The Best Creamy Hummus Recipe (Easy 5-Minute Recipe)

Hi, I’m Hannah! For years, hummus was a weekly staple on my grocery list. I loved it as a healthy snack, but I was often disappointed by the store-bought tubs—they were either bland, gritty, or had a strange aftertaste. I assumed making it from scratch was complicated, until I tried it. The ‘good habit’ of taking five minutes to blend a few simple ingredients completely changed my snacking game. This Easy Creamy Hummus Recipe is the result of that discovery. It is unbelievably smooth, packed with bright, fresh flavor, and I promise you, once you make it yourself, you will never go back to the store-bought stuff again.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Hummus Recipe

• Ready in 5 Minutes: This is not a drill! With a good blender or food processor, you can create silky, smooth hummus from scratch in about five minutes.
• Incredibly Creamy & Smooth: We use one simple secret trick to get rid of any graininess and achieve a whipped, restaurant-quality texture.
• So Much More Flavorful: Homemade hummus has a bright, fresh, and zesty flavor from fresh lemon and garlic that store-bought versions simply can’t match.
• Healthy & Budget-Friendly: Made with simple, whole-food ingredients like chickpeas and tahini, it’s packed with plant-based protein and fiber. Plus, making it at home is far more economical.

The Simple Ingredients for the Best Hummus

The secret to great hummus is using good quality, simple ingredients.

• Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans): Canned chickpeas are the key to this being a 5-minute recipe. They work perfectly!
• Tahini: This is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, and it is non-negotiable for authentic hummus flavor. Look for a good quality brand that is smooth and runny, not stiff and separated.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential. It provides the bright, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the tahini. Do not use bottled juice!
• Garlic: A fresh clove of garlic adds that necessary pungent, savory kick.
• Ice Water: This is our secret ingredient! A few tablespoons of ice-cold water help to whip the hummus into an incredibly light and creamy texture.
• Olive Oil: A little bit goes into the hummus itself for flavor, and a generous drizzle on top is a classic finishing touch.
• Salt: Crucial for bringing all the flavors together.

How to Make Hummus from Scratch

You are just a few simple steps away from the creamiest hummus of your life. The full, detailed recipe is in the recipe card below.

1. Prep the Garlic & Lemon: A great ‘good habit’ is to first blend your garlic and lemon juice together for a few seconds. This mellows the harsh bite of the raw garlic and infuses the lemon juice.
2. Add Tahini: Add the tahini to the blender and blend again until it’s smooth and creamy.
3. The Main Event: Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas, olive oil, and salt. Blend on high speed for a full minute or two until it starts to get very smooth.
4. The Secret to Creaminess: While the blender is running, stream in a few tablespoons of ice-cold water. You will see the hummus magically transform, becoming lighter in color and incredibly smooth and whipped.
5. Serve: Scrape your Creamy Hummus Recipe into a bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create a beautiful swirl, drizzle with good olive oil, and garnish as you wish.

Tips for the Best Creamy Hummus Recipe

• The Ice Water Trick: I cannot overstate how much this changes the game. Don’t just use tap water. Adding 2-3 tablespoons of ice-cold water while the machine is running is the #1 secret to getting that ultra-whipped and smooth texture.
• Run Your Blender Longer Than You Think: Don’t just blend until it’s combined. Let your food processor or blender run for a solid 2-4 minutes. This extended blending time is what breaks everything down into a silky-smooth puree.
• Use Good Tahini: The quality of your tahini will make or break your hummus. Look for a brand that is made from just 100% sesame seeds. It should be smooth, pourable, and not overly bitter.
• The Chickpea Skin Debate (My Take): Some recipes insist you must peel every single chickpea. In my opinion, it is not worth the time! If you use a powerful blender and follow the ice water trick, you will get a beautifully creamy result without this tedious step. This is an easy ‘good habit’ recipe, after all!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• My hummus is too thick. How do I fix it?
  That’s an easy fix! With the blender running, just stream in one more tablespoon of ice water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
• What should I serve with hummus?
  The possibilities are endless! It’s fantastic with fresh pita bread, pita chips, or crunchy crackers. For a healthy, low-carb option, serve it with a platter of fresh vegetables like cucumber slices, carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, and broccoli florets.
• How long does homemade hummus last?
  Store your homemade hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week.
• Can I add other flavors to this Creamy Hummus Recipe?
  Absolutely! This is a perfect base recipe. For roasted red pepper hummus, add a few jarred roasted red peppers. For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne or a chipotle pepper. For a green version, add a big handful of fresh spinach or cilantro.

Ways to Use Your Homemade Hummus

• As a topping for my Easy Healthy Greek Chicken Bowls.
• As a healthy spread on a sandwich or wrap.
• As a dip for a platter of fresh veggies and crackers.

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The Best Creamy Hummus Recipe

Easy Creamy Hummus Recipe! It's made from scratch in just 5 minutes and is unbelievably smooth and flavorful. 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Equipment

• Food Processor or High-Speed Blender
• Spatula

Ingredients

  

• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from 1 large lemon
• 1/4 cup well-stirred tahini
• 1 small clove garlic minced
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2-4 tbsp ice water
• For garnish: a drizzle of olive oil a sprinkle of paprika or sumac

Instructions

 

• Blend Garlic & Lemon: In the bowl of a food processor or a high-speed blender, combine the lemon juice and minced garlic. Process for about 30 seconds until the garlic is finely pureed. Let it sit for 1 minute to mellow the garlic flavor.
• Add Tahini: Add the tahini to the food processor and blend for 1 minute until it becomes a thick, creamy paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Add Chickpeas: Add the rinsed and drained chickpeas, olive oil, and salt to the bowl. Blend continuously for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until the mixture is thick and fairly smooth.
• Add Ice Water: With the food processor running, slowly stream in 2 tablespoons of ice water. Watch as the hummus becomes much lighter, fluffier, and smoother. Continue blending for another 1-2 minutes. If it’s still too thick, add another 1-2 tablespoons of ice water until you reach your desired consistency.
• Serve: Taste and adjust for salt if needed. Scrape the hummus into a serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create a decorative swirl on top. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika. Serve with your favorite dippers.