This Whipped Goat Cheese with Honey is one of those party appetizers people will request over and over. Tangy goat cheese whipped together with hot honey, herbs, and red pepper flakes until light, creamy, and irresistible! All you need is 20 minutes and 8 ingredients.
The only thing better than easy holiday appetizers is ones you can serve all year long. This goat cheese appetizer is elevated enough to serve for special occasions, yet simple enough to throw together last minute when hosting neighbors. Plus, it's naturally vegetarian and guaranteed to please everyone!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy holiday appetizer - Hosting can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. This easy appetizer will take you just minutes to whip together, and can even be prepped the day before. For more easy snacks and side dishes, you may love this Lemon and Thyme White Bean Hummus or my ultra popular Gluten Free Chicken Tenders!
- Made with simple ingredients. In addition to your favorite goat cheese and honey, you'll need just 6 ingredients, including salt and pepper! You may even be able to put this crowd pleaser together without a trip to the grocery store.
- No cow's milk. Many versions of this delicious appetizer are made with cream cheese. If you don't tolerate cow's milk well, this may be the perfect appetizer for you. The hot honey mixture in combination with the goat cheese makes a creamy consistency without the need for additional cream.
Tools You'll Need
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Citrus juicer
- Dry measuring spoons
- Small saucepan
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Serving dish
Ingredients
We're keeping this appetizer simple to allow the flavor of goat cheese to shine through.
You'll need your favorite log of goat cheese, honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a simple blend of seasonings to boost the flavor.
Substitutions
- Use your favorite herbs. I love the flavor of fresh thyme here, but rosemary or parsley would also be delicious!
- Try fresh garlic. If you are a garlic lover, swap the dash of garlic powder with 1-2 cloves of freshly minced garlic. This will elevate the flavor of the tangy goat cheese and balance the sweet flavors.
How to Make Whipped Goat Cheese with Honey
- Heat the honey mixture. Place the honey, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Whisk together and heat over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Then, turn off the heat and allow the honey mixture to steep for 10 minutes.
- Combine the honey and goat cheese. Pour about ¾ of the mixture into a medium bowl with the log of goat cheese.
- Vigorously whisk the honey mixture and goat cheese. Using a handheld whisk, mix the goat cheese and honey together until smooth and creamy.
- Serve. Transfer the whipped goat cheese into a shallow bowl and top with the remaining honey mixture and fresh herbs.
Prep Ahead Options
This creamy appetizer can be prepped up to 24 hours in advance. If working ahead, make the recipe through the final plating and honey drizzle.
Instead, transfer the whipped goat cheese dip to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Store the extra honey mixture separately at room temperature until ready to drizzle.
Serving Suggestions
Whipped goat cheese with honey is the perfect addition to any appetizer table or cheese board. Make for any casual get togethers, cocktail hour, date nights in, or holiday parties.
Finish with a hot drizzle of honey and additional fresh herbs such as fresh rosemary for garnish. It's the perfect creamy texture to spread on your favorite gluten-free crackers, freshly toasted bread, pita chips or roasted carrots.
Recipe FAQs
If your goat cheese is very, very cold, it may be difficult to whisk, especially by hand. I like to allow the goat cheese to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before whisking it with the hot honey to soften it and make it easy to whip. Once ready, it should be a similar consistency to whipped cream cheese.
Yes, if you do not have a good handheld whisk to use, an electric hand mixer or stand mixer on a medium setting. Or, as a last resort, try adding the mixture to the bowl of a food processor and processing until creamy. A food processor will whip the goat cheese into a less airy texture, but it will still taste delicious!
It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If storing and refrigerating, allow the goat cheese to warm to room temperature before serving to make it spreadable again.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Purchase a high quality goat cheese. You want it to be moist, creamy, and bright tasting. It should be completely smooth with no graininess. If you're new to using goat cheese, you may find this article helpful: All About Goat Cheese.
- Don't allow the honey mixture to boil. If the honey mixture heats for too long and begins to boil, you run the risk of the sugar caramelizing and will change the consistency.
More Recipes You'll Enjoy
Whipped Goat Cheese with Honey
Ingredients
- 1 8 ounce log of goat cheese
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest divided
- 1 ½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- 1 dash fresh ground black pepper
- 1 dash garlic powder
- Roasted Carrots, for dipping
- Gluten free crackers, for dipping
Instructions
- Place the honey, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme, chili flakes, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Whisk the honey mixture together over medium heat, until it just begins to simmer, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the honey steep for 10 minutes. While the mixture steeps, take the log of goat cheese out of the refrigerator to allow it to come to room temperature - about 15 minutes.
- Once the honey has steeped, pour about ¾ of the mixture into a medium bowl with the goat cheese. Whisk together, vigorously, until the mixture is smooth. Place into a small serving bowl, and top with the remaining honey mixture.
- Enjoy with roasted carrots and your favorite gluten free crackers!
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