How to Eat Hummus

Apparently hummus risotto is a thing.

When I say hummus, you say. pita chips, right? But that’s not the only thing you can slather with this creamy, Middle Eastern-born spread.

Hummus’ main ingredient, chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) “have grown in this region of the world for thousands of years, but nobody can decide whether it’s Syrian, Lebanese, Arabic, etc.,” explains food researcher Lana Chehabeddine. “Different countries in the Middle East like to claim ownership, but the actual word ‘hummus’ is Arabic for ‘chickpea.’”

Though its exact origin is still up in the air, hummus (along with other dips like baba ghanoush and muhamarrah) “is traditionally used in what Middle Easterners call a ‘mezza’ 0r ‘mezzah’ style meal, in which everyone tastes a little of a few small staple dishes on the table,” says Chehabeddine. “Otherwise, hummus has been traditionally used as a dip for pita bread and a side for shish kabobs, grilled meat on skewers.”

With its rich history and subtle, creamy texture and flavor, it’s no wonder hummus is popular around the world today.

It’s also got some impressive health perks, too. The dip is packed with protein and other nutrients, like magnesium, iron, and fiber, according to dietitian Maggie Michalczyk, RD. You can thank the humble chickpea for those benefits.

Honestly, though, every traditional component of this tasty spread brings something to the table. “Besides the protein and fiber benefits of the chickpeas, olive oil provides unsaturated fat and an anti-inflammatory kick, as do the omega-3 rich sesame seeds in tahini,” says Dr. Alexia M Moutsatsos, MD, FACP. “Other common add-ins like garlic and lemon also provide antioxidants and vitamin C, respectively.”

Not to mention, chickpeas are a seriously affordable protein source, making hummus a cost-efficient and nutritious staple for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike. It’s also pretty easy to make your own: All you need is a can of chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil. Just add your ingredients to a food processor and you’ll have fresh hummus in minutes, Michalczyk says.

Don’t limit your hummus consumption to just chips or carrot sticks, though. Here’s what else to eat with hummus, according to a few super-creative nutritionists.

Donella Crigger · 541 words. · About 3 minutes to read this article. · This post contains affiliate links. · Read our privacy policy. · This blog uses cookies. See this page for more

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boar’s Head . All opinions are 100% mine.

Planning a get-together? Whether you’re watching the big game with friends or hosting a party, you need some easy foods in your arsenal to get things going. Hummus is always a favorite, especially if you serve it with a wide array of foods to nibble on. Here are our favorite foods to serve with hummus to spark some ideas for your next get-together.

Best Foods to Dip in Hummus

I have a confession to make: I’m obsessed with hummus. Seriously. It’s easily my top favorite savory snack (though there are sweet versions, too), because I can dip so many things in hummus! If I’m out of crackers, I’ll try veggies or chips or pita bread. Whatever you have on hand works, and that’s the beauty of always keeping some hummus in the fridge. If guests pop over unexpectedly, you’ll have something yummy to feed them in a pinch. Our go-to brand is Boar’s Head Hummus.

That said, here are my favorite foods to dip in savory hummus, such as Boar’s Head Traditional Hummus :

• Carrots
• Celery
• Bell peppers
• Cucumber
• Crackers (wheat, veggie)
• Tortilla chips
• Pretzels
• Pita bread
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Snap peas
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Eggplant
• Tempeh
• Rice cakes
• Radish slices
• Yellow squash

Trying a dessert hummus like Boar’s Head Dark Chocolate Dessert Hummus? Try dipping some of these:

• Apples
• Strawberries
• Graham crackers
• Biscotti
• Pretzels
• Cookies
• Cinnamon-sugar pita chips
• Animal crackers
• Dried fruit

Obviously, I prefer dipping things in hummus, but that’s not all you can do. You can spread it around on your favorite foods like toast, sandwiches (much healthier than mayo!), tacos, burritos, quesadillas, bagels, and more.

My favorite Boar’s Head hummus flavor is Roasted Red Pepper because all my favorite dippers taste amazing with that flavor! And as you can see from the picture, my favorite dippers are tortilla chips, veggie & wheat crackers, celery, and carrots. This flavor would be particularly good spread on breakfast tacos… the red pepper flavor pairs so well with eggs, sausage and veggies. Remember, hard-boiled eggs are often paired with hummus in Middle Eastern countries. And speaking of veggies, it would also work nicely on a pita wrap full of veggies. I’m hungry just thinking about it! Boar’s Head offers 13 crave-worthy hummus flavors, and I have to say that the Boar’s Head Everything Bagel Hummus flavor is a close second to the Boar’s Head Roasted Red Pepper Hummus for me. Unlike some brands I’ve tried, Boar’s Head hummus is really flavorful and super creamy because they use exceptional quality ingredients. You can feel good about their hummus because they’re all made with Non-GMO project verified ingredients. The hummus is also gluten-free!

