Vegan or not, you probably have a go-to hummus recipe or a favorite store brand. This Mediterranean delight has become a staple worldwide. It’s mild, free of common food allergens, and goes with just about anything. The popularity of hummus is a great thing, but sometimes it can be a bit boring. Kick up your hummus with more than just cayenne. Companies and restaurants are revving up their hummus game in time for International Hummus Day on May 13, and we were inspired to recreate these chickpea-based dishes at home. Check out these 7 unique hummus recipes that go way beyond dip.
1. Dessert Hummus
Who said hummus had to savory? At the 2018 Natural Products Expo West, sweet chickpea-based spread was a hot item, and all were naturally vegan. Some of our favorites included Delighted by Hummus’ Brownie Batter and Vanilla Bean flavors, as well as P.S. Snacks’ Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. Make your own brownie batter dip at home to slather on…well, brownies, or whatever sweet treat you crave.
Get the recipe here.
2. Hummus Bowls
Restauranteurs have picked up on the hummus craze, creating entire dining concepts around this humble dip.Hummus Republic, an LA-based franchise, serves up a variety of pitas, bowls, and salads assembly-line-style, all to compliment the essential ingredient – hummus. Hummus Republic offers a medley of hummus flavors, including Traditional, Harrissa, Roasted Eggplant, and Kalamata Olive. The company also practices Meatless Monday, in which vegan meals are 50% off. Don’t live in LA? Make your own Mediterraneanbowl, that way you can ensure no one will skimp on the hummus!
Get the recipe here.
3. Hummus Shake
Don’t knock it until you try it. New York-based The Hummus and Pita Co. has created “the world’s first” hummus shake, promising a “sweet treat that tastes decadent and indulgent, all the while regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and providing anti-inflammatory and heart-healthy effects.”New Yorkers can stop by the shop and try one of the five vegan flavors – Original, Chocolate, Strawberry, Pistachio, and Butter Pecan – or make one at home following their recipe below.
THE HUMMUS SHAKE:
1/2 cup cooked chickpeas (canned is fine)
1/4 cup pure tahini
1 large frozen banana (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 large medjool dates (remove pit and chop into paste), OR 1 tbsp date syrup
Pinch of cinnamon
Drop of pure vanilla
Add all ingredients into blender, mix, and enjoy. Makes 20 oz.
4. Hummus Pizza
Move over marinara, hummus is the new sauce of choice. It’s also perfect for vegan pizzas, as it offers a savory component without using cheese, and it complements every vegetable topping. This can be thrown together in a flash with store-bought ingredients, or you can channel your inner vegan Emeril Lagasse and make your own crust and hummus. Slather on the spread and load up on your favorite veggies. In the words of Emeril, Bam! You just re-invented pizza night.
Get the recipe here.
5. Hummus Sesame Noodles
Ever had Asian Mediterranean fusion food? You’re about to with this simple yet crowd-pleasing dish. The recipe uses hummus to amp up a sesame sauce to toss with noodles (or zoodles). It also adds more protein than a traditional sesame sauce, and its mild flavor makes it kid-friendly. All you need are a few kitchen staples to whip this up in less than 20 minutes. Meet your new clean-out-the-fridge, I-need-to-go-to-the-store, weeknight meal.
Get the recipe here.
6. Hummus Salad Dressing
Never buy store-bought salad dressing again. This fool-proof dressing recipe contains just five ingredients – hummus, lemon juice, water, salt, and pepper. The versatility is endless. Toss it with any salad, drizzle it over roasted or raw veggies, spoon it over buddha bowls, or even add a crosshatch design to hummus pizza. Want more kick? Add a pinch of cumin or cayenne to spice it up. No matter how you customize, this stuff is liquid gold.
Get the recipe here.
7. Hummus Quesadillas
At the risk of sparking controversy, cheese is not necessary to make an epic quesadilla. Like hummus pizza, this spread is a terrific replacement for dishes that typically feature melty dairy products. Sure, you don’t get the “cheese pull,” but you do get incredible flavor and a similar mouthfeel. You could go basic with the filling – hummus, perhaps some avocado, tomato, and greens – or you can go all out with this spicy Sweet Potato Hummus sh*take Bacon Avocado Quesadilla.
Get the recipe here.
