WHAT’S FOR A SNACK?
Honey Garlic Hummus
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COOK TIME
TOTAL TIME
15 min
SERVINGS
8-10 servings
Creamy, slightly sweet, and packed with garlicky flavor, this easy recipe for Honey Garlic Hummus is the kind of dip you’ll sneak bites of straight from the blender. It comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients and has the perfect balance of savory tahini, bright lemon, and sweet honey. Pair it with warm, homemade pita chips or your favorite dipping vessel!
Have you ever had something from a restaurant that you can’t stop thinking about? A while back I went to a restaurant with a simple name (that I forgot) and I ordered the hummus to try. I didn’t think it was going to be anything special but I was SO wrong!
This hummus was packed with a savory garlicky flavor that was smoothed out by sweet honey and when paired with warm pita bread . . . I couldn’t get enough! I’ve spent years trying to find something similar but nothing came close. Luckily I love creating recipes because I was determined to nail the flavor and I totally did!
Everything blends together in minutes using simple ingredients, and the texture is smooth and scoopable every single time. You can serve it as an appetizer, a snack with warm pita chips, or part of a spread for any holiday alongside pita bread, crackers, veggies or your favorite snacks for dip!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chickpeas – These form the foundation of the hummus, giving it natural creaminess. Holding onto some of the can liquid gives you full control over how thick or smooth the final texture is so make sure you don’t drain it fully.
Tahini – Made from ground up sesame seeds, tahini adds a nutty, slightly bitter richness that balances the sweetness from the honey.
Olive oil – A steady stream of oil creates a smoother, more creamy hummus while carrying flavor throughout the blend, so a fresh, good-quality option is worth using here.
Lemon juice – Bright acidity cuts through the richness and keeps the hummus tasting fresh, making the flavors feel balanced instead of heavy.
Local Honey – A small amount is enough to mellow the garlic and round out the acidity, giving the hummus its sweet flavor without turning it into a dessert.
Salt – An important ingredient in balancing all the flavors. Start with a pinch and adjust as needed after tasting.
Minced garlic – Finely minced cloves blend into the base as in any classic hummus recipe.
Pita bread – It’s ideal for dipping, and it toasts evenly in the oven without drying out too quickly and has the perfect texture balance for hummus.
Olive Oil & Salt (for pita chips) – A light coating helps the pita crisp slowly and evenly while adding flavor, which keeps the chips from tasting dry once baked. Sprinkle with salt to enhance the flavor of the bread.
How To Make Honey Garlic Hummus
Prepare the ingredients: Drain the chickpeas and save about 1/4 cup of the liquid, then mince the garlic into small pieces. Set everything out on the counter so it’s ready to go.
Start blending: Add the chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and minced garlic to a blender or food processor, start by pulsing to break up the larger ingredients, then blend until the mixture looks thick, creamy, and well combined.
Fine-tune the texture: With the blender running, slowly add a splash of the reserved chickpea liquid at a time until the hummus reaches a smooth, scoopable consistency that holds up well on a pita chip. The amount you use will depend on your ingredients so use your best judgement.
Taste and adjust: Give the hummus a taste and adjust as needed by adding a little more honey for sweetness, garlic for bold flavor, or salt to bring everything into balance. Remember that the flavor also develops a bit as it sits in the fridge.
Prep the pita chips: Preheat the oven to 300F, then slice the pita rounds into wedges and arrange them in a single, even layer on a baking sheet.
Bake until just right: Lightly brush the pita wedges with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake for 7 to 10 minutes, checking often so they toast evenly and don’t over-crisp.
Serve and enjoy: Spoon the hummus into a serving bowl and serve it with the warm pita chips and fresh vegetables for dipping. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Start with a powerful blender because smoother hummus comes from fully breaking down the chickpeas, not just adding more oil or liquid.
Blend longer than you think because an extra 30 to 60 seconds breaks down the chickpeas more fully and creates a noticeably creamier texture.
Add liquid gradually to keep control over the consistency and prevent the hummus from becoming loose too quickly.
Scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor so everything blends evenly and avoids dense pockets of garlic or tahini.