Finally, if you live in a small town like I do and are having trouble finding Boar’s Head products, don’t worry! You can call them at 1 – 800 – 352 – 6277 to find a location near you that sells their products. And, yes, a real, live person will help you find the closest location. That’s how I found their selections of hummus, meats, cheeses, condiments and more at one of our area stores. You can find their products near the deli!

Save this handy list of things to dip in hummus by pinning the image below!

With the holidays coming up we’re heading into a heavy season of entertaining so today I have an easy and delicious spread for you, along with a couple of extra ideas to keep your snacking interesting.

Sometimes it’s hard to get the right mix of sweet + savory, indulgent and healthy when I’m planning for guests. I get excited about the different desserts I could make but I know I always appreciate having something lighter to snack on as well.

When I tried Boar’s Head Dark Chocolate Hummus last week I found the perfect solution!

First of all, it’s delicious – the first ingredient is chick-peas but it’s an airy, chocolaty, spread. The chickpeas are blended with cocoa powder, organic sugar, and real vanilla and the result is a guilt-free indulgence that is SO good. Second, it is the perfect companion to regular hummus for creating a hostess spread.

1. Just grab your favorite things to dip in hummus,
2. gather lots of cute little serving bowls,
3. and pull out your favorite flavors of hummus before guests arrive.

Boars Head has a normal line of nine flavors of hummus available year round but this Chocolate addition is only available for a limited time so GO GRAB SOME! (I need to figure out how long they’ll stay good in my fridge so I can stock up)

I had to hunt a bit in my grocery store because it was on special display – if you’re having trouble finding the product and want to know if your store carries it, Boar’s Head Customer Service is happy to point you in the right direction. They’re available M-F, 8a-5p EST, at (800) 352-6277

With the Dark Chocolate Dessert Hummus you can add a few things to dip in hummus that may not be traditional, like caramel rice cakes or blackberries. I also really liked it with the chopped raw veggies I usually dip in classic hummus for a sweeter way to eat veggies. You get zero guilt, but all the indulgence.

Pretzels

Stick with regular pretzels, try a thin variety, or go for the pretzel sticks and serve them in a shallow up. Depending on what type of hummus you’re serving, you can also experiment with flavored options.

Crackers

There are SO many options when it comes to crackers so just pick up your favorite and enjoy!

Pita or Pita crisps

Whether you cut up a full pita into smaller pieces for dipping or pick up a bag of pita crisps, it goes well with hummus in any flavor.

Assorted fruit

You can’t go wrong with chopped fruit and they’re the perfect compliment to the Dark Chocolate Dessert Hummus. If you’re serving berries or something I’d include toothpicks to limit mess and make it easier for guests to dip without getting hummus all over their hands. A few of our favorites

• berries
• apple slices
• grapes

Raw veggies

Cut vegetables into individual servings and serve for dipping. Some of our favorites in hummus alike are:

• baby carrots (loved these in the dessert hummus!)
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• celery sticks (loved these in the dessert hummus!)
• grape tomatoes
• cucumbers
• bell peppers

**simplicity tip: I like picking up a platter of pre-cut veggies to keep everything easy

Rice Cakes

Grab some mini rice cakes in assorted flavors and you have the perfect thing to dip in hummus. Of ALL the things I tried in Boar’s Head Dark Chocolate Dessert Hummus, my very favorite were the mini caramel corn rice cakes. The combination was DELICIOUS!

Almond crisps

These are basically just crackers but any kind of nut based crisp is a great addition to your hummus platter (the almond thins are my very favorite with regular hummus and were almost as good as the caramel rice cakes in the chocolate hummus).

Veggie Straws

This is one of my kids favorite things to dip in hummus and I love that I’m sneaking in veggies two different ways with these.

Chips

Think outside the box when it comes to chips and hummus. You can dip your classic potato chip but I love something a bit more substantial like a black bean chip.

Cheese

So you can dip cheese straight into hummus, but I prefer it stacked on a cracker and then the two dipper in hummus. I really loved this crisp Vermont cheddar paired with crackers and Dark Chocolate Hummus but it also goes well with their classic variety, too.

What about you? What are your favorite things to dip in hummus? Let me know in the comments below!!

There are nights when a container of hummus and a box of crackers—and a sliced up cucumber or bell pepper if I’m lucky—is my dinner. Those nights there’s no energy or time left for anything else, when dinner is eaten in the midst of several other tasks or in a sleepy daze on the sofa. We’ve all been there, right? It’s kind of sad.

Why You Should Never Buy Hummus Again

Thing is, I love hummus for dinner. Or lunch, or breakfast, or snacks. And it’s actually quite healthy, packed with vegetable protein and dietary fiber. But to make it feel like a real meal, and not a sad excuse for dinner, a little bit of extra effort (but not too much) is required.

