Hot Honey Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip
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Published Sep 30, 2023, Updated Nov 05, 2024
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This hot honey whipped cottage cheese dip combines tangy cottage cheese with spicy sweet honey, pistachios and fresh basil. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory and makes for an easy but impressive appetizer that everyone will love!
Yesterday I shared a simple on-ingredient whipped cottage cheese recipe and today I’m sharing this hot honey whipped cottage cheese dip because it was too good not to share when I made it!
It combines smooth and creamy whipped cottage cheese with spicy sweet honey, crunchy and salty pistachios, fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil and the combo is pure perfection! My mouth is drooling just thinking about it.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The combo of tangy and salty cottage cheese, spicy sweet honey, crunchy pistachios and fresh basil = chef’s kiss!
- Super easy to whip up… all you need is 10 minutes and a food processor!
- It’s an impressive appetizer to serve a crowd!
Ingredients Needed
- cottage cheese – the star of the show! You’ll need a 16oz container of full-fat cottage cheese. I like using whole milk Good Culture cottage cheese and I recommend using 4% milkfat cottage cheese for the best results, but low-fat or 2% cottage cheese will also work. And because cottage cheese has a higher sodium content there’s so need for added salt in this recipe.
- olive oil – a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds some healthy fats.
- hot honey – adds a subtle sweetness and spiciness, helping to balance out the salty flavors from the cottage cheese. I used Mike’s hot honey, but you can easily make your own hot honey by adding 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to 1 Tablespoon of honey.
- fresh basil – this is optional, but I love adding fresh herbs to my recipes whenever possible and I find that fresh basil pairs perfectly with the tanginess of the cottage cheese and the spicy sweet honey. It also adds a pop of color for serving.
- black pepper – optional, but a crack of fresh black pepper adds depth and some spice to this dip!
- pistachios – this is another optional element of this dish, but it’s definitely what takes this dip to the next level, IMO. The crunchiness and saltiness of the pistachios pairs perfectly with the hot honey and cottage cheese.
Substitutions
- Hot Honey: If you don’t have hot honey on hand, you can make your own by mixing regular honey with a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Maple syrup could also be a good substitute if you’re looking for a different flavor.
- Pistachios: Not a pistachio fan or don’t have them? Try roasted almonds or walnuts instead. They’ll still give you that crunch and pair well with the creamy base.
- Fresh Basil: Swap out basil for fresh mint or parsley for a different fresh herb flavor. These herbs add a bright touch that balances the richness of the dip.
How to Make
Add cottage cheese, olive oil and hot honey to a food processor. Blend on high until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. You might have to stop a few times throughout to scrape the sides down with a spatula.
Scoop whipped cottage cheese into a shallow bowl or on a small plate and top with a drizzle of hot honey, olive oil, crack of black pepper, fresh basil and chopped pistachios. Serve immediately with pita chips.
Brittany’s Tip
If you’re looking for that ultra-creamy texture, I recommend giving the cottage cheese a quick blend in your food processor or blender. It turns it from slightly chunky to silky smooth in just a few seconds!
What to Serve With Cottage Cheese Dip
- Pita bread – a classic pairing with a creamy dip! Homemade pita or store-bought, warmed pita are both great options. The pita bread helps to scoop up the dip, making it easier to enjoy.
- Pita chips – if you don’t have pita bread, pita chips are the next best option!
- Crackers – try my almond flour crackers or use store-bought. I love Simple Mills crackers for store-bought.
- Toast – either dip small pieces of toast in this hot honey whipped cottage cheese or spread some on a fresh slice of sourdough bread for cottage cheese toast.
- Fresh veggies – this dip is also delicious served with fresh veggies. My go-to choices would be carrots, cucumbers, celery and cherry tomatoes as they’re easier to dip. It’s also a great addition to any mezze platter!
How to Store Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover hot honey whipped cottage cheese, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, give it a good stir to recombine any separated liquids. Keep in mind that the texture may change slightly after refrigeration and if you have pistachios in the dip they will likely soften, but it will still be delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can use a plant-based cottage cheese alternative made from almonds or soy. Also, swap the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar, and skip the cheese toppings to keep it vegan-friendly.
If cottage cheese isn’t your thing, try whipped feta or ricotta. Both options will give you a creamy texture and slightly different flavors to play around with.
More Dips and Spreads
- Creamy Hummus
- Lima Bean Hummus
- Everything Bagel Dip
- Healthy 7-Layer Dip
- Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Easy Guacamole
- Almond Pesto Dip
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Whipped Feta Dip
- Whipped Cottage Cheese
- Smoked Salmon Dip
Be sure to check out all of my cottage cheese recipes as well as all the dips and spreads here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Hot Honey Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz container full fat cottage cheese, I used Good Culture 4%
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- 1 Tablespoon hot honey, plus more for serving
- Crack of fresh black pepper, for serving
- Chopped roasted and salted pistachios, for serving
- Fresh basil, for serving
Instructions
- Add cottage cheese, olive oil and hot honey to a food processor.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy (about 1-2 minutes). You might have to stop a few times throughout to scrape the sides down.
- Scoop whipped cottage cheese into a shallow bowl or on a small plate and top with a drizzle of hot honey, olive oil, crack of black pepper, fresh basil and chopped pistachios.
- Serve immediately with pita chips.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This dip is unreal! My husband said it tastes exactly like burrata and he is right! I just made it for a Thanksgiving appetizer and will definitely make it at Christmas too! It’s so good! Thank you!!
So glad this recipe was a hit, Jennifer! Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
Any nut free substitution recommendations?
Hi Allie! You could try seeds like roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds—they’re both great nut-free options. I’ve also heard of others using bacon bits, or you could even try topping it with air fryer chickpeas for a crunchy kick. Let me know what you decide to go with!
Just had this for dinner over a huge plate of roasted cauliflower and courgettes. Seems like a strange combo but it was absolutely delicious!
Ahh this sounds absolutely fabulous, Sandra. I am SO glad you gave this recipe a try and are loving it. Thank you for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!