Say what you will, but the classic hummus is the best hummus recipe. It gives you the best of both worlds—a great flavor and a smooth-as-butter texture. And now you can make this simple hummus at home. In no time!
Some recipes come off easily, without a hitch. Then some recipes take some planning and tweaking to reach the perfect stage. This easy hummus recipe is a rare gem that falls between the two.
It comes out easily (so easily that you can commit the homemade hummus recipe to memory), but a few tweaks take the healthy, protein-rich, creamy hummus dip to KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF levels!
Jump to:
WHY TRY THE CLASSIC HUMMUS RECIPE?
It's a great condiment to have in your fridge.
It requires no cooking and can be prepped ahead.
Classic hummus has a fantastic flavor that you can play with any way you like.
It’s healthy, and it tastes exactly like a comforting hug at the end of the most tiring day.
From the toppings to the garnishing, the hummus recipe variations can be as high as Everest.
HOW TO MAKE CLASSIC HUMMUS AT HOME?
Step 1: Cook chickpeas.
Step 2: Blitz chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, cumin powder, salt, tahini, and olive oil in a blender until smooth.
Step 3: Taste and adjust salt. Add more water, if needed, and pulse till you have a silky, delicious, classic chickpea hummus.
Step 4: Transfer to a bowl and garnish.
Final step: Serve and savor!
TIPS FOR THE BEST CLASSIC HUMMUS RECIPE
I told you the simple hummus recipe comes together easily. Now onto the tweaking part. The game-changing factor that takes good hummus to oh-my-God hummus is blending it for an extra few minutes.
When you think the hummus is done, don’t stop. Let the blender work its magic some more, and you’ll end up with that super-light, luscious, and velvety hummus dip.
NOTES ON EASY HOMEMADE HUMMUS
- The authentic, nutrient-filled hummus with its tangy zing is made with a mortar and pestle. That’s what gives it its unmistakable gritty texture. I love the ultra-smooth and creamy feel of hummus. So, while I stick to the traditional recipe, I use a blender to make it.
- Use a food processor if that’s what you have to make classic hummus at home.
- Blitz warm chickpeas and the hummus will come out silkier.
- When blending, use cold water. It helps emulsify the ingredients better and gives you a hummus as smooth as a store-bought one.
FAQS
How To Make Hummus From Dried Chickpeas?
We don’t get good-quality canned chickpeas here. So, I soaked dried chickpeas overnight and then pressure-cooked them the next day until they were melt-in-your-mouth and mushy soft.
If you are using canned chickpeas for this simple hummus recipe, rinse them and then cook them on a stovetop for five to ten minutes till they are tender.
Does Hummus Need To Be Refrigerated?
Yes, hummus is perishable and needs to be refrigerated to maintain freshness and extend its shelf life. It's essential to keep it chilled to preserve its quality.
How long Does Homemade Hummus Last?
Homemade hummus can typically last for about 3 to 5 days when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Is Hummus Gluten-Free?
Homemade hummus is gluten-free as its main ingredients are chickpeas and tahini, both of which are gluten-free.
Is Classic Hummus Vegan?
Yes, classic hummus is vegan as it is made from plant-based ingredients. However, store-bought hummus may contain additional ingredients, so it's always a good idea to check the label.
CLASSIC HUMMUS INGREDIENTS
Chickpeas: Some hummus recipes add baking soda when soaking chickpeas, and then peel the skin off after they are cooked. The soda lessens cooking time, and removing the skins makes homemade hummus less lumpy.
Me? I feel who has the time to peel each chickpea individually! So, I simply soak the chickpeas overnight and cook them for a slightly longer time until they are literally falling apart, skin and flesh.
Garlic has to be chopped or smashed. Putting whole cloves in the blender means more work for the blender and an uneven texture.
Lemon: I love a lemony zing to my classic chickpea hummus. The delicate, bright savor is what I look forward to. If you don’t prefer a tangy touch, go light on the lemon juice.
