11 Ways to Make Tastier, Healthier Hummus

By , SparkPeople Blogger
You should think of hummus as a white canvas and vegetables in your refrigerator or herbs in your garden as the paints to create a colorful work of art.  This painting will not go on the wall but in your belly. Hummus is simple to make and will pair well with almost any flavor you want to add.  Although the basic recipe includes olive oil and tahini (sesame seed paste), too much can be a little too much--it can taste bitter, and it does contain a lot of fat, though it is the good-for-you kind. In my recipe, I reduced the amount of tahini and replaced it with drained and rinsed white kidney beans. 
 
Start with my Simple Hummus.
 
 Try these easy quick swaps to make your hummus creamy and not so heavy in oil.
  • Replace 50% or all of the olive oil with plain fat-free Greek yogurt.  The yogurt, with its natural acidity, will also boost the flavor.
  • Replace 50%  or all the tahini with rinsed and drained white kidney beans as I did.  Tahini boasts a strong, somewhat bitter flavor so this tip is perfect for a large crowd of different "likes" and small children.
  • Use roasted garlic instead of raw garlic.  Roasting the garlic will subdue the raw bite and add creaminess.
  • Remove the skins of chickpeas by pinching them between your fingers to ensure a creamy hummus. This will reduce the fiber, unfortunately.
  • Use blanched edamame instead of chickpeas.  Pretty and colorful for spring or summer, this swap also boosts the protein. Remove the skins the same way you would with chickpeas.Mix it up with new additions.
  • Add cooked sweet potatoes or pureed canned pumpkin for a fall-influenced hummus.  Reduce chickpeas by 50%; add 4 ounces cooked sweet potatoes or canned pumpkin.  Throw in some fall spices as well such as cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of cayenne.
  • Stir in toasted sesame oil instead of ground tahini paste.  A little will go a long way--add just 1/2 teaspoon to my basic recipe for a strong sesame flavor.
  • Toss in sautéed eggplant and cumin.  Serve as a side with curry or vindaloo dishes.
  • Add 1/4 cup almond butter to the basic recipe for extra thick, nutty hummus. 
  • Roasted red peppers and hummus are a perfect pair.  Stir in one cup chopped peppers for a sunset-colored hummus.
  • Other great additions: finely chopped parsley, fresh squeezed lemon juice, basil pesto, reduced balsamic vinegar, chopped pine nuts, minced black olives, or a sprinkle of feta and red pepper flakes. 
Now that you have this flavorful hummus, what do you do with it? 
  • Use it as a sandwich spread in place of mayonnaise.
  • Toss with pasta for a higher-protein sauce.
  • Spread over flatbread to swap for traditional pizza sauce. 
  • Mix into tomato sauce for a creamy pasta or pizza topping.
  • Spread hummus over meats before roasting. The thick spread will stand up in the heat of the oven and the flavors will work as substitute for a rub but will develop into a creamy pan sauce.
  • Swirl with salsa for a creamy dip.
 
Try one of these tasty hummus variations:And try this easy appetizer: Mini Stuffed Potatoes with Charred Corn and Red Pepper Hummus
 
What do you like to do with hummus? Do you prefer it plain or with a topping? If so, which topping?
 
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Comments

DRAGONFLY631 6/10/2019
I love hummus so will definitely try these veriations Report
YMWONG22 5/18/2019
Great tips. Thanks. Report
RENAHF 2/21/2019
Your recipe sounds interesting, but just totally is not hummus. For anyone living here in the middle east (where I live) Hummus is made with whole chick peas, techina (what you call sesame paste), water, salt, lemon juice squeezed from fresh lemons, black pepper, cumin, and raw garlic. It is topped with zatar (a delicious spice that grows wild here), or cusbarra (cilantro) and either a tiny bit of oil or pine nuts and sometimes is put into roasted eggplant. Raw garlic is healthier and much less caloric than fried garlic or roasted garlic.

I have never tasted bitter techina - one thing you need to know is that every ingredient in middle eastern food is important and leaving out an ingredient can ruin the whole taste. Lemon juice is a very important ingredient in techina and hummus.

