Easy Hummus Recipe in a Food Processor
Hummus is a versatile recipe that can be served as a dip, spread or sauce. You can make your own hummus in a food processor in just a few easy steps to fully customize the recipe and add flavors and ingredients to match your taste. Use this guide to learn how to make this easy hummus recipe in your food processor as a canvas to add your favorite ingredients and make it your own.
What is Hummus?
Hummus is a creamy blend of chickpeas, tahini paste, lemon juice and other ingredients. It is a staple in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and North African cuisines. Traditionally, the recipe doesn’t include garlic, but many modern recipes for the dip highlight garlic as one of the main flavors.
Best Homemade Hummus Recipe
With the help of your food processor, you can make delicious homemade hummus in minutes. The following recipe provides the standard preparation for the dip, but you can experiment with a variety of flavor combinations to create a hummus all your own.
Yields
9 servings
Ingredients
Dried chickpeas that have been soaked in water overnight
Tahini
Fresh lemon juice
Garlic
Pinch of salt
Water
Olive oil
Additional flavors, like roasted red peppers, beets, carrots and herbs
Tools
Food processor, like the KitchenAid® 9 Cup Food Processor
Silicone spatula
Colander
Prep Time
10 minutes
Total Time
15 minutes
Step 1: Set up your food processor
Place your food processor base on a flat surface and attach the work bowl, ensuring it is fully secured to the base. Lower the drive adapter into the work bowl and onto the drive pin. Attach the multi-purpose or S-blade and attach the lid.
Step 2: Strain and rinse chickpeas
Using a colander, strain your chickpeas to remove them from the water they have been soaking in. If you’re using canned chickpeas, strain any liquid from the can. Rinse the chickpeas with cold water.
Step 3: Add ingredients to the processor
Pour all of your ingredients (except olive oil) into your food processor’s work bowl and process until a stiff paste is achieved. Once your ingredients have combined into a paste, slowly add in olive oil through the processor’s drizzle basin or feed tube while running on high until the oil is fully incorporated.
Tips for Chickpea Preparation
To create the freshest tasting hummus, it is recommended that you use fresh or dried chickpeas. Read the following tips on preparing chickpeas to get great tasting hummus.
Dried chickpeas need to be soaked in water overnight before they can be used for making hummus, so be sure to prepare your chickpeas the night before.
If you don’t have the time to soak your chickpeas overnight, you can boil them on the stove for about 30 minutes to achieve similar results.
If you want your hummus to be extra-smooth, you may want to peel the chickpeas before adding them to the food processor.
Hummus Variations and Garnishes
Homemade hummus is an easily customizable recipe that you can make all your own. You can incorporate additional vegetables like roasted red peppers, carrots, black beans and beets, and seasonings like cumin, coriander or cayenne to give your hummus a zesty flavor. You can make your hummus even more flavorful by topping it with a drizzle of olive oil, pickled onions, diced red peppers, fresh herbs or even a scoop of freshly roasted garlic.
You can also add more variety to your typical hummus recipe by adding more veggies into the mix, like with this Edamame Hummus, Beet Hummus or Green Pea Mint Hummus.
Foods that Pair Well with Hummus
Most frequently, hummus is paired with sliced pita, pita chips or fresh veggies like bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers and celery. You can also use hummus as a spread for sandwiches and wraps or as a dip for grilled kabobs. Hummus can even serve as an ingredient to add creaminess or an earthy flavor to soups, pasta sauces and salad dressings.
Shop KitchenAid® Food Processors For Making Hummus
Is Hummus Healthy?
Hummus uses fresh, whole ingredients and pairs well with fresh vegetables, making it a nutrient-dense snack. You can also use hummus as a sandwich spread to substitute for butter, mayonnaise and other rich spreads. Hummus is a great way to enjoy fresh ingredients without added sugar or dairy.
Is Hummus Only Made with Chickpeas?
Though it is traditionally made with chickpeas, you can make hummus using different beans or vegetables as the main base. Explore chickpea-free recipes like this vibrant Edamame Hummus or this Roasted Beet Hummus that uses pinto beans as its base. Cauliflower fans will love this bean-free Roasted Cauliflower Hummus that’s loaded with flavor.
How Do You Thicken Hummus?
If you prefer a thicker hummus dip, there are two ways to achieve that result. You can either increase the measurements of your tahini, or you can add more chickpeas to your food processor. The amounts of both of these ingredient options can be eyeballed until you achieve your desired level of thickness.
Why is Tahini in Hummus?
Tahini is a sesame paste that helps to create the creamy smoothness of traditional hummus. Tahini is made from roasted sesame seeds and adds an earthy, nutty flavor to the dip.
What Can You Substitute for Tahini?
You can swap out tahini in your hummus recipe for ingredients like avocado, cashew butter or almond butter. Substitutes for tahini need to be able to provide a similar creamy, mild flavor to keep your hummus tasting authentic.
How Can You Make Hummus Without a Food Processor?
There are several ways you can make homemade hummus, not just with your food processor. You can make hummus in a blender, stand mixer or even with a hand blender when using the right technique.
KitchenAid® blenders, stand mixers and hand blenders can help you create a variety of recipes to keep you feeling inspired in the kitchen.
Explore KitchenAid® Food Processors
With the help of a KitchenAid® food processor, you can elevate your everyday meals. With three speed options and blades that can chop, shred, slice and puree, you can prepare your most ambitious recipes. Shop the entire line of food processors to find the option that fits the way you make.
