricotta cheese and also whips up much fluffier. Store-bought ricotta is perfectly fine.
Lemon: The lemon juice and zest make it zippy and bright.
Garlic: I used a small garlic clove, finely grated with a microplane, but some garlic powder would do, too, if you wish. However, go easy on garlic, or it can be very prominent.
Herbs: I used fresh thyme and basil, which pair well with fresh ricotta, but you can flavor it any way you like. Fresh mint and parsley, or pantry staples such as dried dill or mint, work well, too, although I wouldn’t use dried thyme here as I find it too pungent when combined with ricotta.
Extra virgin olive oil: Use a touch of your best olive oil here; it brings more flavor.
Salt & pepper: Make sure to adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Honey: Drizzle runny honey on top for the right sweetness, which contrasts with the tanginess and slightly garlicky, creamy dip.
How to use whipped ricotta?
We love this creamy whipped ricotta dip spread liberally on crusty bread and toasted baguette slices, similar to these yummy ricotta crostini. It’s also perfect for serving roasted or fresh veggies like cucumber, celery, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes. If you skip the honey, add a dollop of creamy ricotta to jazz up your pasta (think of my tomato spinach pasta; does that sound delicious?).
I’m sure you will find many uses for this ricotta cheese dip! 😉
Storage tips
Leftover whipped ricotta dip can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you make it ahead, garnish it and add the honey just before serving.
Love ricotta?
If you wonder how to use fresh Italian ricotta, you might be interested in this collection of scrumptious ricotta recipes. To name a few:
- Ricotta meatballs
- Mushroom ricotta pasta
- Ricotta crostini with peas
- Lemon ricotta cake
- Whipped ricotta crostini
- Easy cake with ricotta
- Pizza with ricotta
- Lemon ricotta muffins
More Italian appetizers
For more Italian flavors, check out these terrific appetizer recipes. They’re perfect for a dinner party!
You can make quick and easy recipes like caprese skewers, spicy olives, dried-tomato paste, chickpeas bruschetta, or impress with these scrumptious Italian rice balls.
Lastly, if you make this whipped ricotta dip recipe or have a question, let me know by leaving a comment. I would love to hear from you! x
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Ricotta Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cup (500 grams) whole-milk ricotta cheese
- ½ – ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon white or black pepper
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon fresh garlic, grated
- 2 tablespoon basil leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoon runny honey, to drizzle just before serving
Instructions
- Place ricotta cheese, salt (start with ½ tsp), pepper, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and zest in a food processor. Blitz on high speed for at least 60 seconds or until smooth and nicely fluffy, scraping down the sides once. (I tried the same recipe with a blender, but it didn't work. If you don't have a food processor, use a hand mixer or beat it vigorously with a whisk until smooth.)
- Using a spoon, stir in the chopped herbs. Taste and make sure you're happy with the seasoning. You might want to add more salt or an extra touch of garlic.
- Transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with honey, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, and thyme leaves on top. Serve with your favorite dipper (crackers, veggies, or breadsticks). Enjoy!
Delicious!! highly recommend the fresh garlic as well. I did eant to note that making homemade ricotta is a game chabger for those who don’t usually like it. its much softer and creamier than the store bought in my opinion. Thank you for the recipe! I will share with others!
What a wonderful feedback, Sarah!
Thanks for sharing. : )
Sorry, shame you didn’t like it, Mary.