Spicy Garlic Hummus Recipe (3 Easy Steps)

This Spicy Garlic Hummus recipe is one of the easiest and healthiest snacks you can make. This popular middle Eastern dip is delicious served with pita chips or for a healthier low carb option you can serve it with a fresh veggie tray for a super tasty and nutritious snack.

Spicy Hummus Recipe

This is absolutely the creamiest and most delicious hummus recipe, not just because it has an amazing roasted garlic flavor, but also because it’s super quick and easy to make, using only a handful of healthy ingredients.

You just throw everything food processor or blender and mix until smooth. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have a nutritious and dreamy dip ready to serve that your friends and family will rave over.

If you are a fan of Middle Eastern food, you should also try this Thai Coconut Curry Fish or this Vegetable Pad Thai! Both are super easy to make and are packed with the most perfect Thai flavor!

Why We Love this Recipe

• Homemade hummus is SO much better than store-bought. It has a smooth and ultra-creamy texture you just can’t buy.
• This spicy garlic hummus recipe is the perfect party appetizer or game day food served with fresh veggies or warm pita bread.
• It’s a super easy hummus recipe using pantry staples you probably have on hand.

Hummus Ingredients

• Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): This recipe uses canned chick peas that have rinsed and drained.
• Fresh garlic cloves: For the best roasted flavor, you’ll roast a fresh whole garlic head in the oven.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Used in the hummus, to roast the garlic and as a topping so use a high-quality brand.
• Fresh lemon juice: Brightens up and balances out the other ingredients.
• Tahini: Made with sesame seed paste, it gives hummus its signature flavor. Buy a good quality tahini because you can use it to make all sort of sauces.
• Cumin: Provides a slightly earthy and nutty flavor.
• Cayenne pepper: Add to taste to give it a little kick of heat.
• Water: Used to thin out the hummus.
• Sea salt: To taste

Variations of Chickpea Hummus

• Peppers: This spicy garlic hummus recipe only has a slight spicy kick. If you like yours with a little extra heat, you can add red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne or even a dash two of hot sauce.

• Red pepper hummus: For a delicious twist, you can add a few roasted red bell peppers. You can buy them already in the jar or you can roast your own while you’re roasting the garlic. Another great option is adding a canned chipotle pepper to the chickpea mixture.

• Seasonings: If you like hummus to have a little more of a smoky flavor, you can add some smoked paprika to the other ingredients while blending. For a more intense garlic flavor, you can omit the salt and add garlic salt instead.

• Indian style hummus: This recipe is more of a Greek style hummus, but you can add a pinch of turmeric and garam masala to make it more of an Indian style hummus that’s awesome served with naan.

Recommended Tools

• Food processor or blender
• Sharp kitchen knife
• Can opener
• Measuring spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Serving bowl

How to Make Hummus

• Roast the Garlic: Cut the top off garlic head and drizzle the top of each raw garlic clove with a small amount of olive oil. Double wrap in aluminum foil and place in pre-heated 400 degree oven for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool for a couple of minutes or until it is easy to handle.

• Combine Ingredients: Add remaining olive oil, chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, water, ground cumin and cayenne pepper to a blender or bowl of a food processor. Once cool, remove each garlic clove from the outer skin and add to the container. 

• Blend Until Smooth: Season with sea salt, to taste, and blend, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula. Add more water, if necessary, to achieve the smooth texture desired. Taste and adjust seasonings, as desired.

• Plate and Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Serve immediately with pita bread, fresh vegetables, or kalamata olives. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I Serve with this Homemade Hummus Recipe?

Classic hummus is usually served with little triangles of pita bread or pita chips but there are several other tasty ways to enjoy it!

• Fresh veggies: Tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and/or celery, orange, yellow and red peppers are the best way to serve hummus to keep the carbs at a minimum.
• Toppings and garnish: Have fun and dress up your hummus with different toppings. Kalamata olives, a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, smoked paprika, toasted sesame seeds, diced Jalapeño peppers are all popular choices.
• Sandwich spread: If you’ve never had hummus on a piece of crusty bread, you are missing out! It’s awesome as a spread on a sandwich made with leftover recipes like this Herb Roasted Chicken or this Apple Fennel Roasted Pork Tenderloin.

Is Hummus Healthy?

The main ingredient used in most hummus recipes are chickpeas. Chickpeas are an awesome source of fiber, vitamins and minerals that have reported health benefits such as digestive aid, weight management and reducing the risk of certain illnesses. If you’d like to read more about the benefits of chickpeas, check out this article on healthline.com.

Can I Make this in Advance?

You certainly can. You can make it a couple of days in advance and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. You can also save a little time by roasting the garlic in advance while preparing other roasted vegetables or dishes in the oven. Roasted garlic can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container covered in olive oil for up to one week.

What’s the Difference in Chickpeas and Garbanzo Beans?

They’re basically the exact same legume. The difference between the two all boils down to the origin of the name. The word chickpea comes from the Latin word “cier,” where Garbanzo beans comes from the Spanish words “garroba” or “algarroba.” Most English-speaking countries refer to the beans as chickpeas, where Spanish speaking countries will refer to them as garbanzo beans.

What More Healthy Side Dish Recipes?

• Roasted Asparagus
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
• Kidney Bean Salad
• Cold Green Bean Salad
• Oven Roasted Cauliflower
• Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
• Mexican Street Corn
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts