Whether you're a big hummus fan or just discovering this Middle Eastern spread, we are here to bring your hummus game to the next level. From classic pita bread to marshmallows for chocolate hummus, this guide will provide you with a bunch of ideas to enjoy your hummus. To complete this brainstorm of ideas for hummus combinations, I have a list of hummus toppings and other ways to use hummus other than a dip.
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Hummus has become a beloved staple in my households and for good reason. This creamy, delicious dip is not only versatile but also packed with health benefits, making it a perfect addition to meals and snacks.
What peanut butter was for my childhood- Hummus has stepped in for my kids. It may not be in the same white bread sandwich, but by volume of consumption on a weekly basis, hummus is my answer to many situations. Snack for school: hummus. Lazy Summer Lunch: hummus. Quick appetizer for a party: hummus. BYOF for the family picnic (family picnic has been how we sell the kids on hitting up the local brewery): hummus.
Figures crossed the kids are not sick of it yet. In fact, they are also way thinking of new recipe ideas. Annette came up with cinnamon hummus the other day, which was surprisingly good. They are also pretty experimental about what they can dip in humus. Annette's favorite right now is cashews, and Jack's is goldfish.
What is Hummus?
Hummus is a creamy spread made primarily from chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), tahini (a paste made from sesame seeds), lemon juice, garlic, and topped with olive oil. This delicious dip is not only rich in flavor but also a healthy food option, providing a good source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like B vitamins and iron.
Different Kinds of Hummus
When I was trying to think of all the different kinds of things you can dip in hummus I had to start with a list of different kinds of hummus. Each offers different inspiration for different kinds of dippers. Here is the hummus listed I started with:
Savory Hummus
- Traditional Hummus- The classic hummus recipe with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil.
- Roasted Garlic Hummus- Adds a sweet, nutty flavor with roasted garlic cloves.
- Red Pepper Hummus- Incorporates roasted red bell pepper for a smoky, sweet taste.
- Herbed Hummus- Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill give this hummus a fresh.
- Spicy Hummus- A kick of heat from jalapeno pepper and sriracha sauce. (funning enough this is the most requested by my kiddos)
- Beet Hummus- A stunning pink color and earthy flavor from roasted or boiled beets.
- Dill Pickle Hummus- with the tangy and zesty flavor of dill pickles and fresh dill.
- Black Bean Hummus- made with briny kalamata olives.
- Harrisa Hummus- traditional hummus with the bold, smoky flavors of harissa paste.
- Kidney Bean Hummus- creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Chocolate Hummus- which is surprisingly good. It is tasty and a lot like chocolate frosting.
- Cinnamon Crumble- Hummus- Annette (my daughter) came up with this one. It's not too sweet but still lives in the tasty dessert hummus.
Sweet Hummus
- Chocolate Hummus- A dessert hummus with cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Pumpkin Pie Hummus- Perfect for fall, with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.
- Cinnamon Hummus- A sweet treat with cinnamon and maple syrup topped with cashew crumbles.
- Cookie Dough Hummus- Chickpeas mixed with peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips.
Best Things to Dip in Hummus
Now that we've covered the different kinds of hummus, let's explore the best things to dip in this creamy, flavorful spread. Whether you're looking for a healthy snack or a delicious appetizer, there are plenty of creative ideas to try.
Vegetables
Raw Vegetables:
- Carrot sticks Crunchy and sweet, a perfect match for savory hummus.
- Celery sticks: Adds a fresh, crisp bite.
- Bell pepper strips: Try red, yellow, or green for a colorful platter.
- Cucumber slices: Cool and refreshing, ideal for dipping.
- Cherry tomatoes: Juicy and sweet, a great option.
- Radishes: Peppery and crisp, they add a unique flavor.
- Snap peas: Fresh and crunchy, great for dipping.
- Broccoli florets: Nutritious and hearty.
- Cauliflower florets: Mild and crunchy, a perfect vehicle for hummus.
Roasted Vegetables:
- Roasted sweet potato wedges: Sweet and savory, a delicious way to enjoy hummus.
