What is Hummus Made Of + Tasty Recipe

What is hummus made of? Hummus is made from basic pantry ingredients and can be made in minutes! It is creamy, smooth, and oh-so-delicious! It is also vegan-friendly and highly versatile; it can be served as a savory dip, spread, or even form part of a meal.

In this article, I'll show you exactly what hummus ingredients you need to make a tasty bowl of hummus. So grab your utensils, and let's get cooking!

What is Hummus Made Of

Hummus (sometimes called humus, hommos, or houmus) originated in the Middle East and then spread to other countries via trade routes. This resulted in hummus becoming an everyday dish in the Middle East and many Mediterranean and North African countries. This also gave rise to many variations of this beloved and delicious dish.

What is Traditional Hummus Made of?

What are Chickpeas

If you want to know more about the main ingredient of hummus, chickpeas, read my what are chickpeas article. I give information about preparing, storing, and cooking chickpeas, healthy recipe ideas, and much more!

What is Hummus Made From - Hummus Ingredients

And, of course, hummus is easy to make, so whenever you feel like eating it, you can make it yourself in just minutes!

• 1 can (14 ounces | 400g) chickpeas - Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a type of legume and are the main ingredient of hummus. In Arabic, the word hummus itself means chickpeas.
• 1 clove garlic - Use 1 fresh garlic clove in this homemade hummus recipe. Don't use pre-prepared minced garlic, as it doesn't have the same sharp aromatic taste as fresh garlic.
• ½ cup tahini - Tahini is a key ingredient when you ask what is hummus made of. Tahini is made from sesame seeds that are either hulled, unhulled, raw, or roasted. The seeds are ground up to create a smooth, creamy, easy-to-pour paste.
• ¼ cup lemon juice - Lemon juice gives tang and freshness to your hummus recipe.
• 3 - 4 tablespoon water | or liquid from the canned chickpeas - Use the liquid from the canned chickpeas to help create light and creamy hummus. Read my recipe tips below for more information about this liquid.
• 4 tablespoon olive oil - Olive oil makes hummus taste so luxurious. I also like to add a dash of extra oil just before serving.
• Pinch of salt - Salt is a vital ingredient to season the chickpeas and flavor your hummus.
• Garnish - A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkling of paprika, and a scattering of whole chickpeas on top.

Instructions for How to Make Hummus at Home

Now that we have all the ingredients for what is hummus made of let's start making my easy hummus recipe! It is not difficult. All you have to do is follow the instructions below, and delicious homemade hummus will be ready in minutes!

1. Drain the chickpeas through a strainer and reserve the liquid. Measure the other ingredients.

2. In a food processor, add the garlic and process for 30 seconds until the garlic is finely chopped.

3. Add the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, salt, and oil and blend until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

4. Turn on your food processor again, and with the motor running, add the water or the reserved liquid from the canned chickpeas. Keep the machine on until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.

5. Taste your hummus, and adjust if necessary. You can also add more water if the consistency is not thin enough. Or even some more lemon juice for extra freshness. Your hummus is ready to be enjoyed!

What Chickpeas Can I Use to Make Hummus?

Both canned and dried chickpeas (cooked) are good for making an authentic hummus recipe.

Hummus with Canned Chickpeas (Hummus With Canned Garbanzo Beans)

I like making homemade hummus from canned chickpeas as the chickpeas are already cooked. This means that I can make hummus immediately! No preplanning is required!

Hummus From Dried Chickpeas

Dried chickpeas are cheaper but take time to prepare with soaking and cooking. Dried chickpeas cooking times.

Recipe Tips - What is Hummus Made Of

Replace the Water with Aquafaba

Firstly, what is aquafaba? Aquafaba is the starchy liquid from canned chickpeas or the leftover water from boiling dried chickpeas.

When whisked, aquafaba will become aerated in texture. This is perfect for making your hummus light and fluffy.

Since I learned about this amazing tip, I always use canned chickpea liquid rather than water in my fresh hummus recipe. Note; the aquafaba liquid can be salty, so adjust the salt you add to the hummus recipe if needed.

Do you Need to Peel the Chickpeas?

If you want to make an ultra-smooth hummus recipe, remove the skin of the chickpeas before processing them. After trying this recipe with both with and without chickpea skins, I prefer to keep the skins on as I like having a slight texture to the hummus. Plus, this is how hummus is traditionally made and served.

Use Ice Cold Water

If using water as the liquid, use ice-cold water to help create lighter and fluffier hummus.

What is Hummus Made Of - Too Thick?

Add additional chickpea liquid or water to the processor until you reach your perfect hummus recipe consistency.

