Creamy Homemade Hummus

Name: Creamy Homemade Hummus
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 15 oz jar Chickpeas; 2-3 garlic cloves; 2 tablespoons Tahini; 2 tablespoons Olive oil; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground pepper; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1 tablespoon water (additional as needed)

This creamy homemade hummus is easy to make and packed full of flavor thanks to garlic and tahini. Change up this hummus dip with your favorite spices and add-ins. You’ll never run out of ways to enjoy it!

A flat pretzel being dipped into a bowl of homemade hummus, surrounded by crudite on a plate.

The Best Homemade Hummus Dip

Don’t get me wrong, there are some pretty good brands of store-bought hummus out there. But “pretty good” is no comparison to the amazingness that is homemade hummus! You might be thinking, is it worth making your own hummus? The answer is 100% YES! It’s so much fresher, so much creamier, and it can be tailored to your liking. To me, homemade hummus is a no-brainer, and once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Hummus Recipe

Quick to make. This recipe doesn’t require a ton of work. It’s so easy. You can make this hummus in your blender way in far less time than it would take to run to the store and buy some.
Make it your own. This homemade hummus is my idea of perfect. But everyone has a different idea of what’s perfect, right? That’s why I love recipes that can be customized, like this one. No matter how you like your hummus, this recipe will help you make it flawlessly from scratch!
Versatile. Homemade hummus is such a crowd-pleasing appetizer. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free, not to mention it’s DELICIOUS! Everyone can enjoy it, and everyone always raves about the taste.

Close up of a bowl of hummus surrounded by crudite.

Ingredient Notes

Homemade hummus starts with a can of chickpeas, plus a handful of tasty ingredients that add great flavor and texture to the dip. See my notes below. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card for a printable ingredients list.

Chickpeas – You’ll need a 15-ounce can of regular chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans. Remember to rinse and drain them before you start.
Garlic – 2-3 fresh cloves, or to taste.
Tahini – Tahini is a paste made from ground toasted sesame seeds. It’s a key hummus ingredient (see below), so don’t skip it!
Olive Oil and Lemon Juice – Extra virgin olive oil, or you can use another nice-quality oil, like avocado oil. Meanwhile, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors.
Cumin – Half a teaspoon of cumin adds a ton of flavor and a touch of heat to your hummus.

Why Does Hummus Need Tahini?

Tahini is a main ingredient in hummus recipes along with chickpeas and olive oil. It plays a big role in the rich, earthy flavor and silky texture. So, definitely add tahini to your shopping list! You’ll find tahini in most major grocery stores alongside other condiments like peanut butter, or in the international food aisle.

How to Make Hummus

With the help of your food processor or blender, this homemade hummus comes together in 10 minutes or less! Here’s a quick step-by-step showing how to make it. Scroll to the recipe card for printable instructions.

Combine the ingredients. Add your rinsed and drained chickpeas and peeled garlic to a food processor or blender. Add in the remaining ingredients, then blend until completely smooth.
Enjoy! Serve the hummus immediately or chill it in the fridge. Drizzle it with additional olive oil and serve with chopped vegetables, crackers, or pita bread. See below for more ideas.

Chickpeas, garlic and tahini inside of a food processor. — Combine the ingredients.

A hand holding a bowl of spices above a food processor filled with hummus ingredients. — Combine the ingredients.

Recipe Tips

Once you make hummus at home, you’ll never go back to store-bought. Just take note of these simple tips, and it’s sure to come out perfect every time:

Rinse and drain the chickpeas. Don’t skip this step! Canned chickpeas come in brine that will give your hummus a weird flavor and make it super runny. Also, remember to peel your garlic cloves before you blend them.
How to thin out hummus that’s too thick: If your hummus seems thick after blending, add any of the following liquid ingredients to taste: tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, or water.
Make it creamier. In place of water, adding more tahini or olive oil is the best way to make this hummus even creamier. Adjust it and taste it until you’re satisfied!
Pump up the flavor. Feel free to add more lemon juice, garlic or spices to taste. You can always process your hummus and then add more flavorings as desired. Keep in mind that adding lemon juice will also thin out the hummus.
Serve immediately or chill. You don’t want to leave this hummus sitting out at room temperature for too long. If you’re not serving it right away, store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to cook chickpeas for hummus?

Canned chickpeas come already cooked, so you don’t need to boil or soak them. If you’re using dried chickpeas, you will need to soak them beforehand. Add the dry chickpeas to a bowl with at least twice their volume of water. Cover, and let them soak overnight.

What’s a replacement for tahini?

There really isn’t a replacement for tahini that won’t compromise the flavors in homemade hummus recipes. If you can’t use tahini, however, you can try another nut or seed butter, like almond butter or sun butter (made with sunflower seeds).

Should hummus have garlic?

Garlic adds lots of flavor, but you can still make delicious hummus without it if you prefer. You can boost the flavors with additional lemon juice and cumin, and add extra seasonings like paprika.

Close up of a flat pretzel dipped in homemade hummus, with a bowl of hummus on a crudite platter in the background.

Hummus Variations

There are plenty of ways to make this classic hummus recipe to your liking. Here are some fun ideas!

Green hummus. Add a cup or so of spinach and your favorite herbs to turn this hummus a gorgeous green shade and add even more nutrients and flavor!
Spicy hummus. Smoked paprika or crushed red pepper would be a super tasty addition to this dip. Make it as mild or as spicy as you’d like!
Crunchy hummus. Want to add a little crunch to this smooth and creamy dip? Top it with toasted pine nuts or another nut of choice. You could also mix the nuts into the hummus to disperse them throughout if desired.

Ways to Enjoy Homemade Hummus

While hummus makes a spectacular dip for chips and raw veggies, there are so many more ways to enjoy it! Here are a few tasty suggestions:

In a wrap. Tender chicken, creamy hummus, and fresh veggies wrapped up in a warmed tortilla? Yes, please! This hummus would make a great addition to your favorite lunch wraps.
Sandwiches and burgers. If you’re used to putting mayo or mustard in your sandwiches and burgers, try swapping it out with this hummus instead! You won’t regret it.
As a dressing. This homemade hummus can be thinned out a little (see the recipe tips earlier) and used as a salad dressing for pasta salad or quinoa salad. It’s also delicious drizzled over a chicken salad!

A bowl of hummus on a crudite plate surrounded by sliced cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, and crackers.

How to Store Hummus

Refrigerate. Homemade hummus should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freeze. If you want to store your hummus for longer, keep it in a freezer-safe container in the freezer. Just thaw it out overnight in the fridge before using. Frozen hummus will last for 3 months!