Name: Creamy Garlic Hummus
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 can chickpeas or 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans); 1/4 cup tahini; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; juice of 1 lemon; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or 1-2 cloves of garlic for more kick); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1-3 Tbs water (depending on desired thickness)

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This garlic hummus recipe is simple and delicious. If you're looking for a simple recipe for how to make creamy garlic hummus from scratch, you've come to the right place.

Making your own hummus from scratch is not nearly as difficult as you might think. All it takes is a food processor (or a high-speed blender) and a few minutes of your time.

Hummus is a chickpea and tahini-based Middle Eastern dish. Common seasonings include garlic, roasted red peppers, and other spices. I've even seen beet hummus and chocolate hummus recipes out there.

Tools Needed to Make Garlic Hummus

Food processor - If you do not have a food processor, you may be able to use a high-speed blender instead. Some blenders have trouble with thick dips like this though. You know your blender better than I do.
Mason Jar- Your creamy garlic hummus should be kept in an airtight container with a cover in order to keep it fresh. We love mason jars.

Ingredients to Make Creamy Garlic Hummus

Canned chickpeas - Or you can soak and cook them from dried (also known as garbanzo beans).
Tahini - It has a nutty, creamy flavor and is a must-have for hummus.
Extra virgin olive oil - The olive oil in the hummus gives it a rich texture.
Lemon - It adds a tangy flavor to the combination.
Garlic powder - The main ingredient in creamy garlic hummus, which adds a savory flavor. If you don't like the mild garlic flavor of garlic powder, you can substitute raw garlic for a stronger garlic flavor.
Salt - To season your creamy garlic. Can't forget the salt!
Cumin - It will add a little more richness and spice to your garlic hummus.
Water - Creates a creamy, light, and almost fluffy texture in the hummus.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Hummus

Put the chickpeas in your food processor and blend for about 30 seconds
Add the remaining ingredients, except the water
Blend until smooth
Add water 1 Tbs at a time until it reaches your desired thickness

FAQ & Recipe Tips

Does hummus contain raw garlic?

In most traditional recipes, it is made with raw garlic, chickpeas, sesame paste (tahini), and olive oil, but we used garlic powder in this recipe to make it taste less strong (that's how my kids prefer it).

How do you neutralize garlic in hummus?

This recipe uses ground garlic, which has a milder flavor than fresh garlic cloves. If you use fresh garlic cloves, they'll mellow out a bit once it is minced in a food processor or blender together with lemon juice and given some time to rest.

What can I use instead of tahini in hummus?

I love the tahini flavor in hummus, but you could try substituting with almond or cashew butter. The texture and flavor of these nut butters are similar to tahini. Some claim peanut butter can be substituted, but we prefer cashew and almond butter.

What is good with garlic hummus?

Traditionally hummus is served with warm pita, but it can be used as a dip for veggies, spread onto a sandwich, or on meat. The possibilities are endless!

What flavor of hummus is the best?

In the store, you can buy several flavors of hummus. But you are limited by what the companies will make.

When you make hummus from scratch and you want to try a new flavor, go right ahead! Add some pumpkin, beets, or roasted red peppers for a colorful and flavorful addition.

Can I use a blender instead of a food processor to make hummus?

Yes! You can make hummus in a food processor or a high-powered blender. If you're using a blender and it's not working well, add a little liquid to see if that gets things working for you. Some blenders have trouble with super thick dips.

How do you make hummus taste better?

If your hummus is tasting a little "blah" try adding more lemon juice, more salt, or any of the following for extra flavor: fresh chopped green onions, chives, parsley, rosemary, or dill.

Related recipes

Hummus is delicious as a vegetable dip or with pita chips. It also goes well with Chicken Shawarma pitas or Falafels.

If you're looking for more simple dips, I've got you covered: