Homemade hummus is all the things! It’s the real MVP of snack time, it’s absolutely the glue that holds my snack game together, it’s a creamy canvas for creativity and proof that good things come in small bowls.

Hummus also comes in countless variations, ranging from the classic, unadorned versions to the wildly inventive. However, this specific hummus recipe has been my go-to for quite some time. It has an irresistibly smooth and creamy texture, surpassing the quality of store-bought hummus by an enormous margin, and it features the precise blend of seasonings that perfectly suits my hummus cravings. I’m pretty sure you’ll love it too.

Related: Make this Deviled Egg-Hummus Spread with this homemade hummus recipe

My Three Secrets for Extra Smooth Hummus

These three simple secrets are going to give you the creamiest and smoothest hummus you could hope for and you’ll quite possibly never buy store-bought again.

1. Peel the chickpeas before blending them. While this step might seem tedious, it makes a significant difference in the final texture. By removing the skins, you will eliminate any potential bitterness and create a hummus that is exceptionally creamy. The peeled chickpeas blend effortlessly, resulting in a silky-smooth dip that is perfect to spread on pita bread or use as a dip for veggies.
2. The order in which you add your ingredients to the food processor matters. By whipping the tahini and lemon juice together first, you are rewarded with an extra smooth texture that makes a difference in the end product. Patience is also the key when blending hummus, let your flavors blend together seamlessly before adding the next.
3. Utilizing the aquafaba (chickpea water) in the recipe. This helps achieve the desired consistency and enhances the overall flavor. Aquafaba, is rich in starches and proteins. When added to the food processor, it acts as a natural emulsifier, creating a light and fluffy hummus with a delicate mouthfeel. The aquafaba also adds a subtle nuttiness, which enhances the taste of the dip.

Ingredients

My hummus starts with the classic ingredients, but I have personalized it over time to the taste I love with a few seasoning additions. I’ll have to warn you that it is addictive! Full recipe can be found at the end of the post.

• Canned Chickpeas (skins removed): Chickpeas are the base and make the creamy texture for the hummus. Removing the skins results in a smoother consistency and is worth the ten minutes of extra time.
• Aquafaba: The liquid from the canned chickpeas. It acts as a binding and thinning agent, and helps to achieve the desired creamy texture you expect with hummus.
• Tahini: Made from ground sesame seeds, it adds a rich and nutty flavor to the hummus, while contributing to its creamy consistency.
• Olive Oil: Not only does it enhance the hummus’s texture, making it smoother, but it also adds a pleasant, mild, and fruity flavor.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds the bright and tangy element to the hummus, balancing the flavors and adding a refreshing note. Hummus would be very dull without it.
• Everything Bagel Seasoning: This seasoning blend typically includes ingredients like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, and onion, which add a unique and savory flavor profile to the hummus. It’s the best addition in my opinion.
• Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a subtle kick of heat and a bit of spice.
• Dried Rosemary: Dried rosemary adds an earthy and aromatic quality to the hummus, complementing the other seasonings.
• Dried Basil: Adds a hint of herbal freshness, further enhancing the hummus’s flavor complexity.

How To Make It

Step One: Gather your ingredients and prepare your chickpeas for the smoothest possible hummus.

Step Two: Process your ingredients in the correct order and taste to make any adjustments you might prefer. Use extra aquafaba to thin if you find the hummus too thick.

Step Three: Serve your hummus with any extra garnishes you might prefer.

Variations

While I love this hummus recipe, it’s possible to easily change it up and other flavors while still utilizing the same base recipe with the chickpeas, tahini, aquafaba and lemon juice.

If you want to change things up, one option is roasted red pepper hummus. You can easily roast some red bell peppers until charred, remove the skin, and add them to this base hummus recipe. The smoky sweetness of the peppers is one of the best flavors when added to a hummus recipe.

If you like spicy food, try adding some chili paste or jalapenos. A drizzle of chili oil can also add a fiery kick Or, for a refreshing twist, consider making lemon herb hummus by adding extra freshly squeezed lemon juice and a combination of fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill. The possibilities are endless, and there’s a lot of fun in experimenting.

Why Do We Add Aquafaba to Hummus?

Adding aquafaba to hummus is how you achieve a creamy, light, and stable consistency, while keeping your hummus vegan-friendly. Make sure to not accidently drain your can of chickpeas and throwing out the liquid when making your hummus. If you make your chickpeas from scratch, the cooking liquid can also be used as aquafaba. Make sure it’s well-strained and cooled before using it in your hummus recipe.