How to Spice up Hummus

• Cumin hummus - Adding ½ teaspoon of ground cumin to the hummus recipe adds extra richness to the flavor. This is one of the personal touches my Lebanese friend gave me when I asked what is hummus made of in his family.
• Smoked paprika - Adding spices such as paprika will give your delicious hummus recipe a distinctive taste that will match other Middle Eastern-style food on your menu. I like to add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika at the most as we don't want it to be overpowering.
• Roasted garlic cloves - For the best roasted garlic hummus recipe, roast a garlic bulb in the oven and substitute it for the fresh garlic in the recipe above.
• Chili hummus - Add a deseeded green chili when processing the garlic in the food processor. This will add a warm firey heat that I love!
• Fresh herbs - Mix fresh parsley and basil to add extra flavor to your gluten free hummus recipe.
• Crispy chili oil - Add some Lao Gan Ma crispy chili oil to your hummus recipe for a salty, spicy, and crunchy element. This famous Chinese condiment will amp up the flavor of your hummus with its crisp fermented soybeans.
• Sumac hummus - Sumac in hummus gives a citrusy tang that tastes delicious.
• Onions - Finely slice one scallion (green part only) and add to your hummus recipe for added flavor and color.

How to Store Homemade Hummus

Room Temperature - What is Hummus Made Of

At my house, hummus is a crowd favorite and won't last long on the table!

As hummus is a fresh dish that can spoil if left too long at room temperature, here are a couple of ways to make hummus last longer:

1. Serve the hummus a little at a time or as needed. That way, the remaining hummus has not had food dipped in it or been cross-contaminated with other cutlery.
2. Use a bowl filled with ice cubes under the hummus dish to keep it cooler and fresher for longer.

Fridge - What is Hummus Made Of

Put the hummus in an air-tight container before putting it in the refrigerator. The air-tight container will help reduce bacteria that can grow in the hummus and prevent other cooking odors from getting in. If stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container, your fresh hummus can last up to 4-5 days.

Freezer - What is Hummus Made Of

If you ask if hummus can be frozen, the answer is yes! By putting hummus in the freezer, you can store it for up to a few months. I like to add a little olive oil to the top of the hummus just before freezing. This is to help prevent freezer burn and won't affect the taste of the hummus.

Another tip is to store hummus in small portions. By keeping the hummus in individual servings, you can control the portion sizes and just take out of the freezer what you need.

27+ Traditional and Creative Ideas of What to Eat With Hummus

How to Serve Hummus

Here are 27+ ideas of what to eat with hummus! From hummus ideas for dipping, such as carrot, cucumber, celery, and other sticks of veggies, to traditional pita bread, toasted pita chips, crackers, and as part of a mezze plate with roasted eggplant or baba ganoush dip and grilled meat.

Other Types of Hummus - What is Hummus Made of?

Is Hummus Only Made Out of Chickpeas?

Of course not! Even though the word hummus in Arabic means 'chickpeas,' you can make variations of hummus with other ingredients such as cannellini beans and red bell peppers! Here are some suggestions:

What is Hummus Made of: Roasted Red Pepper

This hummus recipe with roasted red bell peppers is creamy, full of flavor, and with a slightly smoky sweetness. Delicious!

What is Hummus Made of: Red Lentil

One of my favorite variations for chickpeas in hummus is red lentils. Red lentils give a slightly sweet and earthy taste which is complimented by the creamy texture of the other ingredients. I also like adding 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for a delicious smoky flavor to the lentil hummus dish.

Red lentils don't need any special treatment, and you can make your hummus the same way you would make fresh chickpea hummus. Use either canned lentils or learn how to cook dried red lentils.

What is Hummus Made of: Cannellini Beans Hummus

White beans, such as cannellini beans, are a good variation for chickpeas and offer a twist on the classic hummus recipe. They have a smooth and creamy texture that suits hummus and a slightly sweet taste adding to the richness.

For cannellini bean dip, I sometimes like to add 1 teaspoon of ground coriander seeds and one teaspoon of white miso paste to add a savory depth to the flavor.

What is Hummus Made of: Black-eyed Pea Hummus

Do you have black-eyed peas in your cupboard and want to turn them into delicious hummus? You certainly can! Black-eyed peas will give your hummus a delicious and slightly sweet earthy flavor.

Making black-eyed pea hummus is easy; put the cooked black-eyed beans in a food processor with garlic, lemon, salt, tahini, water, oil, and blitz until it reaches the desired texture.

What is Hummus Made of: Sweet Potato Hummus

You can also experiment with making hummus using different types of potatoes, such as sweet potatoes. You will be surprised by the sweet and creamy taste!

To make sweet potato hummus, replace half of the chickpeas with cooked sweet potato and add the remaining ingredients. Also, add some lemon zest, ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin. Blitz together and serve.

What is Hummus Made Of FAQs

Is Hummus Made From Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans?

Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are the same thing, just different names.

What is Hummus Made Of?

