Homemade hummus is a vegetarian rock star of a snack recipe. The most basic version of this popular Middle Eastern dip is made of just a handful of simple ingredients - garbanzo beans (chickpeas), garlic, lemon, olive oil and sesame paste (tahini).
The fresh jalapenos, extra garlic, smoked paprika and sumac add a spicy, delicious twist to the savory, nutty flavor of the hummus. Feel free to adjust based on your favorite flavors and pantry ingredients.
This is the hummus recipe that people will ask you to bring again and again. It's that good.
What you'll need to gather for the homemade spicy garlic hummus ingredients:
- Chickpeas, cooked or canned
- Garlic cloves
- Jalapeno pepper
- Tahini
- Fresh lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Sumac
Step by step instructions for making the spicy garlic hummus recipe:
If starting with dried chickpeas, soak about ¾ cup dry garbanzo beans in water overnight. When preparing to boil the chickpeas, add 4-5 whole garlic cloves still in their skins to the water.
Bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 45-60 minutes, until the beans are tender. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking liquid, then drain the beans and set the cooked garlic cloves aside.
If starting with canned chickpeas, drain and rinse the beans. Roast or gently sauté 4-5 garlic cloves. Set aside.
Peel the cooked or roasted garlic and add to the cooked or canned beans.
Add grated fresh garlic, the seeded jalapeno, warm water (or cooking liquid), tahini, fresh lemon juice and sea salt directly into the bowl of a food processor.
While processing the garbanzo mixture, stream in the olive oil. Once the mixture is combined, stop the processor to taste and adjust seasoning. If the hummus is too thick, add additional olive oil and warm water or cooking liquid and mix again, until you reach the desired smoother texture.
Then, using a rubber spatula, transfer the homemade hummus recipe to a serving dish.
Finally, garnish the hummus with an additional drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, the reserved whole chickpeas, smoked paprika and sumac, if using. Sliced or diced jalapenos or spicy red peppers can also be added to garnish and add additional spicy kick.
Serve the creamy hummus with warm pita bread, fresh vegetables, pita chips or falafel gyros.
To store, transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It is not recommended that hummus be frozen.
FAQ's and Serving Suggestions:
You have a lot of options to add heat into this classic hummus recipe, and most of them are probably pantry staples. A pinch of dried cayenne pepper will add a little kick. That can be added into the hummus or sprinkled over the top when serving, or both. Chipotle pepper in adobo would be delicious mixed directly into the hummus and add an extra kick of heat and an even more smoky flavor to the dip, as would a teaspoon of jarred hot sauce. And if you have red chili peppers like frescos or even sriracha, these will add both color and spice. And our old friend and spice drawer warrior, red pepper flakes, will also do the trick.
Can I add any other spices to the hummus?
Absolutely. Depending on what you plan to serve with the hummus, you have a variety of options. Ground cumin and coriander are complementary for falafel dinners or wraps. Everything but the Bagel Seasoning would add a lot of flavor to the creamy dip. If you are out of fresh garlic, garlic salt or garlic powder can be used. If using garlic salt, omit the salt in the recipe until you can taste and adjust the seasoning.
Fresh veggies like carrots, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, celery sticks and radishes make this delicious hummus into one of the lighter sides you can offer as a dinner party appetizer. It's also a great choice as a supporting cast for a full Middle Eastern dinner spread, including falafel gyros, Jerusalem salad and Middle Eastern yellow rice. Leftovers can be served as a dip, sandwich spread and a great option for a high protein salad topping.
Homemade Spicy Garlic Hummus
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Description
Who needs store bought hummus when you can whip up this amazing spicy garlic hummus in your own kitchen? Make it as spicy and garlicky as your heart desires...
Ingredients
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons chickpeas, cooked or canned
2 cloves garlic, raw and grated
5 cloves garlic, roasted or softened
1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and chopped
2-4 tablespoons warm water (or cooking liquid from chickpeas)
3 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for garnish
Smoked paprika, for garnish
Sumac, for garnish
Instructions
If starting with dried chickpeas, soak about ¾ cup dry garbanzo beans in water overnight. When preparing to boil the chickpeas, add 4-5 whole garlic cloves still in their skins to the water. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 45-60 minutes, until the beans are tender. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking liquid, then drain the beans and set the cooked garlic cloves aside.
If starting with canned chickpeas, drain and rinse the beans. Roast or gently saute 4-5 garlic cloves. Set aside.
Combine cooked or canned beans, grated fresh garlic, peeled, softened or roasted garlic, the seeded jalapeno, warm water (or cooking liquid), tahini, fresh lemon juice and sea salt directly into the bowl of a food processor.
While processing the garbanzo mixture, stream in the olive oil. Once the mixture is combined, stop the processor to taste and adjust seasoning. If the hummus is too thick, add additional olive oil and warm water or cooking liquid and mix again, until you reach the desired smoother texture.
Using a rubber spatula, transfer the homemade hummus recipe to a serving dish. Garnish the hummus with an additional drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, the reserved whole chickpeas, smoked paprika and sumac, if using. Sliced or diced jalapenos or spicy red peppers can also be added to garnish and add additional spicy kick.
Serve the creamy hummus with warm pita bread, fresh vegetables, pita chips or falafel gyros.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: spicy garlic hummus
[…] your heart with joy, save some of the garbanzo beans from your falafel fixings. Whip up a batch of Spicy Garlic Hummus and shmear a few tablespoons on your falafel pita. Then pile it high with crispy chickpea patties […]