Description
This Loaded Hummus recipe is a creamy, flavorful Mediterranean dip made from smooth blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, topped with a colorful assortment of fresh olives, baby tomatoes, crumbled feta, and reserved chickpeas. Perfect for serving as an appetizer or snack, this hummus features a silky texture achieved by peeling the chickpeas and adjusting ice water for ultimate creaminess.
Ingredients
Scale
Hummus Base
- 1 can chickpeas (15 oz, rinsed and drained, with a few reserved for topping)
- ¼ cup lemon juice (from 1 ½ to 2 lemons, plus more to taste)
- 1 garlic clove (medium to large, roughly chopped)
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (to taste)
- ½ cup tahini
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 to 4 tablespoons ice water (plus more as needed)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Garnishes
- Olives (quantity as desired)
- Baby tomatoes (quantity as desired, halved or whole)
- Crumbled feta (quantity as desired)
- Reserved chickpeas (from the can, optional)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- A drizzle of olive oil
- Sumac or paprika (a sprinkle, for garnish)
Instructions
- Peel the Chickpeas: In a fine-mesh strainer, drain the canned chickpeas and rinse under cool water for about 30 seconds. To achieve creamier hummus, gently peel the skins off each chickpea.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the peeled chickpeas, lemon juice, chopped garlic, sea salt, tahini, and ground cumin into a food processor or high-powered blender. Process the mixture until smooth and well combined.
- Blend to Creaminess: With the processor running, slowly add 2 tablespoons of ice water followed by the extra-virgin olive oil. Scrape down the sides as needed and continue blending until the hummus becomes ultra-smooth, pale, and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of ice water gradually to reach the desired consistency.
- Adjust Flavors: Taste the hummus and adjust the seasoning with more lemon juice or salt as preferred to balance the flavors.
- Load and Serve: Transfer the hummus into a serving bowl or platter. Using the back of a spoon, create attractive swooshes on the surface. Drizzle with olive oil and arrange the garnishes—olives, baby tomatoes, crumbled feta, reserved chickpeas, and fresh parsley—on top. Finish with a sprinkle of sumac or paprika before serving.
Notes
- Peeling the chickpeas is optional but results in a much creamier hummus.
- Adjust the amount of ice water to achieve your preferred hummus consistency.
- Sumac adds a tangy depth, but paprika can be used as a substitute for a milder flavor.
- Use fresh lemons for the best lemon juice flavor.
- Serve with warm pita bread, fresh vegetables, or as a spread on sandwiches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: hummus, loaded hummus, chickpeas, tahini, Mediterranean dip, appetizer, vegan dip, healthy snack
