Easy Vegan Baba Ganoush Hummus

By
Jolinda Hackett
Jolinda Hackett
Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes.
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Updated on 01/8/22
Easy vegan baba ganoush eggplant hummus

Emily Hawkes for The Spruce

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
299 Calories
15g Fat
37g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 299
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 20%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 208mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 13%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 5mg 25%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 397mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Baba ganoush (or baba ghanouj) is a Middle Eastern spread and dip. It is similar to hummus but is made with eggplant instead of chickpeas (garbanzo beans).

This vegetarian and vegan recipe is particularly hummus-like since it uses some chickpeas for a thicker texture. Though adding chickpeas to baba ghanoush isn't necessarily traditional, it provides a little protein boost which is perfect for vegetarians and vegans, (or anyone on a high-protein diet). Most traditional Middle Eastern preparations use just eggplant mashed with spices, with or without tahini. Tahini is a paste made from toasted and ground sesame seeds, adding flavor but also fat.

This easy baba ghanoush recipe is vegetarian, vegan, and completely gluten free. For an even healthier version, you could also try a tahini-free and fat-free baba ganoush recipe.

1:26

Click Play to See This Easy Vegan Baba Ganoush Hummus Recipe Come Together

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant

  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

  • 3 tablespoons tahini

  • 1 dash sea salt

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for vegan baba ganoush eggplant hummus
    Emily Hawkes for The Spruce

  2. Slice the eggplant in half.

    Slice eggplant in half
    Emily Hawkes for The Spruce

  3. On a baking sheet, roast the eggplant in a 400 F oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until soft.

    Roast the eggplant
    Emily Hawkes for The Spruce

  4. Remove the eggplant from the oven and allow it to cool slightly, then scoop out inside of eggplant, leaving skin behind.

    Remove the eggplant
    Emily Hawkes for The Spruce

  5. In a blender or food processor, combine eggplant, chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and sea salt until smooth. The mixture will be somewhat thick. Slowly incorporate the olive oil until well mixed.

    Combine ingredients in food processor
    Emily Hawkes for The Spruce

  6. Mix in the optional fresh chopped parsley by hand.

    Mix in parsley
    Emily Hawkes for The Spruce

  7. Enjoy your homemade baba ghanoush hummus served with veggies, pita (or any other kind of flatbread), or as a sandwich spread. To serve, drizzle with a little bit of extra olive oil (use the best quality you have) and sprinkle with chili powder, paprika or cumin for a bit of color. Spread some baba ghanoush in a flour tortilla and add lettuce, tomatoes, and veggies for a vegan sandwich wrap.

Tips

  • Store your baba ganoush hummus in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will keep four to seven days in the refrigerator. Discard it if you detect an unpleasant odor or flavor or if you see any mold.
  • To keep it longer, you can freeze it. Place it in a storage container or bag and label it with the contents and date. It should maintain its quality for about four months. Plain eggplant doesn't freeze well, but the lemon and other ingredients in this hummus help it maintain stability in the freezer and when defrosted.

Roasting Eggplant

Traditionally, the eggplant should be roasted on an open flame, or at least on a grill, which gives baba ganoush a smoky flavor. You can grill the eggplant if you have a grill handy. Roasting it in an oven, as in this recipe, will also work, but you won't get that smoky element. Like hummus, there's not really a wrong way to make baba ganoush.