Homemade Hummus Recipes
Learn how to make the most delicious homemade hummus! Featuring more than 10 diverse and healthy hummus recipes. Plus everything you need to know about serving, storing it, and more.
Table of Contents
There are so many ways to make it, and all of them are amazing! These are the Best Hummus Recipes and how to make, store, and serve them.
Have you ever made hummus? Maybe you've seen the hummus in the tubs at the grocery store and got curious. What is hummus? Is it good for you?
Whether you are a seasoned hummus cook or brand new to this Mediterranean dip, this guide is for you. You'll learn all about this dip - including where it came from - and I'll even share some of the best hummus recipes that you have ever tried!
5 Reasons To Make Your Own Hummus
- Taste: Once you start making your hummus, it's hard to even buy store-bought again. It just tastes so much better!
- Cost Effective and Budget Friendly: The ingredients in hummus are very affordable. Making your own hummus at home is much more cost-effective.
- Make Your Perfect Flavor: You get to control the amount of lemon, garlic, salt, olive oil, and seasoning. This means the perfect hummus for your palette.
- Freshness and Flavor: Most store-bought hummus is made to last for months. Making it at home ensures it is fresh and at the peak of its flavor.
- Reduced Additives and Preservatives: Hummus is naturally extremely healthy, but sometimes store-bought hummus contains a lot of extras including additives, preservatives, sugar, and processed oils and ingredients.
What Is Hummus?
Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dish that is made from chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic. It has a smooth, creamy texture and can be served as a dip, spread, or as a part of a meal.
Hummus has gained widespread popularity around the world and it is easy to find a huge variety of hummus in almost any grocery store made with different ingredients, beans, and more.
Traditionally, hummus is enjoyed with pita bread, crackers, chips, pretzels, or raw vegetables. It is also commonly used as a spread in sandwiches and wraps. It can even be used as a dressing, marinade, or sauce for grilled chicken, meats, and fish.
Nutritionally speaking, hummus is known for its high nutritional value, as it is a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Best Hummus Recipes
These are some of the best hummus recipes you will ever find! You don't have to spend hours on Google or Pinterest, they are all right here. From the best classic hummus recipe to a dessert hummus made with almond butter, there is something for every person and every occasion in this list.
Homemade Hummus
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Garlic Hummus
Dessert Hummus
White Bean Hummus
Avocado Hummus
Cauliflower Hummus
Edamame Hummus
Artichoke Hummus
Black Bean Hummus
Brownie Batter Chocolate Hummus
Homemade Tahini
10 Ways To Serve Hummus
There are so many delicious and creative ways to serve and share hummus. Check out some of my favorite ways to enjoy hummus!
1. Dip or Appetizer
Almost every single hummus recipe in this list can be used as a fun dip. Serve a bowl of hummus with:
- Raw veggies
- Pita bread
- Cheese crisps
Hummus dip is popular at parties. You can even create individual cups of hummus so that each guest can have their own.
This dip packs really well in a lunch box and is a delicious way to encourage yourself to eat more vegetables.
2. Sandwich or Wrap
Hummus is a thick spread that also tastes incredible on your favorite bread and wraps. Fill your sandwich with other heart-healthy ingredients, like:
- Bean sprouts
- Tomato
- Cucumber
- Greens
- Olives
- Artichokes
- Deli meat, tuna, grilled chicken, or rotisserie chicken
You'll be amazed at how much hummus can improve even the most reliable sandwich. Or try our favorite Hummus Vegetable Wrap.
3. Salad Dressing
The creamy texture of hummus also makes it the perfect thing to add to your favorite chopped salad. It is so thick that you don't need to add very much to really keep everything together.
If you really want to create an incredible salad, use vegetables from the same regions. Use sliced olives, feta cheese, carrots, and put it all on top of a bed of arugula.
Adding some kale, red onions, and fennel will also make your salad incredibly zesty and unforgettable!
4. Grain Bowls
Hummus makes a fabulous addition to grain bows like these easy Hummus Bowls, Greek Chicken Bowls, and Buddha Bowls.
