My Top 12 Favorite Ricotta Toast Options and Recipes

If you want something fast, good, and amenable, a ricotta toast recipe can be your best ally. 

Ricotta toast can become a breakfast treat, your lunch, and even your dinner.

One of my favorite things about ricotta toast is also its simplicity: to bake my own bread, to caramelize and crisp it into golden-brown crackers and then to spread on it the ricotta.

Here are a handful of ricotta toast recipes that I’ve come to adore and that you can re-create at home with a minimal investment of ingredients, all of them designed to shine a spotlight on ricotta in whatever incarnation it exists: sweet and set or savory with a squeeze of something on the acidic side.

The 12 Best ricotta toast recipes and recipes

1. Honey and Walnut Ricotta Toast

I love to start the day with breakfast and this one is great for me. I like to start with base ingredients of ricotta (cheese made from whey) and honey, then I add walnuts as it gives a crunchy texture that complements it well.

I mix them all together and then take a bite of the ricotta, honey and walnuts explosion. 

Ingredients

• 4 slices of whole-grain or sourdough bread
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Pinch of sea salt
• Fresh thyme or mint leaves for garnish (optional)
• Sliced orange

Instructions

1. Toast the bread slices until golden and crispy.

2. Combine the ricotta cheese and a pinch of sea salt in a medium mixing bowl, and mash it with a fork until creamy.

3. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over each slice of toasted bread.

4. Drizzle honey generously over the ricotta-covered toast.

5. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts on top of the honey-drizzled toast, add some sliced oranges.

6. Garnish with fresh thyme or mint leaves if desired, and serve immediately.

2. Lemon Zest and Mint Ricotta Toast

I start my day with this delicious and refreshing breakfast, it’s a cool flavor of fresh mint blended with a zesty and citrusy flavor of lemon zest, all on top on a bed of creamy ricotta on great toasted bread. This is a gourmet take on toast that takes your morning to the next level.

I love a good morning treat that keeps me energized and satisfied, and this flavor bomb of breakfast deliciousness checks all those boxes and more. 

Ingredients

• 4 slices of sourdough or crusty bread
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions

1. Toast the sourdough or crusty bread slices until golden and crisp.

2. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese with the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper until well incorporated.

3. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the toasted bread slices.

4. Sprinkle the chopped mint leaves on top of the ricotta spread.

5. Drizzle with a little olive oil, add some lemon slices (optional).

6. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, tangy flavors.

3. Strawberry Balsamic Ricotta Toast

This magical combination of sweet, strawberries and balsamic glaze with creamy ricotta has changed my morning life. 

Oh how I love how these flavors go so well together. It is simply a sublime breakfast or snack option.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of rustic bread or sourdough
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
• Pinch of salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Toast the bread slices until golden and crisp.

2. Put the ricotta in a small bowl and season with a little salt to taste.

3. Spread a thin layer of the seasoned ricotta cheese onto each toasted slice of bread.

4. Arrange the sliced strawberries on top of the ricotta.

5. Drizzle the balsamic glaze and honey over the strawberries.

6. (Optional) Garnish with chopped fresh basil and a grind of black pepper, and serve straight away.

4. Fig and Prosciutto Ricotta Toast

I get excited when marrying sweet and savory.

Every time I make this, I just want to lick my plate clean because the creaminess of the ricotta balances out the sweetness of the figs.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of crusty bread (sourdough or ciabatta recommended)
• 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
• 4 fresh figs, sliced
• 4 slices of prosciutto
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Toast the slices of bread until they are golden and crispy.

2. Smear each slice of toasted bread with dollops of fresh ricotta cheese.

3. Arrange the fig slices evenly over the ricotta cheese on each toast.

4. Drape a slice of prosciutto over the figs on each piece of toast.

5. Drizzle each toast with honey and a light splash of olive oil.

6. Season well with sea salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

5. Blueberry and Almond Ricotta Toast

I have an almost Pavlovian response to this food. It’s breakfast!

In my brain, I see a bowl of cold blueberries ,and oversized flakes of toasted almonds. With some rich ricotta cheese spread on that toast… that’s a meal!

Ingredients

• 4 slices of whole grain or sourdough bread
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Toast the slices of bread until they are golden brown.

2. Whisk together the ricotta, honey, lemon zest, vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt in a small bowl until thoroughly blended.

3. Spread an equal amount of the ricotta mixture on each slice of toasted bread.

4. Top the ricotta-covered toast with fresh blueberries.

5. Sprinkle toasted almond slices on top of the blueberries.

6. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired, and serve immediately.

6. Avocado and Chili Flake Ricotta Toast

It feels like I’ve made myself a tiny spreadable restaurant dish right at home when I score a piece of buttery toast with the tip of my knife, then smear on some creamy ricotta and top it off with a few discs of ripe avocado.

Maybe there’s a sprinkling of chili flakes, too, if I’m feeling like pushing my self-satisfied boundaries. This is how I like my brekkie: a measured dose of flavor on a single piece of bread, arranged like a hearty little painting and washed down with a cold glass of water.

It’s fairly close to perfect.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• 4 slices of your favorite bread (sourdough recommended)
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Lemon zest (optional)
• Fresh herbs (optional, such as basil or cilantro)

Instructions

1. Toast the slices of bread until they are golden brown and crispy.

2. But while the bread is toasting, cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh into a bowl and mash it slightly with a fork. Leave it chunky if you like, or make it smooth.

