I think we all go through that one phase growing up where we discover a certain food and proceed to eat only that food for an entire month. For me, that food was hummus. The time, college. Hummus is the perfect high-protein dip that can be made with whatever you already have in the fridge! In just five minutes, you’ll see just how easy it is to make homemade hummus and how customizable it is.
what you’ll need for the base
Each of these flavored hummus recipes contains the same base of ingredients. You’ll need:
Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) are the easiest, but you can get even creamier hummus by cooking the chickpeas yourself. Cook them until they’re ultra-soft (borderline mushy), and your hummus will be dreamy. Olive Oil: Using good quality olive oil is imperative here because the flavor will be front and center. Avocado oil will work, too, and has a milder flavor. Tahini: Opt for a drippy tahini made of just ground sesame seeds. Tahini can be found in the international aisle of your market. Flavorings: Flavor matters here, so aim for fresh lemon juice and fresh minced garlic. Finish the hummus with salt and pepper. We’ll add other spices later.
Let’s make homemade hummus!
Eight different ones, that is. Hummus made from peeled chickpeas is slightly smoother, but the benefit isn’t worth the 20 minutes it easily adds to the process. An easier way to get smooth hummus is by soaking and boiling your own (dried) chickpeas, then cooking them for a bit longer than is normal. Your chickpeas will be super soft and will be transformed into silky smooth hummus (no peeling required!).
Plain Hummus
To make traditional hummus, you’ll just combine chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor or high-powered blender until smooth. This creates the base recipe that you can either enjoy as is, or add to for more off-the-wall hummus flavors!
Roasted Pepper Hummus
Based on my favorite condiment, romesco sauce, this red pepper hummus is full of roasted red peppers and smoked paprika.
Chipotle Hummus
For a Mexican-inspired dip, try this smoky chipotle hummus. Add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the base hummus ingredients and blend until smooth. Optionally, replace the lemon juice with lime juice!
Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Hummus
Go Mediterranean by adding sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil to this homemade hummus recipe! So delicious with parmesan pita chips and even a bit of tzatziki mixed in.
Roasted Garlic Hummus
No post about the best hummus flavors would be complete without a roasted garlic hummus recipe! We’ll roast a head of garlic, then throw the garlic cloves in with the base hummus ingredients to create the most delectable dip.
Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus
We didn’t expect to love this one as much as we do, but oh, how we love it! With the kick of jalapeno and the Mexican pizazz of cilantro, this is one of our favorite hummus flavors!
Spinach Hummus
Add spinach for a boost of super-green power! The taste of the leafy greens isn’t detectable, and they ramp up the nutrients in your hummus!
Hummus Without Tahini
Are you not a fan of tahini, or can’t find it in your grocery store? You can make hummus without it if need be!
Ways to Enjoy Hummus
While these hummus flavors are all great on their own with veggies or on a sandwich, here are a few of our favorite ways to eat hummus.
Mediterranean Layered Hummus Dip: Use your homemade hummus as the base for this appetizer’s fresh salad. Naan Bread: Dip this fresh naan or pita bread into your homemade hummus for the perfect snack. Mediterranean Meal Prep Lunch Boxes: Your favorite lunch box just got a major upgrade thanks to homemade hummus.
