Easy Oil Free Hummus Recipe (2024)

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The best oil free hummus recipe with chickpeas, creamy tahini, zesty lemon and aquafaba. Totally vegan, whole foods plant based, easy to make, healthy, smooth and creamy, ready in less than 5 minutes in your Vitamix .

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Simple blender hummus without oil, smoothest, fluffiest and creamiest hummus ever.

What is Hummus ?

A creamy delicious spread of Middle Easter and Mediterranean origins made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon and spices; the famous sister of baba ganoush! You can pretty much find it in every grocery store nowadays but there’s nothing like the homemade version.

Oil Free Hummus Ingredients:

  • Chickpeas or garbanzo beans. You can use canned or home cooked chickpeas in this recipe. Everything made from scratch is better so cook your own if you can, otherwise choose an organic canned low sodium brand.
  • Tahini or sesame butter, a paste made from tasted sesame seeds and traditionally found in hummus, baba ganoush and halva.
  • Aquafaba, the liquid the chickpeas were cooked in is a great oil replacement in this recipe. Not only that but its whipping abilities are quite amazing and definitely helps make your hummus fluffy and luxurious.
  • Lemon, freshly squeeze lemon juice is crucial as any of the store bought lemon juice out there tastes totally different than squeezing lemons.
  • Garlic makes everything better and so it definitely belongs in this recipe.
  • Cumin and Smoked Paprika are the traditional spices that give the human a smoky rich flavor.
  • Sea Salt brings all the flavors together without overpowering the lemon and spices.

What the Secret for Making the Best Hummus ?

Honestly the secret to creamy dips is in the blender or food processor. Your aquafaba, lemon juice and tahini paste go in first, followed by the spices and chickpeas. Blend until smooth and extra creamy.

If using a food processor you might need to stop and scrape down the sides. I used the Vitamix one full cycle on the smoothie setting and it was absolutely perfect and comes out creamier than using a processor.

Hummus FAQ

  • Does hummus need olive oil ? In spite of popular belief you really don’t need any oil to whip up a luscious and silky hummus. The perfect ratio of chickpeas to liquid and a powerful blender will guarantee a divine luxurious texture without adding any extra fat.
  • Can I eat hummus on a whole food plant based diet ? Only if it is oil-free such as the recipe below. Most store bought hummus brands contain lots of oil so make sure to read the ingredients list carefully.
  • Is hummus vegan ? 100% absolutely positively a vegan cruelty-free dip.
  • How can I make hummus thicker ? This recipe already yields a thick hummus, the simple blending process helps whip and fluff it even more. If you find that you accidentally added too much liquid you could correct that by adding a little bit more tahini and a few more chickpeas. Blend again until the desired texture is achieved.
  • Can you freeze homemade hummus ? Absolutely you can freeze hummus, just make sure to store in lidded air-tight containers that are freezer-safe. Thaw out overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Is hummus fattening or good fro you ? Considering that this recipe is oil-free and a whole food, this is most definitely a good for you healthy eating option. The store bought brands contain quite a bit of fat so best to make your own.
  • Do you need to peel the chickpeas for smooth hummus ? I personally never peel the chickpeas because i make it in the Vitamix and so everything comes out buttery smooth. I don’t even need to strain my cashew milk ever. However, if you are using a not so powerful blender or a smaller food processor it might be worth peeling the chickpeas first but will definitely add a good 10 minutes or so to your work load.

Hummus Recipe Variations:

  • drizzle with chimichurri
  • add 1 roasted red bell pepper, 1/2 roasted beet or 1/2 tsp beet powder to the original recipe
  • mix in 3/4 cup chopped artichoke hearts
  • 1 avocado + freshly squeezed lime juice
  • jalapeno + cilantro
  • 1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives
  • top with Zacusca roasted vegetable spread
  • garnish with a swirl of this roasted red pepper sauce.

P.S. If you make this recipe please come back here to rate it, snap a photo and tag me with #VeggieSociety on Instagram, it always makes my day ~ Florentina Xo’s

how to make smooth oil free hummus from scratch:

Easy Oil Free Hummus Recipe (8)

5 from 3 votes

Easy Oil Free Hummus

The best oil-free hummus recipe with chickpeas, creamy tahini, zesty lemon and aquafaba. Totally vegan, whole foods plant based, easy to make, healthy, smooth and creamy, ready in less than 5 minutes in your Vitamix .

Print Recipe

Prep Time:2 minutes mins

Cook Time:3 minutes mins

Total Time:5 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 15 oz canned chickpeas
  • 3 tbsp tahini
  • 1/3 cup aquafaba + more as needed
  • 2-3 cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • sea salt to taste (aprox. 1/2 tsp)
  • sesame seeds for garnish optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the aquafaba, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, paprika, cumin and chickpeas plus the sea salt to your Vitamix (a powerful blender or food processor). Process until smooth and creamy adding extra aquafaba or lemon juice in tiny amounts if needed. You might want to use the tamper to push the chickpeas into the blades but i did not need to do this.

  • Use a spatula to scoop out all the hummus and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, sesame seeds and some green herbs on top.

    Easy Oil Free Hummus Recipe (9)

Notes

  • If using a different type of blender or a food processor and not a Vitamix, you might need to add a little extra liquid. Start by adding one tablespoon at the time of aquafaba until desired consistency is achieved.

