How to Make the Best Hummus
scroll down for printable recipe!
Hummus is the delicious, creamy, and oh-so-versatile dish that has become widely popular and for good reason.. Whether you’re dipping it up with veggies, slathering it on a sandwich, or spreading in on some warm pita, hummus is the star of any table. And guess what? It’s easier to make than you think! I’ll take you through everything from the origin of hummus to creative hummus toppings ideas and even how to make a hummus recipe without tahini. Let’s get scooping!
How to Cook Hummus Recipe below
The Origin of Hummus: Where Did It All Begin?
Let’s have a super quick history. Where does this creamy, dreamy dish come from? Hummus has it’s roots to the Middle East, with several countries laying claim to its invention. The word “hummus” means “chickpea” in Arabic, and the dish has been a staple in Mediterranean diets for centuries.
While debates continue about the true origin of hummus, one thing’s for sure—it’s been on tables and bringing people together for ages.
Hummus Uses: Beyond the Dip
You might think hummus is just for dipping, but not so fast! It’s a multitasking marvel in the kitchen. Sure, it’s great with carrots, celery, cucumbers and crackers, but it also makes a great addition to any meal Here are some ideas to jazz up your hummus game:
Hummus on a Sandwich
Forget mayo—hummus is the spread your sandwiches have been missing! It adds creaminess, tons of flavor, and even a little protein. Try it with roasted veggies, grilled chicken, or even turkey and avocado for a sandwich upgrade that’ll leave you wondering why you didn’t start sooner.
Hummus as a Salad Dressing
Thin it out with a little lemon juice and olive oil, and voilà! You’ve got a tangy, creamy dressing perfect for tossing with greens, grains, or pasta salad.
Hummus as a Sauce
Love bowl meals….they are a great way to use up ingredients in your fridge.? Hummus makes an excellent sauce for grain bowls, roasted veggies, or even grilled fish or chicken bowls. Just drizzle it over the top and enjoy!
Making Seasonal Hummus
One of the most beautiful things about hummus is its ability to adapt to the seasons. Depending on what’s fresh and available, you can add fun twists to the classic recipe. Here are some seasonal ideas:
Spring Hummus Ideas
Add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or oregano for a fresh spring hummus. Pair it with radishes, micor greens, cucumbers and asparagus for a springtime snack.
Summer Hummus
Blend in roasted red peppers, or top with grilled zuchinni or diced tomatoes in olive oil. Perfect for patio sitting and picnics!
Fall Hummus
Top with pumpkins or roasted butternut. Yum! Add a dollop of pumpkin puree, a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg, or a drizzle of maple syrup to make a fall seasonal hummus.
Winter
Add pomegranate seeds for a pop of holiday color, or add roasted garlic or caramelized onions for a savory, rich flavor. Serve with warm pita straight from the oven.
Hummus Recipe No Tahini
Tahini is traditional in hummus recipes, but don't worry if you don't have it? don't worry if you don't have it. You can make a hummus recipe without tahini that’s just as creamy and delicious.
What Can You Use Instead?
Greek Yogurt: Adds creaminess with a bit of tang.
Seed or Nut Butter: Almond, cashew, peanut or sunflower seed butter work well.
Extra Olive Oil: A little more oil can get you that richness that tahini provides. Just be sure he's a good olive oil.
Hummus recipes are endlessly adaptable, so feel free to experiment and make it your own.
Hummus Calories: How Does It Stack Up?
So is how much higher calorie or not? A two-tablespoon serving typically clocks in at around 70-80 calories, depending on how much oil is used. But the great thing is, it has a ton of fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy fats, and will keep you full or longer. So it really is a perfect snack option.
Pro Tip for Lower-Calorie Hummus
To reduce the calories in your hummus, reduce the amount of olive oil and tahini, and replace some of the oil with water or broth. You’ll still get all the flavor without all the calories. But personally, I like the full fat version, and I just eat less. It really does. It really is filling.
Hummus Toppings Ideas: Take It to the Next Level
Toppings turn hummus from basic to breathtaking. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer or the main event, jazzing up your bowl makes it extra special. Here are some hummus toppings ideas to try:
Classic Drizzle
Olive oil, paprika, and chopped parsley are timeless for a reason.Spicy Kick
Add harissa, chili oil, or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for heat lovers.Crunch Factor
Top with roasted chickpeas, sunflower seeds, or pine nuts for texture.Sweet and Savory
Try pomegranate seeds, a drizzle of honey, or caramelized onions for an unexpected twist.Veggie Love
Pile on roasted veggies like sweet potatoes, eggplant, or red peppers for a hearty snack.
