If you're a fan of bold flavors and crave an extra kick in your favorite dips, this delicious spicy hummus recipe is for you. Creamy and luscious, this homemade dip is a true game-changer for snack time. By combining chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and chipotle peppers, we create an easy 10-minute hummus dip that's the perfect pairing for pita chips, veggies, or sandwiches.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you easy and delicious recipes every week!
As much as I love my smoky hummus, sometimes I want hummus with a spicy kick. I love the smoky spiciness of chipotle chiles, and they get star billing in this spicy hummus recipe.
Not only is it much cheaper than store-bought hummus, but it also tastes so much better, with fresh and zippy flavors, and it doesn't contain preservatives.
If you've got 10 minutes to spare, whip up this savory dip today and serve it as an appetizer or snack, or as part of your party spread.
Jump to:
⭐️ Why This Hummus is the Best
- Creamy, spicy, smoky, nutty, and garlicky homemade spicy hummus
- Better than store-bought hummus and more budget-friendly
- Easy snack or appetizer that's protein-rich, high in fiber, no preservatives, naturally vegan/dairy-free, gluten-free, a good source of healthy fats and nutrients, like iron, potassium, and calcium.
- Quick hummus recipe that uses simple ingredients and is ready in 10 minutes
- Versatile snack that can also be used as a condiment or salad dressing
🤔 What is Hummus?
Hummus is a versatile Middle Eastern dip or spread that has become popular for its creamy texture and zippy flavor. It is made primarily from cooked and mashed chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and tahini. The addition of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil adds layers of tanginess and richness to the mixture.
Hummus is often seasoned with various spices, such as cumin, paprika, or cayenne, and is traditionally garnished with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
This versatile dip serves as a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, where it's enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or a complement to dishes like falafel or grilled meats.
🧄 Ingredient Notes
- Chickpeas - Aka "garbanzo beans", chickpeas have a softer texture and therefore turn creamy when mashed or pureed, making them perfect for hummus. I use canned chickpeas to make this recipe super easy, but you can also use dried beans (see "Hummus Substitutions" below for instructions).
- Tahini - A Middle Eastern paste made from ground sesame seeds that provides nutty flavor. You can usually find this creamy paste next to peanut butter on grocery store shelves. Because it's a natural seed butter, it's full of healthy fats, high in protein, and includes a variety of nutrients.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce - Canned jalapeño chiles that add a smoky and spicy flavor to dishes, like my chicken chipotle enchiladas.
- Garlic - For the best flavor, use fresh garlic. However, jarred garlic can be used as well.
- Fresh lemon juice - Using fresh lemon juice adds bright flavor and complements the rich tahini paste.
- Ice cold water - Adding cold water to hummus creates a fluffy and smooth texture.
- Extra-virgin olive oil - Since hummus is just a handful of ingredients, I recommend using a high-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Fresh parsley - Gives hummus a fresh herby flavor
🌶️ Hummus Variations & Substitutions
- Hummus without tahini: Almond butter or cashew butter can be used as a substitute if you don't like tahini or have an allergy.
- White beans. You can substitute (cooked) white beans for the chickpeas for a similarly creamy texture.
- Jalapeño. Substitute 1-2 (seeded and roughly chopped) jalapeño peppers for the chipotle peppers. Or, to replicate the smoky and spicy flavor, use roasted jalapeños.
- Dried beans. You can totally use dried beans in place of canned beans. Just be sure to cook them according to package instructions before adding to hummus (they usually need to cook for 1-1 ½ hours).
🥄 How to Make This Spicy Hummus Recipe
In a food processor, blend the chickpeas until a chunky mixture forms. Scrape down sides of bowl, and add tahini paste, chipotle peppers, garlic, lemon, juice, and salt.
With machine running, slowly pour in ½ cup cold water and continue to blend until a smooth and creamy texture is created. It may be necessary to stop, scrape down sides of bowl again, and continue processing for another minute or so. Taste and add additional salt if necessary.
To serve, spread the hummus in a bowl, drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
👩🏼🍳 Expert Tips
- Storage: Store hummus in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- How to freeze: Transfer hummus to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight, and give it a quick whirl in a food processor before serving.
- Choose your consistency. One of the great things about homemade hummus is that you can make it to your liking. If you want it thinner, add more water or just keep blending until you reach your desired consistency.
- Double it. This hummus recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a party or game night!
- For extra-smooth hummus: (This is not a necessary step, but it's an option if you want extra-smooth and creamy hummus.) Place canned chickpeas in a medium saucepan with ¼ teaspoon baking soda, cover with water, and simmer (covered) for 15 minutes.
- Taste and season accordingly. Taste your hummus and add more chipotle peppers for additional spice, more salt or lemon juice if needed, etc. Season it to your taste preference.
🥕 How to Serve Spicy Hummus
Serve your chipotle hummus as a dip with raw veggies like cherry tomatoes, sliced carrots, or cucumber.
Pair it with pita wedges, crackers, or any other flatbread like naan.
Use it as a wrap or sandwich spread using ciabatta sandwich rolls.
Thin it out with a bit of water (add 1 tbsp. at a time until you've reached your desired consistency) and drizzle it on salads, like my quinoa tabbouli salad.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
This hummus is made spicy using chipotle chiles in adobo, which gives it a smoky and spicy flavor. Tahini, garlic, chickpeas, and lemon juice are also used for flavor and texture.
If you don't have chipotle chiles available, you can also substitute jalapeño peppers, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes.
Honestly, hummus tastes good at any temperature, and is often served warm in Middle Eastern countries. You can serve it chilled, at room temperature, or warmed up for a delicious snack.
🍽 Related Recipes
Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.
Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a FREE e-book of 20 vegetarian recipes, and get new recipes delivered to your inbox every week!
Spicy Hummus Recipe (10 minutes)
Equipment
- 1 Food processor
Ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained
- ½ cup tahini paste
- 3 Tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, roughly chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup ice cold water
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, for serving
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend the chickpeas until a chunky mixture forms. Scrape down sides of bowl, and add tahini paste, chipotle peppers, garlic, lemon, juice, and salt.
- With machine running, slowly pour in ½ cup cold water and continue to blend until a smooth and creamy texture is created. It may be necessary to stop, scrape down sides of bowl again, and continue processing for another minute or so. Taste and add additional salt if necessary.
- To serve, spread the hummus in a bowl, drizzle generously with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Storage: Store hummus in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- How to freeze: Transfer hummus to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight, and give it a quick whirl in a food processor before serving.
- Choose your consistency. One of the great things about homemade hummus is that you can make it to your liking. If you want it thinner, add more water or just keep blending until you reach your desired consistency.
Barb
This recipe looks so easy… and healthy!!
MaryAnne
I hope you give it a try! 😍
Michael
I haven’t tried it yet, but I really want to. …a little more time!
Jeannie
I made this hummus recipe yesterday and it was so easy and quick to make with my food processor. I added some red chili peppers as I didn’t have the chipotle peppers in hand. I also made my own tahini which was so simple. The hummus is spicy with just the right amount of kick. I definitely recommend this recipe.
MaryAnne
So happy you enjoyed it, Jeannie! 😍 And I love that you made your own tahini!