Simple Creamy Hummus Recipe

You know what we always say here at Tasting Table — homemade is always better than store-bought, and that's definitely the case with hummus. Sure, you can go to the store and grab a tub of hummus without doing the any of the dirty work, but you could also grab a handful of ingredients and set aside a few minutes of your time to make homemade hummus that tastes much fresher than the pre-packaged stuff. This recipe takes 5 minutes from start to finish, and it's suitable for anyone from a pro chef to a novice in the kitchen. The combination of ingredients from chickpeas to fresh lemon and olive oil takes this simple hummus to another level. 

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating came up with this simple creamy hummus recipe that hits the spot for any chickpea lover. "I love the smooth and creamy texture of this hummus, and how simple it is to make yourself at home," she raves. Another bonus is that this recipe has loads of chickpeas, which are great for your health. "Chickpeas are a great source of protein, fiber, potassium and B vitamins," Brookes shares. 

This recipe requires just a few ingredients, which is one of the best parts about it. All you will need to grab from the store is a can of chickpeas (you will also use the liquid from the can), tahini, lemon, olive oil, and salt. The recipe also includes a few optional ingredients for the topping including chickpeas, extra olive oil, and paprika for the topping. 

Once you have those few ingredients, you can whip up this simple, creamy hummus.

To make this hummus, you will need to use a food processor. "I would highly recommend using a food processor here as a blender may not be powerful enough to get that smooth texture," Brookes shares. 

Add all the ingredients to the food processor, including the chickpeas, chickpea liquid, tahini, lemon, olive oil, and salt. If you want to reserve a few chickpeas for the top of your hummus, you can go ahead and do so now. "I wouldn't recommend substituting any of the ingredients here are all are essential to the flavor and texture of the hummus," Brookes adds. "You can however adjust the salt level to your taste." 

As we all know, hummus boasts a very smooth texture that's achieved with the help of the food processor. So, go ahead and turn on your food processor and blitz the hummus mixture until completely smooth. This should only take about a minute or so. 

Another thing that helps get this hummus so smooth? "Adding some of the liquid from the can of chickpeas is what helps to get that super silky smooth texture," Brookes shares. 

Now that you've finished using the food processor, use a spoon to transfer the hummus to a serving bowl of your choice. You can use a plain old bowl if you'd like, or you can select a fancier dish if you plan on having guests over to enjoy the hummus.

Once the hummus is loaded into the dish, you can add the toppings. This includes the chickpeas (if you chose to reserve them), olive oil, and a sprinkle of paprika. Again, these are all optional. 

Now, the only thing left to do is dig in! "It's perfect for dipping pitta bread or veggies such as carrots, cucumber and celery into," Brookes notes of serving suggestions. We also think it would be great on a gyro! 

If you end up having extra, be sure to keep it! "Leftovers should keep well up to 2 days in an airtight container," Brookes says.