If you’re looking for something truly special to brighten up your brunch table, look no further than Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast! Imagine velvety ricotta, lightly whipped with fresh cream and vanilla, piped over golden, rustic bread, and crowned with juicy figs, crunchy hazelnuts, and a hint of honey. Every bite is an irresistible dance of creamy, crunchy, sweet and tangy—simple to make, but so undeniably luxurious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy Meets Crunchy: Silky whipped ricotta layered with toasty hazelnuts gives you the most delightful texture combo in every bite.
- Simple Sophistication: With just a handful of quality ingredients, you’ll create a dish that looks and tastes like something out of a fancy café.
- Naturally Sweet: Fresh figs and honey provide all the sweetness you need—no processed sugars required!
- Customizable for Any Occasion: Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast works as an elegant appetizer, brunch showstopper, or even a decadent dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is a celebration of premium, seasonal ingredients—each one carefully chosen to play a starring role. You only need a handful of basics, but together they make every Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast vibrant with flavor, color, and texture.
- Sourdough or crusty bread (4 pieces): The chewy, rustic base that crisps up beautifully when toasted—perfect for holding up all that creamy ricotta and juicy fruit!
- Ricotta (140g): Choose a high-quality, full-fat ricotta for the creamiest, dreamiest toast spread.
- Cream (1 tbsp): Just a splash of cream helps whip the ricotta to cloud-like perfection.
- Vanilla pod seeds (from 1 pod): Real vanilla boosts the richness and aromatic sweetness of your ricotta—much better than extract here if you have it.
- Lemon zest (from ½ a lemon): Adds brightness, a floral note, and a touch of zing to balance everything out.
- Pinch of salt: Don’t skip it! Salt sharpens all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Figs (2 large): Use plump, ripe figs for an ultra-juicy, honeyed burst with each bite.
- Hazelnuts (20g, toasted): Toasting transforms hazelnuts into little nuggets of nutty gold—crunchy, fragrant, and totally addictive.
- Honey: A drizzle on top adds a luscious, golden gloss and amplifies the sweet fruitiness.
- Popped amaranth: For a final sprinkle of nutty, toasty crunch—but sesame, quinoa, or even chia seeds make fun alternatives.
Variations
One of the best things about Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast is how easy it is to adapt—whether you want to keep it classic, tweak it for dietary needs, or simply have fun with toppings when figs are out of season. Let your imagination (and your fridge) be your guide!
- Swap Your Fruit: No figs? Try strawberries, blackberries, or even poached pears for a seasonal twist.
- Go Savory: Add a few slices of prosciutto or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to make it the world’s classiest open-faced sandwich.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use whipped vegan ricotta and plant-based cream for an equally luscious, lactose-free treat.
- Honey Alternatives: For a deeper flavor, drizzle with maple syrup or a little date syrup instead of honey.
- No Hazelnuts? Toasted pistachios or walnuts add a different—and delicious—crunch if that’s what you have on hand.
How to Make Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast
Step 1: Make the Whipped Ricotta
Pop your ricotta, cream, vanilla seeds, lemon zest, and a tiny pinch of salt into a blender or food processor. Blend until you have a truly creamy, almost fluffy mixture. For that extra touch of elegance, transfer your whipped ricotta into a piping bag and chill it in the fridge for a few minutes—it makes spreading (or piping) so much more fun.
Step 2: Toast the Hazelnuts
While your ricotta chills, toss your hazelnuts into a hot, dry skillet. Toast for a few minutes until the skins darken and your kitchen smells irresistible—don’t walk away, they can go from perfect to burnt in a flash! Once cool, give them a rough chop for the ultimate crunchy topping.
Step 3: Prep the Figs and Bread
Slice your figs however you fancy—delicate quarters or pretty circles both work beautifully. Next, toast your bread to golden, shatteringly crisp perfection; a grill pan gives those lovely charred lines, but your regular toaster is just fine.
Step 4: Assemble and Garnish
Spread or pipe a generous layer of whipped ricotta onto each piece of toast. Artfully arrange your fig slices on top, then scatter with toasted hazelnuts. Finish with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of popped amaranth (or your favorite crunchy topping). Prepare to swoon!
Pro Tips for Making Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast
- Bread Matters: Choose a thick, rustic loaf—day-old bread holds up best to all those gorgeous toppings without getting soggy.
