Honey Ricotta Toast is a delicious breakfast on its own, but adding fresh citrus takes it to another level!
Although this recipe feels fancy, you can put it together in just 15 minutes.
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I'm a big fan of combining citrus with a creamy element, like in my Greek yogurt bowls, and this recipe is another great example of why that combination works.
The creamy whipped ricotta cheese, tangy orange, and sweet honey is just so tasty, and you can easily customize the recipe with different types of bread and citrus fruits.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
My version of honey ricotta toast includes fresh Cara Cara oranges, nuts for protein, whole-grain bread and just enough honey to sweeten it all up.
- Ricotta Cheese: creamy full fat 100% whole milk ricotta cheese. Substitute with a lower fat version, if desired.
- Honey: adds much needed sweetness and any type of honey should work here. Substitute with maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Nutmeg: adds warm flavour, but can be omitted.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: rounds out the creaminess of the ricotta cheese and adds a touch of sweetness. Substitute with artificial vanilla extract, but know that the flavour will be different.
- Cara Cara Oranges: are naturally very sweet and taste better in this recipe than regular navel oranges. Substitute with clementine or mandarin segments.
- Pistachios: add crunch, colour and protein. Substitute with pecans or walnuts, omit them entirely. Pomegranate arils are a good nut-free substitution.
- Pink Peppercorns: add a fruity floral flavour and mild heat to this dish. You can omit them entirely if that does not appeal to you.
- Rustic Whole-grain Bread: is a vague term, I know. The bread that I use is from a local Danish bakery, and is advertised as whole-grain, high-protein loaf. Substitute with a good quality sourdough loaf or use brioche if you want a sweeter toast.
See the recipe card for the complete ingredient list and recipe instructions.
Time-saving Tip!
You can make this recipe in minutes by using canned mandarin oranges! You may need to reduce the amount of honey, though, as mandarin oranges are usually canned in syrup.
Special Equipment
- Hand Mixer or Food Processor to whip the ricotta
How to Make Honey Ricotta Toast
Putting this ricotta toast recipe together is very easy!
Step 1: Make Whipped Ricotta
In a bowl, add ricotta, honey, nutmeg and vanilla. Whip with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Make sure the ricotta is at room temperature before whipping. Also, be careful not to over-whip the ricotta as it may become grainy.
Step 2: Prepare Oranges
You can prepare your oranges in one of two ways: segmented or supremed.
Segmenting: Separating an orange into its natural wedges by peeling it and leaving the membranes intact.
Supreming: Removing the flesh of an orange from its membranes and pith for clean, elegant slices. If you've never done this before, you can learn how to supreme citrus fruits over at the Martha Stewart website.
I personally prefer supreming my oranges for this recipe, but either method will work.
Step 3: Prepare The Bread
Toast each slice of bread. Then, spread a spoonful of the whipped ricotta on each slice.
Step 4: Top Toast with Oranges
I like about three orange supremes per slice, but you can add as much or as little as you like.
Step 5: Garnish the Toasts
Top toasts with chopped nuts and crushed pink peppercorns (optional).
(Full instructions are in the recipe card below)
How to Store
You can prepare the whipped ricotta up to 1-2 days ahead of when you want to serve it to save time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Before using, give the ricotta a quick stir to restore its creamy texture. If it feels a bit thick, mix in a splash of milk or cream to loosen it up. Do not heat the ricotta - apply the cold ricotta to warm toast.
Once you assemble the toasts, I recommend eating them immediately. They will eventually get soggy if they sit around for too long, which is not a pleasant eating experience.
Serving Suggestion
This recipe is delicious for breakfast or an afternoon snack, and pairs well with a hot cup of tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
The texture of the ricotta cheese can vary from brand to brand. If you want your whipped ricotta to be less wet, strain the cheese in a fine mesh sieve before combining it with the other ingredients.
Whipped ricotta has a mild, slightly tangy taste and a creamy yet airy texture.
No, they are two different cheeses. While they share some similarities as soft, fresh cheeses, they are made differently, and their textures and flavours are distinct
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know if you put your own spin on it!
❋ Recipe ❋
Honey Ricotta Toast with Citrus
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup whole milk Ricotta cheese, full fat
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
- 4 slices rustic whole-grain bread, toasted
- 2 Cara Cara oranges
- 1 teaspoon honey, to drizzle (optional)
- 2 tablespoon pistachios, chopped
- 1 teaspoon pink peppercorns, crushed (optional)
Required Tools
- Hand Mixer, or Food Processor
Instructions
- In a bowl, add ricotta cheese, honey, ground nutmeg (if using) and the vanilla extract. Whip with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy. Adjust sweetness, if needed.
- Cut your oranges into segments or supremes.*
- Toast each slice of bread. Then, spread a spoonful of the whipped ricotta mixture on each slice, smoothing it out with the back of a spoon.
- Arrange orange segments over the ricotta layer.
- Sprinkle on the chopped pistachios and crushed pink peppercorns, if using. Drizzle with honey and serve.
- Any leftover ricotta mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on specific ingredients and brands used. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Notes
- Ricotta Cheese, creamy full fat 100% whole milk ricotta cheese. Substitute with a lower fat version, if desired.
- Honey adds much needed sweetness and any type of honey should work here. Substitute with maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Nutmeg adds warm flavour, but can be omitted.
- Pure Vanilla Extract rounds out the creaminess of the ricotta cheese and adds a touch of sweetness. Substitute with artificial vanilla extract, but know that the flavour will be different.
- Cara Cara Oranges are naturally very sweet and taste better in this recipe than regular navel oranges. Substitute with clementine or mandarin segments.
- Pistachios add crunch, colour and protein. Substitute with pecans or walnuts, omit them entirely. Pomegranate arils are a good nut-free substitution.
- Pink Peppercorns add a fruity floral flavour and mild heat to this dish. You can omit them entirely if that does not appeal to you.
- Rustic Whole-grain Bread is a vague term, I know. The bread that I use is from a local Danish bakery, and is advertised as whole-grain, high-protein loaf. Substitute with a good quality sourdough loaf or use brioche if you want a sweeter toast.
Please read the full blog post for all of my tips, variations, and recommendations for this recipe.
Debi says
Wow...I love this recipe for Ricotta Toast! Cara cara oranges are my favorite, and the flavors really meld together well. A great way to wake up in the morning!
Shareba says
Thanks so much, Debi!