If you love hummus and are looking for a way to spice up your dip game, look no further than harissa hummus. This Middle Eastern-inspired dip combines the creamy, garlicky goodness of traditional hummus with the bold, fiery flavors of harissa paste.
Harissa is a North African chili paste that is made from a combination of hot peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices like cumin and coriander. It has a deep, smoky flavor and a bright, fiery heat that is perfect for adding some excitement to your favorite dishes.
In this recipe, we combine harissa paste with the classic ingredients of hummus, including chickpeas, tahini, and garlic, to create a dip that is both spicy and satisfying. The result is a dip that is perfect for serving with pita bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables, or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.
Ingredients Notes
Chickpeas: First, you'll need two cans of chickpeas that have been drained and rinsed. It's important to rinse the chickpeas thoroughly to remove any excess salt and to help the hummus achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
Tahini: you'll need tahini, a sesame paste that is a staple in Middle Eastern cooking. Be sure to stir the tahini well before measuring it out, as the oil can separate from the paste and settle at the top of the jar. While it may be tempting to reach for a cheaper, lower-quality tahini, investing in a good brand is worth the few extra dollars. A high-quality tahini will have a smooth texture and a rich, nutty flavor that will make a big difference in the final taste of your tahini sauce. For more tahini ideas check out my post Easy Tahini Sauce.
Garlic: You'll also need garlic, which adds a pungent, aromatic flavor to the hummus. If you don't have fresh garlic on hand, you can use garlic powder instead, although the flavor won't be quite as strong.
Harissa: The star ingredient in this recipe is harissa paste, which adds a bold, smoky heat to the hummus. You can make your own harissa paste, but it's much easier to buy it pre-made at your local grocery store or online. If you like harissa in your recipes you will enjoy Harissa Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas with Tahini Sauce for a flavor-packed salad.
Finally, you'll need fresh lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. These ingredients help to balance the heat of the harissa and add depth of flavor to the hummus.
Instructions
To make harissa hummus, begin by adding the drained and rinsed chickpeas, tahini, minced garlic, harissa paste, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and pepper to a food processor.
Process the mixture until it is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. If the hummus is too thick, you can add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Once the hummus is smooth and creamy, give it a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, lemon juice, or harissa paste to suit your taste preferences.
Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle it with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of harissa paste over the top of the hummus for an extra kick of heat.
What to Serve With Harissa Hummus
Harissa hummus is a versatile dip that can be served with a variety of accompaniments. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this spicy twist on classic hummus:
- Pita Bread: Warm up some pita bread and serve it alongside the harissa hummus for an authentic Middle Eastern experience.
- Crackers: Any kind of cracker will work, but we particularly enjoy serving harissa hummus with crispy, crunchy rice crackers.
- Fresh Vegetables: Cut up some carrots, cuccumber, and bell peppers and serve them alongside the harissa hummus for a healthy and refreshing snack.
- Mezze Platter: serve with Pickled Carrots, Easy Tzatziki Sauce, Marinated Feta With Oil Lemon and Rosemary and Pea and Preserved Lemon Spread on Toast for a fantastic mezze platter.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Use harissa hummus as a spread on sandwiches and wraps to add a spicy kick to your lunch or dinner.
- Grilled Meats and Vegetables: Use harissa hummus as a marinade or a dipping sauce for grilled meats and vegetables. It pairs particularly well with chicken, lamb, and eggplant.
However you choose to enjoy it, harissa hummus is sure to add some excitement and bold flavor to your meals and snacks.
How to Store and Harissa Hummus
If you have any leftover harissa hummus, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before serving, give it a good stir and add a drizzle of olive oil to freshen it up.
Harissa hummus is a delicious and easy-to-make dip that adds a spicy twist to the classic hummus recipe. With just a few simple ingredients and a food processor, you can create a bold and flavorful dip that is perfect for serving with pita bread, crackers, fresh vegetables, or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.
With its deep, smoky flavor and fiery heat, harissa hummus is sure to become a new favorite in your dip rotation. Try it out for your next gathering or for a spicy snack at home, and enjoy the bold and exciting flavors of this Middle Eastern-inspired dip.
I you enjoy this hummus check out a few of my other flavor-packed dips and spreads like Black Bean Hummus with olives, Roasted Cherry Tomato Relish, Roasted Carrots Dip with more harissa, Walnut Basil Pesto and Roasted Pepper Relish
If you’ve tried this Harrisa Hummus recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.
Harrisa Hummus
Ingredients
- 2 cans 15 oz each chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup harissa paste plus 2 tablespoons for topping
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Water as needed
- Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, garlic, harissa paste, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Process the mixture until it is smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Taste the hummus and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, lemon juice, or harissa paste as desired.
- Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.
- Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of harissa paste over the top of the hummus.
- Serve the harissa hummus with pita bread, crackers, or sliced vegetables.
