January 16, 2024

Easy basic homemade hummus is made with a few simple ingredients and is a little bit lighter in calories and fat than store-bought hummus. Two cans of garbanzo beans, lemon, garlic, and onions, simple seasonings, tahini paste (sesame seeds paste), and water blended to create a basic hummus recipe. This recipe is perfect for easy adjusting for your own hummus recipe.

Basic Homemade Hummus Dip in a white bowl with assorted vegetables on a brown serving board.

Flavorful, creamy hummus is one of my favorite hunger fighters on a low-calorie diet. Serve it with carrot sticks, celery logs, broccoli, and cauliflower flowerets for a filling and healthy snack. Not only is hummus a diet staple everyone needs on hand but it’s a great addition to any party table. This is the best hummus recipe for Weight Watchers and calorie-conscious people who love good healthy snacks.

Why You’ll Love Basic Homemade Hummus

Easy to Prepare: This homemade hummus couldn’t be easier to make. It’s a one-dish recipe so cleanup is a breeze.

Healthy Ingredients: Hummus is naturally gluten-free and low in fat. Healthy fiber and nutrients lower the carb count and is not considered a high-carbohydrate food.

Diet Friendly: An authentic hummus recipe will call for a lot more tahini and olive oil than this homemade hummus recipe. This is why my recipe is a friend to many popular diets. Chickpeas have zero points which makes this recipe very low in WW points. Hummus is perfect for the Mediterranean Diet and is naturally gluten-free.

Basic Homemade Hummus Recipe ingredients on a cutting board.

What You’ll Need For This Easy Hummus Recipe

Garbanzo Beans or Chickpeas: garbanzo beans and chickpeas are the same beans just different names. They are mild in flavor, denser, and crunchier than most beans.
Tahini Paste: Tahini paste is made from sesame seeds. It is a creamy paste but when it settles it is more soupy than creamy. You will need to stir it before you add it to the beans. You can find it in the international section of your grocery store.
Garlic: fresh garlic is best.
Onion: any kind of onion-green onions, yellow, white, or red onions.
Lemon: fresh lemon juice adds a beautiful citrus kick. Use more or less to taste. You could even zest some lemon rind into this recipe.
Water: water makes it smooth without adding extra calories or fat.
Sea Salt: you’ll probably need more salt than this recipe calls for.

Ingredients:

2 cans (15 ounces) of garbanzo beans also called chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons of tahini paste
3 or 4 garlic cloves, crushed or minced
1/3 cup chopped onion, green onions, red onion, white or yellow onion
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon of Sea Salt, to taste
Water (optional, for adjusting consistency)
chopped parsley and green onions
paprika

How To Make This Easy Homemade Hummus Recipe

STEP 1: Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas in a colander.

Chickpeas, garlic, onion, salt in a food processor.

STEP 2: In a food processor or a high-powered blender, add the drained chickpeas, tahini, minced garlic, chopped onions, salt and lemon juice. Blend until pasty and thoroughly processed. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.

STEP 3: Add 1/3 cup of water through the liquid tube while the processor is running. If hummus is still pasty add more water a little at a time until it’s smooth and has a creamy texture. Note: Scrape down the sides as you go.
STEP 4: Add more salt and lemon juice to taste.

Smooth and creamy hummus dip in a food processor.

STEP 4: Add more salt and lemon juice to taste.
STEP 5: Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl. Sprinkle paprika, chopped fresh parsley, and remaining chopped green onions on top.

Basic homemade hummus recipe in a white bowl with chopped green onions and paprika on top.

How To Serve Hummus Dip

This smooth hummus pairs well with pita bread, store-bought pita chips, and warm pita toast points.
Cut vegetables like carrots, celery, cauliflower, and broccoli florets.
Tortilla Chips
Potato Chips
As a sandwich spread
Serve on grilled chicken breasts or chicken tenders.
Use creamy hummus on toast for a terrific breakfast or snack.

Basic homemade hummus serving on a carrot stick over a bowl of homemade hummus dip.

Topping Variations

Chopped Red Peppers
Pine Nuts
Tomato Bruschetta
Chopped Green or Black Olives or a combination of both.
Chopped Red Onions
A drizzle of olive oil
Chopped jalapeños
Garden Salsa
the options are endless!

The Best Homemade Hummus Recipe Tips

For creamier hummus add more tahini paste.

For the smoothest hummus add olive oil instead of water.

Make homemade hummus a day or two in advance for maximum flavor meld.

FAQ

Q. What is tahini paste?

A. Sesame seed butter. It resembles natural peanut butter in color and texture but is somewhat runny.

Q. Can I substitute tahini paste with another nut butter?

A. Yes, you can! Almond butter and natural peanut butter are delicious in hummus. You can eliminate the nut butter altogether and add sesame oil or olive oil.

Q. Can dried chickpeas be used instead of canned?

A. Yes, but you will need to soak and cook the dried chickpeas. This link explains how to cook chickpeas.

How to Store Homemade Hummus

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Hummus does not freeze well.

More Low-Calorie Recipes You’ll Love

Simple Spicy Chicken Tenders

Easy and Healthy Vegetable Cabbage Soup

Easy Crockpot Vegetable Curry Soup

Light and Creamy White Cauliflower Queso Dip