You can spread hummus on a sandwich, slather it over a pita, or scoop piles of it onto sliced cucumbers or colorful bell peppers. It’s the perfect dip to serve at parties for people who avoid gluten or dairy, and it keeps for weeks in the fridge. It’s loaded with fiber and protein. What’s not to love? If you’re a hummus purist, then that’s where the story ends. For this Roasted Red Pepper Hummus recipe, I’m breaking from tradition. Sorry.
What Makes This Hummus Special
Traditional hummus recipes call for tahini, a toasted sesame seed paste. It makes the hummus extra creamy, but I am not a fan of tahini so I skipped it for this version. If you and tahini are BFFs then, by all means, add a tablespoon or two. In addition to kicking tahini to the curb, I added roasted red peppers to the hummus and chopped some up to sprinkle on top. If you like lots of red pepper flavor, scoop up some chopped bits with every bite. If you’re more of a minimalist, just take the dip and leave the bits. Life is busy at the Miller house these days, so I usually just buy a jar of roasted red peppers. In the summer when my garden is bursting with peppers, I tend to make my own and use this recipe for Marinated Roasted Red Bell Peppers.
Dried or Canned Chickpeas?
For whatever reason, it’s difficult for me to find dried chickpeas where I live. Every other kind of dried bean covers my grocery store shelves, but chickpeas are a canned-only situation. So canned beans it is for this recipe.
How to Make Creamy Hummus
If you have dried beans and a little time to plan then, by all means, make hummus with dried beans you cooked at home. Follow this step by step guide for How to Cook Dried Beans, but add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda to the water for hummus-bound chickpeas, and reduce the cooking time. This technique of adding baking soda was made popular by Yotam Ottolenghi and creates an alkaline environment that helps the skins release from the chickpeas. Agitate the chickpeas every now and then while they are cooking and skim the skins off the top. Ta-da! For this short-cut version using canned chickpeas, drain a can of chickpeas, skip the baking soda and accept a little texture in your hummus.
Substitutions and Suggestions
Perhaps you’re not a roasted red pepper fan. Not to worry—feel free to get creative.
Skip the roasted red pepper and just have classic hummus Add tahini Add roasted garlic Swirl in some tapenade
What to Serve With Hummus?
When I make hummus, I pretty much eat it on everything until it’s gone. When you’ve made a batch, here are a few ideas on how to use it up.
Make a Mediterranean Mezze Platter. Serve it solo with sliced veggies like cucumbers, peppers, and carrots. Top it with whole chickpeas, olives or za’atar. Pick up some fluffy pitas, tear and dip! If all else fails, crackers will do just fine.
How to Store Hummus
Hummus will keep for about a week or two covered in your fridge.
Looking for More Great Hummus Recipes? Try These!
Easy Homemade Hummus Beet Hummus Basil Hummus Fresh Pea Hummus
Add the cumin, salt and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Puree until it looks creamy. Add 1/4 cup roasted red peppers. Puree until well incorporated, about 1 minute. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
