Roasted Radish and Herbed Ricotta Toasts

Sourdough toast is topped with roasted, caramelized radishes and a creamy, garlicky, herbed ricotta spread. A simple and healthy snack that is full of flavor!

If you've been to a farmers market lately, you've noticed that it's radish season. I am a late-comer when it comes to radishes. As a kid, radishes were always too spicy for me. As were onions.

And although I fell in love with onions a long time ago, I neglected to share any of that love with radishes until just a few years ago.

I think part of my hesitancy around radishes was not knowing what to do with them other than adding them to a salad. Delicious? Sure.

But then I discovered an entirely new world: Roasted Radishes! I created this recipe as an homage to roasted radishes and all of their sweet, juicy, and slightly spicy glory. They mellow out in the oven and become an even more vibrant pink.

The sourdough toast is crunchy and nutty, the herbed ricotta spread adds a delicious sweet-salty creaminess, and the roasted radishes tie it all together with the mellowed peppery notes.

For more roasted vegetable recipes, try my Roasted Beet Tart with Feta and Kale, Roasted Red Potatoes with Chimichurri, Tahini Quinoa Bowl with Roasted Eggplant, Broccoli, and Tofu, and Soba Noodles with Miso-Roasted Tomatoes!

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Why Roast Radishes?
• Expert Tips
• Recipe Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Roasted Radish and Herbed Ricotta Toasts Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

• It's the perfect spring snack or light lunch
• Other than roasting the radishes, it takes merely minutes
• Healthy and nutritious (with vegan and gluten-free options below)
• Creamy, crunchy, savory, peppery, and slightly sweet
• Make-ahead options

Why Roast Radishes?

Because the radish is a "spicy" vegetable that packs a punch when eaten raw, roasting mellows the flavor. Radishes still retain their slightly peppery notes, and although they become tender in the oven radishes remain fairly crisp.

Roasting radishes, like all vegetables, caramelizes the sugars and creates a richer, earthier, and sweeter flavor. It also brings out the creaminess of radishes, which might sound strange, but they are related to turnips, which have a similar creamy quality. In essence, why would you not roast radishes??

Expert Tips

• Make ahead: The radishes can be roasted and the herbed ricotta can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store separately in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• How to store: Store radishes and herbed ricotta in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• How to freeze: I don't recommend freezing the roasted radishes, but the herbed ricotta can be stored in a freezer safe container and stored for up to 3 months.
• Toast sourdough (or your favorite type of bread) right before serving. The herbed ricotta will melt into your warm toast, making for a creamy and crunchy bite.
• Whipped cream cheese can be used as a substitute for the ricotta.

Recipe Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Trim both ends of radishes and rinse well. In a mixing bowl, toss radishes with a splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Place radishes on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, or until radishes have become tender. Let cool until you are comfortable handling them, about 20 minutes.

Thinly slice radishes (about ¼-inch) and set aside.

Make the ricotta spread: Place ricotta, minced garlic, chives, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk to combine.

When ready to serve, toast sourdough slices. Spread a good-sized layer of ricotta spread on toasts, and top with radish slices. If you prefer, add additional chives on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enjoy your week, and feel free to drop me a line in the comments – I would love to hear if you try this recipe! Or tag me on Instagram @maryannehoekstra to let me know how it turned out! Also, if you are enjoying my blog, please consider recommending it to your friends. They can subscribe here.