Perfect Whipped Ricotta Crostini Recipe with Fresh Fig Jam and Prosciutto for Easy Gourmet Appetizers
A simple yet elegant appetizer featuring whipped ricotta on toasted crostini, topped with fresh fig jam and prosciutto, perfect for entertaining or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (about 8 oz)
- Fresh ripe figs (about 6-8 figs), or substitute with good-quality fig jam
- Thinly sliced prosciutto (about 4 oz)
- 1 baguette or Italian bread, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- Honey, for drizzling
- Olive oil, for brushing bread
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice baguette into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Brush each slice lightly with olive oil on both sides and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Toast the bread in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- While bread toasts, transfer ricotta to a mixing bowl. Whip with an electric mixer or whisk until light and airy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and lemon zest if using, then whip briefly again to combine.
- Rinse fresh figs gently and slice into quarters or sixths. Skip this step if using fig jam.
- Spread a generous layer of whipped ricotta over each toasted crostini. Top with a piece of fresh fig or a small dollop of fig jam, then drape a thin slice of prosciutto over the top.
- Drizzle a little honey over each crostini. Optionally, sprinkle freshly ground black pepper or fresh thyme leaves before serving.
Notes
If ricotta is watery, drain in a fine mesh sieve for 10 minutes before whipping to avoid soggy crostini. Watch bread closely while toasting to achieve a golden brown with some give. Season ricotta with salt and pepper for best flavor. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute ricotta with whipped cashew or almond cream and prosciutto with roasted mushrooms or marinated artichokes. Crostini can be assembled ahead and briefly reheated under a broiler for a warm bite.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crostini
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: whipped ricotta, crostini, fig jam, prosciutto, appetizer, easy gourmet, party food, finger food