My hubby, Mike, who grew up in the Middle East, doesn’t go for any kind of “flavored” hummus.
No crazy additions of things like pumpkin (at the mention of that, he gave me a shocked/horrified look and muttered, Do people really do that?; my reply, Why yes, yes they do.), sundried tomato, pesto, or even roasted garlic (because of course garlic should be raw in hummus!).
The word “hummus” in Arabic actually refers to chickpeas themselves (and what we think of as hummus is called Hummous bil Tahina or M’sebaha), so of course chickpeas is the only legume that should be used. According to my hubby, none of these creative uses for other legumes like white beans, edamame, black beans, or red lentils.
Classic hummus should only consist of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, salt, raw garlic, and a bit of water as necessary to thin it out (you can also add cumin, but this is optional; it’s for flavor, but according to my mother-in-law, it’s also to help with tummy troubles that beans and other legumes can sometimes cause). And then topped with a generous douse of good olive oil, hummus is ready to be dipped into with fresh flatbread. Period. (But as a tiny exception, there are a variety of acceptable hummus toppings in the Middle East…things like sumac, toasted pine nuts, or browned and spiced ground meat.)
That is all fine and well, but I am of the mind that if something tastes good and is healthy to boot, who am I to say it shouldn’t be done? I enjoy authentic hummus as much as the next girl, but I also like fun flavored varieties.
This version deviates a bit from a classic hummus not only in flavor, but also because this recipe is basically instant. Usually I will take the time to soak the chickpeas overnight and then cook them, removing as many of the skins as I can find without actually sitting down and painstakingly removing every single one (although I know – because my mother-in-law told me – that removing all the skins is the way to the smoothest hummus ever). But sometimes I just want a quick, flavorful hummus that comes together in less than the 8 minutes it takes to make my own pita chips. And that’s why this hummus, my friends, defies all the rules about what hummus should be. Except that it tastes amazing.
- 2 large pita breads or 4 smaller pita breads, cut into about 1½-inch wedges or squares
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (16 oz/450 g) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 roasted red pepper (about ½ cup), drained (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, plus a sprinkling more for garnish
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish
- For the pita chips, preheat oven to 400F. Toss together all pita chip ingredients, and arrange the bread in a single layer on two large baking sheets. Bake until the bread is golden on both sides, about 6 to 8 minutes, flipping the bread and rotating the baking sheets once halfway through.
- Make the hummus while the pita chips cook; to do so, combine all hummus ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor and puree until smooth. To serve, spread the hummus in a shallow dish, drizzle the oil on top, and sprinkle on a little more smoked paprika.
- Serve the hummus along with the pita chips for dipping.
Serving Tip: In addition to pita chips, the hummus can also be served with fresh crudités or fresh pita bread.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Rosa says
March 13, 2013 at 8:02 amAddictive! I could eat that all the time…
Cheers,
Rosa
Erica says
March 13, 2013 at 8:18 amRed pepper hummus is actually my favorite kind! I also like a heavy paprika version. I want this for lunch
Asiya @ Chocolate and Chillies says
March 13, 2013 at 9:56 amI’ve been making the hummus from your book lately and we’ve really been enjoying it…but would also love a super quick one for busy days…looks amazing! Just need the roasted red pepper!
ashley - baker by nature says
March 13, 2013 at 9:59 amMy boyfriend is the same way about Italian food – SO picky. However we would both devour this vibrant hummus in minutes. Gorgeous, Faith!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
March 13, 2013 at 11:07 amI can (and often do) eat hummus every day. This version looks incredible!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
March 13, 2013 at 1:35 pmThis hummus looks so freaking delicious! I am allll over this recipe!
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says
March 13, 2013 at 3:36 pmI loveeeeee hummus. Funny how I was just looking what exactly hummus meant and how removing skin is so important- I probably should just link my post to your site. I made spinach hummus and absolutely loved it – Your husband will not like the thought of this but oh well…its delicious!!!
Eha says
March 13, 2013 at 11:30 pmDelightful! I am afraid I fully agree with your husband – add whatever and it is no longer real hoummos!! Love your recipe ‘in spite of’ the red pepper and shall try it within the next week just thus :) !
zerrin says
March 14, 2013 at 4:51 amAlthough I’m in LOVE with traditional and plain hummus, I’m always open to new flavors. I think roasted red pepper is definitely a great ingredient to add into hummus! It gives a great color and I’m sure ita smoky flavor makes it even more addictive! Love the easy and quick way making it too! Would love to dip some pita in it right now!
kellie@foodtoglow says
March 14, 2013 at 6:12 amAlthough I am an American living in Scotland and shouldn’t have a valid opinion on this, I am with your husband on the purity of hummus. Nothing beats the original, but sometimes a wee tweak, such as you have done, that is with a complementary ingredient (roasted pepper, smoked paprika) is delicious. I recently posted my own recipe that I have to follow as someone who really can’t digest the skins, recommending the best way to remove the skins. It really makes it all incredibly smooth, esp when you blitz the garlic, tahini, salt first then add in the warm skinned chickpeas chased with a splash of cold water. And a good reminder about homemade pitta chips. The bought ones have all kinds of rubbish and salt in/on them
Erica says
March 14, 2013 at 8:21 amI love traditional hummus, Faith!But this variation sounds amazing!
grace says
March 14, 2013 at 11:09 amniiice batch of hummus, faith! the color is outstanding and the items that are creating that color are delicious.
Ruxandra @ Gourmandelle says
March 15, 2013 at 5:03 amI’m a huge hummus fan and can’t wait to try this recipe! Love your website and your wonderful photos! I also added you to my favorite veggie blogs list on my website :D
Faith says
March 15, 2013 at 7:08 amRuxandra, You are so sweet, thank you so much!