How to Serve Hummus?
AKA the perfect hummus swirl. See short video.
How to Make It Creamy
Let's face it somehow Mrs. creamier than others, but why is that? Welp, there's a trick to creamy hummus, and the good news is its a simple has peeling your chickpeas.
Note: sometimes I don’t bother wih peeling, it really just personal preference.
How to Peel Chickpeas- Here’s a link on how to do that.
Hummus Is Life
From learning the origin of hummus to crafting a creamy, seasonal, and hummus recipe with no tahini, this dip has a way of pleasing just about everyone. Don’t forget to try hummus on a sandwich or explore new hummus toppings ideas to make it uniquely yours. With its versatility, healthy profile (hello, hummus calories), and crowd-pleasing nature, hummus deserves a starring role in your kitchen.
Ready to try it out? Whip up a batch, invite some friends over, and dive into the magic that is homemade hummus. Happy scooping!
Best Hummus Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the tahini and lemon juice and process for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then process for 30 seconds more. This extra time helps “whip” or “cream” the tahini, making the hummus smooth and creamy.
- Add the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the whipped tahini and lemon juice. Process for 30 seconds, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, and then process for another 30 seconds or until well blended.
- Drain the chickpeas- and peel if desired. Add half of the chickpeas to the food processor and process for 1-2 minutes. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add the remaining chickpeas and process them until thick and relatively smooth, 2 minutes.
- The hummus will likely be really thick and still have tiny bits of chickpea. To fix this, slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of cold water to the food processor turned on until you reach the perfect consistency.
- Taste and adjust as needed. Serve hummus with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika, sumac, or Za’atar.
- Store homemade hummus in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. Freeze, covered with a thin layer of olive oil, for up to one month.
Notes
For extra creamy hummus:
Peel Your Chickpeas
Yes, it’s a bit tedious, but peeling the skins off your chickpeas makes a world of difference. Smooth chickpeas = smooth hummus.
Don't worry about reoving every last little bit of peel. Following these instructons will remove most of the skins, which is good enough.
- Drain your chickpeas if they are canned. Then run ice cold water over them for about 2-4 minutes. This removes starches in the peas, which improves flavor, and it also loosens up the skins.
- After they've had a good soaking, work your fingers in through the chickpeas. You'll be able to slip lots of the skins off easily - after 2-3 minutes of gently pinching, you'll find most of the skins loose.
- Shake off any excess water and then dump the chickpeas onto a baking sheet lined with paper towel. rub the towel over the chickpeas for approximately 30 seconds. Feel free to repeat this step if necessary. Leave the chickpeas to dry, about a half an hour.
- Once dry, remove the paper towel and then gently roll the chickpeas with your palm - careful, as they'll be easily smashed in this phase. The remaining skins will fall to the wayside.
Now your gorgeous, skinless chickpeas are ready to use!
Roasted Carrot Hummus From Food Network. Slightly sweet and oh so nutritious.
Dessert Hummus Ideas
Chocolate Hummus From Don’t Waste the Crumbs. This is perfect for the kid that loves chocolate!
Cookie Dough Hummus From Chocolate Covered Katie
What so serve with dessert hummus?
pita chips.
crackers.
vanilla wafers
Pretzels
Fruit (strawberries, apple slices, and banana - try frozen banana!
Dried Fruit
Traditional Hummus From Alton Brown at the Food Network. The best I’ve tasted:)
Avadodo Hummus-ish From Giada and the Food Network
More Healthy DIPS!
• 1. Creamy Artichoke Dip, from Everyday Food. Accessible artichokes, which can be intimidating to young kids but have great flavor. This dip is served room temperature, not hot (like most artichoke dips), so it could go in a lunchbox. Plus, there are anchovies whipped in here!
• 2. Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip, from Two Peas & Their Pod. Incredibly healthy, with Greek yogurt, avocado, and cilantro.
• 3. Edamame Hummus, from Babble’s Family Kitchen. We make a version of this often; it’s high in protein and tastes so, so good with baby carrots.
• 4. White Bean Dip with Broccoli Trees, from Gourmet. Just a reminder that your dippers don’t have to be chips. And this white bean dip has silken tofu in it to make it extra creamy and filling.
• 5. Broccoli Dip, from Real Simple. The binder in this dip? Cottage cheese! So easy and good for you.