Whipped Ricotta Dip

Name: Whipped Ricotta Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 pound whole milk ricotta cheese; 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (divided); 1/2 fresh lemon (juiced (1 1/2 tablespoons)); 2 teaspoons honey ((optional)); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (or 1 teaspoon dried); 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried); Salt and pepper (to taste); Chopped Greek olives (or tapenade) (optional); Additional fresh thyme leaves (or herbs of choice)

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This easy Whipped Ricotta Dip is made with just a few simple ingredients, and takes just 10 minutes to prepare! This delicious appetizer is perfect when served with toasted baguette slices, fresh veggies, or pita chips.

A bowl with a cheesy dip inside, garnished with greek olives and olive oil.

This creamy whipped ricotta dip is an elevated, yet simple appetizer that is perfect for pretty much any event. This version features extra-virgin olive oil, lemon, fresh herbs, and a touch of honey for the perfect balance of flavors.

What is Ricotta?

Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese that is commonly used in popular dishes such as lasagna, cheesecake, and gnocchi. It translates to "recooked", which makes sense because traditional ricotta is made by cooking whey that has been drained from cheesemaking, then straining the newly formed curds from the whey.

Modern ricotta is often made with both whey and milk, making for a creamier texture. This is what you're most likely to find if you are purchasing your ricotta from a grocery store.

Why You'll Love it:

It's incredibly easy to make - a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes is all that is needed!
Can be made with fresh ricotta OR store-bought ricotta.
When it comes to ricotta dip recipes, this one is extremely versatile. Garnish it with your favorite toppings, or stick to the suggested ones for a yummy Mediterranean-inspired appetizer.
It's a crowd pleaser and perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or special events.

Ingredients

Ricotta: I recommend using whole milk ricotta cheese, as it's much creamier than lower-fat versions. You will need about 1 pound (or 454 grams).
Lemon: Fresh lemon always tastes best! You'll need the juice of one-half, and a little lemon zest makes for the perfect garnish.
Olive oil: This is a classic combo with ricotta. You'll need some for the whipped ricotta base, and then a few teaspoons for drizzling on top. I recommend using a good quality oil that you love the flavor of.
Honey: While this is optional, whipped ricotta dip with honey is a personal favorite. Its sweet and earthy flavor is the perfect addition to this bright and creamy dip.
Fresh herbs: Almost any fresh herb pairs well with this neutral-flavored dip, but I really think thyme and chives are a perfect choice.
Garnish: There are a lot of options for garnishing this easy whipped ricotta dip - Chopped Greek olives, olive tapenade, lemon zest, fresh herbs, etc.

Equipment

Food processor (or blender): All of the ingredients for this creamy whipped ricotta dip are blended together in a food processor. If you don't have one, you can definitely use a high-quality blender instead (like a Vitamix or the budget-friendly Ninja Professional).

Check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and the quantities needed.

How to Make Ricotta Dip

A food processor filled with ricotta, lemon, honey, herbs, and olive oil.

A food processor with a creamy dip inside.

Step one: Add the ricotta, lemon juice, honey, half of the olive oil, fresh herbs, and salt and pepper to a food processor or blender.

Step two: Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the container if needed.

A bowl of a creamy dip garnished with chopped olives, olive oil, and herbs.

Step three: Transfer the whipped ricotta to a shallow bowl, add a drizzle of olive oil, and optional garnishes (chopped Greek olives, roasted red peppers, lemon zest, fresh herbs, etc).

Making Whipped Ricotta Without a Food Processor

If you don't have a food processor, you can whip the ingredients together using either a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer.

Mix on medium speed until the dip is fluffy, with a creamy texture. Add your preferred garnishes on top of the dip and serve!

A bowl of whipped ricotta with a baguette slice dipping into it.

A crostini dipping into a creamy ricotta and olive dip.

Serving Ricotta Dip

This easy whipped ricotta dip is made with only a handful of ingredients and has simple flavors, making it super versatile.

Here are a few serving ideas for this delicious dip:

Toasted baguette slices (crostini)
Pita chips or pita bread
Grissini
Fresh vegetables
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumber slices
As a spread for canapés

A black bowl filled with whipped creamy dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make whipped ricotta not grainy?

Whipped ricotta will be slightly grainy, but it should not be noticeably so. To avoid an excessively grainy texture be sure to select a whole-milk ricotta cheese (rather than part-skim ricotta or traditional), and whip it with a small amount of lemon juice and/or olive oil until creamy.

Why is my whipped ricotta too runny?

If your whipped ricotta is very runny, there are several possible issues. The first is that you added too much liquid, and the second is that the particular batch of cheese was very liquidy to begin with. To prevent this, add only as much liquid (olive oil, lemon juice, or water) as is needed, and strain the cheese before whipping if you notice a lot of pooling liquid.

What can I use to thicken ricotta cheese?

The best way to thicken ricotta cheese is to strain it before using it in a recipe. Most ricotta cheese is thick enough, but some brands have more liquid than others (such as lower-fat or traditional types). Place the cheese in a colander that has been lined with a layer of cheesecloth (or a clean flour sack towel) and allow the cheese to drain for 20-30 minutes.

Storing Leftovers

This whipped ricotta recipe stores well, and is perfect for preparing in advance for guests.

Transfer any leftover creamy ricotta dip to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

Preparing in advance

Whip the ricotta, honey, half of the olive oil, lemon, salt, and black pepper in a food processor. Transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.

When ready to serve, transfer it to a shallow bowl and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and garnish according to your taste.

A bowl of ricotta that has been whipped and garnished with olive oil, chopped olives, and fresh thyme.

Expert Tips

Garnishing: You can top this dip with whatever you like! Feel free to get creative and explore different flavors. Hot honey, red pepper flakes, roasted (or sundried) tomatoes, roasted garlic, or garlic confit are all delicious options.
Ricotta Tips: Use good quality, whole milk ricotta cheese. You want it to be thick, with only a small amount of liquid in the container. If your ricotta is very runny, you can strain it in a colander lined with a single layer of cheesecloth or a flour sack towel.
Is store-bought ricotta or fresh cheese best? Of course, you get bonus points if you make your own ricotta or purchase it freshly made from a Farmer's market, but store-bought is perfectly fine.

If you loved this recipe for Whipped Ricotta Dip, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card, OR tag me on Instagram @maritimecountrykitchen!