Warm the pita slightly before baking to help it toast more evenly and prevent overly dry edges in the oven.
Use a lined baking sheet to keep the pita from sticking and to get even browning without needing extra oil.
Rotate the pan halfway through baking so the pita chips toast evenly, especially in ovens with hot spots.
Watch closely near the end since pita chips can go from perfectly golden to too dark in under a minute.
Let the hummus rest briefly after blending to allow the texture to thicken slightly and the flavors to settle.
Store before serving if prepping ahead because chilling firms up the hummus and makes it easier to scoop cleanly when serving.
Ways To Customize
Use roasted garlic instead of raw garlic for a deeper, sweeter flavor that blends smoothly into the hummus.
Swap half of the honey for maple syrup to create a rich sweetness with warm, caramel notes.
Replace a small portion of the olive oil with toasted sesame oil to amplify the nutty tahini flavor.
Add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice for a brighter, sharper hummus that pairs well with vegetables.
Substitute part of the chickpeas with white beans for a more texture and a more delicate, creamy finish.
Blend in smoked paprika or ground cumin to add warmth and subtle smokiness without overpowering the honey and garlic.
Top with a drizzle of chili oil for a sweet-heat contrast.
Fold in Greek yogurt for a lighter, slightly tangy version that feels extra smooth and dip-able but with more protein.
Serve the hummus warm instead of chilled to highlight the garlic and honey and create a more restaurant-style dip.
Finish with flaky sea salt and olive oil to give the hummus a polished presentation.
What To Serve With Hummus
Pita chips
Warm pita bread
Crackers
Pretzels
Cucumber slices
Carrot sticks
Bell pepper strips
Cherry tomatoes
Sugar snap peas
Roasted vegetables
Grilled chicken skewers
Falafel
Flatbread
Naan
Olives
Grilled shrimp
Turkey or chicken wraps
Grain bowls
Sandwiches
Storage Instructions
Store the hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will keep well for up to 4 to 5 days. Before serving, give it a quick stir and add a small drizzle of olive oil if it thickens slightly as it chills. Freezing is not recommended for this hummus because the tahini and olive oil can separate once thawed, leaving the texture grainy and watery instead of smooth and scoopable.
FAQ
Why does my hummus taste bitter even though I followed the recipe?
Bitterness usually comes from tahini that hasn’t been stirred well or olive oil that’s past its prime. Mixing tahini thoroughly before measuring and using fresh olive oil makes a noticeable difference which is why it’s important to check expiration dates and use quality ingredients for hummus.
Can I make this hummus without a high-powered blender?
Yes, but blending longer and stopping to scrape the sides helps break down the chickpeas more fully. A food processor works well, though the texture may be slightly more rustic.
How do I fix hummus that’s too thick after chilling?
Cold temperatures firm up the fats, so letting it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes and stirring in a tablespoon of chickpea liquid or olive oil brings it back to a creamy consistency.
Is raw garlic too strong in hummus?
Raw garlic mellows as it blends and rests, but adding it directly to the lemon juice helps soften its flavor. If the garlic flavor is too strong, you can roast it first or use garlic powder instead.
More Easy Dip Recipes
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Honey Garlic Hummus
Simple and classic Honey Garlic Hummus you can make at home using your blender. Paired with toasted pita chips for the perfect snack.
Ingredients
Chickpeas (15 ounce can), drained but save about 1/4 cup of liquid
1/4 cup tahini
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon local honey
1 teaspoon salt ( or more if desired)
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
Pita bread
olive oil
salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients, minus the reserved chickpea juie) to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- If you would like the texture less thick then add a little chickpea water and blend again and repeat until desired thickness.
- Taste test and add more honey, salt or garlic as you desire.
- Pita Chips: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cut pita bread rounds into half, then half again and then half again so you have triangles.
- Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brish with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.
- Place baking sheet in the oven for 7-10 minutes until you get desired crispiness. (I like mine a little softer so I won’t keep them in as long.)
- Serve hummus with pita chips and vegetables. Enjoy!!
Notes
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