• Aquafaba helps improve the overall texture. It adds creaminess and lightness to the dip, making it smoother and fluffier.
• One of the advantages of using aquafaba in hummus is that it has a neutral flavor. This means it won’t significantly alter the taste of your hummus, allowing the other ingredients like tahini, lemon juice, and spices to shine.
• It helps stabilize the hummus, preventing it from separating or becoming too dense.
• Adding aquafaba to your hummus is a vegan-friendly option for achieving a creamy consistency without having to use dairy or eggs.

Serving Suggestions

The possibilities are endless, but here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy this hummus to its fullest!

• Add these Crispy Chickpeas to the top of your hummus for the ultimate scoop of deliciousness.
• This hummus would be the perfect accompaniment to my Buffalo Sauced Falafel Balls for game day!
• Add this hummus to a beautiful Fall Appetizer Board everyone will love.
• Spread this hummus on a juicy Mediterranean Burger for the ultimate flavor!
• Serve it as a side with Chicken Orzo.

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How to Make Hummus

Ditch the pre-packaged options and make this simple, crowd-pleasing, homemade hummus recipe. Creating hummus from scratch is a breeze and I promise the flavor is far superior to the store-bought deli selections. Pair it with your preferred crackers or assemble it as part of a fresh vegetable platter.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword Easy Hummus Recipe, Homemade Hummus, How to Make Hummus, Hummus, Hummus from Canned Chickpeas, Hummus Ingredients, Hummus Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 212kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• food processor

Ingredients

Hummus Ingredients:

• 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drain but save the liquid
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsps., well-stirred tahini
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) aquafaba (chickpea water)
• 3 tbsps. olive oil, plus more to garnish
• 1-1/2 tsps. Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary
• 1/4 tsp. dried basil
• Optional garnishes: cilantro, parsley, paprika, additional Everything But the Bagel seasoning

Instructions

How to Make Homemade Hummus:

• Drain the chickpeas, but save the liquid for later. (While it's optional, peeling the skins off the chickpeas results in the smoothest and creamiest hummus. It is time consuming, (maybe 10 minutes) but worth the effort.)
  1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drain but save the liquid
• Add tahini and lemon juice to the food processor and process for about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and process again for another minute. (This is going to make the tahini extra creamy.) Add aquafaba, olive oil, everything bagel seasoning, cayenne pepper, rosemary, and dried basil and process again for 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl. Add chickpeas and process for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth. (If you have any extra chunks of chickpeas, scape down the bowl and with the food processor on, slowly add some extra aquafaba or water and process again until completely smooth.)
  1/4 cup + 2 tbsps., well-stirred tahini, 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup (60 ml) aquafaba (chickpea water), 3 tbsps. olive oil, plus more to garnish, 1-1/2 tsps. Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary, 1/4 tsp. dried basil
• Scrape into a bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
• Garnish the top of your hummus with olive oil and more seasonings if you like.
  Optional garnishes: cilantro, parsley, paprika, additional Everything But the Bagel seasoning

Notes

Makes 1-1/2 cups.

If you want to make your chickpeas  from scratch, you’ll need about two cups of cooked chickpeas for this recipe (roughly 1/3 pound dried chickpeas).

For optimal outcomes when preparing this, it's recommended to refer to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes that are not presented here.

 

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

Nutrition

Serving: 97g | Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8.3g | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3.2g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 2.2mg

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The post How To Make Hummus appeared first on Noble Pig.

Chickpeas, otherwise known as garbanzo beans, have always been one of my favorite additions to salads, certain chicken dishes and obviously hummus. I can open a can of  chickpeas and happily eat them with a fork too. There is something quite satisfying about the subtle, earthy flavor grainy texture of a chickpea. 

Up until now, my go-to method for making my chickpeas crispy, was in the oven, sweet and savory versions are particularly my favorites. However, these days I’m enjoying cooking things in my air fryer. I don’t think a day goes by without making use of it in one way or another. It’s a great appliance to have around for summer as it doesn’t heat up the kitchen. Bring on the warm weather!

I use a handful of ingredients to season these Air Fryer Chickpeas and they are flavor-packed. The normally understated taste profile of the chickpea allows it to take on seasoning spices, letting any added flavor shine through.

Chickpeas as a snack are also great for gluten free or plant-based diets.