Where hummus comes from, it is a meal—in Israel, for example, it’s served at hummusiyas in bowls for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But the grocery store containers we’re all used to here in the States are packaged as snacking dips. And those little containers are too small for my hummus appetite!

Homemade hummus really is the most affordable and delicious option when it comes to hummus, but you can make your dinner out of whatever hummus you love most or happen to have on hand. Just dress it up a bit in a proper bowl (no eating out of the container if you’re calling it dinner!), grab some pita, and top it in one of the following ways. You’re on your way to a satisfying dinner:

Pick your fancy: hard or soft. Then peel, half or quarter the egg, and arrange it on top of your hummus. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with paprika, add a flourish of flakey sea salt, and maybe some parsley or za’atar. You can also add some pickles or hot sauce here, or some diced tomatoes or avocado. You’re in charge, and it’s all good.

I just love crispy, pan-seared wild mushrooms on top of my hummus, spiced with lots of garlic and cumin, and finished with a swirl of extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs. But really, any vegetable can get this treatment. Or use a high heat oven for some nice crispy roasted veggies. I could go for some thinly sliced, generously spiced, roasted delicata squash on top of my hummus tonight, couldn’t you? Or how about some cauliflower? Yes.

No, you probably don’t want a whole mess of tender leafy lettuce getting soggy on top of your hummus, but a handful of spicy baby arugula is never out of place, nor is a handful of fresh herb leaves and chopped scallions. A mix of chopped radishes and cucumbers can count as a perfect salad topping here too. Or chopped fresh tomatoes. Add some toasted pine nuts to your “salad” or maybe even make a chimichurri. The more fresh green things you can sneak in there the better. It is dinner after all.

Any ground meat, sautéed with chopped onions and garlic and spices is amazing over hummus. Beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey: you choose. Add some green things on top to make dinner a little less brown; see the step above.

Crispy roasted chickpeas give a fun textural contrast on top of creamy chickpea hummus. Or switch up the bean variety and texture entirely and go for the traditional Middle Eastern dish ful medames made of stewed fava beans on top of your hummus. Or try some of those marinated gigantes beans you can get in the olive bars of most specialty food stores.

If you’ve only ever had plain hummus, as Jay-Z has said, “I feel bad for you, son.”

I recently watched as my friend dipped sad-looking pita chips into an oversized tub of plain, supermarket brand hummus for 20 minutes and called it lunch. Perhaps that’s how you eat hummus, too. But you can do better, my hummus-loving friend.

It’s my favorite food on planet Earth ― and with just a few easy tweaks, you can turn that cold, creamy substance into something way more delicious.

I’m sharing the simple improvements I’ve been making to store-bought hummus for the past 20 years, and I’m also relaying tips from two of the best chefs in the U.S. when it comes to chickpea charming: Alon Shaya of Saba and Michael Solomonov of Zahav and Dizengoff.

If you have time, I’d recommend preparing Shaya’s simple, delicious hummus recipe from his new memoir/cookbook Shaya, and Solomonov’s legendary one from his Zahav cookbook. But if you only have time to go to the supermarket, here’s how to improve a tub of store-bought hummus.

Throw the hummus in a food processor

Both Shaya and Solomonov love this easy game-changing trick that changes the consistency of the store-bought hummus.

“By incorporating [the hummus] in a food processor or simply whisking it in a bowl, you can smooth out the hummus while adding the essential flavors that will make it taste freshly made,” Shaya told HuffPost. “The goal is to achieve a lighter and smoother texture than what comes out of the container.”

It’s not just the consistency that changes: it’s the temperature.

“Cold hummus is not acceptable,” Solomonov told HuffPost. “What I like to do is take store-bought hummus and stick it in my food processor to re-whip it for about three minutes. The motor [of the food processor] will warm it up.”

If you’ve only had cold hummus before in your life, this is a must-try.

Sprinkle generously with za’atar and sweet paprika

Za’atar (pronounced zah-tar) is a magical blend of spices that’s earthy, tangy and delicious with Mediterranean food. What’s in it? It can vary wildly depending on the brand and country of origin (you can buy versions from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, etc.). But its foundation usually revolves around sesame seeds, dried herbs and sumac.

I’ll throw it on everything from eggs to avocado toast. But my favorite dish to enjoy za’atar with? That’s right: pizza. Just kidding, it’s hummus.

Spice up (pun intended) your hummus with za’atar and a healthy amount of sweet paprika ― some people enjoy smoked paprika on hummus, but I think they’re smoking something ― and you’ve got two additional flavors that brighten up the store-bought stuff.

Beware: As mentioned before, not all za’atar is created equal. I’ve had awful versions from well-known spice shops, but I can recommend the one from Pereg.

