Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Honey, Lemon Zest, and Fresh Herbs Recipe
Whipped Ricotta Crostini is a light and creamy appetizer featuring smooth whipped ricotta cheese seasoned with lemon juice, olive oil, and sea salt. Served atop grilled baguette slices and finished with a drizzle of honey, fresh lemon zest, thyme leaves, and flaky sea salt, this elegant crostini offers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors, ideal as a sophisticated starter or snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 crostini 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Ricotta Mixture
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
For Serving
- Honey, to drizzle
- Lemon zest, for garnish
- Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
- Flaky sea salt, for finishing
Crostini
- Grilled baguette slices or crostini
Instructions
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and sea salt. Using a hand mixer or whisk, whip the mixture until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Grill the Baguette: Slice the baguette into ½-inch thick slices and grill on a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium heat until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes per side.
- Assemble the Crostini: Spread a generous amount of the whipped ricotta mixture on each grilled baguette slice. Drizzle with extra olive oil and honey.
- Garnish: Sprinkle lemon zest, fresh thyme leaves, and flaky sea salt over the top to enhance flavor and presentation.
- Serve: Arrange crostini on a serving platter and serve immediately as an appetizer or snack.
Notes
- For a lighter variation, use part-skim ricotta instead of whole milk ricotta.
- Whipping the ricotta increases its volume and makes it extra creamy and spreadable.
- Grilling the baguette adds a smoky flavor and crunchy texture that complements the creamy ricotta.
- Fresh herbs like thyme can be substituted with rosemary or basil based on preference.
- Adjust the honey drizzle according to how sweet you want the crostini to be.
Keywords: Whipped Ricotta, Crostini, Italian appetizer, grilled baguette, ricotta cheese, easy appetizer, party food