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2mg

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: hummus, plant based, vegan appetizers

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 172kcal

Author: Florentina

Vegan Appetizers:

Easy Oil Free Hummus Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for olive oil in hummus? ›

The 9 Best Olive Oil Substitutions
  • Grapeseed Oil. Grapeseed oil isa neutral-tasting oil, so it won't add any noticeable flavor to your food. ...
  • Canola Oil. Canola oil is another neutral oil made from crushed canola seeds. ...
  • Sunflower Oil. ...
  • Peanut Oil. ...
  • Avocado Oil. ...
  • Walnut Oil. ...
  • Flaxseed Oil. ...
  • Sesame Oil.

Do you need olive oil for hummus? ›

No, not really. But, you don't really need olive oil in hummus especially if you are using tahini. The tahini has all of the oil that you need to make a smooth hummus. And remember that olives are brined before they are edible and so will bring other tastes that are not present in olive oil.

Why do you put baking soda in hummus? ›

Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are always superior to garlic powder, and it's especially true in homemade hummus! Baking soda: Adding baking soda to the chickpeas helps make the legume easier to digest, softer, and makes them easy to peel. Don't skip this ingredient!

What can I use to make hummus instead of tahini? ›

If you feel adventurous, try replacing the tahini with an equal amount of peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, chopped roasted peppers, pitted olives, roasted beets, steamed sweet potato, avocado, or thawed frozen peas, to name just a few possibilities.

What oils to avoid in hummus? ›

Most hummus you buy in a supermarket is made with either soybean oil or sunflower oil. Both of these are highly processed and can be inflammatory. Look at the label and find hummus made with extra-virgin olive oil for the most health benefits (not to mention flavor – good olive oil is like a fine wine).

What is a substitute for olive oil in tahini? ›

You might try peanut butter, hazel nut, almond, cashew or sunflower seed butters if you are allergic to or don't like ground sesame seed paste (tahini). I have heard that plain olive oil is okay also, add a bit of cumin however this wouldn't work as a substitute in my recipe which already calls for olive oil and cumin.

Why does hummus need olive oil? ›

Olive oil is a crucial ingredient in our hummus. Not only is high-quality oil important for flavor, but it's also important for nutrition. There are so many olive oil benefits – we capitalize on this by using organic, high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Why is homemade hummus not creamy? ›

You might need more tahini, garlic, lemon and/or salt and very likely more chickpea water. Add a bit of each as you need, the recipe explains. "Blitz the hummus until very smooth, a few minutes at least. Don't worry about the hummus being too loose; it will thicken as it sits."

What makes hummus taste better? ›

10 Ways to Make Store-Bought Hummus 10x Better
  1. Add salt, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, and cayenne to taste. ...
  2. Mix in another tablespoons of tahini. ...
  3. Fold in Greek yogurt. ...
  4. Stir in puréed or mashed roasted garlic. ...
  5. Add coarsely-mashed chickpeas. ...
  6. Toast za'atar and nuts in oil, then pour over top. ...
  7. Drizzle over herb oil.
Jul 16, 2018

Why does my homemade hummus taste bitter? ›

Another cause might be that your lemon is a bit old, causing it to taste more bitter than sour. Lastly, if you've added too much garlic or just happened to used a particularly strong clove, it'll leave the hummus with a very pungent, raw taste.

Why does my homemade hummus taste bland? ›

Sometimes just an extra pinch of salt can transform a bland hummus into a terrific hummus where all the flavors come together perfectly.

Why doesn't my homemade hummus taste good? ›

If your Hummus tastes bland, start by adding more salt. You can also add more lemon juice or garlic, or stir in some fresh herbs, spices, roasted peppers, and more (see below for more tips).

Is it OK to eat hummus everyday? ›

While hummus is a very healthy snack option, it should not be consumed in large quantities.

How long does homemade hummus last? ›

How long does homemade hummus last? It will stay fresh and creamy for up to 1 week in the fridge (but it's best within 4 days). You can prevent it from drying out by storing it in an airtight container with a light layer of extra virgin olive oil on top.

How important is tahini in hummus? ›

Does hummus need tahini? You bet! In fact, tahini is one of hummus' main ingredients, along with chickpeas and olive oil. That's why our favorite dip can be so rich and delicious—in hummus, tahini adds smoothness to the texture, as well as a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.

What does olive oil do in hummus? ›

Garlic: Adds a pungent kick and depth of flavor. Cumin and Cayenne Pepper: These spices provide earthiness and a slight heat, respectively. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil adds richness, smoothness, and a fruity aroma to the hummus. It also helps in blending the ingredients into a cohesive mixture.

Why put olive oil on hummus? ›

The majority of American hummus recipes call for blending in olive oil, which makes the hummus creamier and also gives it a dip-like consistency. Even so, in traditional recipes, that's what the tahini and water are for.

Can I use butter instead of olive oil? ›

It couldn't be easier to substitute butter for oil using a 1:1 ratio. This should work with olive, canola, vegetable, and coconut oils. Simply melt and cool the butter to room temperature, then continue with your recipe. (If the recipe calls for ½ cup oil, use ½ cup melted and cooled butter.)

Can I substitute avocado oil for olive oil in hummus? ›

It's part of the authentic flavor of this hummus recipe. You can grind your own sesame seeds in a Vitamix or food processor to make tahini if you have some on hand. Olive Oil. Avocado or canola oil can be used in place of olive oil.

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