Description
Creamy hummus is a versatile and smooth Middle Eastern dip made from cooked chickpeas and tahini (plant-based). This recipe offers a rich, satisfying texture with a bright lemony flavor, enhanced by garlic, cumin, and extra virgin olive oil (natural). Perfect as a snack, spread, or appetizer, it is plant-based, protein-packed, and easy to customize with a variety of herbs and spices.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas
- 1/4 cup tahini (plant-based)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (natural)
- 1–2 cloves garlic (natural), minced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (natural), plus extra for drizzling
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- 2–4 tablespoons cold water
Optional Garnishes and Variations
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Pinch of smoked paprika (natural)
- Roasted red peppers for roasted red pepper hummus
- Chopped jalapeños and cayenne for spicy jalapeño hummus
- Fresh parsley, cilantro, or basil for herb-infused hummus
- Sun-dried tomatoes for sun-dried tomato hummus
- Cooked beets for beet hummus
Instructions
- Prepare the Chickpeas: Rinse cooked chickpeas under cold water and drain thoroughly. For extra silky hummus, peel the skins off the chickpeas if desired.
- Blend the Ingredients: Combine chickpeas, tahini (plant-based), fresh lemon juice (natural), minced garlic (natural), ground cumin (natural), and sea salt in a food processor. Pulse several times to start blending the flavors evenly.
- Add Olive Oil and Water: Slowly drizzle in extra virgin olive oil (natural) and cold water while continuing to blend. Adjust the amount of water to achieve your preferred smooth and creamy consistency.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the hummus and add more lemon juice (natural), sea salt, or garlic (natural) according to your preference. Blend briefly again to incorporate any additions.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (natural), and a pinch of smoked paprika (natural) if desired. Serve with pita bread, vegetable sticks, or as a spread in sandwiches.
Notes
- Use quality tahini (plant-based) for best richness and flavor balance.
- Peeling chickpeas leads to a smoother, creamier texture.
- Add cold water and olive oil (natural) slowly to perfect the consistency without making the hummus too thin.
- Always use fresh lemon juice (natural) for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Let the hummus rest for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Store leftover hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; stir before serving.
- Hummus freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and mix in a little olive oil (natural) or water to restore smoothness.
- Hummus is best served chilled or at room temperature but can be gently warmed in short microwave bursts, stirring often.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tablespoons
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 0.3g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: creamy hummus, chickpeas, tahini, plant-based dip, Middle Eastern appetizer, vegan spread, healthy snack
