Whipped Ricotta Crostini
This lemony Whipped Ricotta Crostini is a great appetizer—with a creamy ricotta spread, heart-shaped apple, almonds, and a drizzle of honey.
Enjoy a bite of lemony ricotta, spread onto toasted baguette slices and topped with an apple—it’s my new favorite appetizer to bring to a party. These Whipped Ricotta Crostini only take minutes to make, and the last step can be a sweet honey drizzle on top. Take it up a notch and add a heart-shaped apple. Sweet!
Why we love this recipe
- This ricotta toast appetizer is so simple and comes together in just 15 minutes.
- Make a “heart” out of the apple for Valentine’s Day, or any other day of the year. Just slice the apple!
- It’s light and fresh – and a crowd-pleasing recipe!
Friends, we love to serve these bites alongside our Cranberry Pinwheels with Orange, Smoked Salmon Dip, or Baked Brie with Peach Jam for a wonderful, cheesy appetizer spread!
Whipped Ricotta Crostini Ingredients:
- French baguette: (cut into ½ inch slices)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Whole milk ricotta – don’t use the lower fat versions for this recipe (too runny)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Crisp red apple
- Lemon zest
- Fresh basil
- Roasted almonds
- Honey
How do you make crostini?
- Slice baguette into 1-inch slices.
- Arrange the slices of bread on a baking sheet.
- Brush the toasts with olive oil, season with salt and bake, flipping them over halfway, or until lightly golden brown.
- Allow to cool.
How do you make the whipped ricotta?
- Place ricotta in a food processor.
- Process until smooth and creamy.
- Add in salt and pepper and stir the mixture with a spoon.
Assemble the Whipped Ricotta Crostini
- On the cooled crostini, spread the ricotta mixture with a spoon.
- Top with a thin slice of red apple. [USE A HEART-SHAPED COOKIE CUTTIE]
- Sprinkle with roughly chopped roasted almonds and lemon zest.
- Drizzle with honey.
- Garnish with chopped basil leaves.
- Finish with a sprinkling of sea salt.
The easiest party appetizer ever
If you’re looking for a quick recipe to whip up, then this is it!
Every bite of this easy appetizer will have your guests clamoring for more. Play around with the sweet and savory flavors, and change up the toppings as you like!
If this is the kind of snack you’re after, then you’ve gotta try my Layered Cream Cheese Spread (use the dental floss trick)!
What ricotta should I have for crostini?
We’ve found the best ricotta (the only ingredients listed should be milk (and/or whey), salt and vinegar) is super important for the best flavors of this appetizer. Other brands might be less money, but this kind (the more expensive) is worth every penny! So creamy and good.
Below are a few of our favorite combinations
As far as the toppings for whipped ricotta go, there are so many options.
- Roasted delicata squash, with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of flake salt
- Pears and toasted walnuts
- Roasted mushrooms with bacon sprinnkles, shaved Parmesan and a drizzle of truffle oil
- Honey (regular or truffle), with a sprinkle of sea salt
- Prosciutto and arugula and honey
- Tomatoes, olive oil, chopped basil, and balsamic vinegar
- Hot (spicy) honey
- Pesto and bacon
- Jam or preserves and pistachios
Tips & Substitutions:
- Substitute whipped feta or cream cheese for the ricotta.
- Optional to cut the apple with a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter (great for Valentine’s Day). Otherwise, just slice crisp red apples very thin.
- the only ingredients listed should be milk (and/or whey), salt and vinegar
- Toast the baguette slices up to 3 hours prior to serving.
- You can make the whipped ricotta up to 24 hours in advance.
- To avoid soggy toasts, make these up right before serving.
- Spread the ricotta with a spoon, or optional to pipe (put into a Ziploc bag and cut the end and squeeze).
These little bites are so flavorful, and so satisfying!
If you’re looking for a delicious new appetizer that’s easy (and fun for Valentine’s Day, with the heart) … look no further! This one’s a keeper!
More ricotta recipes:
Apricot Ricotta Honey Basil Bites
Love this Whipped Ricotta Toast
Get the Recipe:
Whipped Ricotta Crostini
Ingredients
- 1 fresh French baguette, cut into ½ inch slices
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta - don't use the lower fat versions for this recipe, too runny
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 crisp red apple, thinly sliced (do not peel)
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh chopped basil
- ¼ cup chopped roasted almonds, finely chopped
- 3 Tbsp honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the slices of bread on a baking sheet.
- Brush the toasts with olive oil, season with salt and bake at 400 degrees F for 5-7 minutes, flipping them over halfway, or until lightly golden brown. Allow to cool.
- Place ricotta in a food processor. Process for about 30 seconds, or until smooth and creamy. Add in salt and pepper and stir the mixture with a spoon. [OPTIONAL TO ADD IN THE LEMON ZEST HERE, or sprinkle it on top for garnish.]
Assemble the crostini:
- On the cooled crostini, spread the ricotta mixture with a spoon.
- Top with a thin slice of red apple.
- Sprinkle with roughly chopped roasted almonds and lemon zest.
- Drizzle with honey.
- Garnish with chopped basil leaves.
- Finish with a sprinkling of sea salt.
- Optional to serve the ricotta spread as a dip in a bowl: Add lemon zest, basil, sprinkle with nuts, and drizzle with honey and serve with favorite veggies or crackers.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
