Quick and easy to make, hummus is a satisfying and versatile dip and spread. From classic Israeli Hummus with Paprika and Whole Chickpeas to Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion Hummus to vivid pink Beet Hummus, there are plenty of ways to change up the standard recipe and find a new favorite. Chickpeas — and sometimes vegetables — are blended smoothly to transform into appetizers and dips, sandwich or pita spreads, part of a meze, or even a main course served with plenty of varied, colorful, and tasty garnishes. Discover these terrific hummus recipes and more.
01of 16
Israeli Hummus with Paprika and Whole Chickpeas
"Hummus is the hardest thing to get right," says legendary hummus maker Mike Solomonov. "It has to be rich, creamy, and mildly nutty." To make his hummus luxuriously smooth, he soaks the chickpeas overnight with baking soda to soften them.
Get the Recipe
02of 16
Beet Hummus
Soft, sweet, and earthy, roasted beets make for a vivid pink dip that's a fun take on hummus. If you're pressed for time, use the pre-roasted beets available in many supermarket produce sections instead of roasting your own.
Get the Recipe
03of 16
Hummus with Tahini and Spicy Chickpeas
Chef Michael Solomonov makes his signature hummus at Zahav with an unusually generous amount of tahini — something that distinguishes the hummus of his native Israel from that of other Middle Eastern countries. He tops the dish with warm chickpeas fried with jalapeño, cumin, and crushed Aleppo pepper.
Get the Recipe
04of 16
Avocado-Hummus Dip
For a new twist on the usual hummus or guacamole, try this delicious mash-up of the two. It's great with crudités, crackers, and corn chips, or as a sandwich spread.
05of 16
Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion Hummus
This hummus packs a punch of flavor. You can adjust the intensity by adding more or less roasted garlic to suit your taste.
Get the Recipe
06of 16
Easy Hummus with Tahini
Hummus can do more than cling to a carrot stick. This simple and sublime version adds nutty flavor to potato salad, eggs, and soup, and can be made and refrigerated up to five days in advance.
Get the Recipe
07of 16
Hummus with Whole Wheat Flatbreads
"Kids like hummus," says legendary chef Alice Waters, "and they like to make the little flatbreads and heat them like tortillas. The whole process is irresistible, and the price is practically nonexistent."
Get the Recipe
08of 16
Dinner Hummus with Spiced Chicken and Cauliflower
Flavored with a shawarma-inspired array of spices — cumin, smoked paprika, coriander — and sautéed with plenty of onions, buttery pine nuts, and sweet-tart currants, hummus is transformed into a fully satisfying snack-meal.
Get the Recipe
09of 16
Creamy Hummus with Sautéed Mushrooms and Poblanos
The combination of warm portobello mushrooms and poblano peppers is marvelously savory on top of hummus made extra creamy with tahini and olive oil.
Get the Recipe
10of 16
Sweet Potato Hummus
Roasted sweet potato adds just a hint of sweetness to regular hummus. For a touch of heat and flavor complexity, blend in the optional cayenne pepper. This hummus keeps in the fridge for up to a month, so it's easy to keep on hand for all your dipping and spreading needs.
Get the Recipe
11of 16
Roasted Tomato-Basil Hummus
With familiar flavors of a classic pizza sauce, roasted peak-season tomatoes make all the difference in this hummus. Serve alongside warm pita, or spread it over a flatbread with some toppings for a unique spin on your favorite slice.
Get the Recipe
12of 16
Lemony Hummus with Roasted Fennel and Black Olives
What makes this hummus special is the tangy hit of lemon throughout, and how it pairs beautifully with the golden brown roasted fennel and intense flavor of sun-cured black olives.
Get the Recipe
13of 16
Green Lentil Hummus
For his take on this ubiquitous dip, Istanbul's star chef Mehmet Gürs uses earthy green lentils instead of chickpeas but stirs in a little of hummus' classic ingredient — tahini — for nuttiness. He also likes to flavor his hummus with spices like cinnamon, or in this case, cumin.
Get the Recipe
14of 16
Pumpkin Hummus
Canned pumpkin dresses up classic hummus in this quick and easy recipe from Food & Wine Culinary Director at Large Justin Chapple.
Get the Recipe
15of 16
Lima Bean Hummus
The buttery texture of lima beans makes an outstanding smooth and creamy hummus. Serve this up with some vegetables or crackers and you have the perfect party dip.
Get the Recipe
16of 16
Yakitori Morels with Fava Bean Hummus
2006 F&W Best New Chef Mary Dumont's grilled peak-of-spring fresh morel and fiddlehead skewers are delectable atop a canvas of fava bean hummus and crowned with a pungent furikake mix of sesame seeds, bonito, and dulse.
Get the Recipe