Hot Honey Ricotta Bruschetta (Printable version)

Golden baguette slices with fluffy ricotta, infused honey, and crispy chili topping

# What You Need:

→ Bread

01 - 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Ricotta Spread

03 - 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
04 - 1 tablespoon heavy cream
05 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
06 - Pinch of salt

→ Hot Honey

07 - 1/4 cup honey
08 - 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

→ Toppings

09 - 2 tablespoons chili crisp
10 - Flaky sea salt for garnish
11 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Toast in the oven for 7 to 9 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crisp.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together ricotta, heavy cream, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fluffy.
03 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey and red pepper flakes. Warm gently for 2 to 3 minutes without boiling, then remove from heat and let infuse.
04 - Spread about 2 tablespoons of whipped ricotta on each toasted baguette slice.
05 - Drizzle with warm hot honey, then top with a small spoonful of chili crisp.
06 - Finish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 25 minutes, which means you can pull these together even when guests arrive earlier than expected.
  • The combination of textures and flavors is addictive, and somehow people always eat more than they planned to.
  • It's the kind of appetizer that makes you look like you tried much harder than you actually did.
02 -
  • Don't skip the flipping step when toasting; the underside needs those 3 to 4 minutes on the other side to truly crisp. I learned this the hard way by ending up with one golden side and one pale, almost soft side.
  • The ricotta mixture can be made ahead and chilled, but assemble everything at the last possible moment or the bread will soften. Warmth and crispness are non-negotiable for this dish.
03 -
  • Invest in a good quality chili crisp and you'll find yourself using it on scrambled eggs, avocado toast, and soup; it becomes a staple, not a one-trick ingredient.
  • Make the ricotta mixture earlier in the day and keep it chilled, so you only have to toast bread and assemble at party time, leaving you free to greet guests instead of hovering in the kitchen.
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