How To Air Fry Chickpeas With Parmesan

1. One of the tricks to making crispy chickpeas is making sure they are completely dry before adding any olive oil and spices. Rinse canned chickpeas and place them on top of paper towels to dry, blotting the tops with more paper towels. If you can leave them sitting there to air dry for an hour or two, even better.
2. Combine all ingredients with the chickpeas until they are uniformly seasoned.
3. Air fry chickpeas in batches, shaking them every 5 minutes to avoid sticking and for even cooking.
4. Enjoy them immediately or cool them completely and add to salads, a snack mix or enjoy on their own.

Tips and Tricks

• As mentioned previously, starting with dry chickpeas before seasoning them is key for flavor in this recipe.
• Don’t want to overcrowd them. I let each batch air fry for 5 minutes and give them a shake and air fry them for another 5 minutes, or until they are the desired crispness I prefer.
• There is a secret to keeping the chickpeas crispy after you’ve made them, especially if you want to store them for a couple of days. Air flow is very important, so plastic bags are out. Storing them at room temperature in parchment bags keeps the crunch factor alive. I’ve linked my favorite parchment bags in the recipe card below.
• You can re-crisp them in the air fryer if you need to.

If you are putting to together a snack mix, don’t forget to add these to your ingredient list.

More Air Fryer Recipes 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie to air frying, these recipes will have you cooking up a storm and impressing all your friends and family. So say goodbye to greasy and hello to crispy with these air fryer recipes that will have your taste buds doing the happiest of dances.

• Indulge in this juicy and luscious air fryer Caribbean spiced chicken that boasts the exotic flavors and flair of the Caribbean in every bite, while the air fryer seals in its succulence to perfection, as always.
• For seafood enthusiasts who crave a tasty blend of sweet and savory, this mouthwatering maple soy salmon air fryer recipe is a must-try.
• Get in on the trend of air fryer desserts with these air fryer apple chimichangas that offer a hassle-free way to indulge in the classic flavors of apple pie. No fuss, no mess, just pure deliciousness.
• Experience the ultimate flakiness and crunchiness with these air fryer fish nuggets. Move over chicken nuggets, these irresistible bites may just become your kids’ new favorite meal.
• Enjoy the delicate and crumbly texture of these air fryer hand pies that are cooked to crispy perfection.
• Perfect for even the busiest of weeknights, air fryer bang bang shrimp can be on your dinner table quicker than you can order takeout.
• This air fryer pumpkin spice Chex snack mix is a must-try during the holiday season and will leave you craving for more with its irresistible taste and aroma.
• Experience a special breakfast without the hassle with these thick and dunkable air fryer French toast sticks that are air-fried to perfection.
• Elevate your campfire treat game with these air-fried and crispy s’mores egg rolls.
• Conquer your breakfast rush with these air fryer bagels that are the ultimate solution for a quick and easy morning meal.
• These low carb air fryer pickles serve as the perfect guilt-free snack for any gathering.

Chick-Pea Amazed

If you find yourself making a crunchy snack mix with these air fried chickpeas, I’d love it if you snapped a photo and tagged @NOBLEPIG and #noblepig on INSTAGRAM so I can see how this crispy, crunchy, and downright addictive snack has you saying ‘more peas, please!’

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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Air Fryer Chickpeas with Parmesan

Crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these Air Fryer Chickpeas are the perfect snack on their own, or toss them on top of salads or into a snack mix. Making these air fried chickpeas is a quick and easy way to achieve the perfect chickpea crispness.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword Air Fryer Chickpeas

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 7

Calories 210kcal

Author Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• mixing bowls
• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 2 (15 oz.) cans chickpeas, drained and patted completely dry
• 2 tbsps. olive oil
• 1/4 cup gated (crumbly) Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• zest of one lemon
• 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

Instructions

• Drain and rinse your chickpeas under cold water, patting completely dry with a paper towel.
• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently until chickpeas are covered uniformly in seasonings.
• Set air fryer to 390 degrees F. Divide chickpeas into three batches, air frying one batch at a time as to not overcrowd them. Air fry for 5-6 minutes, remove and shake the basket and air fry for another 5 minutes or until desired crispiness is reached. Repeat with each batch until done.
• Serve immediately or cool chickpeas in a single layer on paper towels or parchment sheets before storing in parchment bags for up to three days.

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is only an estimation and variation will occur based on the ingredients/brands you use. 

Nutrition

Serving: 75g | Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 3.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 702mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 4.9g | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Air Fryer Chickpeas with Parmesan appeared first on Noble Pig.