Lusciously whipped herbed ricotta topped with golden honey and crunchy pistachios—this elegant appetizer is creamy, nutty, and perfectly balanced between savory and sweet.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This spread is a silky, crowd‑pleasing appetizer that takes just minutes to make. The whipped ricotta becomes light and creamy, while honey provides sweetness and pistachios offer satisfying crunch. Serve it chilled or at room temperature—elegant enough for entertaining, effortless enough for everyday.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup (about 8 oz) whole‑milk ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon extra‑virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (or 1 tsp fresh herb)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup pistachios, chopped and lightly toasted
- Optional: crackers or toasted bread for serving
directions
- In a bowl or food processor, combine ricotta, olive oil, dried or fresh herbs, salt, and pepper. Whip until smooth and creamy using a fork, hand mixer, or food processor.
- Transfer to a serving dish and smooth into a shallow mound.
- Drizzle generously with honey.
- Sprinkle chopped, toasted pistachios on top.
- Serve immediately with crackers, crostini, pita, or fresh vegetables.
Servings and timing
- Servings: Makes approximately 6–8 appetizer servings
- Prep time: About 5–10 minutes
- Cook time: None (toasting pistachios optional)
- Total time: Under 10 minutes
Variations
- Add lemon zest or juice to the whipped ricotta for brightness.
- Swap in walnuts, almonds, or pecans instead of pistachios.
- Mix warm herb-infused honey (e.g. thyme or rosemary) with olive oil before drizzling.
- Make savory by omitting honey and adding chili flakes, garlic, or lemon pepper.
storage/reheating
- Refrigerator: Store whipped ricotta (without toppings) in an airtight container for 1–4 days. Toppings (honey, pistachios) can be added just before serving to preserve texture.
- Freezer: Not recommended—ricotta may separate and become grainy. To refresh: Let chilled dip sit 10–15 minutes at room temperature, stir gently, then re‑top with honey and pistachios.
FAQs
What does whipped ricotta taste like?
It’s creamy and slightly tangy with a smooth texture—ideal as a base for both sweet and savory toppings.
Do I need a food processor?
No—use a bowl and hand mixer or even a whisk, though a processor gives the smoothest, quickest result.
Can I prepare it ahead of time?
Yes—whip and store ricotta base up to 3–4 days ahead; add honey and nuts just before serving.
How do I toast pistachios?
Spread nuts on a baking sheet at 350 °F for 8–10 minutes until fragrant—or toast lightly in a skillet.
What can I serve it with?
Try crostini, crackers, pita chips, fresh veggies, or even spoon it onto sandwiches or pizza.
Can this be made vegan?
Yes—use plant-based ricotta and substitute honey with maple syrup or agave.
Can I skip the honey?
For a savory version, omit honey and drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of chili flakes or herbs.
How do I avoid grainy texture?
Use whole‑milk ricotta, drain any excess liquid, and whip thoroughly until completely smooth.
Can it stay at room temperature?
Yes—serve it at room temperature, but don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours to ensure safety.
What about nut allergies?
Skip nuts or top with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin for crunch without allergens.
Conclusion
Elegant yet effortless, this Whipped Ricotta with Honey & Pistachios brings gourmet flair with minimal work. Ready in minutes and endlessly adaptable, it’s the ideal appetizer for any occasion—whether a casual snack or stylish spread. Enjoy the creamy, crunchy, sweet‑savory perfection!
Print
Whipped Ricotta with Honey & Pistachios
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Whipped
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Ricotta aux herbes délicieusement fouettée, garnie de miel doré et de pistaches croquantes : un apéritif élégant qui mélange des textures salées, sucrées et crémeuses.
Ingredients
- 1 tasse de fromage ricotta
- 1 cuillère à soupe d’huile d’olive
- 1/2 cuillère à café de thym ou de romarin séché
- Sel et poivre au goût
- 2 cuillères à soupe de miel
- 1/4 tasse de pistaches, hachées et légèrement grillées
- Facultatif : crackers ou pain grillé pour servir
Instructions
- Dans un bol, mélanger la ricotta avec l’huile d’olive, les herbes, le sel et le poivre. Fouetter jusqu’à obtenir une consistance lisse et crémeuse à l’aide d’une fourchette ou d’un batteur électrique.
- Façonnez un petit rond à l’aide d’un moule à anneau ou d’une cuillère dans un bol pour servir.
- Arroser généreusement de miel.
- Saupoudrer de pistaches hachées.
- Servir immédiatement avec des craquelins, des crostinis ou du pain pita chaud.
Notes
- Utilisez de la ricotta de haute qualité pour une texture et une saveur optimales.
- Des herbes fraîches peuvent être utilisées à la place des herbes séchées pour un goût plus vif.
- Idéal en accompagnement d’un plateau de charcuterie ou d’une entrée légère.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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