Hummus is a delicious, high-protein, healthy spread that you can use with many things. Report
LEANJEAN6 1/26/2019
It makes me want to try Hummus! Report
SUNSET09 1/6/2019
I have acquired a taste for hummus and normally, purchase it in the grocery stores. Thank you for a healthier version, SparkFriend. Report
CECELW 12/9/2018
I love hummus. I make my own sometimes but most of the time I just buy it. I'm the only one who eats it. Report
EVILCECIL 8/30/2018
Love hummus. Report
KHALIA2 8/24/2018
Haven't tried it yet. Report
KREAKYJOINTZ 8/23/2018
I love hummus however I did not like the gritty texture. I started boiling my chickpeas for 20 minutes adding a pinch of baking soda then rinsing them. They are really creamy like what you buy in the store. I rinse them very well after cooking. I love all your tips cant wait to incorporate them in my rotation😊 Report
KREAKYJOINTZ 8/23/2018
I love hummus however I did not like the gritty texture. I started boiling my chickpeas for 20 minutes adding a pinch of baking soda then rinsing them. They are really creamy like what you buy in the store. I rinse them very well after cooking. I love all your tips cant wait to incorporate them in my rotation😊 Report
JUSTFURKIDS 7/17/2018
Thanks for the variations! Lots of great suggestions, though one thing you didn’t mention was replacing all or part of the chickpeas with cauliflower to reduce the carb content. Report
BONDMANUS2002
Absolutely Report
AALLEY2
I love these ideas! Hummus is so good! Report
GOLDENRODFARM
I love the taste of hummus, not really intreasted in making it taste like something else Report
KHALIA2
I have never tasted hummus. Will certainly give this one a try. Report
ARTEMIS-
Very excited to try this out - my housemate and I were talking about DIY hummus a few weeks ago. This is a great resource. Report
VALLEYGIRLSPAGE
Some new recipes to try....thank you. Report
LEANJEAN6
Ive never tried it-- Report
CELTICLASSINLA
Sorry - these sound gross. Humus is humus- replacing ingredients makes it whatever but it sure ain't humus. Yuk Report
_CYNDY55_
Love the Ideas! Thanks! Report
1SUNBUMM11
I love hummus. I get it ready made and my favorite is spinach and artichoke. Just today I found something new, hummus with toasted coconut. But since these ideas sounded so good, I will try making my own. Report
4LMHJCR
I have never tried hummus. Thought about purchasing it at the store, but I never have. I might try making it Report
KATHRYNGC
Plan on trying each of those recipes. Just tried a store bought one just to try hummus. Homemade will be souch better! Report
PASTORDAN_ATDCC
Great Report
4LMHJCR
I have never gotten around to trying hummus, but I like the suggestions here and will have to give it a try now. Thanks Report
PORA70
Love these suggestions for ways to substitute hummus. Excited to try them. Thanks!! Report
SPARKYFLOWER
Excellent Blog. I did not like the idea of eating hummus but Beth Galvin made me trust it and I love it now. Report
BTINCHER2001
I've recently discovered that tuna salad using hummus instead of light mayo is fantastic! Great flavor. Good spreadability. Colorful too. DH likes it too! Report
AZURE-SKY
I make egg salad and chicken salad with hummus instead of mayo. It adds protein and lots of flavor. Report
WOUBBIE
Great suggestions for people who don't actually like hummus... Report
BIGTOSS03
Unfortunately my family won't touch hummus. I have tried it at work at company functions and enjoyed it most of the time. I may try these ideas to see if they'll reconsider eating hummus. Thank you! Report
SANDPOIN1
Great ideas!! Thank you! Report
DIANEDOESSMILES
TY for the healthy idea's !! I have been spending quite a lot at the store with this. I LOVE IT and for one who in general "Doesn't care much" for most veggies, this is so GOOD !! I LOVE the idea of using greek yogurt instead of an oil !! I LOVE mine with a TON OF ROASTED Garlic ! WILL also add some peppers (Green, yellow, red which will first be roasted) and greek olives. Report
SPIFF37
I use my Ninja to make hummus and if it's looking too chunky, I just add some of the canned chickpea juice back in. Smooth hummus every time. Never would have even thought to use substitute some greek yogurt for 1/2 the olive oil. Can't wait to try it! Report
WALKZWDOGZ
Love hummus! Going to try some of these tips, but life is too short to peel chickpeas. :-)
Report
ADOUGLASMHOR
Lemon and Coriander (cilantro) Hummus - really nice bite! Report
NORASPAT
I love HUMMUS DH is not a fan of it. Thanks for the suggestions to reduce the bitter taste. Pat in Maine. Report
DDOORN
LOVE making my own hummus and have used some of the strategies you mention, re: yogurt, skipping the tahini, roasting the garlic. I use a variety of beans sometimes black bean, sometimes pinto and of course chickpeas. Plus I love jazzing up my hummus with a variety of spices, including hot sauces, Sriracha, etc.

Don, Co-Leader of All Health Professionals, Binghamton Area Losers and Laid Off But Staying Strong SparkTeams Report
LOSE15YES
great article and great shares. I will go make some now for lunch....and put in the Greek yogurt and fresh basil..........yum Report
SKYSPIRIT464
Love Hummus! I'm going to try some of these. Report
ANSWRGAL
Am going to try it with some fresh rosemary. Have been buying expensive white bean hummus but look forward to this one! Report
CIERAPOET
After Buying It I Decided To Make It Myself. Now I Do It Anytime I Feel Like A Humus Break! I Normally Make it With Chick Peas and Black Olives and Add Other Things Like Peppers, Jalepenos, and Sunflower Seeds With A Little EVOO. I Never Thought To Use It As A Dressing. I Spread Mines On An Artisan Ancient Grain Tortilla and That's My Lunch or Snack. Thanks For All The New Ideas Chef Meg! :) Report
FLASHJUSTFLASH
A tip I learned from Cook's Illustrated magazine about how to make super creamy hummus (as opposed to funky and grainy) involves either using home-cooked garbanzos while they are still warm from cooking or else nuking canned beans for a minute and then letting them cool to room temperature. Evidently it's something scientific about how the heating changes the molecules....... Try it you'll love it! Report
PROJECT_SUSAN
I usually buy it already prepared but I think I will try to make some. I love to eat hummus with unsalted mini pretzels for a snack when I want chips. Report
ZEPHYR33
Try it on a jacket potato - one of my favourites Report
PINKHAIREDMOM
I love my hummus recipe. It only has one tablespoon of olive oil. Report
ARCHIMEDESII
I LOVE hummus !! One thing I like to do is use it in place of mayo when I make tuna fish. It makes for a healthier tuna sandwich. hummus alone also makes for a good sandwich. add some romaine lettuce, slices of red onion and tomato. oh and maybe a few leaves of fresh basil. yum. I also use hummus as a thickener in some of my soups.

Hummus is extremely versatile.

YUM ! Report
KRISTIN9924
I like to add a ton of garlic to my hummus. Roasted red pepper or finely chopped kalamata olives are also tasty additions. Report
PEACH1981
Did anyone else originally read the title as "11 Ways to Make Tastier, Healthier HUMANS?" Report
MEADSBAY
I dip apples and celery init for a quick snack. Report
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