• Does hummus contain dairy? Hummus does not contain dairy.
• Does hummus have egg? Hummus does not contain eggs.
• Does hummus have garlic? A traditional hummus recipe does contain garlic. If you don't like garlic or know someone with an allergy, simply omit it.
• Does hummus need tahini? No, hummus does not need tahini. I prefer to include tahini in my hummus recipe as I love the taste and the creaminess it adds to the dish.
• Is there sesame in hummus? A traditional hummus recipe uses tahini which is made from ground-up sesame seeds.
• Vegan hummus recipe and vegetarian hummus? A classic chickpea hummus recipe is both naturally vegetarian and vegan.

What is Tahini?

What is Tahini Made From?

Tahini is made from ground-up sesame seeds. There are four types of tahini:

Can you Make Hummus Without a Food Processor?

How to Make Hummus Without a Food Processor

You can make hummus chickpea spread by crushing the garlic in a garlic press, mashing up all the other ingredients with a potato masher, and then combining. It won't be as smooth as using a food processor and will have a rougher texture which is how hummus was originally enjoyed.

Can you Make Hummus in a Blender?

Yes, you can use a blender to make hummus. Simply add the ingredients in the recipe below to the blender and pulse until smooth.

How Long Does Hummus Last?

How Long Does Homemade Hummus Last?

Homemade hummus will last up to a few hours at room temperature, up to 4-5 days if stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, and up to 3 months in an air-tight container in the freezer.

Store-bought

Commercially made hummus can usually be stored longer because it contains preservatives. If you buy store-bought hummus, don't forget to check the expiration date on the container. You should also follow the storage recommendations on the packaging of the hummus you buy to see how it should be stored.

How to Tell if Hummus is Bad?

Three indicators that hummus has spoiled are:

• Color - If your hummus shows mold or a noticeable discoloration.
• Smell - If you smell an unusual aroma from your hummus.
• Taste - If there is a noticeable change in taste, such as being sourer.

Is Hummus Good for You?

Is Hummus Healthy Snack?

Chickpeas have lots of nutrition and contain fiber, protein, and vitamins. That means this plant-based hummus recipe can help form part of a healthy and well-balanced diet.

How to Store Chickpeas?

Dried chickpeas can be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight for at least one year. For fresh chickpeas, keep them in a paper bag in your refrigerator crisper for no longer than three to four days.

How is Hummus Served in Different Places?

• Palestine - Palestinian hummus is regularly enjoyed when barbequing, having a falafel snack, and as part of a mezze plate.
• Greece - An authentic Greek hummus recipe often forms part of a mezze plate along with tzatziki, melitzanosalata (learn how to cook aubergines for this delicious dip), and fava split pea dip.
• Lebanon - Lebanese hummus is traditionally eaten with pita bread.
• Egypt - My friend tried Egyptian hummus sprinkled with pistachios and almonds. Yum! I'd love to try that!
• Italy - My nonna in Italy would make a specific type of Mediterranean style hummus with golden toasted pine nuts sprinkled on top.
• Iran - Persian hummus is traditionally made with more tahini than in other countries, making it smoother, creamier, and delicious!
• Turkey - During my holiday in Turkey, I enjoyed a type of Turkish hummus that substituted some of the tahini with natural yogurt. It was delicious - light, lemony, and of course, with that fresh garlic kick!

What Is Hummus Made Of – In Conclusion

Now you know what is hummus made of! Whether you want to make it as a dip, spread, snack, or meal, you now know how easy it is to make. Enjoy!

What is Hummus Made Of

What is hummus made of? Easy recipe for making delicious hummus from canned chickpeas and basic pantry staples.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Servings: 6

Author: Milly Chino

Equipment

• 1 Food Processor

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas 400g | 14 ounces
• 1 clove garlic
• ½ cup tahini
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 4 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch salt
• 3-4 tbs water or the liquid from the canned chickpeas

Instructions

• Prepare all of the ingredients and drain the chickpeas in a fine-mesh strainer and reserve the liquid.
  
• In a food processor, add garlic and process for 30 seconds or until the garlic is finely chopped.
  
• Add the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil and blend until thick and creamy. Use a spatula to scrape any stuck mixture from the sides of the processor.
  
• With the motor running, drizzle in the water or liquid from the canned chickpeas and process until smooth.
  
• Taste and adjust with more salt and water if necessary. Place hummus in a bowl.
  

Notes

Light and fluffy hummus - Replace the water with the liquid from the can of chickpeas. This will help your hummus become more aerated when whisked in the food processor, resulting in light and fluffy hummus. 

Dried chickpeas - If you prefer to use dried chickpeas, cook them first until they are soft and tender. Refer to my what are chickpeas article for different cooking methods and step-by-step instructions.  

 

 

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• Gyoza dipping sauce
• Baba ganoush dip
• Roasted red pepper hummus

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