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Home » Type » Appetizers » Bean and Legume Dips » Simple Warm Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread

Simple Warm Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread

May 10, 2021 by Faith 19 Comments

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Warm Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread combines the creaminess of hummus and the rich complexity of French onion soup for the perfect snack.

Warm Caramelized Onion + Chickpea Spread

I’ve been finding myself making fusion-type dishes more frequently lately.

To name a few, Indian-spiced burgers with tamarind chutney and fresh mint, rolled up in hot naan instead of being sandwiched between a bun.

Greek-flavored enchiladas, with garlicky marinated chicken, feta, tomato sauce, and beautiful briny Kalamata olives.

Boeuf Bourguignon served pot pie-style, enrobed in a melt-in-your-mouth tender, flaky pastry crust.

Warm Caramelized Onion + Chickpea Spread 2

Up until recently, I never saw the allure of fusion foods. I thought in order for something to be worth eating, it had to be authentic. Oh, how wrong I was. Sometimes the best food marriages are from places that are worlds apart.

Why not take the best of both worlds and combine them in one mind-blowing dish?!

Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread with Description

In This Article

  • Inspiration for This Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread Recipe
  • Can I Eat Canned Chickpeas Raw?
  • Is it Ok to Eat Chickpea Skin?
  • More Recipes That Use Canned Chickpeas
  • Warm Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread

Inspiration for This Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread Recipe

This spread was inspired by the idea of an affair between Middle Eastern hummus and French onion soup.

Somewhere in between the two, this spread combines the flavor notes of that soup – sweet, soft, complex caramelized onion and bright thyme – with the blissfully creamy texture and slight twinge of tangy flavor that is hummus. They make quite the pair, really.

And although it’s also wonderful cold, served warm, this spread is out-of-this-world.

Can I Eat Canned Chickpeas Raw?

Yes! They aren’t actually raw, canned chickpeas are cooked before canning.

However, if you find that canned chickpeas are a little too hard for your liking or if the recipe calls for warm chickpeas, you can heat them with water on the stovetop before eating. The longer you cook them, the softer they will be.

Is it Ok to Eat Chickpea Skin?

Yes! It’s fine to each chickpea skin. However, if you remove the chickpea skins when you make hummus, you will end up with a much smoother, creamier hummus.

More Recipes That Use Canned Chickpeas

  • Falafel-Spiced Roasted Chickpeas
  • Easy Chickpea Salad Sandwich
  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
  • Easy Gluten Free Chickpea Pizza Crust
  • Vegan Chickpea Pumpkin Curry
  • Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Chickpeas, Kale, and Pearl Couscous
Warm Caramelized Onion + Chickpea Spread 3

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Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment.
You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.
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xoxo, Faith

caramelized onion chickpea spread featured image

Warm Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread

By: Faith Gorsky
Warm Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread combines the creaminess of hummus and the rich complexity of French onion soup for the perfect snack.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine French, Fusion, Middle Eastern
Servings 8 servings
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion halved and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 large cloves garlic crushed or minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 16 ounce can chickpeas skins removed if you want a super creamy consistency
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons hot water or more as needed
  • Cracked black pepper for topping (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Heat the butter and oil in a medium-large skillet over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the onion, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Cook until the onion is deep caramel in color, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or turn the heat down a little at any time if the onion or the pan starts to get too dark. Once the onions are caramelized, add the garlic and thyme and cook 1 minute more, stirring constantly.
  • While the onions caramelize, pour the chickpeas along with their liquid into a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and then drain off and discard the liquid.
  • Pulse the chickpeas in a food processer a few times. Add the tahini, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pulse a few times. Add the water one tablespoon at a time with the food processor on, and continue processing until you achieve your desired consistency.
  • Pulse in 3/4 of the caramelized onion (you can process it until completely smooth or leave it with some texture), reserving 1/4 for topping. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
  • Transfer the spread to a shallow dish and top with the reserved caramelized onion.
  • Serve warm with a generous sprinkling of cracked black pepper on top, if desired.

