Make perfectly smooth and creamy oil free hummus with a few simple ingredients in under 5 minutes!
Hummus from scratch is so much better than store-bought hummus. And it's one of the easiest recipes to make and is a versatile dish for everyone. It takes less than 5 minutes to whip up a batch of hummus and you can easily adapt it to fit your taste.
Today I'm sharing the perfect formula to make hummus creamy and smooth. Serve it with a side of fresh veggies, in wraps, on toast, in bowls and more. It's great for snacking throughout the week with both kids and adults loving it!
This is the best oil-free hummus recipe because it's easy to make and comes out perfect every single time.
Why Oil-Free Hummus
Traditional hummus is made with oil. But if you're eating an oil-free diet, then it is important to make your own hummus. Most store-bought versions include oil and they typically substitute the good oils, like olive oil, with seeds oils. The smooth and creamy texture in this hummus recipe comes from processing well and using the aquafaba or cold water. No added oil is needed!
Oil free is also a lower fat option. It's great for a variety of tastes and whole food diets. You can achieve the same classic hummus flavor without oil.
Ingredients You Need
You only need a few basic ingredients for this homemade hummus recipe.
- Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): You can use canned chickpeas that are ready to use or use dried chickpeas that you have soaked in water for 12 to 24 hours before boiling them until they are soft.
- Cold water or aquafaba: If you use a can of chickpeas, aquafaba is the liquid that comes from the chickpeas. Store the can of chickpeas in the fridge the night before so that the liquid is cold and you will get better results. If you cook chickpeas at home, save the cooking liquid as this is the aquafaba. You can reduce it by letting it boil for a few minutes so the water evaporates. Once it's cold, store it in the refrigerator as this will help make the hummus much creamier. If you didn't save the aquafaba from the chickpeas, you can use cold water instead.
- Tahini: This is what gives hummus its distinctive flavor. Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds that can be purchased at any natural products store or grocery store. It creates the best flavor of hummus and also helps us obtain a complete plant-based protein along with the chickpeas, which is why it's excellent for vegetarians and vegans.
- Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice as it will make a big difference in the final result for both texture and flavor.
- Garlic: The amount of garlic can vary according your taste. I like to use just a little bit so I use 1 or 2 fresh garlic cloves depending on the size of the garlic. If you really want to elevate the hummus with a roasted flavor, use roasted garlic.
- Cumin: This seasoning adds a touch of flavor. You could also substitute with cayenne pepper, if desired, for a kick of heat.
- Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt: You can use any type of salt, but I always recommend using a quality salt like sea salt or pink Himalayan salt that provides us with minerals.
Do I need a blender or food processor?
Generally, for thicker preparations like dips, hummus and purees, a food processor is more convenient since the larger base allows the blades to reach the contents better. However, you can also make it in a blender with a little more patience.
Making this creamy oil-free hummus recipe in a blender achieves excellent results. If you have a less powered blender then you may need to blend longer or add a little extra water, until the desired creaminess is reach. But either way, you will have a super creamy result.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Before adding more liquid than the recipe calls for, make sure to mix the contents well several times and blend for a while.
How to Make Creamy Hummus
Step 1: Add all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender.
Step 2: Start processing and add more water or aquafaba, as needed to achieve a creamy consistency. The aquafaba or water is the secret ingredient to achieve the smooth texture.
Step 3: Keep processing. Process for a long time to achieve the extra creamy consistency.
Step 4: Serve this classic hummus in a variety of ways. See below for many serving suggestions. Or transfer to a bowl and garnish with ground chili pepper.
How to Serve Homemade Hummus
Hummus is a versatile snack or side dish. It is the perfect complement to any meal. Enjoy it with breakfast, or as a snack, easy appetizer or with a main dish. Any time is a good time to enjoy this creamy chickpea spread.
- Toast with hummus: Simply spread the hummus over toast or crusty bread.
- Vegetable sticks (like carrot, cucumber, zucchini, and red bell peppers): Serve the hummus as a delicious dip for the vegetables.
- Pita bread for dipping: This is a classic pairing and a delicious way to enjoy hummus.
- Buddha bowl or grain bowls: Add mixed greens to a bowl with a grain like quinoa and rice, raw or cooked vegetables and a generous spoonful of hummus in the center. This creates a delicious bowl for lunch or dinner!
- Salads: Drizzle or dollop the hummus over salad for a delicious salad dressing.
- Sandwiches: Say goodbye to mayonnaise and hello to hummus! Use it as a sandwich spread for a more delicious, tasty and nutritious option.
- Vegetable burgers: If you need a dip or spread to accompany a veggie burger, hummus is a great idea!
- Falafel: If you love chickpeas as much as I do, prepare a true Lebanese meal by serving falafels and hummus.
- Bruschetta: Good quality bread, toasted in the oven and topped with hummus is the perfect appetizer or lunch. Add sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions and a bit of arugula for the perfect flavor combination. YUM!
- Baked potatoes or sweet potatoes: Serve the potatoes with a dollop of hummus for a delicious combination.
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
Hummus is great for meal prep because it can be made ahead of time. Store leftover hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days, although the sooner you consume it the better. The fresher we consume food, the more nutritious it is and the better it is digested. This is why I personally prefer to consume it within 3 to 4 days, at the most.
Did you try this oil free hummus recipe? Leave a recipe rating and review below!
Easy Oil Free Hummus
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chickpeas
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon pink salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 tablespoons aquafaba or cold water
- ground chili for serving
Instructions
- In a blender, add the chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, cumin and aquafaba or water.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. If necessary, stop the blender a few times to stir the contents and continue blending until it is creamy.
- Transfer the hummus to a bowl and garnish with ground chili (if using.)
Leave a comment