This homemade spicy hummus recipe is loaded with flavor and has just the right amount of heat. Bring this crowd-pleaser to a party or enjoy it as a snack. This healthy dip is creamy, smooth, and even better than store-bought hummus!
Say goodbye to subpar store-bought hummus – this deliciously spicy and creamy hummus is incredibly easy to whip up right at home! Traditional hummus is a popular spread used in Middle Eastern cuisine and is made using chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, oil, and spices. This recipe kicks your classic hummus up a notch with the addition of jalapenos and a cherry pepper relish topping to make the most mouthwatering spicy hummus dip!
This easy hummus recipe has a great balance of spice and flavor, but if you want it to be more or less spicy you can always alter the balance to fit your individual tastes. It’s totally customizable.
Serve up this hummus on a mezze platter, as an appetizer, or even a sandwich spread. Pair it with pita bread, an assortment of fresh vegetables, falafel, kabobs, and more. This dip will have everyone talking at your next gathering, it’s always the hit of the party! It also makes a perfect healthy midday snack.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Hummus Recipe
- It’s quick and easy to make. It will be ready to eat in 10 minutes or less.
- This hummus is fresh, smooth, and creamy. It’s so much tastier than store-bought!
- Make this hummus ahead of time for stress-free entertaining to serve on game day or as a party appetizer
- Easily double or triple the batch if you’re feeding a crowd.
Homemade Spicy Hummus Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this spicy homemade hummus recipe
Garbanzo Beans – this is the main ingredient in hummus. This recipe uses canned garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas. This saves so much time but feel free to cook your own dry garbanzo beans if you want.
Tahini – tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and is the key ingredient to an authentic hummus. A good quality raw tahini gives this hummus a smooth texture and adds to the depth of flavor.
Lemon Juice – squeeze the lemon juice yourself for the freshest and brightest flavor.
Olive Oil – good quality extra virgin olive oil adds to the creaminess of the hummus
Garlic – Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
Jarred Jalapenos – the jalapenos are what gives this hummus the majority of its spice!
Spices – smoked paprika and cumin make this hummus extra flavorful and delicious.
Water – Water is added at the end of this recipe to thin out the mixture and create a smooth and fluffy hummus. Nobody wants a thick, pasty hummus.
Cherry Pepper Relish – do not skip this cherry pepper relish! It’s used as a topping and adds a ton of delicious flavor and spice to this hummus. Sometimes the grocery store carries this relish premade in jars, but the homemade version is the best. It only takes a few minutes to make, I promise you won’t regret it!
How to Make Homemade Spicy Hummus Step-by-Step
Below is a list of visual instructions. Full instructions with the exact ingredients and measurements will be on the recipe card at the end of this post.
Step 1 – Add tahini sesame paste and fresh lemon juice to the bowl of a food processor and process for 1 minute. This gives the tahini a whipped texture.
Step 2 – Add olive oil, spices, and garlic to the bowl and process for another 30 seconds.
Step 3 – Strain and rinse the canned chickpeas and add them to the bowl of the food processor, blend for a couple of minutes. Add 1/4 cup of cold water and blend for another minute or two until it’s ultra-creamy.
Step 5 – Add jalapenos to the bowl and process for a few minutes until silky smooth. Adjust for taste, if you want it spicier you can add more jalapenos.
Step 6 – Spoon your hummus into a bowl and top with spicy cherry pepper relish topping. Serve with fresh veggies, pita chips, or warm pita bread.
Additions and Substitutions
Less Spicy Hummus – Substitute the hot cherry pepper relish with diced roasted red peppers.
Spicier Hummus – Substitute the jalapenos with hot chili peppers like serrano peppers or habanero pepper. You could also try adding hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper to your hummus to kick it up a notch.
Smokier Hummus – Substitute the jalapenos for chipotle pepper in adobo
Nuttier Flavor – Substitute the olive oil with sesame oil for an extra nutty flavor.
No Fresh Garlic? You can use jarred minced garlic or a half teaspoon of garlic powder in place of fresh garlic, but this may change the overall flavor of your hummus.
Expert Tips
- The secret to a smooth hummus is the order in which you add the ingredients so be sure not to add them to the food processor all at once. Follow the steps to ensure a creamy and smooth hummus.
- Tahini is a must-use ingredient if you’re looking to create an authentic hummus but not all tahini is created equal. The tahini available in the US varies widely in flavor. A bad tahini can ruin your hummus. The best-tasting tahini comes from Ethiopian sesame seeds. My favorite brand is Soom. It has an earthy nutty flavor with very little bitterness, perfect for making hummus!
- Don’t rush the hummus-making process, let the food processor run for 4 to 5 minutes if you want a smooth and delicious hummus. If it’s still not the consistency you want add a little more water to the mixture and process again until you have the desired consistency you’re looking for.
What do you eat spicy hummus with?
This spicy hummus goes well with a variety of different foods. My favorite things to eat with this hummus are pita bread, pita chips, tortilla chips, cucumbers, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, radishes, falafel, kabobs, and more. You really can’t go wrong. Try it with all your favorite veggies or even add it to sandwiches!
What is the best substitute for tahini in hummus?
If you want to make spicy hummus without tahini, your best substitute would be mild nut butter like cashew butter or almond butter. You could also use Sunflower seed butter as a tahini substitute. Keep in mind that these will alter the flavor of the hummus.
How do I store homemade hummus?
Store your homemade spicy hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for 3-4 days. Keep in mind the shelf life of hummus is greatly reduced if it doesn’t remain chilled. Once you’re done eating your hummus, don’t let it sit out, stick the leftovers back in the refrigerator to prolong its life.
Can I freeze homemade hummus?
Yes, hummus can be frozen. Freeze your spicy hummus (without the topping) in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and stir before serving. Add fresh cherry pepper topping when you’re ready to eat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Middle Eastern countries where hummus was originally created, it is traditionally served warm or at room temperature. However, In the United States, it is typically served cold.
Hummus is a very healthy snack especially if you’re eating it with vegetables. It’s a good source of fiber and has beneficial vitamins and minerals, such as manganese, copper, folate, and iron. It may even help to reduce inflammation in the body and promote heart health and healthy blood sugar levels.
Raw or roasted tahini are both delicious in hummus. This is truly a personal preference. If you want a milder-tasting tahini for your hummus go for raw but if you like that nutty earthy flavor opt for roasted.
If you make this homemade spicy hummus recipe, be sure to leave a comment, give a rating, or share on Instagram! Don’t forget to tag me, I love looking through photos of the recipes you make!
Spicy Hummus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can Garbonzo Beans
- 1/4 cup Tahini Paste
- 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 cup Jarred Sliced Jalapenos
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Cherry Pepper Relish Topping
Instructions
- Add tahini and lemon juice to the bowl of your food processor and blend for about a minute until smooth.
- Add garlic, spices, salt, and oil and blend for another 30 seconds.
- Strain and rinse your garbonzo beans and add to the food processor blend for another minute.
- Add water and blend for 3-4 minutes until hummus is smooth. If it's still not as smooth as you would like, feel free to add another tablespoon of water.
- Add the jalapenos and blend another 30 seconds or so.
- Place hummus in a bowl and add the cherry pepper relish topping, enjoy!