This easy Za'atar Hummus is a flavorful dip to enjoy in so many different ways! Serve it with raw veggies or warm pita bread, as a spread on toast or a Mediterranean -inspired sandwich or wrap, or in a Mediterranean Bowl with Quinoa, Cherry Tomatoes, and Cucumbers.
As a dietitian, I have made a lot of hummus recipes! Trust me when I say it is so easy to make homemade hummus - just throw everything in a food processor and you'll have creamy hummus to use throughout the week. Hummus is made with chickpeas and tahini and it provides several important nutrients including dietary fiber for a healthy gut and heart-healthy fats that also support brain health and hormone health.
This Za'atar Hummus uses a Za'atar Spice Blend. If you're not familiar with it, it's a Middle Eastern Spice blend that adds a ton of flavor.
If you're looking for more hummus recipes, try this Regular Hummus for a basic recipe, or this Protein Hummus with Cottage Cheese for a unique twist on a hummus mixture.
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This Za'atar Hummus is made with simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Be sure to check the printable recipe card at the bottom for exact ingredient measurements and full recipe.
- Chickpeas - whole chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are the main ingredient in this hummus dip. They provide dietary fiber for gut health and 12g of plant-based protein per cup. To make this za'atar hummus recipe even easier, use a can of chickpeas so that all you need to do for prep is rinse them. If you prefer to use dry chickpeas, cook and dry them before roasting. Here is some extra help for how to cook dried chickpeas if you need it. If you don't have chickpeas, you can use white beans like cannellini beans or Great Northern beans.
- Tahini - tahini is another main ingredient in hummus. It is a sesame seed paste made from toasted and ground sesame seeds and it adds a nutty, earthy flavor. I find it's easier to use a squeezable tahini. Mighty Sesame Co. and Seed + Mill both come in a squeeze bottle. It's so much easier to get out of the bottle! If you prefer a sweeter flavor or don't have tahini, you can substitute with peanut butter or almond butter.
- Lemon Juice - fresh lemon juice adds brightness and citric acid which acts as a natural preservative. Plus, it contains vitamin C which is important for your immune health!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil -a little olive oil helps give this hummus a smooth texture. It also adds antioxidants and heart-healthy fats that support brain health and hormone health. You can use avocado oil if you prefer a more mild flavor.
- Cold Water or Aquafaba (chickpea liquid) - adding some liquid will help get it to the consistency you prefer. Aquafaba is just a fancy word for the liquid leftover from cooking chickpeas so here it's the liquid in the chickpea can. So be sure not to throw the liquid out when draining the chickpeas! I prefer using aquafaba instead of water to thin out this hummus because it adds more flavor.
- Garlic - you’ll be using raw garlic so a little bit goes a long way. Garlic cloves are an antimicrobial, which is why I often add it to an immunity booster shot. It also contains antioxidants. If you don't like the taste of garlic, feel free to leave it out. You can also substitute using ⅓ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Za'atar Seasoning - za'atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that typically includes thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt. It is one of my favorite ways to add a lot of Middle Eastern flavor to homemade hummus!
- Kosher Salt - to tie it all together.
- Ice Cubes - add ice cubes at the end to make it extra creamy.
How to Make Za'atar Hummus
Below are the instructions for how to make these easy homemade hummus recipe with some visuals that I hope are helpful!
- Step 1: Drain and rinse the chickpeas, saving 3 tablespoon of the liquid (aquafaba). Add all the ingredients except the ice cubes to your food processor or high-speed blender.
- Step 2: Blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes, using a spatula to push down the sides as needed. Add the ice cubes and blend another minute. Optional: top it with fresh parsley (or other fresh herbs), white sesame seeds, a drizzle of olive oil, or a few extra chickpeas.
Hint: for the creamiest hummus, add an ice cube or two at the end and puree until the ice is melted.
Dietitian Tip
Choose half an hour one day a week to make homemade salad dressings and dips like this nutrient-rich hummus to use on various dishes. Making a tasty dip turns plain veggies or pita chips into a perfect snack and is a great way to get even the pickiest eater to enjoy vegetables.😊 It's an easy way to make healthy meals more flavorful. And next time you're thinking about meal prep, remember it doesn't HAVE to happen on Sunday. I often meal prep on Thursday to have meals ready on busy weekend days!