Cumin powder: Roast a few cumin seeds. After they’ve cooled down, pound them, and then add the powder to the blender. It will give the hummus a beautiful, smoky hint.
Add-ins: My hummus recipe is very adaptable. You can:
- Add paprika, red chili flakes, or jalapeños on top.
- Make it with carrots and turmeric, or even with beetroot.
- Add parsley when blitzing all the ingredients, and the hummus will have the most gorgeous green flecks scattered in it.
MAKE HUMMUS WITHOUT TAHINI
Although tahini plays only a small role in hummus, it is still arguably the most prominent flavor in the dip. So, every hummus must begin with a great tahini. If you don’t have tahini, just add a teaspoon or two of sesame seeds when puréeing the chickpeas to make classic hummus.
What's Tahini?
It is a paste made from sesame seeds, and it has a marvelous nutty taste and an incredibly buttery texture. You can make it at home or buy it online for this classic hummus recipe with tahini.
HOW TO SERVE CLASSIC HUMMUS?
The simplest hummus dressing is a drizzle of olive oil. But I think pomegranate arils make everything pretty with their red hue. That’s why I use them liberally for this simple hummus recipe. Those went on top of the classic hummus, along with mint snipped from my garden.
For the final touch, I added a generous dusting of sumac, the versatile Middle Eastern spice with a tangy lemony flavor. You can replace mint with parsley to garnish hummus.
WHAT TO EAT WITH CLASSIC HUMMUS?
For the habitually hungry stomachs in my home, I quickly served the classic homemade hummus with sourdough crackers. You can:
- Serve hummus and pita.
- Make a hummus platter with crudités.
- Put together a hummus sandwich or roll.
- It’s excellent on top of toasts.
- Try a hummus wrap, smeared with grilled chicken, tofu, or paneer.
- You can even stir a spoonful of the hummus into hot pasta for a truly creamy, delectable sauce.
CHECK OUT THESE EASY DIP RECIPES
Half the joy of cooking is sharing it with others. That’s why I’m always eager to hear from you. So go right ahead and drop a comment or reach out on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Facebook. I hope you love this classic hummus as much as we do!
📖 Recipe
Classic Hummus Made Easy!
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Chickpeas, cooked You can use the cooking liquid for blending too.
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 3 tbsp Tahini
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Roasted cumin powder
- 2-3 tbsp Olive oil Plus some extra for pouring on top
- Cold Water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Add the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, salt, cumin powder, olive oil, cold water ( or chickpea cooking liquid), and salt. Blitz till smooth. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
- If the hummus is too thick, add some more liquid. Once your hummus has reached the consistency you prefer, blitz for a couple minutes extra to make it creamier and fluffier.
- Spoon on to a bowl or plate, top with olive oil and serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Vicky says
Love this hummus recipe. Very delicious and easy to do. Perfect to surprise my family. Thanks.
Patricia says
I love your recipes- healthy & delicious!
I used to do a roasted carrot(tossed in cumin) & pomegranate molasses hummus for a variation, but you can’t go past a classic one like yours ????
Natasha Minocha says
Hi Patricia, pomegranate molasses sounds amazing. I should try that out! And thank you for your wonderful words. Really appreciate you. xx
Radha bassi says
I've been making this recipe every month, so easy and yummy! Great for snacking for me and the kids. I add a little bit of paprika to mine.
Natasha Minocha says
Hi Radha, I am so so happy to hear that! Its a staple in my home too, definitely a winning snack time item. Thanks for stopping by xx
Lucy Daniel says
That looks delicious! I feel it is always better to use dried chickpeas instead of canned ones. They are more flavorful and affordable. Plus, you can add spices and aromatics in the water while boiling them.
Natasha Minocha says
Thank you Lucy! And I agree with you. Dried ones are really better. 🙂
Shaila says
This is a staple in my home now, we make it all the time! So good
Natasha Minocha says
Thank you so much Shaila!xx