I love a piece of avocado toast as much as the next person, but have you ever tried ricotta toast? Now, that's what I call a breakfast upgrade! I whip up creamy ricotta cheese with lemon zest, olive oil and a sprinkle of salt to create a luxurious (but budget-friendly!) tangy spread that keeps well in the fridge and tastes amazing on a slice of crusty sourdough toast. But my favorite part? are Endless ways to make ricotta toast, and I've shared four delicious variations below!
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Here's what you'll need to make this Whipped Ricotta Toast recipe:
- Whole Milk Ricotta: It is a creamy, slightly sweet, soft cheese made from the whey left over from making other types of cheese, such as mozzarella. I recommend using whole milk ricotta to get the creamiest texture and best flavor for your toast.
- Sour: You can use any type of bread you normally use to make toast. But, in my opinion, the best bread for ricotta toast is one with a chewy crumb and a crunchy crust—just as sour! I buy a whole loaf and slice it to get nice, thick slices. Other good options include whole grains, ciabatta, French bread, or bagels!
- Lemon Juice: I squeeze a whole lemon and mix it into the cream cheese. It adds the most delicious citrus zing to the spread. Budget-friendly tip: For making lemonade, lemonade, or for use in other recipes (like our Homemade lemon curd!)
- Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps the cheese become smooth and creamy.
- Salt: It doesn't matter if I'm making sweet or savory ricotta on toast; I always add a pinch of salt to make the flavors pop.
Tips and hints!
- I highly recommend using whole milk ricotta. The high fat content helps the cheese to become smooth and creamy with a cloud-like texture. Plus, the taste is unbeatable! Lower fat options may be too watery and won't whip to the same consistency. But if that's all you have, please don't waste it! The texture won't be the same as shown in my process photos below, but it will still work as a topping for toast.
- Don't have a hand mixer? Try your food processor! You can also whip it by hand, but it will take a lot longer and require some serious arm strength.
- It is normal for the ricotta to have a little liquid (whey) when you open the container. When that happens, I stir it before I measure my cheese.
- This creamy spread isn't just for toast! I love it dipped in fresh vegetables, mixed with pasta for a quick sauce, on a sliced baguette as an appetizer or as a spread on a sandwich. It's really versatile and stores well in the fridge for a few days.
I love a breakfast that I can prepare ahead, so you already know this ricotta toast recipe is in my meal prep! Make the whipped ricotta as directed on the recipe card and refrigerate for 3-4 days. I usually give it a quick mix to re-incorporate any liquid that separates before use. Then, all I do is toast my sourdough and add whatever toppings I like that day. is almost Simple like me Overnight oats To prepare the breakfast meal. 😉
Ricotta Toast Variation
I think this whipped ricotta toast base recipe is delicious just as it is, but it's even better with toppings! I have done many tests Different topping combinations, but here are four stand-out favorites:
Roasted grapes, thyme and bacon
This topping is perfect when you can't decide between savory or sweet. Toss your grapes in a light coating of olive oil and roast in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until wrinkled and soft. You can cook the bacon however you like, but I recommend Cook in the ovenLike it's already on and hot! Cut the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces, place the roasted grapes on top of the ricotta and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.
Tomato, basil and balsamic reduction
Tomatoes, basil and balsamic are always a winning combination. Any type of tomato works for this topping! Add a drizzle of Balsamic reduction Top with fresh basil leaves, and you're basically eating Bruschetta For breakfast! YUM.
Strawberry, mint and honey
This whipped ricotta toast topping makes me dream of summer mornings. Bonus points if you grow your own mint and strawberries (depending on the season, of course!). Simply slice fresh strawberries, place them on top of the toast and sprinkle with torn mint leaves and a drizzle of honey. The flavors are so light and refreshing and it really couldn't be easier to make. You can also use other types of berries, such as raspberries or blueberries.
Mushrooms, garlic, wilted spinach and red pepper flakes
For this one-pan topping, saute sliced mushrooms (any kind) in olive oil with a sprinkle of salt for about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, then mix in the fresh spinach. Season to taste before adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to your whipped ricotta. Juicy mushrooms are irresistible, and wilted spinach is a great way to sneak in some greens for breakfast.
More topping ideas!
I honestly can't think of a savory or sweet dish that wouldn't work well with this creamy, tangy lemon ricotta toast base recipe. Here are some more ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
Ricotta Toast Recipe
Upgrade your breakfast game with this quick and easy ricotta toast recipe. It's delicious just as it is, but we've also included four tasty variations to try!
Prevent your screen from going dark
- 15 oz A tub of whole milk ricotta (just shy of 2 cups) ($2.67)
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice* ($0.50)
- 1 tbsp olive oil ($0.19)
- ¼ teaspoon salt ($0.01)
- 1 lb sourdough bread** ($3.99)
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Combine the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
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Using a hand mixer, blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
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Slice the sourdough into thick slices and toast.
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Using a spatula or butter knife, spread the toasted sourdough generously on top. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part of this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.
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Top the ricotta with any flavor combination you like, or enjoy it with a sprinkle of salt and a crack or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for best texture.
Let's see how Calculate the cost of the recipe here.
**Bake-at-home sourdough bread from Kroger is a good option, but they don't offer as many slices as pre-sliced loaves, so use whatever you like!
Serving: 1pieceCalories: 262kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSodium: 459mgFiber: 1g
Read our full Nutrition disclaimer here.
How to Make Ricotta Toast – Step by Step Photos
Combine 15 ounces ricotta cheese, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 1 teaspoon olive oil, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium mixing bowl.
Using a hand mixer, blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Cut 1 pound sourdough bread into thick slices and toast.
Using a spatula or butter knife, generously top with toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part of this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.
Top the ricotta with any flavor combination you like, or enjoy it with a sprinkle of salt and a crack or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for best texture.