- Ultra-Creamy Ricotta: If you have time, strain your ricotta for half an hour before whipping for the smoothest, richest texture.
- Hazelnut Perfection: Rub the toasted hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel to remove some skins for extra crunch and less bitterness.
- Assembly is Everything: Layer everything just before serving to preserve the crunch and vibrant colors that make this toast so stunning.
How to Serve Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast
Garnishes
The right garnish makes your Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast truly unforgettable. Try a scattering of fresh mint, a sprinkle of lemon zest, or a final flourish of flaky sea salt for extra brightness and elegance. Even a dusting of cinnamon or a few edible flowers can make your plate pop with color and flavor!
Side Dishes
Pair your toasts with a simply dressed arugula salad, a fruit-forward green salad, or a bowl of Greek yogurt with honey and more figs. For brunch gatherings, coffee or sparkling wine on the side turns this effortless dish into an occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dramatic appetizer platter, cut your toasts into fingers or triangles and arrange them on a wooden board with extra figs, honeycomb, and nuts. Or, build a DIY toast bar and let guests customize their creations with a variety of toppings—perfect for brunch parties or showers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover whipped ricotta or toppings, store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Assembled toast doesn’t keep its crispness, so it’s best enjoyed fresh, but the components will keep beautifully for a couple of days.
Freezing
Whipped ricotta can be frozen in a pinch, but the texture may become grainy after thawing. Instead, freeze slices of un-topped toast and toasted hazelnuts separately for easy assembly later—just bring them to room temp and whip your ricotta fresh.
Reheating
To refresh your toasts, simply pop the bread in a toaster or a hot oven for a few minutes until crisp again. Always add the ricotta and toppings after reheating to preserve their lovely fresh texture.
FAQs
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Can I use dried figs for Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast?
While fresh figs deliver the ultimate juicy freshness, you can use dried figs if you rehydrate them first. Soak in warm water for 20 minutes, then slice and use as you would fresh—keep in mind they’ll be sweeter and a bit more chewy.
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What’s the best bread for this recipe?
A rustic sourdough or a crusty country loaf works best, as the hearty texture stands up well to the creamy ricotta and juicy figs. Avoid overly soft sandwich bread, which tends to get soggy quickly.
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Can I make whipped ricotta ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can whip the ricotta mixture a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Give it a quick stir or re-whip before assembling your toasts to restore its smooth texture.
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Is Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast gluten-free?
The recipe can easily be made gluten-free by choosing a gluten-free artisan bread for your base. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free—just double check packaging if needed!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re feeling inspired to create Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast at home—it’s such an easy way to add a little magic to your mornings or brunch gatherings. Don’t be surprised if it disappears in a flash! Give it a try, play with your favorite variations, and let every bite transport you to a sun-drenched Mediterranean breakfast table. Happy toasting!
Print
Whipped Ricotta and Fig Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Toast, Blend, Assemble
- Cuisine: Modern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Elevate your breakfast or snack game with this delightful whipped ricotta and fig toast recipe. Creamy whipped ricotta with hints of vanilla and lemon zest, topped with fresh figs, toasted hazelnuts, and a drizzle of honey – a perfect combination of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Sourdough/Crusty Bread:
- 4 pieces
Figs:
- 2 large
Ricotta Mixture:
- 140 g ricotta
- 1 tbsp cream
- Seeds of 1 vanilla pod
- Zest of 1/2 a lemon
- Pinch of salt
Other:
- 20 g hazelnuts, toasted
- Honey, for drizzling
- Popped amaranth or preferred topping
Instructions
- Prepare Whipped Ricotta: In a blender, combine ricotta, cream, vanilla seeds, lemon zest, and salt. Blend until creamy. Transfer to a piping bag and refrigerate.
- Toast Hazelnuts: Toast hazelnuts until lightly browned for enhanced flavor.
- Prepare Figs: Cut figs into quarters or slices.
- Toast Bread: Toast sourdough or crusty bread to desired doneness.
- Assemble: Pipe whipped ricotta onto toast, top with figs, hazelnuts, honey, and amaranth or preferred topping.
Notes
- Ensure hazelnuts are toasted for optimal flavor.
- Feel free to customize toppings to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 toast slice
- Calories: Approximately 250 kcal
- Sugar: Approximately 8g
- Sodium: Approximately 200mg
- Fat: Approximately 12g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 28g
- Fiber: Approximately 4g
- Protein: Approximately 9g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 20mg