Add a few glugs of good olive oil

You’re on the right track once you add za’atar and paprika to hummus, but to really elevate the dish, you need to add olive oil.

I recommend spooning hummus onto a plate, drawing a circle in the middle of the blob of hummus with the same spoon, and pouring olive oil into that spot. When you scoop up the hummus with vegetables, pita or a pita chip, make sure to get some olive oil and hummus in the same bite.

“I like Partanna olive oil, which is available in many grocery stores, but whatever your favorite one is will work,” Shaya said. “Try to pick a more subtle grassy flavor profile versus a bold and peppery flavor profile so it doesn’t mask the other flavors in the hummus.”

Eating olive oil and hummus together feels creamy, buttery and decadent, with the added bonus that studies have shown that it’s good for you.

Add some tahini

If tahini and hummus were people, they’d be best friends. Tahini is a ground paste made of toasted sesame seeds, and while you may not have used it much in your life up until this point, it’s about time to start. If you’re inviting hummus to your dinner party, you might want to also consider inviting its pal tahini.

“I tend to feel that sometimes store-bought hummus can lack the creaminess and pop of lemon and garlic that I love in hummus,” Shaya said. “One way to counteract that problem is to follow a simple tahini recipe [Editor’s note: he recommends the one in his book, which is fantastic] ― it combines great quality raw tahini with lemon juice, water, and garlic.”

Solomonov also sings the praises of tahini, and even recommends two playful twists.

“I feel like tahina sauce makes the best dip ever,” he said. “When you add fresh herbs and avocado to it, you make a really good green goddess dressing. And if you add chile and garlic, you’ve got a buttermilk ranch/cool ranch situation going on.”

Make the hummus your base for a bigger meal

If you don’t already follow Solomonov’s Dizengoff restaurant on Instagram, you should. You’ll notice that Dizengoff often adds delicious ingredients to the center of the hummus dish, including all kinds of seasonal veggies and meat. Steal their idea!

“[Put] the hummus in a bowl, add sauteed ground meat, pine nuts, and olive oil, and you’ve got something special,” says Solomonov.

A post shared by Dizengoff (@dizengoff_philly) on Jun 2, 2018 at 10:05am PDT

Stop dipping carrots and broccoli into it

You’ve probably been to a party that featured an open tub of hummus with a plate of cut-up veggies next to it. Those veggies probably included carrots, celery and broccoli, which are some of the least appetizing vegetables I could think of to pair with hummus.

Instead, pair your store-bought hummus with radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers and pickles (not sweet ones, please!). Don’t believe me? There’s a reason that Mediterranean restaurants never stuff hummus and falafel sandwiches with broccoli, folks. It’s just not good.

Ditch the chips

While I can appreciate a good pita chip in a pinch, absolutely nothing beats fluffy pita for dipping in hummus. Ninety-nine percent of the time, any store-bought pita can’t quite substitute for warm, fluffy pita that could double as a pillow.

So when you can’t get perfect pita from places like Saba or Dizengoff, you improvise!

“Softer bread and baguettes are good for [dipping],” Solomonov said. “You could take a leftover baguette, soak it in olive oil with za’atar, and slow roast it so it becomes oily in a good way, like bruschetta. I’d throw it on a sheet tray and put it in the oven.”

​Your favorite high-protein spread is the secret to creamier soups, healthier casseroles, and bigger flavor.

Hummus on its own is already pretty wonderful. The chickpea-based spread packs a satiating combo of protein and fiber, so it’s the perfect healthy snack with veggie slices. Not to mention, you can flavor it any way you like with the right stir-ins (try these 4 delicious combos).

But if you think hummus is just for dipping, you’re missing out.

The versatile puree is also a smart way to power up the nutrition of your soups, pastas, and other everyday recipes. In fact, vegans have long hailed hummus as the secret ingredient to making creamy dishes without using dairy.

(Slim down and feel better than ever with 365 days of genius health tips and motivation—get your 2018 Prevention Calendar and Health Planner today!)

Take hummus to next-level deliciousness in these clever recipes that use it to stuff squash, lighten up queso, and make your mouth water.

Spicy Creamy Sweet Potato Hummus Soup

Comforting soups are often laden with cream, but not this one from Kara Lydon. She simmers sweet potato cubes in vegetable stock with cooked onions, garlic, and cumin until they’re tender, then mixes in a container of Sabra Supremely Spicy Hummus before pureeing it all together. The result is a well-seasoned soup, minus the long ingredient list. (Don’t miss these 6 hearty bean soups that will keep you full for hours.)

Kale Pesto Penne with Roasted Tomatoes

The hummus makers at Hope Foods use their own kale pesto blend as the sauce in this four-ingredient meal. All you need to do is cook the penne, roast your tomatoes, and then toss the drained noodles with the hummus before serving. Your bowl will burst with flavor from the organic kale and basil in the hummus, plus you’ll get plenty of protein from its hemp seeds and chickpeas.

