How To Make Homemade Hummus (Easy Recipe)

This Homemade Hummus recipe is incredibly easy to make and tastes amazing. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, this creamy hummus is perfect for snacking or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.

Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern dip or spread made from cooked and mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. It is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt where it was known as “ḥummuṣ bi ṭaḥīna” which translates to “chickpeas with tahini.” Over time, hummus has become a staple in many dishes from the Middle East. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hummus is one of my favorite dips to make for a quick and healthy snack. It’s filling, tasty, and can be used as a sandwich spread as well as a dip. 

• The creamy texture of this delicious dip will have your family raving about it for days. 
• Homemade hummus tastes much better than store-bought hummus, plus you don’t have to worry about preservatives. 
• You only need a handful of ingredients which means that it costs less to make this fluffy hummus at home than it does buying it. 
• Once you learn this hummus basic recipe you can vary your ingredients and make the same flavors you see in the stores; olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or cilantro are some of my favorite add-ins.

Should The Skin on the Garbanzo Beans Be Removed?

You will notice a thin skin on each chickpea, which is perfectly fine to eat. However, if you want the smoothest hummus, then I suggest removing the skin. The skin slips off easily by gently grabbing each chickpea and gently squeezing the bean.

You can also grab a handful and gently rub your other hand over them to peel the skins. This also works in the same manner if you place the beans between two clean kitchen towels and gently rub the beans.

Ingredients Needed

One great thing about this authentic hummus recipe is that you only need a few simple ingredients from the grocery store, so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of time or money scouring the store for the things that you need. 

• garbanzo beans – from a can and are also called chickpeas.
• fresh garlic cloves
• fresh lemon juice
• tahini – You can find this in the ethnic or health food sections of your grocery store. I purchase tahini at Trader Joe’s
• cold water 
• salt
• extra virgin olive oil
• paprika

How to Make Homemade Hummus

​Making this fluffy hummus is simple. Just follow these instructions here, or check out the full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Add the ingredients to a food processor

Place beans, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, water, and a pinch of salt in the food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Add more water as needed for the desired consistency.

Step 2: Garnish before serving

Place in a bowl, top with a drizzle of olive oil, and sprinkle with paprika. Serve with chopped vegetables, crackers, or a variety of breads.

What To Serve With This Dish 

This creamy dip is great when paired with pita chips, pita bread, or even crunchy veggies. However, you can also use it as a spread on sandwiches such as this Simple Crab Salad Sandwich or this Grilled Pastrami Sandwich.

Substitutions and Additions

• Fresh garlic cloves will give this hummus the best flavor however if you are out of garlic you can 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead. 
• Fresh fresh parsley would give the top of your hummus a beautiful pop of color. 
• Do you enjoy red pepper hummus? If so, roast some bell peppers and add them to your hummus.  
• Pine nuts can also be added to the hummus mixture more nutty flavor in this smooth dip. 
• Remove the stems from a handful of baby spinach and blend it into your hummus to sneak some extra veggies in your picky eaters.

How Long Does Hummus Last

Storage – Store leftover hummus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes and stir it.

Freezing –  Hummus can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. 

Sandra’s Pro Tips

• Don’t have a food processor? You can use a high-speed blender instead. 
• Add a little water in small amounts until you find the texture that you are looking for. 
• For the best flavor use a high-quality tahini.  
• Add a pinch of cumin for an extra flavor boost. 
• If you want a beautiful presentation, use the back of a spoon to make swirls on top of the hummus.

FAQs

Do you have questions about this easy hummus recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this dish: 

Other Chickpea Recipes To Try

• The Best Chickpea Stew Recipe
• Minestrone Soup with Chickpea Pasta
• Panera Turkey Chili (Copycat Recipe)
• Chickpea Tacos

This recipe was first published in 2013. It has been updated with updated content and new photos in March 2024.