Hummus With Sesame Oil

Written by
Saad Fayed
A restaurateur and food writer, Saad Fayed has published hundreds of recipes and articles about Middle Eastern cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Saad Fayed
Updated 10/02/19
Hummus with sesame oil

The Spruce 
  • Total: 10 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 4 Servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
454 Calories
21g Fat
53g Carbs
16g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 Servings
Amount per serving
Calories 454
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 28%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 167mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 53g 19%
Dietary Fiber 10g 35%
Protein 16g
Calcium 117mg 9%
*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.)

Traditional hummus recipes include tahini (sesame paste,) but it's possible to substitute it with sesame oil instead. Some people find tahini to have too strong of a flavor and children, especially, sometimes dislike the subtle bitter undertones of it. But using sesame oil is a good alternative for giving hummus its creamy texture without the unwanted tahini.

Ingredients

  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (or garbanzo beans, rinsed, drained and towel dried)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (peeled and crushed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons water (warm)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for hummus
    The Spruce 

  2. In a food processor, blend the chickpeas, lemon juice, and olive oil. Add the garlic, cumin, salt and black pepper, then the sesame oil and water.

    Blend chickpeas
    The Spruce 

  3. Blend until you have a smooth paste.

    Blend until you have a smooth paste
    The Spruce 

  4. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water if mixture is too dry for your liking.

    Add water
    The Spruce 

  5. Serve warm or at room temperature with fresh vegetables or pita bread for dipping.

    Serve warm
    The Spruce 

  6. Enjoy!

What Is Hummus?

Hummus (the Arabic word for chickpea) is a dip or spread that is made from chickpeas along with lemon juice, spices and, often, tahini. If you see a hummus recipe that calls for garbanzo beans, it's only that garbanzo is the Spanish translation of chickpea. In Italian they're called cece beans.
Hummus is one of the oldest foods dating back to ancient Egypt and we know that chickpeas were used quite frequently over 7,000 years ago.

Serving Hummus as an Appetizer

Hummus makes a delicious and much healthier alternative to chips and creamy dip. Serve your family's favorite type of hummus or a large variety of hummus flavors with hot pita bread wedges, homemade crispy pita chips and fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, broccoli and cauliflower. Or try one of these appetizer ideas with hummus.

Be sure to sprinkle a bit of red pepper flakes, paprika (try smoked paprika for an amazing flavor twist) or ground cumin on top to add a little color. And don't forget to add a glug of good extra virgin olive oil to the top.

Hummus Recipes

If you've sampled different hummus at either Middle Eastern restaurants or people's homes, you've seen that flavors can vary widely. Whether you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, more lemon or more spice, making your own hummus is a good way to control the ingredients and create exactly the taste you want. So don't be afraid to get creative in the kitchen and find the exact perfect hummus that you and your family will love.