Variations
The great thing about this za'atar hummus is you can customize it to your taste! Below are some ideas but feel free to get creative.
- Roasted red pepper hummus- add a couple of roasted bell peppers when processing the hummus and then top it with more pepper.
- Sun-Dried Tomato - blend a few sun-dried tomatoes and a couple of leaves of basil with the other ingredients and top it with a few chopped tomatoes!
- Pine Nut - pine nuts are a great way to up-level this hummus. Just add a tablespoon or so when processing hummus and garnish with another handful of pine nuts and kalamata olives.
- Garlic - some people love their hummus with more garlic flavor. If that’s you, throw in an extra clove to amp up the garlic!
Equipment
All you need to make this za'atar hummus is either a food processor or a high-powered blender. I have a Ninja Blender and love it, but I usually use my handy KitchenAid food processor for this recipe.
Storage for Za'atar Hummus
- Refrigerator - Store leftover hummus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days
- Freezer - hummus will be good in the freezer for up to 4 months in a freezer-safe container. Add a bit of olive oil to the top of the hummus before freezing. This will help it keep the moisture locked in.
- To Thaw - thaw frozen hummus in the refrigerator overnight. To get it back to its creamy consistency, use a spoon to whip it and add a bit more olive oil as you stir before serving.
Expert Tips
- For ease, I suggest using a squeezable tahini - it's easier and less messy than getting it out of a jar!
- For best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon instead of lemon juice from the bottle.
- To save time, use canned chickpeas for this za'atar hummus. I do not recommend using unsalted chickpeas unless you are watching your sodium levels for a medical reason.
- If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a little bit more aquafaba (bean liquids) or water to thin it out.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this hummus is a nutrient-rich option. It contains plant protein from the chickpeas and tahini. It also contains heart-healthy fats that support hormone health, dietary fiber for gut health, and several other nutrients including vitamins B6 and B12 and antioxidants that have been shown to have a positive impact on brain health.
Honestly, it’s less expensive to make it at home and I just plain think it tastes better. It also gives you more freedom to adjust flavor and texture to your preference.
Find tahini near the nut butter or in the ethnic food section at the grocery store. You can also order it on Amazon. Store tahini in a cool, dry area at room temperature.
Some recipes will call for getting rid of the skins, but I haven’t found it to be necessary and the skins add fiber.
Yes, this is a gluten-free recipe.
Yes, this is a dairy-free recipe.
I use New York Shuk brand which you can grab at World Market or here on Amazon.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Za'atar Hummus:
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Za'atar Hummus Recipe, Classic (Easy How To)
Equipment
- 1 food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (more as needed)
- 3 tablespoon liquid from chickpea can (aquafaba)
- ½ teaspoon Za'atar seasoning blend
- ¼ teaspoon salt (more to taste)
- 1-2 ice cubes
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Save the liquid from the can in a separate bowl (you’ll use it later).
- Add all the ingredients except the ice cubes to your food processor or high-speed blender.
- Blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes, using a spatula to push down the sides as needed. Add the ice cubes and blend another minute. Optional: top it with fresh parsley (or other fresh herbs), white sesame seeds, a drizzle of olive oil, or a few extra chickpeas.
- Hint: for the creamiest hummus, add an ice cube or two at the end and puree until the ice is melted.
Notes
- For ease, I suggest using a squeezable tahini - it's easier and less messy than getting it out of a jar!
- For best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon instead of lemon juice from the bottle.
- To save time, use canned chickpeas for this za'atar hummus. I do not recommend using unsalted chickpeas unless you are watching your sodium levels for a medical reason.
- If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a little bit more aquafaba (bean liquids) or water to thin it out.
- Refrigerator - Store leftover hummus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer - hummus will be good in the freezer for up to 4 months in a freezer-safe container. Add a bit of olive oil to the top of the hummus before freezing. This will help it keep the moisture locked in.
- To Thaw - thaw frozen hummus in the refrigerator overnight. To get it back to its creamy consistency, use a spoon to whip it and add a bit more olive oil as you stir before serving.
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