Whip up a batch of smooth whipped ricotta in about 5 minutes. Just add salt and pepper, mix it well, and you're done. It's creamy, easy, and versatile.
Learn how to make whipped ricotta! It only takes 5 minutes, and you will only need one ingredient and a few simple spices like salt, pepper, and maybe a hint of chili.
Start with the simple whipped ricotta recipe and variate the mixture by adding other ingredients like fresh herbs, honey, lemon juice, zest, more spices, olive oil, and so on. Whether you serve it plain or add other ingredients, whipped ricotta makes an easy appetizer for any occasion, a real crowd-pleaser.
Then, use it to make ricotta toast similar to our Cottage Cheese Toasts, serve it as a dip for Crispbread, crackers, and fresh vegetable sticks, slather it on crusty bread, and add a dollop to roasted vegetables, soups, grain bowls, porridge (try our Buckwheat Porridge), or Homemade Muesli. You can also serve it for breakfast, sweetened with honey and topped with fresh fruit and toasted nuts or seeds.
And once you’re at it, learn how to whip cottage cheese, too. Try more delicious dips, such as Syrian Muhammara, Romanian White Bean Dip, or Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip.
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📋Recipe ingredients
- Fresh whole milk ricotta cheese: A creamy cheese made from the whey leftover during cheese production. It's soft, mild, and often used in Italian dishes like lasagna or desserts like cannoli. I recommend using whole milk fresh ricotta, not lower fat.
- Try Gnudi - Ricotta Dumplings, Ricotta Cookies, or make this delightful No-Bake Ricotta Cheesecake.
- Spices: Fine sea salt or kosher salt and ground black pepper. And if you wish, a pinch of red chili flakes or cayenne pepper.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🍯Variations on the recipe
Honey-whipped ricotta with thyme: Whip the cheese and 1 tablespoon of honey (more to taste), the finely chopped leaves of 1-2 small sprigs of fresh thyme, a pinch of lemon zest, about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, a little salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until smooth. Transfer the creamy whipped ricotta dip to a bowl and add an extra drizzle of honey (to taste).
Herbs: Mix whipped ricotta with a little extra virgin olive oil and chopped fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or chives for a flavorful twist.
Sundried tomatoes are a perfect addition You can add them at the beginning for a super smooth mixture or fold in the finely chopped pieces at the end for a bit of texture.
Nuts: Sprinkle the ricotta spread with pine nuts, chopped hazelnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, or pepitas. For the best flavor and crunchiness, all the nuts and seeds should be roasted.
Berries and other fruits: Gently fold in fresh berries, berry compote, blueberry sauce, or chopped soft fruit. Garnish fruity mixtures with fresh mint, for instance.
👩🏻🍳How to whip ricotta?
Step #1: Place cheese, a pinch of salt, and pepper in a food processor or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. You can also use a bowl and a hand mixer.
Step #2: Process at high speed until light and smooth; it will take 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the walls of the food processor bowl halfway through if necessary.
Step #3: Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate it shortly before serving.
🔊Expert Tips
Use full-fat ricotta for the creamiest texture and best flavor.
Room temperature: Let the cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before whipping to make it easier to blend and achieve a smoother consistency.
Chill before serving: For best texture and flavor, chill the fluffy ricotta in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the mixture to firm up slightly.
❓Recipe FAQs
While full-fat will yield the creamiest results, you can use low-fat if preferred. However, the texture may be slightly less rich.
Yes, you can prepare this ahead of time. Whip the cheese and store it in the fridge in an airtight container.
Refrigerate it (without fresh herbs in it) in an airtight container for up to four days.
If you notice any separation of liquid, simply give the dip a quick stir before serving to remix the ingredients evenly.
If it contains fresh herbs, I would not keep it for more than 2-3 days.
It's not recommended to freeze it as it can alter the creamy texture and consistency. It's best enjoyed fresh.
🍽️What to serve it with?
Bread: Try our easy recipe for Spelt Bread. Crackers, crispy flatbreads, sliced baguette, or pita chips for dipping into the whipped ricotta.
Serve the mixture for breakfast, as a light dessert, or as a delicious, healthy topping for pancakes, German waffles, or Nalesniki or Beetroot Crepes.
Vegetables: Serve with sliced fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes for a healthy and flavorful snack.
Fresh fruit: Use it as a dip for fresh fruit such as apple slices, strawberries, grapes, or figs for a sweet and savory combination.
Antipasto platter: Include whipped ricotta as part of an antipasto platter with cured meats, olives, marinated vegetables, and artisanal cheeses for a sophisticated charcuterie board.
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5-Minute Whipped Ricotta
Equipment
- Food processor or stand mixer or hand mixer with whisk attachment
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta room temperature, 450 g, Notes 1, 2
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Place ricotta, salt, and pepper (and chili, if using) in the bowl of a food processor, stand mixer, or into a regular bowl (Note 3).2 cups whole milk ricotta / 450 g + ½ teaspoon fine sea salt + ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper + pinch of red pepper flakes
- Whip ricotta: Process or mix until light and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the walls of the bowl halfway through if necessary.
- Chil: Transfer to a serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ricotta: Full-fat will yield the creamiest results, but you can use low-fat if preferred. However, the texture will not be as rich.
- Servings: The recipe can be easily halved or doubled.
- Honey-whipped ricotta: Whip ricotta + 1 tablespoon of honey (more to taste) + the finely chopped leaves of 1-2 small sprigs of fresh thyme + a pinch of lemon zest + about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice + a little salt + pepper + red pepper flakes. Transfer to a bowl and drizzle in more honey to taste.
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