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Everyone loves a good hummus platter and fresh hummus is so easy to make! With only 4 ingredients plus a little salt and pepper, you have a healthy and flavorful dip that you can use as an appetizer with vegetables or pita, or as a healthy substitute for mayonnaise on a sandwich, gyro, or wrap. Plus it is naturally vegan, gluten free and dairy free so it's something most everyone can enjoy!
Here are two loaded hummus platter variations that I know you will love! Whether you like sweet and spicy, or creamy and briny, these are both fresh and delicious appetizers that are always gone in a flash!
What is Hummus?
Hummus is a traditionally Mid-Eastern dip made with Garbanzo beans, Lemon Juice, Tahini and Garlic. It is all blended together until it is smooth and can be used as a dip with Pita, or chips, or Vegetables. Hummus is one of those things that, once you have made it yourself, you will have a hard time buying it from a store. It is SO easy and after making it once or twice, you will be able to whip it up in less than 10 minutes.
Although even just basic hummus is always a crowd pleaser, this recipe is gluten free and dairy free so it is a popular party appetizer with anyone who lives with these dietary restrictions! Of course it is also vegetarian, and this Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus is vegan.
Another bonus is that it can be made ahead of time, so it is one less thing you have to make when you are short on time.
Be ready to share your recipe, because your guests are going to be asking!
Hummus Ingredients
- Garbanzo Beans- Beans AND Juice
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Tahini
- Salt
2 Appetizers your Guests will Love...
So although Hummus, in it's natural state is delicious on its own, I like to think of it as a base that can be used to create all types of different unique and tasty dishes. Here are my 2 favorite ways to load it up and take it to the next level. I promise you can't go wrong with either of these. Both options are true crowd pleasers.
Greek Loaded Hummus
- Greek Hummus
- As far as I am concerned, this could easily be a meal all on its own. In fact, I am pretty sure there have been several summer nights where Trav and I have sat out on the deck and shared a plate of Greek Hummus with fresh Pita and a bottle of wine and called it dinner. It is fresh and flavorful and full of lots of good veggies. Not only that, it is colorful and pretty too, which makes it a beautiful and easy make ahead party appetizer. It would be perfect served alongside these Ground Lamb Lollipops with Mint Sauce!
- To create this, you will need:
- A batch of freshly made Hummus
- ½ Cup Tzatziki
- 1 Diced tomato (or ½ cup quartered cherry tomatoes)
- ½ Cup Diced Cucumber
- ¼ Cup Chopped Calamata Olives
- ¼ Cup Feta Cheese
- To assemble, spread the Hummus onto a plate and then dollop the Tzatziki onto the middle of the hummus.
- Sprinkle the Cucumber, Tomato, and Olives over the Tzatziki and Top with Feta.
- Serve with Fresh Pita
Cilantro Jalapeño Loaded Hummus
- Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus
- This delicious Hummus is re-created from one that I bought at Trader Joe's a few years ago. It was SO good, but I felt like there wasn't enough of the Cilantro Jalapeño topping, so I created my own. If you have access to a Trader Joe's (LUCKYYY!!), then you can buy one of their jars of Sweet Hot Jalapeños to use. I'm embarrassed to tell you how many jars of these we go through. They are on our TJ's list EVERY time. So, the combo of these with a little cilantro on top of this fresh Hummus...I am confident you are going to love it. This is another much loved and very easy party appetizer that would be perfect paired with these Mexican Chorizo Stuffed Peppers!
- To create this, you will need:
- A fresh Batch of Hummus
- ½ Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
- ½ Cup Chopped Sweet Hot Jalapeños
- 1 Tablespoon of Juice from the Sweet Hot Jalapeños
- 2 Tablespoons Cotija
- Mix the Cilantro, Jalapeños and Juice in a little bowl and let sit for a couple minutes.
- While this is marinating, spread the fresh Hummus onto a dish or in a wide bowl.
- Top the Hummus with the Cilantro Jalapeño mixture.
- Sprinkle the Cotija on top.
- Serve with Corn Chips or Pita
Other Easy and Delicious Appetizers
If you are looking for more vegetarian appetizers, check out these Blistered Shishito Peppers, these Thai Fresh Rolls with Peanut Sauce, or these Honey Polenta Fries with Gorgonzola Sauce. These are all serious crowd pleasers, so you can't go wrong with any of them!
I hope you try one or both of these different Hummus dishes! If you do, I would love to hear from you in the comments below. How did you like them? Which was your favorite? Thank you and thank you for visiting Mollie in Montana~*♥️
📖 Recipe
Hummus
Ingredients
- 1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
- ½ Cup Tahini
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice (about ½ lemon)
- ⅓-⅔ Cup Garbanzo bean liquid
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Add Garbanzo beans and garlic to a food processor and process for about 1-2 minutes until a thick ball forms.
- While food processor is going, add tahini, lemon juice and salt.
- Keep processor running and slowly add garbanzo bean juice.
- Continue to process and continue adding garbanzo juice, salt and lemon juice until it reaches your desired taste and consistency.
- Hummus will get slightly thicker as it sits, so you may want to make it a teeny bit thinner than you actually want it to be when you serve it.
- Serve as is with fresh Pita, Chips, or Veggies, or read the post above for 2 ways to load it with toppings for a meal, or party appetizer!
Notes
Notes
- For extra smooth hummus, take the skin off of the chickpeas (garbanzos). It takes a few minutes, but it really does make a difference!
- To use dried chickpeas (garbanzos) , soak them overnight with a teaspoon of baking soda. The baking soda will help to soften the skins so they come off easily.
- Check out my Greek Hummus, or Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus, for more delicious options.
- Enjoy!
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