Butternut Squash Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

Here’s a trick from Kelly at Life Made Sweeter: Use hummus to thicken up a favorite casserole. She updates old-school broccoli cheddar by swapping pasta with higher-protein quinoa and folding in veggies galore, including spinach and squash. And the addition of savory low-sodium chicken broth and garlic hummus eliminates your need for a can of unhealthy “cream of” soup. (Use leftover quinoa in one of these 8 one-pot recipes ready in 30 minutes or less!)

Here’s how to prep a butternut squash:

Spicy Hummus Queso Dip

Oh, queso. so bad for you, but so good. Anne, the registered dietitian and brains behind Fannetastic Food, solves this conundrum with her healthier spin on the tailgating classic. She whisks spicy store-bought hummus with milk, melts in some shredded cheddar, then mixes in tomatoes at the end. This way, the chickpeas in the hummus will fill you up before you accidentally eat the whole bag of chips.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Pick up a container of Red Pepper Hope Hummus to try this savory squash recipe from Hope Foods. The dip adds smoky flavor to the stuffing mixture of cooked quinoa, apple, onion, sage, walnuts, and aquafaba (here’s what the heck that is). Stuffed and baked ’til golden, this hearty, healthy fall dish is hard to resist. (Try these 8 other surprisingly delicious ways to stuff squash.)

The Best Easy Vegan Lasagna

Lactose intolerant? That’s not a lasagna deal-breaker when you use hummus tofu “ricotta” instead, like Alexis at Hummusapien does. To make her faux cheese (that she swears tastes like the real thing), she combines pressed tofu with roasted garlic hummus, nutritional yeast, basil, salt, and garlic powder. Then, she layers whole grain noodles with generous helpings of zucchini, peas, mushroom, and spinach. (If you used jarred marinara sauce, avoid the kind with added sugars, and watch for these other secret sugar bombs you’re buying.)

Hummus Homemade Bread

Yep, this magic spread even works in baked goods, like this gluten-free loaf by Florian of Contentedness Cooking. Better yet, it requires only five simple ingredients! Florian likes using light buckwheat flour, which has more protein than regular all-purpose. (Try Haldeman’s Light Buckwheat Flour, $20 for 2 bags, amazon.com.) With a final garnish of pumpkin seeds on top, you’ll also get a dose of magnesium, which is critical for your muscle and nerve function.

Spicy Black Bean + Avocado Savory Oats

After trying this scrumptious meal, you’ll never call oatmeal boring again. Hope Foods uses their Spicy Avocado Hummus to dial up the flavor in this savory bowl, topped with potassium-packed avocado, plus green onion, cilantro, and any other seasonings you choose. It’s a delicious way to sneak in more fiber (thanks, oats!) at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. (Here are 5 signs your body really wants you to eat more fiber.)

Don’t get us wrong. We could happily eat hummus straight out of the tub with nothing more than a box of crackers or some toasted pita chips. But our favorite creamy dip can actually be used for so much more than a quick afternoon snack. In fact, we think that it deserves to be the star of the show. Here, nine delicious ideas for what to eat with hummus that go beyond the same-old, same-old.

You always have a tub hanging out in the back of your fridge. But did you know that it’s actually ridiculously easy to make this buttery spread yourself? In its most basic form, this Middle Eastern and Mediterranean staple is just chickpeas (cooked and mashed) mixed with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. But you can get creative by adding more ingredients to change the flavor profile. Spicy avocado hummus, anyone? Or why not try sweet potato hummus? Once you’ve whipped up your dip of choice (or grabbed some more from the grocery store), then all you need to do is decide how to enjoy it. We’re here to help.

Making lunch? Swap not-so-great-for-you butter or mayo for healthy, protein-packed hummus instead. We especially love adding a layer on whole-grain bread and then topping it with crunchy veggies (like cucumber, peppers and tomatoes) and some salad. The hummus helps keep everything in place while adding a velvety texture to your sammie. Or give your usual avocado toast a fancy upgrade by smearing a thin layer of hummus on first and then adding our favorite green fruit. Breakfast of champions, coming right up.

If you’ve been limiting your hummus consumption to savory dishes only, you have no idea what you’ve been missing. This delicious dip’s earthiness actually works surprisingly well in baked goods and desserts, especially in chocolate recipes. Try subbing hummus for some of the fat in your favorite brownie recipe (just a few tablespoons should do it, don’t go crazy). The chickpea spread will help the brownies retain their moisture while adding a hint of umami to the finished dish. Or why not try this spiced hummus cake with vanilla yogurt frosting? (Just make sure to use plain hummus, OK?)

