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Tasty NestRecipes

Classic Hummus

Smooth, creamy hummus made from canned chickpeas, tahini, lemon and garlic in a food processor. Ready in 10 minutes and better than most store-bought tubs.

By Tasty Nest Recipes Editorial TeamPublished

10 min total About 1 1/2 cupsEasy

A white bowl filled with smooth, creamy hummus sprinkled with dried herbs

Photo: whitneyinchicago · CC BY 2.0. Illustrative photo; your results may look different.

About this recipe

Once you make hummus at home, it is hard to go back. It takes about ten minutes, costs a fraction of the shop-bought version and lets you adjust the lemon, garlic and texture to your taste.

Two small steps make a noticeable difference. First, blend the tahini and lemon juice together before adding the chickpeas, which helps create a light, whipped texture. Second, add ice-cold water a spoonful at a time while the processor runs; it makes the hummus fluffier and paler.

Serve it with warm pita, crunchy vegetables or as a spread in sandwiches and wraps.

Equipment you'll need

  • Food processor

Tips for success

  • For extra-smooth hummus, simmer the drained chickpeas in water with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for 15 to 20 minutes, until very soft, then drain and rinse before blending. This adds about 20 minutes.
  • Stir the tahini jar thoroughly before measuring; the oil separates and sinks or rises as it sits.
  • Hummus thickens in the fridge. Stir in a spoonful of water to loosen it before serving.

Substitutions and variations

  • Use 1 1/2 cups of home-cooked chickpeas in place of the can.
  • Blend in a roasted red pepper or a handful of fresh herbs for a flavoured variation.
  • If you cannot find tahini, smooth unsweetened sunflower seed butter works, though the flavour will be different.

Storage

To store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days, with a thin layer of olive oil on top to keep it moist.

Recipe

Classic Hummus

Smooth, creamy hummus made from canned chickpeas, tahini, lemon and garlic in a food processor. Ready in 10 minutes and better than most store-bought tubs.

Prep
10 min
Cook
No cooking
Total
10 min
Yield
About 1 1/2 cups
Level
Easy

Ingredients

Tick off ingredients as you gather them.

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whip the tahini

    Add the tahini, lemon juice and garlic to the food processor and blend for about 1 minute, scraping down the sides once, until thick and pale.

  2. Step 2: Add the chickpeas

    Add the chickpeas, cumin and salt. Blend for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until a thick paste forms.

  3. Step 3: Make it creamy

    With the processor running, add the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, then the olive oil. Keep blending for another 1 to 2 minutes, until very smooth and creamy.

  4. Step 4: Season

    Taste and add more salt or lemon juice if needed, blending briefly to combine.

  5. Step 5: Serve

    Spread the hummus in a shallow bowl, making a swirl with the back of a spoon. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika or herbs.

Cuisine: Middle Eastern · Course: Appetizer

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories
175
Protein
5 g
Fat
11 g
Carbs
14 g
Fibre
4 g
Sugars
0 g

Approximate values estimated from typical nutrition data for the listed ingredients, excluding optional toppings and serving suggestions. Actual values vary with brands, portion sizes and substitutions. Not verified by a dietitian or laboratory analysis.

tastynestrecipes.com/recipes/classic-hummus

Cook it with confidence

Guides for this recipe

Techniques, troubleshooting and leftover ideas to help you get the most from your classic hummus.

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