Hot Honey Ricotta Stuffed Knots (Printer-friendly)

Soft garlic knots stuffed with ricotta and finished with sweet spicy hot honey drizzle. Protein-packed vegetarian appetizer ready in 48 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein Dough

01 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk)
02 - 1 cup self-rising flour, plus extra for dusting
03 - 1 scoop unflavored whey protein powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Ricotta Filling

05 - 1 cup ricotta cheese
06 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - Salt to taste

→ Garlic Butter

11 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

→ Hot Honey

14 - 1/3 cup honey
15 - 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce such as Frank's RedHot or Sriracha
16 - Pinch of chili flakes for optional extra heat

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, self-rising flour, protein powder, and salt. Mix until dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth.
03 - In a small bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian herbs, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
04 - Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a disc approximately 3 inches wide. Place a heaping teaspoon of ricotta filling in the center of each disc.
05 - Pinch edges together to seal each disc, then gently roll into a rope and tie into a knot, tucking the ends underneath.
06 - Arrange knots on the prepared baking sheet. Cover with a clean towel and allow to rest while preparing the garlic butter.
07 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
08 - Brush each knot generously with garlic butter using a pastry brush.
09 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
10 - While knots bake, combine honey, hot sauce, and chili flakes in a small bowl. Warm in the microwave or on the stovetop until runny.
11 - Remove knots from oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • High Protein: The dough uses Greek yogurt and whey protein for a more satiating snack.
  • Perfect Balance: Combines aromatic garlic, creamy cheese, and the trendy kick of hot honey.
  • Quick Prep: Uses self-rising flour to skip the long rising times of traditional yeast breads.
02 -
  • Seal the Dough: Ensure you pinch the edges of the dough discs firmly to prevent the ricotta filling from leaking during the baking process.
  • Consistent Heat: Warm the honey just until runny; this ensures an even drizzle that coats the knots without pooling.
  • Resting: Don't skip the resting time after knotting; it helps the dough relax for a better final texture.
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