You knew this one already, right? Not so fast. Crackers and carrot sticks are great, but don’t limit yourself to the standard (read: boring) vessels for dipping. Get creative and make hummus the centerpiece of a gorgeous crudités platter filled with ingredients that guests can actually get excited about. Think: fried asparagus, crispy endives, shaved radishes, crunchy sugar snaps and sweet potato chips. Drizzle some extra-virgin olive oil on top of your dip, add a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds and a dash of paprika and your guests won’t know what hit them.

You always add chickpeas to your go-to bowl of kale, so you already know that the flavor combo works. What doesn’t work, however, is drenching your salad in olive oil and dealing with soggy leaves as a result. The fix? Swap your usual dressing for hummus. Just add a tablespoon or two on top of your plate and dip your fork into it as you go. It’s delicious, creamy and guaranteed to be soggy-free.

Remember what we said about hummus and dessert? The same rule applies here. Make hummus the centerpiece of your fruit plate and add some sliced apples, dates and dried apricots for dipping. There’s something about the sweet and savory combo that just works. Or if you want to get really crazy, whip up a batch of chocolate hummus made with chickpeas, tahini, cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Serve with strawberries, apples and pretzels.

Step up your pasta game by adding a dollop of hummus to a pot of pasta. It creates the same, rich consistency of an alfredo or carbonara but without using heavy cream. (Trust us on this one.) Cook your noodles according to the package instructions and then add a dollop of hummus into the pan. Add a little bit of water or olive oil to thin out the sauce and achieve the right consistency. Top with plenty of Parm, freshly ground black pepper and some parsley. You’ve just found your new weeknight dinner go-to.

Steamed or grilled vegetables on their own can be a little, well…boring. But add in a scoop of brown rice or quinoa, some fresh salad leaves and a mound of hummus and that dull lunch just turned into a party. (OK, not quite, but it’s a definite improvement.)

Relax, we’re not suggesting you add hummus to your pepperoni and cheese. Instead, create a Mediterranean-style flatbread by toasting a couple of pitas, smearing on some hummus and topping them with fresh vegetables, olives and arugula. It’s like pizza and a mezze platter had a delicious baby.

You already know that shaking up your deviled egg game can lead to delicious results (case in point: these avocado deviled eggs). And the best part? It’s so easy. Just hard-boil a couple of eggs, scoop out the yolks and mash them with a few tablespoons of hummus and a drizzle of olive oil. Pipe the mixture back into the eggs and sprinkle with some paprika. Instant upgrade.

Last updated: 08/24/2020 by: My Pure Plants May contain affiliate links – 6 Comments

What to eat with hummus? Well, you probably already know that hummus is damn delicious. Dipping veggies and crackers in it are just heavenly, but need more ideas? Okay, but what’s good with hummus? Maybe something healthy? We collected 25 healthy, delicious, vegan and gluten-free recipes to use hummus in creative ways.

What is hummus?

Do I really need to start with what is hummus? I hope not. But just in case you haven’t come across one of the most versatile and nutritious dips of all time.

The main ingredients of the classic, traditional hummus are

• cooked and mashed chickpeas aka garbanzo beans aka grams,
• tahini , which is toasted sesame seeds blended into a paste
• fresh garlic,
• fresh lemon juice,
• extra virgin olive oil, and
• salt.

However, you can find so many flavored hummus as well: beetroot hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, avocado hummus, kale pesto hummus, cauliflower hummus just to name a few.

Hummus fits within lots of diets as it is vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. Check out our “Is hummus gluten-free?” guide where we listed all vegan and gluten-free brands we know of.

So what to eat with hummus?

Everything. 🙂 You would be surprised how many ways you can enjoy hummus.

Can I just say that hummus might be the world’s most popular spread? Don’t you agree? Whether it is because

• hummus is so tasty or
• it is so easy to make (try our 5-minute Homemade Hummus recipe) or
• the endless combination of flavors you can have or

I don’t know. Maybe all of the above. So what’s good with hummus?

The most popular way to eat hummus

As a dip! Without a doubt, the most popular way to enjoy hummus is to take a pita, a flatbread, a tortilla (maybe our homemade grain-free tortilla), or a cracker. Tear off a bit with your bare fingers and scoop some hummus with it. Now, eat it. It is just so good.

What to dip in hummus?

Our favorite things to dip in hummus are veggies and tortilla chips. Here are some examples we usually pair it with:

• Veggies: carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, kohlrabi sticks (Oh so delicious…), celery sticks, bell pepper stripes – any veggies really that you can eat raw, but we usually eat these.
• Bread: pita, flatbread, tortilla, naan, rice crackers, toast sticks, toasted bread – any type of bread that is hard enough to scoop up some hummus.

25 creative vegan recipes to eat hummus

Now, if you are over dipping veggie sticks or pita in hummus, you absolutely must try some of these recipes using hummus.

We called all of our food blogger friends to collect for you 25 delicious and creative recipes to eat hummus with. All recipes are vegan or vegetarian and gluten-free or provide you with a gluten-free option.

