Ricotta Toast

Looking for a simple breakfast idea to shake up your morning routine? Try this easy, delicious and pretty ricotta toast!

It’s the doldrums of winter here in the Midwest. All the holidays are over, and now we have the long wait until May when the weather will turn and everyone will emerge back outside for the first time in months. It’s about this time of year that I start to get a little stir crazy. I was wishing for more sunshine and warmer weather when I stumbled upon blood oranges in my grocery store this week! Exactly the treat I needed to help shake things up (well… the breakfast routine at least!!).

This pretty ricotta toast is the perfect easy recipe to brighten up your morning. A simple piece of toast is topped with creamy ricotta and your favorite fresh fruit and herbs. I topped mine with a drizzle of honey, blood orange, tangerine, pomegranate seeds and fresh mint, for a delicious flavor combination that really took breakfast to the next level. Give this fancy toast a try if you too need to shake up your morning! You will love it!

For another kinda-fancy-but-actually-super-easy breakfast recipe, try my sweet cream pancakes.

You Will Love This

• This recipe is super simple but feels like a treat – it’s a perfect snack, quick lunch or breakfast when you want something a little bit special.
• There are endless topping options for delicious ricotta toasts. You can make this recipe savory or sweet. Check out some of my favorites ideas below!
• This simple recipe is also a great quick appetizer for a dinner party.

What is the best bread for ricotta toast?

You can use any fresh bread you have on hand, as long as it’s hearty enough to stand up to the toppings! I used a delicious whole-grain bread for my toast, but a french bread or sourdough baguette would be perfect!

Ingredients

For this ricotta toast recipe, you only need a handful of simple ingredients (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• Bread
• Olive oil (optional): If you are toasting your bread in the oven or a skillet, brush a little olive oil on it first. If using a toaster, no olive oil!
• Ricotta cheese: I suggest whole milk ricotta for this recipe. It whips up to a better, more creamy consistency than the lower fat options.
• Kosher salt: Just a pinch of kosher salt will help bring out the flavor of the cheese. It won’t taste “salty” but will keep the toast from tasting bland.
• Toppings! The sky is the limit here. I used honey, blood orange, tangerine, pomegranate seeds and fresh mint. I have tons of ideas for other yummy ricotta toast recipes below.

Topping ideas for ricotta toast

There are endless ideas for savory toppings or sweet toppings for ricotta toast. Here are just a few of my favorite flavor combinations!

• Make savory avocado toast with thin avocado slices and some everything but the bagel seasoning.
• Try fresh cherry tomatoes, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and fresh basil for a yummy take on bruschetta.
• Maple syrup, fresh berries and fresh rosemary or fresh thyme are a super yummy combination.
• Make an apple pie flavored toast with fresh apple slices, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a dusting of cinnamon.
• Try a juicy seasonal fruit (fresh pears, peaches or berries would be my top choices) with a slice of prosciutto and a handful of fresh arugula.

Instructions

Step One: Prepare your toppings – I peeled the blood orange and tangerines, and thinly sliced them. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese and a pinch of salt.

Step Two: Beat the ricotta with a hand mixer on medium speed for 1-2 minutes, until it turns nice and creamy. If needed, add a few tablespoons of milk, half and half or cream to the ricotta to help it reach a creamy consistency.

Step Three: Toast the bread until it is a nice golden brown. I brushed a little olive oil on my bread slices and toasted them under the broiler for less than a minute. A skillet or toaster will also work great.

Step Four: Spread each piece of toasted bread with creamy ricotta cheese.

Step Five: Add your toppings! I drizzled my bread with honey, and added the sliced fresh citrus and mint.

Storage

This toast is best eaten right away. If you have leftover ricotta, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Use it for more toast or a yummy pasta!