- Roasted Brussels sprouts: Nutty and caramelized.
- Roasted asparagus: Tender and flavorful.
- Roasted mushrooms: Earthy and rich, they complement the creamy texture of hummus. A toothpick help handle the mushroom and made it more dippable.
Bread and Crackers
Pita Bread:
- Pita wedges: A traditional choice, perfect for scooping up creamy hummus.
- Pita chips: Crunchy and convenient.
Crackers:
- Whole grain crackers: A healthy snack option.
- Rice crackers: Light and crispy.
- Seed crackers: Nutty and crunchy.
- Gold Fish: the kids have really been pushing this as the BEST combination, they are really excited about it, and told me I had to put it on the blog 🙂
Bread:
- Sliced baguette
- Whole grain bread slices
- Naan bread
- Sourdough bread
Chips and Crisps
Vegetable Chips:
- Beet chips
- Sweet potato chips
- Kale chips
- Veggie Sticks
- Bakes Snap Pea Puffs
Traditional Chips:
- Tortilla chips: A crunchy, salty option.
- Potato chips: Classic and satisfying. (My favorite combination is salt and vinegar with dill pickle hummus:)
Protein-Rich Dippers
- Hard-boiled egg: this is kind of wired but pretty tasty with spicy hummus
- Kofta: of course the traditional lamb kind but I also have a red lentil koftas with are really great
- Falafel balls: if you don't love falafel it might be because
Specialty Items
- Breadsticks
- Pretzels
- Rice Cakes
Sweet Dippers (for Dessert Hummus)
Fresh Fruits:
- Apple slices
- Pear slices
- Strawberries
Dried Fruits:
- Dried apricots
- Dried figs
Sweet Crackers:
- Graham crackers
- Vanilla wafers: Soft and sweet.
Cookies:
- Shortbread cookies: Buttery and delicious.
- Biscotti: Crunchy and perfect for dipping.
Other Sweet Dippers:
- Marshmallows: Soft and sweet.
- Cinnamon-sugar pita chips: Sweet and crunchy.
- Chocolate-covered pretzels: Sweet and salty.
Miscellaneous
- Pickle spears
- Pickled Green beans
- Pickled Carrot chips
- Green olives
- Kalamata olives
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Pumpkin seeds
More Ways to Jazz Up Your Hummus
Toppings for Hummus
Elevate your hummus with these delicious toppings:
- Olive oil: Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil for a rich finish.
- Pine nuts: Add a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Fresh herbs: Parsley, cilantro, or dill to add freshness.
- Spices: Sprinkle paprika, cumin, or za’atar for an extra kick.
- Kalamata olives: Rich, briny, and flavorful.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled on top for a tangy contrast.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Sweet and chewy, perfect for Mediterranean hummus.
- Roasted red peppers: Add sweetness and color.
- Pickled red onions: For a bit of crunch and tangy flavor.
- Sesame seeds: Add texture and a hint of nuttiness.
Using Hummus in Different Ways
Hummus isn’t just for dipping! Here are some creative ideas for incorporating hummus into your meals:
- Sandwich spread: Use hummus as a healthy alternative to mayonnaise or mustard.
- Salad dressing: Thin out hummus with lemon juice and olive oil for a creamy salad dressing.
- Wraps: Spread hummus inside a whole wheat wrap with your favorite veggies and proteins.
- Layered dip: Create a Mediterranean-inspired layered dip with hummus, tzatziki, olives, and fresh vegetables.
- Pasta sauce: Mix hummus with a bit of pasta water for a creamy, protein-rich pasta sauce.
- Stuffed vegetables: Fill bell peppers or cucumbers with hummus for a delicious appetizer.
- Baked dishes: Use hummus as a topping for baked chicken or fish.
- Breakfast toast: Spread hummus on toast and top with avocado, tomatoes, or eggs.
- Pizza base: Use hummus as a base sauce for a veggie-packed pizza.
- Soup thickener: Stir hummus into soups to add creaminess and boost the protein content.
I am sure there are more ideas out there. Please share in the comments or on social media. Tag me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!