We listed below

• 4 appetizers,
• 4 breakfast sandwiches,
• 4 quick lunches,
• 4 salad bowls,
• 4 baked goods,
• 4 dinner recipes

You can mix and match to your heart’s content. If you want to you can even eat hummus every day for every meal for a week. And one bonus recipe is waiting for you at the end. Hint: it is a dessert recipe.

Hummus appetizers

You can call it appetizer, finger food, or hand-held lunch box meal, these yummy ideas will be a great addition to your regular recipes. They are colorful, packed with nutritious ingredients, and absolutely delicious. Oh yes, almost forget, all of them have hummus in it.

Veggie Pinwheels from My Pure Plants (that’s us! 🙂

Breakfast recipes with hummus

Breakfast is an important meal and you should start your day on the right foot. These savory breakfast ideas will give you a nutritious, protein-based first meal of the day. Choose your “vessel” whether it is toast, sandwich bread, pita, naan, tortilla, flat bread or else. Apply a generous layer of hummus (think of flavroed hummus to give it an extra pizzazz). Pack it with lots of veggies. That’s all.

Veggie-loaded Sandwich from My Pure Plants (that’s us!)

Quick lunch recipes with hummus

We are warming up and getting even more creative. Are you fed up with regular tomato-based pasta sauces? Try hummus instead. My favorite hummus pasta is with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and vegan feta cheese. So yummy! But there are more. Add hummus to soups for an extra protein kick. Or

Your favorite dip just got better.

Amy Corman

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Hummus is a college student staple. It can be found in almost any mini fridge, and usually gets cleared out of the bookstore within a day of restocking. Unless you’re like me and sometimes eat hummus plain (I know, don’t judge), you need a great crunchy snack to dip in it. Hummus comes in a multitude of flavors, but each snack food I personally believe can go with any of the flavor options your supermarket has to offer. Here is my personal ranking of the best snacks to dip in hummus.

10. Carrots

Photo by Charlotte Hull

Carrots are a great healthy crunch that tastes delicious with hummus, and it’s probably one of the healthiest options on this list. Try this great recipe for roasted carrots (and other veggies).

9. Ritz Crackers

Photo by Erin Qiu

The saltiness of ritz crackers goes perfectly with creamy hummus. It’s great to make mini sandwiches too, like your own personal homemade Ritz-Bitz.

8. Cucumbers

Photo by Haliana Burhans

Going with another healthy option here. The blandness of a slice of cucumber highlights the great flavors of the hummus and doesn’t take away from the delectable dip. Here are 10 other things you should know about cucumbers.

7. Pretzel Sticks

Photo By Emily Gordon

I’m not a huge fan of pretzels, but everyone I talk to mentions this as a great dipping option when they think of hummus. The hard crunch and saltiness blend perfectly.
You can even make your own honey mustard pretzels sticks with this easy recipe.

6. Wheat Thins

Photo courtesy of dishmaps.com

While wheat thins are small, their distinct cracker flavor packs a punch when combined with hummus. I could eat a whole box of these along with a tub and be content forever. The large surface area makes for a great vehicle for getting as much hummus in your mouth at once.

5. Black Bean Chips

Photo courtesy of hummusapien.com

Black bean chips are great because the bean flavors really compliment each other (because hummus is made of chickpeas, in case you didn’t know). And again, you have that great salty crunch.

4. Bagel Chips

Photo courtesy of groceries-usa.com

Bagel chips are addicting, and with hummus on them, they can be downright dangerous. My personal go-to is everything bagel chips. You can mix and match kinds of bagels with flavors of hummus to get your fave combo. If you can’t choose what kind of bagel chip, find out what kind of bagel you are here.

3. Pita Bread (NAAN!!)

Photo courtesy of thekitchenpaper.com

Naan is basically Indian pita bread. Heat it up for a little and dip in your hummus. This is a good combo to have as an appetizer because it’s a little classier than chips.

Here’s a great roundup of bread recipes to try in your hummus, including naan. They take under an hour to make so you can get to your hummus-dipping faster.

2. Stacey’s Pita Chips (Simply Naked)

Photo courtesy of dailysense.com

Pita chips are perfect because they have the flavor of pita bread, but the crunch of a chip. Again, any kind of Stacey’s Pita works, but going with a simpler flavor is a good way (in my opinion).

1. French Onion SunChips

Photo from thhao.com

The amount of times I’ve had this combination is actually disgusting, but I have no shame (a whole family-sized bag with a giant tub at about 2 am on a Saturday night = no shame). The ridges of SunChips allow for maximum hummus coverage, and the sour cream and onion flavor isn’t too strong. This is a must-try.

Feel free to mix and match combinations of chip and hummus flavors, but this is my personal list of what I think goes best with the absolutely greatest invention of all time: Hummus.

