My Whipped Ricotta Crostini is a creamy, delicious appetizer with a wonderful texture. Made with the best ricotta and fresh herbs, it's the perfect bite!
Whipped ricotta crostini is the ultimate easy appetizer—light, creamy, and packed with flavor. The combination of creamy ricotta cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs creates a rich yet balanced bite, perfect for any occasion.
Whether served as finger foods for a holiday season gathering or paired with a drizzle of hot honey, this crispy baguette topped with a luscious ricotta mixture is always a total crowd pleaser.
It’s simple enough for a casual get-together yet elegant enough for a special occasion, making it a go-to for effortless entertaining.
Looking for more? Try my Grilled Bruschetta, Caprese Crostini, Roasted Pepper Caprese, Basil Whipped Feta Dip, and Caprese Skewers.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- It’s Fancy Without the Fuss – This recipe feels like something you’d find at a trendy café, but it’s made with only simple ingredients. No special skills required—just a hand mixer, a spoon, and a love for creamy ricotta cheese.
- Customizable for Every Craving – Whether you’re feeling sweet (hello, drizzle of hot honey) or savory (looking at you, crunchy pistachios), this crostini is the perfect blank canvas for extra flavor.
- Crispy, Creamy, Totally Dreamy – The contrast between the crispy baguette and the whipped ricotta mixture creates the most wonderful texture. It’s the perfect bite, every single time!
🥘 Ingredients
- Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese – The star of this recipe! Creamy, slightly sweet, and incredibly smooth, the best ricotta makes all the difference. Opt for high-quality, whole milk ricotta for the creamiest texture.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – A drizzle of good olive oil enhances the flavor and richness of the ricotta mixture. Since this is a simple dish, using a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil is key.
- Fresh Herbs – Fresh basil, thyme, chives, or oregano add brightness and depth. Mixing a variety of fresh herbs creates the best flavors, bringing out the fresh, creamy cheese.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves– Just a small clove adds a savory bite to balance the ricotta’s richness. Mince it finely to blend seamlessly into the mixture.
- Honey – A touch of sweetness rounds out the flavors and takes this ricotta dip to the next level. For extra depth, try a drizzle of hot honey before serving.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Toast the Bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Prepare the Whipped Ricotta: In a mixing bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, honey, fresh herbs, minced fresh garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper.
Whip Until Creamy: Using a hand mixer, beat the ricotta mixture on medium speed for about 1 minute until smooth and fluffy. Alternatively, blend everything in a food processor for an ultra-creamy texture.
Assemble the Crostini: Spread a generous spoonful of the whipped ricotta mixture onto each toasted baguette slice.
Finish with Extra Flavor: Drizzle with a little extra olive oil and garnish with more fresh herbs. For a touch of sweetness, add a drizzle of hot honey for brightness add fresh lemon zest and fresh basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
- For the creamiest whipped ricotta, use a food processor instead of a hand mixer. Blending it creates an ultra-smooth, airy texture that spreads like a dream!
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Swap the Ricotta: If you don’t have ricotta, try mascarpone for an even richer texture or whipped feta for a tangier bite.
- Add a Crunch: Sprinkle toasted nuts like pistachios, walnuts, or pine nuts over the ricotta for extra texture and flavor.
- Make it Sweet: Drizzle with honey or balsamic glaze and top with fresh fruit like figs, peaches, or berries for a sweet-savory twist. Or top with fresh lemon zest and fresh basil.
- Experiment with Toppings: Try adding diced cherry tomatoes, roasted tomatoes, or fresh fruit.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
- As a Party Appetizer: Arrange the crostini on a platter with extra toppings like honey, olives, or prosciutto so guests can customize their bites.
- Paired with a Salad: Serve alongside a fresh arugula or mixed greens salad for a light yet satisfying meal.
- On a Cheese Board: Add these crostini to a charcuterie board with cheeses, cured meats, and fruit for a beautifully balanced spread.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! You can prepare the whipped ricotta up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving to bring back its creamy, spreadable texture.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Whipped Ricotta: Store any leftover whipped ricotta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes and give it a quick stir for the best texture.
Toasted Crostini: Keep the toasted baguette slices in a sealed bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If they lose their crispness, pop them in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to refresh.
Assembled Crostini: These are best enjoyed fresh, as the ricotta can soften the bread over time. If you need to prep ahead, store the ricotta and crostini separately and assemble just before serving!
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🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Whipped Ricotta Crostini
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Equipment
- Large baking sheet
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or food processor
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Spoon or spatula
Ingredients
For the crostini:
- 1 French baguette cut into ½-inch slices
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
For the whipped ricotta:
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- 1 tablespoon good quality extra virgin olive oil plus more for serving
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh herbs such as basil, mint, thyme, oregano, or chives, finely chopped
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Toast the bread: Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange the baguette slices on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Make the whipped ricotta: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, olive oil, honey, fresh herbs, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Alternatively, blend in a food processor until light and fluffy.
- Assemble the crostini: Spread a generous spoonful of whipped ricotta onto each toasted bread slice. Drizzle with extra olive oil and garnish with more fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Make ahead: Prepare the whipped ricotta 1-2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
🌡️ Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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