
Classic Homemade Hummus
Smooth, creamy, and deeply flavorful — this is the hummus you'll make on repeat. Built on a simple foundation of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic, this classic Middle Eastern dip is endlessly versatile. A few key techniques (peeling the chickpeas, using ice water, and blending long enough) make all the difference between good hummus and truly great hummus.
6 servings · Prep 15 min · Total 15 min
Appetizer
Ingredients
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2 can chickpeas drained, liquid reserved separately
0.25 cup reserved chickpea liquid (aquafaba)
0.5 cup tahini well-stirred
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice from about 1–2 lemons
2 cloves garlic peeled
0.75 tsp kosher salt plus more
0.5 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp ice water for blending
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil for serving
0.25 tsp smoked paprika or sweet paprika
sweet paprika
1 pinch fresh parsley roughly chopped
1 pinch za'atar
Equipment
Stovetop
Food Processor
Mixing Bowl
Wooden Spoon
Spatula
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Can Opener
Citrus Juicer
Colander
Instructions
- Drain the @[Chickpeas] over a #[Mixing Bowl], reserving the liquid (@[Aquafaba]). Rinse the @[Chickpeas] under ^[cold water]. For the smoothest hummus, take a few minutes to peel the @[Chickpeas] by gently pinching each one between your fingers — the skins slip right off. This step is optional but makes a noticeable difference in creaminess.
- Add the @[Garlic] cloves and @[Lemon Juice] to the #[Food Processor]. Pulse ~[5–6 times] until the @[Garlic] is minced. Let this sit for ~[1–2 minutes] — this mellows the raw @[Garlic] bite slightly.
- Add the @[Tahini], @[Salt], and @[Cumin] to the #[Food Processor] with the @[Garlic]-@[Lemon Juice] mixture. Process for ~[about 1 minute] until the mixture is thick, pale, and smooth.
- Add the drained @[Chickpeas] to the #[Food Processor]. Process for ~[1 minute]. Then, with the machine running, drizzle in the @[Ice Water] and reserved @[Chickpea] liquid (@[Aquafaba]). Continue to process for ~[another 2–3 minutes], until the hummus is very smooth and creamy. Stop to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning — add more @[Salt], @[Lemon Juice], or a touch more @[Tahini] as desired. If the hummus is thicker than you like, blend in a little more @[Ice Water], one tablespoon at a time.
- Transfer the hummus to a wide, shallow serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create a swirl or well in the center. Drizzle generously with @[Extra-Virgin Olive Oil], dust with @[Paprika], and scatter @[Fresh Parsley] and @[Za'atar] over the top if using. Serve immediately with warm pita, vegetables, or crackers.