How to make homemade hummus in eight delicious flavors! In just 5 minutes and with minimal ingredients, you can have smooth and creamy hummus ready for the snacking.

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.

I mean, hummus is a totally acceptable meal when you’re in college. And if I had only known at the time just how easy it is to make hummus at home, and how many flavors you can make with the ingredients you already have in your fridge, I may well have continued eating hummus for every meal all four years!

Today we’re making eight of our favorite hummus flavors:

1. Plain
2. Roasted Pepper
3. Chipotle
4. Sun Dried Tomato and Basil
5. Roasted Garlic
6. Jalapeno Cilantro
7. Spinach
8. Tahini-Free

Just pick the flavor you want to make, throw the ingredients in a food processor. Boom, hummus!

Homemade Hummus Ingredients

Each of these flavored hummus recipes contains the same base of ingredients. You’ll need:

• Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas are 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: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil (I used a bottle my mom hand pressed in Greece, hence the label in the photo).
• Tahini: Ground sesame seeds are a necessity in hummus. Find it in the international aisle of your grocery.
• Lemon: Flavor matters here, so aim for fresh squeezed lemon juice if possible.
• Garlic: Do we ever need a reason for garlic?
• Salt and Pepper: Finish with a dash of salt and pepper (and any other spices you like!)

How to make ultra smooth hummus

Sometimes the question comes up as to whether or not you should peel the chickpeas when making hummus. I’ve tried it and can definitively say that you should only peel the chickpeas if you have time on your hands.

Hummus made form peeled chickpeas is slightly more smooth, but given that it easily adds 20 minutes to the hummus making process, the benefit isn’t worth it.

An easier way to get smooth hummus is by soaking and cooking 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!)

1. Plain Hummus

To make traditional hummus, you’ll just combine chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth. This creates the base recipe that you can either enjoy as is, or add flavors to for more off-the-wall hummus flavors!

2. Roasted Pepper Hummus

Based on my favorite condiment, Romesco Sauce, this flavor is full of roasted red peppers and smoked paprika.

3. Chipotle Hummus

For a Mexican-inspired dip, try out this smoky chipotle hummus. You’ll just add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the base hummus ingredients and blend until smooth. Optionally replace the lemon juice with lime juice!

4. Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Hummus

Go Mediterranean by adding sun dried tomatoes and fresh basil! So delicious with parmesan pita chips.

5. 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 that in with the base hummus ingredients to create the most delectable dip.

6. Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus

We didn’t except 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!

7. Spinach Hummus

For a boost of super green power, add spinach! The taste of the leafy greens isn’t detectable, and it ramps up the nutrients in your hummus!

8. Hummus without tahini

Not a fan of tahini, or can’t find it in your grocery? You can make hummus without it if need be!

Ways to Eat Hummus

While these hummus flavors are all great on their own, you can also use hummus in cooking. Here are a few of our favorite ways (find more hummus inspiration here).

• Slather it on toast with some sliced cucumber
• Use it as a dressing in salad
• Add it to meal prep for a Mediterranean lunch
• Scramble it with tofu for an “eggy” breakfast
• Drizzle it on pita sandwiches for an easy dinner
• Layer Mediterranean vegetables on top

Favored in Middle Eastern countries as a delectable spread or dip for a variety of foods, hummus is made from chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) that have been cooked until tender and then mashed. Additional flavorings of garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and tahini (ground sesame seed paste) are later added to the hummus as well.

Hummus is an ancient food, thought to be a favorite of Sultan Saladan, a Kurdish Muslim who founded the Ayyubid Dynasty in 12th century Syria and Egypt. Nutritional information about hummus reveals it to be a healthy dish containing proteins, carbohydrates and rich amounts of vitamin C and iron. Chickpeas provide necessary dietary fiber that is known to reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. Sesame seeds found in tahini supply an important essential amino acid called methionine. Several research studies have indicated that methionine may inhibit diseases related to the normal process of aging.

The method of eating hummus usually involves dipping pita bread, flatbread, crackers or tortilla chips into the hummus mix. Additionally, it can be found accompanying fish, eggplant, chicken, falafel and meze. Meze is an assortment of several dishes served at meals in the Middle East and Mediterranean and consisting of chopped meats, stews, vegetables and other dips.

Hummus is commonly garnished with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantros, hard-boiled eggs and sauteed mushrooms. Variations of hummus include hummus ful, a dish containing hummus topped with a fava bean paste; and hummus mashawsha,another popular dish in the Middle East consisting of tahini, chickpeas and hummus paste.

Israelis include hummus in daily meals because the ingredients follow Kashrut, or Jewish dietary laws that can also be included with dairy and meat meals. Because it is so popular in Israel, the people have designated it as a national food symbol and even eat more hummus than all the Arab countries combined.