50 Ways to Hack Your Hummus

The doorbell just rang ~ and all you’ve got is a tub of hummus. No panic. Here are 50 easy, delicious hummus hacks to dress it up so it’s party-ready in minutes. These quick hummus recipes get the party started!

#1 Jewel it

Bedazzle a plain tub of hummus with a swath of olive oil, a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds, and a burst of fresh thyme to complete the festive color scheme. The seeds will add a burst of tangy juice to every bite.

#2 Smoke it

One of my favorite spices is smoked paprika, it’s got a vibrant color and a fantastic smokey flavor. It comes in both hot and mild varieties, so use your preference, but I’m partial to the hot. Blend in about 2 teaspoons to start with and add more to your taste. Sprinkle on a bit more over the top, and accent the pretty color with a sprig of parsley.

#3 Whip it ~ Whipped Tahini Sauce

Instead of regular tahini, blend your hummus with whipped tahini for a light as air result.

#4 Make it a meal ~ Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Hummus

Turns hummus into a full meal served with fresh pita bread and tabbouleh or chopped Israeli salad!

#5 Seed it

I love to top hummus with my favorite ‘everything’ spice blend. It’s a combination of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dehydrated garlic, onions, and caraway seeds.

#6 Swirl it

Take a tub of great pesto and swirl it right into your hummus, the flavors marry beautifully. Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves and some pine nuts.

#7 Platter it ~ Cilantro Lemon Hummus Platter

Turn your hummus into a fabulous appetizer platter that can double as a light summer meal.

#8 Pepper it

This is one of my favorite hummus hacks ~ grind lots AND LOTS of fresh black pepper into the hummus. Spread in a dish, t0p with some good fruity olive oil, and a final shower of pepper ~ it’s divine!

Tip: Use good quality, fresh peppercorns and grind them using the coarse setting. You should be able to smell the gorgeous spicy aroma as you grind.

#9  Herb it ~ Fresh Basil Hummus

Blend hummus with several handfuls of fresh herbs…parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, tarragon, or even mint will all work. Blend until the hummus turns green and fragrant.

#10 Dust it

Add a generous amount of za’atar over the top of your hummus. Za’atar is a dried Middle Eastern spice mix consisting of roughly equal parts thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds. Look for it in specialty stores, or get it online, here.

#11 Smother it

Top the hummus with caramelized onions…cook sliced onions low and slow in some olive oil in a skillet until they turn golden brown.

#12  Beet it

Blend the hummus with one or 2 cooked beets. The color will astound you. Garnish with some fresh dill, parsley, or crumbled feta. This is a showstopper! To roast beets wrap loosely in foil and bake at 350F for about an hour, or until soft when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife. Let cool before peeling.

#13  Switch it up

Use white beans instead of chickpeas for a change.

#14  Kick it

A simple hot pepper or two can make a huge difference to a bowl of hummus. Add them, seeds and all, to a food processor and process along with the hummus. A sprinkle of cayenne over the top is a pretty accent.

#15 Season it

Cumin is a classic seasoning for hummus, stir it in and sprinkle more on top. Sumac is another great spice to play with, it’s a bold spice with a crimson color and a bright citrus flavor, used a lot in the Middle East. Find it online here.

#16 Silken it ~ Instant Pot Hummus

The secret to the silkiest hummus ever!

#17 Load it ~ Loaded Hummus

Pile on the fresh stuff from the farmers market!

#18  Pair it

Show off your wine skilz… hummus goes particularly well with Sauvignon Blanc, Rosés and Pinot Noirs.

#19 Enrich it ~ Homemade Tahini

If you ask me hummus can never have too much tahini, it gives it great flavor and texture. And the best tahini? Homemade, of course.

#20 Cheese it

Blend hummus with an equal amount of feta or goat cheese for a unique spread.

#21 Lighten it ~ How to Make Tzatziki Dip

Fold in an equal amount of tangy tzatziki (a thick Turkish sauce made with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon, olive oil, dill, mint, and parsley) and garnish with fresh dill.