Faith’s Tips

  • Serving Suggestion: Serve this spread with sliced bread, fresh pita bread, or pita chips.
  • Storage: Store this spread covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Warm Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread
Amount Per Serving (0.25 cup)
Calories 120 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 4mg1%
Sodium 306mg13%
Potassium 138mg4%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 59IU1%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 35mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Chickpea Spread
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
Caramelized Onion Chickpea Spread Pin

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on February 22, 2013. I updated it with more information on May 10, 2021.

Filed Under: Arabic and Middle Eastern, Bean and Legume Dips, Gluten Free Tagged: Chickpea Spread

Comments

  1. Chahinez says

    March 17, 2021 at 8:21 pm

    Thank you so much for linking back to my gluten-free chickpea pizza crust! I will have to try out your spread, it looks insanely good :) !

    Reply
    • Faith says

      March 18, 2021 at 8:00 am

      Chahinez, My pleasure, your pizza looks incredible! And thank you so much, I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try! xoxo

      Reply
  2. ashley - baker by nature says

    February 25, 2013 at 9:41 pm

    This looks like the best-thing-ever! We’re so addicted to caramelized onions over here, and chickpeas aren’t far behind in that category, either!

    Reply
  3. Shannon says

    February 24, 2013 at 10:32 am

    This sounds absolutely wonderful!! What a great fusion :)

    Reply
  4. Lauren at Keep It Sweet says

    February 24, 2013 at 8:22 am

    Caramelized onions are such a delicious addition to anything, love how you incorporated them into this spread!

    Reply
  5. Betty says

    February 23, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    This is a wonderful spread – Both the taste and textures sound wonderful. :)

    Reply
  6. Asiya @ Chocolate and Chillies says

    February 23, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    Love the combination! I’ve actually seen a hummus with caramelized onions in costco and it is one of our favorites. Will have to give this a try! Curious why you boil the chickpeas prior to processing….

    Reply
  7. grace says

    February 23, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    i love caramelized onions but i haven’t resorted to eating them by the handful yet. that said, i need new ways to use them in combination with other things, and this looks like a winner!

    Reply
  8. Eha says

    February 22, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    I have made a sandwich spread as a substitute for butter very similar to this with red lentil dhal and always enjoyed it tremendously. Make hommus at least once a fortnight, so more than game to try the onion version with that: should be greaat :) !

    Reply
  9. Jeanette says

    February 22, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    What a great combination – I am going to have to try this for sure!

    Reply
  10. Eileen says

    February 22, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    Caramelized onion with homemade hummus sounds amazing! This would make the best party platter ever.

    Reply
  11. Claire L says

    February 22, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    Oh man, this looks incredible! I love caramelized onions, and I love hummus. Both of them together sounds fantastic!

    Reply
  12. narf7 says

    February 22, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    OH this looks good! We are slowly heading into winter here in Tasmania Australia and as the days cool down my mind is starting to head to warmer foods and this looks like a perfect autumn transition food all by itself! Thank you for this wonderful recipe :)

    Reply
  13. Erica says

    February 22, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    This is like hummus x’s 10! What a creation!

    Reply
  14. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    February 22, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    Caramelized onions are one of my favorites, this spread looks like it will quickly become a new staple!

    Reply
  15. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

    February 22, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Mmmmm I could really cozy up to this with some bread right now!

    Reply
  16. Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says

    February 22, 2013 at 9:37 am

    This is a great spread Faith. I know what you mean about eschewing fusion foods. I used to do the same but also love to mix flavor profiles now!

    Reply
  17. Rosa says

    February 22, 2013 at 6:14 am

    Addictive!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Over 40 Homemade Hummus Recipes | This Gal Cooks says:
    April 17, 2015 at 6:02 am

    […] Warm Caramelized Onion and Chickpea Hummus | An Edible Mosaic  (pictured below) […]

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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