Easy Homemade Hummus Recipe

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Treat your taste buds to this incredibly smooth, creamy, and flavorful homemade hummus recipe! Featuring simple, fresh ingredients, like chickpeas, lemon, garlic, and tahini, hummus is perfect for dipping, spreading, or enjoying by the spoonful.

Table of Contents

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

Creamy: The blend of home-cooked chickpeas, olive oil, and tahini creates an unbelievably smooth and velvety texture.
Easy to make: For this homemade hummus recipe, all you have to do is blend the ingredients in a food processor. It couldn’t be simpler!
Versatile: Serve hummus with pita bread, as a dip for veggie sticks, or as spread on toast. The possibilities are never-ending!
Healthy: This hummus recipe is packed with protein and fiber, making it a nutritious choice for any time of day.

If you love homemade hummus, you should really check out our baba ganoush, vegan tzatziki, roasted beet hummus, and refried beans.

🫘 What is hummus, anyway?

Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dip made from cooked chickpeas, tahini, and various spices. It has been enjoyed for centuries and is now a staple in many cuisines worldwide (and for good reason).

The creamy texture of hummus is achieved by blending chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil, while its zesty and savory flavors come from garlic, lemon juice, and a mix of spices.

In this recipe, we’ve opted for cumin, coriander, and paprika, but you can really use anything you want. All you have to do is add everything to a food processor or blender, then watch as the mixture turns into a smooth, fluffy, easily spreadable dip.

Serve this homemade hummus recipe with classic options like pita bread and fresh veggies. You can also use it as a spread on sandwiches, as a base for salad dressing, or on burgers. Once you try making your own hummus, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!

🌱 Is hummus vegan?

Good news! Hummus is a naturally-vegan recipe as the staple ingredients are chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. So rest assured, you can serve this vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free recipe to just about anyone!

One quick note about buying hummus at the store is to double-check for ingredients like Greek yogurt or non-vegan flavorings. Some brands and flavors have been known to contain these additives, so it’s always best to confirm.

Ingredients for homemade hummus. — Cook your chickpeas from dry

🛒 Ingredients & substitutions

Chickpeas: Provide a creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor. We suggest cooking the chickpeas from scratch, but you can use canned chickpeas for more convenience. In a pinch, substitute them with cannellini beans or navy beans.
Aquafaba: The leftover liquid from cooking chickpeas, aquafaba adds smoothness, creaminess, and flavor to the hummus. You can also substitute it with water.
Garlic: Imparts a bold, intense, zesty element that balances the richness of the other ingredients. For a more subdued and sweet flavor, roast the garlic before adding it to the food processor.
Olive oil: Enhances the flavor and creates a rich texture. For the best result, use extra-virgin olive oil, or replace it with quality avocado or sunflower oil.
Tahini: Adds nutty, slightly sweet, and complex notes to this homemade hummus recipe. It’s essential to source tahini brands made with 100% sesame seeds, like ARZ Fine Foods, Tamam, and Soom. Look for it in the international aisle of large grocery stores or Mediterranean markets.
Lemon juice: Brightens the flavor and imparts a touch of acidity. Lime juice or apple cider vinegar can be used, but freshly squeezed lemon juice is best.
Spices: Paprika, cumin, and coriander all add warmth and depth to the hummus. Feel free to experiment with other spices like turmeric, sumac, or hot paprika.
Salt & pepper: Enhance the flavors of the hummus and adds a slight kick.
Ice: Helps create a smooth, airy consistency in the hummus. If you don’t have ice cubes, use very cold water instead.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

📝 How to make homemade hummus

Step 1: Prepare the chickpeas

If you’re using canned chickpeas, drain them and save the liquid (aquafaba). If you’re preparing chickpeas from scratch, cook them in a pressure cooker. Once they are done, reserve some of the liquid.

Chickpeas, Spices, And Garlic In A Food Processor. — Remember to scrape down the sides

For an even creamier hummus recipe, you can peel the chickpeas. The skins should slip off quite easily. It can be a little time-consuming, so we don’t usually worry about being too perfect here.

Step 2: Blend the hummus

Add the cooked chickpeas, aquafaba, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and spices to a food processor. Blend the mixture for a few minutes, or until it’s well combined. While the food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil and ice cubes.

Garlic, tahini, aquafaba, fresh spices, and chickpeas in a food processor. — Fresh spices make all the difference!

