In recent years, hummus has become a real trend: you find it in restaurants, supermarkets, and in a thousand different versions. And it’s no coincidence. It is a chickpea cream with a soft taste, slightly citrusy, and with that “toasted” note of sesame that makes it irresistible. It is popular because it is healthy, nutritious, and pairs practically with everything: bread, vegetables, salads, main dishes… it’s one of those preparations that often saves your lunch and dinner.
Its origins are very ancient: it comes from Middle Eastern tradition, where hummus is considered a sharing dish. It was served at the center of the table with warm bread, and everyone would dip in. Today it has become a beloved trend: you find it in appetizers, in small bowls spread on bread, in vegetarian dishes, and even in the most modern lunch boxes.
Making it yourself allows you to control the flavor, texture, and quality of the ingredients: no additives, no preservatives, just chickpeas, lemon, sesame, and good oil. And the great thing is that it takes just a few minutes, especially if you use pre-cooked chickpeas or prepare them with the Instant Pot.
A small gesture, a creamy and genuine result that always wins.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Portions: 4 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Instant pot, Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas
- 1 tbsp tahini (or 1 tbsp of toasted sesame flour)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic (small. Optional)
- 1 pinch salt
- as needed water (to adjust consistency)
- paprika (optional)
- sesame seeds (optional)
Preparation
Dried chickpeas: rinse them and, if you want, soak them for 8–12 hours. Cook them in the Instant Pot for 20–25 minutes with natural release (soaked) or 40–45 minutes without soaking. Salt only at the end.
Canned chickpeas: drain, rinse well, and lightly dry them.If you use toasted sesame flour, you can add a drizzle of oil and mix until you create a creamy paste. It serves to mimic tahini, which otherwise lacks fat.
If you have ready tahini, you can use it directly.Put the chickpeas in the blender or a tall container for an immersion blender.
Add tahini, lemon, oil, garlic, and salt.
Blend, adding cold water little by little until you achieve the desired consistency.If the hummus is too thick, add 1 teaspoon of water at a time.
Add a drizzle of oil at the end to compact and velvet the cream.Tips:
Blend for at least 1–2 minutes to achieve a really smooth cream.
Taste and adjust with salt or lemon according to your preferences.
If you want a lighter hummus, you can increase the water 1 teaspoon at a time.Transfer into a bowl and garnish with paprika, chopped parsley, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of oil. (All optional)
Great as an appetizer, snack, or condiment.
Variants
Spicy Hummus: add curry or cumin.
Colorful Hummus: mix with beetroot, roasted peppers, or avocado.
Light Hummus: less oil, more lemon, and more water.
Extra Creamy Hummus: add an extra tablespoon of oil.
Notes – Tahini-Free Variant (as I made it!)
In my area, tahini is not easily found, so I used toasted sesame flour. The hummus is slightly thicker, but the taste is authentic.
You can make the cream more velvety by mixing the flour with 1 tablespoon of oil to create a mini-tahini,
or by adding a drizzle of oil while blending.
Storage
Fridge: 3–4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer: up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge, then add a drizzle of oil or a teaspoon of water to restore creaminess. Freeze it in ice cube trays
FAQ – Chickpea Hummus
Can I use canned chickpeas?
Yes! They are already cooked, just drain, rinse, and proceed as in the recipe. The result will be excellent and save you time.
My hummus is too thick, what can I do?
Add cold water one tablespoon at a time or a drizzle of oil. Blend again for 30 seconds to achieve a smooth cream. If you want, you can use a bit of cooking water from the chickpeas.
How many servings do I get with 1 cup of hummus?
About 2 medium servings of 2.5-3 oz as an appetizer or snack. If used as a condiment, it can be enough for 3–4 servings.
Hummus is a simple recipe, practical and really within everyone’s reach. Whether you use dried chickpeas, the Instant Pot, or ready-made ones, the result is always a healthy, versatile cream perfect for accompanying bread, vegetables, croutons, or main dishes. One of those “homemade” preparations that never disappoint and that you can customize as you like.