Adding hummus to grain bowls is a really easy way to quickly add flavor, healthy fats, fiber, and protein. If you prefer a thinner hummus-style sauce for your grain bowl, thin it out with olive oil before adding.
Consider using different flavors of hummus to change the taste of a simple grain bowl. Adding a dollop of delicious hummus can enhance the flavor of the whole dish.
5. Drizzle on Roasted Vegetables
If you want to level up your roasted vegetables, consider drizzling some hummus on top. To make it thin enough to drizzle, simply add olive oil to the hummus until it is thin and pours easily.
Want to make your roasted vegetables extra special? Add fresh herbs to your hummus drizzle and finish the whole dish with sesame seeds and feta cheese.
6. Mayonnaise Substitute
Believe it or not, hummus is a great substitute for mayonnaise in chicken salad, tuna salad, salad dressing, and more. It tastes great plus it has the added benefit of being healthier.
So next time you plan on making a healthy chicken salad, swap in hummus for the mayo. Trust me, it is so good!
7. Pizzas and Flatbreads
If you haven’t made a hummus pizza or flatbread yet, you are missing out! Grab a premade flatbread from the grocery store. Add a layer of your favorite hummus and then pile on the toppings.
We like to add arugula, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
8. Pasta and Pasta Salad
Just like you can substitute hummus for the mayo in chicken salad, you can also use hummus as the dressing for your favorite cold pasta salads.
You can even use hummus for hot pasta! Simply save ½ cup of the pasta cooking water and combine it with about 1 cup of hummus. Add that to your pasta with sauteed veggies, lemon, and olive oil.
9. Hummus Toast
Move over avocado toast, hummus toast is here to stay. Simply grab your favorite bread, add a hearty layer of hummus, and then finish with toppings like greens, avocado, tomatoes, cheese, seeds, nuts, and more.
10. Marinade
Add flavor to chicken and grilled meats by marinating the meat in a combination of hummus, garlic, olive oil, fresh herbs, spices, and salt.
It’s also delicious when combined with coconut milk and curry powder as a marinade for chicken.
How To Store Hummus
Whenever you make homemade hummus, it is important to store it in an airtight container. My favorite type of airtight container for hummus is a mason jar. Those lids really keep the air out and they are spill-proof too.
When you keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the hummus will last about a week. You might see the hummus separating a bit, just give it a good stir to mix it back together.
Note: Hummus does not freeze very well because it changes the texture too much.
Substitutions for Homemade Hummus
After you begin to break away from the base of classic hummus recipes, you can start to create some amazing dips!
Substitutions for Tahini
If you aren't a fan of tahini, there are a few substitutions although they all change the flavor of the hummus slightly.
- Almond butter
- Sunflower butter
- Cashew butter
- Greek yogurt
- Leave it out and add extra olive oil
Substitutions for Chickpeas
The creamy base of hummus is made of chickpeas and tahini. You can replace chickpeas with:
- Avocado
- White beans
- Black beans
I even have a recipe that uses pureed cauliflower!
Substitutions for Lemon Juice and Spices
Each hummus recipe also needs an acid. Most people use lemon juice, but you can substitute that with lime juice.
The spices in hummus are really fun to change up. If you want it to be smoky and slightly spicy, add paprika and a dash of cayenne pepper. Cumin is another spice from that part of the world that tastes delicious in this spread. Remember, the best way to enhance any dish is with a bit more salt.
Finally, you can choose to make sweet hummus too. Just add your favorite healthy sweetener! I like to use real maple syrup because it mixes well into the hummus.
Health Benefits of Hummus
Not only does hummus taste delicious, but it is so good for you too! Most people know that it is a low-calorie spread, but check out all these other health benefits of hummus too.
Protein
When you want to get your protein from somewhere other than animal meat, then beans and hummus are fantastic choices. In fact, there are 7.9 grams of protein in a 3.5-ounce (100 gram) serving of hummus. That's almost 2 teaspoons of protein - wow!
All that protein will help you build muscle, which helps your body increase its metabolism.
Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation in the body is one of the causes of arthritis and pain. There are anti-inflammatory properties in hummus that can help to combat chronic inflammation.
Olive oil has anti-inflammatory anti-oxidants that have been used in homeopathic medicine before.