3. Season the ricotta cheese with a pinch of salt and black pepper and place it in a small bowl.

4. Spread the ricotta generously over each piece of toast.

5. Top the ricotta with the mashed avocado, spreading it evenly.

6.Brush each toast with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with the chilli flakes, some more salt, and any additional garnishes such as lemon zest and fresh herbs.Serve immediately.

7. Tomato Basil Ricotta Toast

I love this go-to breakfast or snack as a way to make a simple new-to-me dish shine: every bite is bursting with bright freshness, and I definitely get a lot of satisfaction from the combo of creamy ricotta, juicy tomatoes and aromatic basil.

Ingredients

4 slices of crusty bread (such as sourdough or baguette)
1 cup of ricotta cheese
1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: balsamic glaze for drizzling

Instructions

1. Toast the bread slices until they are golden brown and crispy.

2. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the ricotta with the minced garlic, and sprinkle with sea salt and a few grindings of black pepper. Stir.

3. Spread a generous layer of the ricotta mixture onto each toasted bread slice.

4. Cover the ricotta with halved cherry tomatoes and chopped basil leaves.

5. Drizzle each toast with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil and, if desired, balsamic glaze.

6. Season to taste with more sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve.

8. Peach and Thyme Ricotta Toast

The sweet juice of the ripe peach and the green, herby note of the thyme – somehow enhanced against the backdrop of a creamy ricotta and a crisp, toasted slice of bread. This toast makes me happy.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of rustic bread, toasted
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 ripe peaches, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Pinch of sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Toast the slices of rustic bread until they are golden and crisp.

2. Spread a generous layer of ricotta cheese on each slice of toasted bread.

3. Arrange the thinly sliced peaches on top of the ricotta cheese.

4. Drizzle honey over the peaches and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.

5. Add a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

6. Serve immediately and enjoy your Peach and Thyme Ricotta Toast!

9. Smoked Salmon and Dill Ricotta Toast

The delicate flavours of smoked salmon and dill ricotta are an indulgent and serious treat for my mornings. I can’t get enough.

The freshness of dill cuts through the richness of the creaminess of the ricotta. Every bite you take hits you with a complex mixture of flavours that is truly sublime.

This is the king of spreads – classy, delightful and easy.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of sourdough bread
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 8 ounces smoked salmon, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• Microgreens or baby arugula, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Toast the sourdough bread slices until they are golden and crispy.

2. Put the ricotta in a bowl mixed with the fresh dill and the lemon zest.

3. Smear a thick layer of dill ricotta on to each piece of toasted sourdough.

4. Lay the smoked salmon slices evenly over the ricotta-covered toast.

5. Sprinkle capers and freshly ground black pepper over the salmon.

6. Drizzle with olive oil, top with microgreens or baby arugula if using, and serve right away.

10. Apple and Cinnamon Ricotta Toast

I don’t think there is a more delicious or better-for-you breakfast combination than this: creamy, tangy ricotta, the sweetness of an apple sliced into rounds, a dusting of ground cinnamon, and a touch of honey poured over the top. 

Ingredients

• 2 slices of whole-grain bread
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• A pinch of sea salt
• A handful of chopped walnuts (optional)

 Instructions

1. Toast the whole-grain bread slices until they are golden and crispy.

2. Combine the ricotta with the honey, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg (if using) and a pinch of sea salt in a bowl.

3. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly on each slice of toasted bread.

4. Arrange the thinly sliced apple on top of the ricotta-covered toast.

5. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts (if using) for added texture and nutty flavor.

6. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Apple and Cinnamon Ricotta Toast!

11. Roasted Red Pepper and Olive Ricotta Toast

I’m a huge fan of appetizers. This is completely irresistible – the ricotta cheese is creamy, the roasted red peppers are smoky and sweet, and the olives provide a briny pungency that kicks the whole thing into high gear.

It’s a great party dish: it always gets rave reviews from my guests.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of rustic bread
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 roasted red bell peppers, sliced
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 garlic clove, halved

Instructions

1. Toast the slices of rustic bread until golden brown.

2. Toast the bread and rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic clove.

3. Spread a generous layer of ricotta cheese on each slice of toast.

4. Top the ricotta with roasted red pepper slices and Kalamata olives.

5. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Garnish with freshly chopped basil before serving.

12. Pear and Honey Ricotta Toast

Nothing makes me happier than the beginning of a day filled with a delicious and healthy breakfast. This breakfast is a full, creamy and sweet spread of smooth ricotta, honey and soft ripe pears.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of whole-grain or sourdough bread
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 ripe pears (such as Bartlett or Anjou), thinly sliced
• 2-3 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Instructions

1. Toast the bread slices until they are golden brown and crispy.

2. In a separate small bowl, stir together the ricotta and lemon juice until well-combined and creamy.

3. Spread each piece of bread with an even coat of the ricotta mixture.

4. Arrange the pear slices on top of the ricotta cheese.

5. Drizzle honey over the pears and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

6. Garnish with chopped walnuts or pecans and fresh thyme, if desired, and enjoy immediately.