#22 Individualize it

Spoon hummus at the bottom of plastic cups and insert fresh crudites for fun and portable appetizers.

#23 South of the border it

Top with your favorite chunky pico de gallo and plenty of fresh cilantro.

#24 Guac it

Blend your hummus with ready-made or from-scratch guacamole ~ it’s a crowd pleaser!

#25 Pile it

Pile it high with crispy canned or homemade onion strings! Be sure to crush the strings as you add them so your guests can easily scoop up the hummus.

#26 Pair it ~ Lamb Kofte Skewers (Köfte)

Hummus is the perfect side for warmly spiced lamb kofte skewers.

#27 Infuse it ~ Hummus with Forty Cloves

Roasted garlic adds a ton of flavor to a plain hummus. Whiz it in the processor with anywhere from 1 to 40 cloves!

#28 Truffle it

Blend your hummus with truffle oil and a bit of truffle salt. Taste to get the proportions just right, and top with more of the oil to serve. Delish!

#29 Squash it

Use pureed pumpkin (canned is fine)  or other roasted winter squash like butternut or kabocha along with a hint of cinnamon or even vanilla, for a unique variation. Garnish with pepitas or roasted squash seeds.

#30 Elevate it ~ Hummus with Spiced Lamb (Hummus bil Lahme)

Top your hummus with rich spiced lamb if you really want to impress those guests.

#31 Freshen it

Rosemary has such an amazing piney flavor and I love to take a handful of fresh needles and blend it into my hummus. Garnish with a fresh sprig and watch it disappear. (Don’t try this with the dried herb, only fresh!)

#32 Umami it

Stir in a tablespoon or two of white miso paste, then top with black sesame seeds.

#33  Accompany it

Serve plain hummus with lots  of fresh homemade pita bread ~ no one will care what kind of hummus you’re serving when you offer them soft, chewy homemade pita.

#34 Scoop it ~ Homemade Baked Pita Chips

The classic is still our favorite, and we make them ourselves!

#35 Wrap it ~ How to Make Laffa Bread

Laffa bread is a large, soft Middle Eastern flatbread, similar to pita but thicker and more flexible. It’s used for wraps and sandwiches (like shawarma or falafel) because it doesn’t tear easily and can hold lots of fillings.

#36 Surround it

Circle your hummus with fresh crudités for a healthy feast.

#37  Brighten it ~ Meyer Lemon Hummus

Most hummus has a touch of lemon but this recipe really leans into the bright citrus flavors!

#39 Buffalo it

Blend with smoked paprika, and hot sauce to taste, then top with crumbled blue cheese.

#40 Crunch it

A layer of pine nuts does wonders for hummus, scatter them on as thick as you like, the contrast in textures is wonderful! (This is one of my personal faves.)

#41 Tapenade it

Top the hummus with a layer of olive tapenade, black or green olives are equally wonderful!

#42 Adobo it

Blend in canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, to taste.

#43 Skewer it ~ Hummus with Turkey and Zucchini Meatballs

Top a plate of hummus with skewers of barbecued chicken, beef, lamb, or Turkey and Zucchini Meatballs, (below)…but be forewarned, your guests might never leave 😉

#44 Choke it ~ Lemon Artichoke Hummus

Pulse the hummus with a small jar of marinated artichoke hearts ~ go for a chunky texture.

#45 Detox it

Pulse with a equal parts fresh kale and fresh parsley.

#46 Warm it ~ Warm Hummus with Mushrooms

Top with mushrooms that have been sauteed with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and parsley.

#47 Dill Pickle it

Process with a few baby dill pickles and pickle juice to taste. Garnish with thin slices of pickle.

#48 Roast it

Blend with roasted red peppers and walnuts for a riff on Muhammara (roasted red pepper & walnut dip)

#49 Devil it

Fill halved hard cooked eggs with hummus, garnish with snipped chives.

#50  Undress it

Warm and straight from the blender ~ it’s heaven!

 

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!