The sesame seeds in the tahini are also known to help reduce markers of inflammation too. Plus, legumes (like chickpeas) help with this inflammation too.
Please seek the advice of a doctor - these are just some of the health benefits of hummus, not a treatment suggestion.
Fiber Feeds Gut Bacteria
Have you ever had a gassy reaction to eating too many beans? This is because legumes are high in fiber. This fiber is really good for you! Hummus has 6 grams of dietary fiber, which helps to feed the healthy gut bacteria in your gut.
When you have good bacteria in your gut, you might decrease your risk of colon cancer and even experience feeling better overall.
This dietary fiber also helps people who struggle with irregularity or loose stools.
Low Glycemic Index
This next health benefit is fantastic news for anyone that struggles to control their blood sugar levels.
Chickpeas have a low glycemic index (GI). That means that your body digests them slowly, which keeps your blood sugar more level. It prevents your blood sugar from spiking and plummeting immediately afterward.
The protein and resistant starch of chickpeas slow down the digestion of carbs. This is what helps your blood sugar remain steady!
In addition to the protein, the healthy fats in hummus help to slow down how fast your body absorbs the carbs. That means your body provides a slower release of sugar into your bloodstream.
Fantastic For Sensitive Stomachs
When you make hummus with a basic recipe, it is naturally gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free!
This is a great dip or spread to share at parties when you don't know if anyone has any food intolerances. Almost everyone can enjoy a basic hummus!
There is one caveat to this. Chickpeas are high in a type of FODMAP called raffinose. People who have irritable bowel syndrome (or are sensitive to FODMAPs) should be careful with how much hummus they eat.
Final Thoughts
I can't wait to hear which of these best hummus recipes is your favorite! Will you make a dessert hummus? Or maybe you'll break out of the ordinary and try a black bean hummus. Of course, there is nothing wrong with making classic hummus from chickpeas, tahini, and garlic.
No matter how you make it, hummus is a healthy dip or spread that is full of nutrients that your body craves. Hummus is a safe and dependable choice when you need a fun way to eat healthier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most common questions about hummus.
What is hummus made of?
At its most basic, hummus is made of a combination of chickpeas, garlic, tahini, and olive oil. You can create an unending amount of different varieties of hummus from that base.
Is hummus good for weight loss?
Yes, when you pair hummus with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, it can really help people burn fat. This is because hummus is an excellent source of fiber and protein. The fiber will help you feel full for longer (and avoid unhealthy snacking). The protein builds muscles and burns fat.
Can I eat hummus every day?
Sure, you can eat hummus every day! In fact, there are so many different ways to prepare it, that when you make any of the best hummus recipes on this list, you'll enjoy a diet that has a variety of nutrients and minerals in it.
What can I eat with hummus?
The best thing about hummus is that there are endless ways to eat and serve it. If you want to use it as a dip, enjoy it with some cheese crisps, red pepper strips, or cucumber slices.
Spread it on top of your favorite chopped salad as a salad dressing. Or, mix it together with hard-boiled egg yolks and make hummus deviled eggs.
Is hummus a fat or a carb?
It is neither a fat nor a carb, since it is a creamy dip that has a bunch of ingredients mixed together. Hummus is high in protein and fat and is low-carb (if you use low-carb ingredients).
Is hummus better for you than peanut butter?
Yes, hummus is a healthy alternative to peanut butter. One tablespoon of hummus has 1/3 of the calories as the same amount of peanut butter. Plus, hummus has more protein in it too.
Do you need a blender to make?
Yes, if you want to make homemade hummus, you will need a high-powered blender or food processor. The quality of your blender will either make the hummus smooth or slightly textured.
More Recipe Collections
Looking for more delicious recipes? Try these next.
Easy Hummus
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 lemon, juice (about ¼ cup)
- 1 garlic clove (small)
- 15 oz canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp olive oil (more as needed)
- 2 tbsp ice cold water (more if needed to get a smooth consistency)
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Instructions
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As the food processor is running, drizzle in the olive oil. If you are adding additional ingredients like roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, herbs, or spices, add them now. Check the texture and then add ice water one tablespoon at a time until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and season with salt as needed
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.