Since everybody loves a well-made hummus, we decided to share our unbelievably good, healthy homemade hummus recipe that is easy to make, silky smooth, and super delicious. So, if you’re on the lookout for the best kind of dip or tasty snack, give our tried and trusted hummus recipe a try.
This creamy, intensely flavourful, and very inviting easy hummus recipe is protein-packed but also also kid-friendly.
To start this healthy hummus recipe, you will need to soak white chickpeas in water overnight along with some baking soda. Other hummus ingredients that are required include lemon juice for a bit of tang, tahini for that distinctive nuttiness and intensification of flavour, and garlic cloves for added flavour. Salt and cumin powder are used to season the hummus.
We’re often asked ‘what does hummus taste like’ by friends who have not tried this as yet. Let us tell you that this dip has a creamy mouthfeel and texture, nutty taste, a mild chickpea flavour spiked with lemon and garlic, and is highly addictive. What’s more, most of these ingredients are available at home (maybe except the tahini) and you won’t need to go grocery shopping for this recipe!
There is a war of words between the Greeks and Arabs, both of whom claim hummus to be theirs, and then the Israelis claim it too. But historical evidence points the origin of this amazing chickpea dip to Egypt during the 13th Century.
In the Middle East, chickpeas are found in abundance and the word 'hummus' means chickpeas in Arabic. Here, hummus is often part of a shared appetizer course called a meze platter along with other dishes such as baba ghanoush, kibbeh, tabboulleh, labneh, etc. This is served along with a salad (fattoush), olives, and with flat bread called khobz in Lebanon and the rest of the Levant area or eish balady in Egypt and North Africa.
Weight watchers or people with health concerns often ask this question or others like - 'Is hummus good for losing weight?' or 'Is hummus good for belly fat?' The creaminess of homemade hummus belies the fact that hummus is actually good for health, even for weight watchers, as it is packed with protein and fiber and also helps keep you full for a longer period of time.
While many use canned chickpeas to make hummus, we are often asked ‘what is the best way to make homemade hummus from scratch?’ The best way to make this appetizer is by soaking dried chickpeas overnight along with baking soda and then boiling them as per our detailed recipe and instructional video. We are also asked, 'Is store bought hummus good for you?' It depends if you are buying an artisanal batch with a shorter shelf life or a mass produced batch. The former is better while the latter may contain preservatives which may harm your health. The good news is that after trying our easy-peasy hummus recipe, you will never want to buy it from the store again and will always make homemade hummus.
How long does homemade hummus last? Fresh homemade hummus can be stored in the refrigerator for two to four days, though this favourite dip never lasts that long as someone or the other ends up snacking on it. Does hummus thicken in fridge? Yes, it does. Hummus tends to thicken in fridge as it starts drying out. To store it well, drizzle it with olive oil and cover it with a cling wrap or place in an airtight container and refrigerate.
How do you thicken hummus? Well, follow our recipe for a thick, creamy hummus. If you are having an issue with hummus made from scratch being too thin, increase the quantity of chickpeas or tahini. But the best way to avoid thinning hummus in the first place is to cook down the chickpeas till thick, soft, and just wet so that you don't feel the need to thicken it afterwards.
A friend once asked, 'What can I use in place of tahini for hummus?' Tahini is a flavour enhancer and traditionally used in making hummus. If you don't have tahini, you can make tahini at home by grinding hulled white sesame in a powerful grinder or food processor and adding a bit of oil to lend smoothness to it. So, for 1 cup of hulled sesame, you could add up to 2 tablespoons of a neutral tasting oil, such as a mild olive oil or sunflower oil right at the end of the grinding process. You could also use unhulled sesame seeds or toast hulled ones for an additional nutty flavor – these are all good options to try.
After you've successfully made homemade hummus once, and you want to spread your hummus wings, we’re sure you’re going to ask what hummus variations you can try. The options and variations are unlimited. Try adding chopped tomatoes and a variety of spices; add roasted garlic for a whole new character and mellow flavour to your humble dip. You could even add roasted beetroot to the hummus to give it a bright colour.
Garnish the prepared hummus by placing it in a shallow bowl and sprinkle reserved boiled chickpeas on it. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil and sprinkle some red chilli powder. If you get the Syrian Aleppo pepper, it tastes great on hummus.
Serve the tasty hummus with khobz or any other Arabic flatbread which you may find (or even the Greek pita). Hummus is commonly served along with marinated olives and salad. But it can also be served with chips or with a big platter of crudites. Also serve it in pita pockets with grilled chicken, or falafels for vegetarians, thus making a full meal using this amazing dip. Hummus stuffed pita sandwiches are a great tiffin-box and picnic choice too!
Or see all our Snack Recipes right here!