Continue blending the hummus for another few minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides, until the hummus reaches a creamy consistency. Enjoy your hummus recipe immediately or save it for later. Happy eating!

If you have questions about this homemade hummus recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

🥖 What to serve with hummus

There are so many ways to serve this versatile dip, but here are some of our favorites:

With pita bread or pita chips
Spread on sourdough bread or dairy-free bread
As a dip with totopos
On air fryer green beans or zucchini
Mixed into salad dressing for a creamy version

🌡️ Storage

If you have leftover hummus or decide to make a double batch for meal prep, follow these quick storage instructions:

Fridge: Keep leftover hummus in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: You can freeze this hummus in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before serving it again. We suggest portioning it out so you only need to thaw smaller amounts at a time.
Prep ahead: To save time on the day, make your chickpeas and save the aquafaba a few days before preparing the hummus.

Hummus recipe. — Hummus is such a versatile dip

♻️ Variations

Roasted red peppers: Add roasted red peppers to the food processor for a smoky twist.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Blend or stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy, rich, and Mediterranean-inspired taste.
Spinach and artichoke: Add spinach and artichokes into the blender for a hearty and nutrient-packed recipe.
Avocado: Incorporate ripe avocado for an extra creamy, vibrant green hummus.
Spicy: Blend in a few tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce or some jalapeños for a kick. You can even dry adding adobo sauce for a smokier flavor.
Beans: Instead of chickpeas, try black beans, navy beans, Lima beans, fava beans, edamame beans, or any other kind of bean you can think of.
Fall-inspired: Omit the garlic and stir in pumpkin purée and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist.
Olives: Fold in green or black olives for a salty touch.
Caramelized onion: Carmelize onions, then stir them in or add them on top for a sweet and savory hummus.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

Use fresh chickpeas: Cook the chickpeas from dry for the creamiest texture.
Remove the shells: To achieve a truly creamy hummus, remove the shells of the cooked chickpeas. While it’s completely optional, it yields the best results.
Choose quality tahini: Use high-quality runny tahini made from 100% sesame seeds. It will make a world of difference in the final hummus consistency!
Blend longer: The longer you blend, the creamier the hummus will turn out. If your hummus isn’t smooth enough, keep blending!
Use ice cubes: Don’t forget to use ice cubes or cold water to create a lighter, airier texture. You’ll be surprised at how much this step changes the result.
Squeeze fresh lemon: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a balanced tart and sweet flavor. Skip the bottled lemon juice for this recipe.
Scrape down the sides: To ensure even mixing, don’t forget to scrape down the sides during the blending process.
Adjust the consistency: If the hummus is too thick, add more aquafaba or water.
Let it cool: Allow the hummus to chill for a few hours, but preferably leave it overnight to let the flavors meld together.

💬 FAQ

Can I make hummus without tahini?

Yes, you can make hummus without tahini, but the taste and texture will be different. If you don’t have tahini, we suggest adding a little more aquafaba and olive oil to achieve a similar consistency.

How can I make my hummus creamier?

The best ways to make your hummus creamier are to blend it for longer, add more aquafaba or tahini, and remove the shells on the chickpeas. It’s important to note that cooking chickpeas from dry and using good-quality ingredients make a difference as well.

Is hummus gluten-free?

Yes, hummus is naturally gluten-free. It’s always best to check any store-bought ingredients to ensure they don’t contain gluten.

Can I use canned chickpeas instead of dry ones?

Yes, you can use canned chickpeas instead of dry chickpeas if you’re short on time. However, the overall flavor and texture won’t quite be as creamy.

What can I use instead of a food processor?

If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a blender or an immersion blender instead. If you don’t have any of those, you can use a potato masher or fork to mash the ingredients, but it won’t turn out as smooth.

🍴 More flavor enhancers

If you enjoyed this homemade hummus recipe, be sure to check out some more popular flavor enhancers like these:

Mexican Adobo Sauce: All-purpose marinade made from dried chiles, spices, and vinegar.
Chamoy Sauce: A spicy, tangy, sweet, and salty Mexican sauce.
Chili Garlic Aioli: Creamy plant-based sauce with a kick.
Vegan Teriyaki Sauce: A sweet and sticky sauce that’s great for stir-fries, tofu, and more.

Note: We’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.

Justine Drosdovech

Food writer at Broke Bank Vegan | Website | + posts

Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.

Homemade Hummus Recipe