Easy Homemade Hummus with Canned Chickpeas

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Atsuko
Author Profile Image

Atsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

After moving to Dubai, I have more opportunities to enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine and rediscovered how delicious hummus can be. Smooth and creamy yet surprisingly light, it pairs beautifully with vegetables, bread, and grilled dishes. Hummus is very easy to find in Dubai supermarkets, and I also used to see it in ordinary supermarkets when I lived in Berlin. Since both my husband and I love chickpeas, I decided to make a simple homemade version using canned chickpeas. With just a few ingredients and a blender, you can make smooth, flavorful hummus in minutes. For this recipe, I served it with cucumber, hard-boiled eggs, and warm Arabic bread.
Expense
💵
Preparation
10 mins
Baking time
Rest Time

Ingredients

Cooking time: About 10 minutes
Ingredients:

For 3-4 people:

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained (about 240 g / 8.5 oz after draining)
  • 2 tbsp tahini (sesame paste)
    If you don’t have tahini, you can substitute it with ground sesame seeds and olive oil. See the TIPS section for details.
  • 1/2–1 garlic clove
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2–5 tbsp water or chickpea cooking liquid (aquafaba)
    Start with 2–3 tablespoons and add more, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the hummus is too thick. For this recipe, I ended up using 5 tablespoons of water.
How to make it:

1/ Add the ingredients to a blender: Place the drained chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a blender or food processor.

 

2/ Blend until smooth: Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Stop once or twice to scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly blended.

3/ Adjust the consistency: If the hummus is too thick, add water or chickpea cooking liquid (aquafaba) 1 tablespoon at a time while blending until you reach your desired consistency.

For this recipe, I added a total of 5 tablespoons of water. The amount needed may vary depending on the chickpeas and the thickness of the tahini, so it is best to add the liquid gradually.

 

4/ Keep it slightly soft: The hummus will firm up slightly after chilling in the refrigerator, so it is best to leave it a little softer than your desired final texture. It should be thick and creamy, but still spread easily with a spoon.

5/ Serve and garnish: Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl. Using the back of a spoon, create gentle swirls on the surface. Drizzle with olive oil and, if desired, sprinkle with paprika and chopped parsley before serving.

 

🌟Helpful Tips for Making Homemade Hummus 🌟

⭐️ What Is Tahini?:Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and is widely used in Middle Eastern cooking. It gives hummus its signature nutty flavor, rich taste, and smooth texture.

 

⭐️ No Tahini? No Problem!: Tahini is traditionally used in hummus, but when I first made this recipe, I didn’t have any at home. Instead, I used ground sesame seeds and olive oil, and the result was still delicious.

As a guide, use 2 tablespoons of ground sesame seeds and 1–1½ tablespoons of olive oil. You can blend them directly with the other ingredients or lightly crush the sesame seeds beforehand. So if you can’t find tahini, don’t worry—you can still make a wonderful homemade hummus.

⭐️ For an Extra Creamy Hummus: If you have a little extra time, try removing the skins from the chickpeas before blending. It takes a few minutes, but it makes the hummus incredibly smooth and creamy. That said, I usually leave the skins on. The texture is still delicious and gives the hummus a more homemade feel.

⭐️ Make It Your Own: One of the best things about homemade hummus is how easy it is to adjust the flavor.

  • Add a little more lemon juice for a fresher, brighter taste.
  • Add extra tahini for a richer, nuttier flavor.
  • Reduce the olive oil if you prefer a lighter hummus.

Feel free to experiment and find the balance you enjoy most.

⭐️ Ways to Enjoy Hummus: Hummus is much more than a dip. It can be served in many different ways. For the photos in this post, I served it with cucumber slices, hard-boiled eggs, and Arabic bread warmed in a frying pan. The bread pairs beautifully with hummus and adds a Middle Eastern touch to the plate. You can also enjoy hummus with a baguette, crackers, or your favorite bread. It makes a wonderful side dish for grilled chicken or lamb, and it can even be used as a spread for sandwiches and wraps.

 

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Written byAtsuko

Founder of @Umami Sans Frontières

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