Smoky Hummus

This healthy smoky hummus recipe is a tasty spread that everyone will love. There’s a slight kick of spice, but not too much. It’s a perfect snack for crackers, air fryer tortilla chips, or serve it as a condiment on your favorite sandwiches, like black bean burgers.

Having a party? Serve this hummus alongside a tasty vegan cheese ball or some vegan pepperoni pizza dip.

A bowl of smoky chipotle hummus is surrounded by multi-grain crackers.

I love throwing parties. The thing I learned a long time ago is to make sure you make a lot of easy finger foods. This is important because if you spend your time making a bunch of complicated recipes, you’ll be so tired come party time, you won’t enjoy it. Focus on dishes that can be made the day before. That way you get to enjoy the party, too.

That’s one reason I love creating a simple hummus recipes, like this one!

What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • A sweet yellow onion is cooked in olive oil until tender, creating a subtle, savory onion flavor
  • Smoked paprika adds the perfect smoky flavor to this hummus
  • Soy sauce adds a dash of umami flavor, making every bite irresistibly delicious!

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Olive oil
  • Onion — I recommend using a yellow onion.
  • Garlic — You’ll need 1 to 2 cloves of garlic.
  • Chickpeas — I use a 15-ounce can for this recipe.
  • Tahini — This is a paste made from sesame seeds. You can find it in health food stores, in the international aisle, or online.
  • Lemon juice — Use freshly squeezed lemon juice or bottled.
  • Soy Sauce — If you have gluten sensitivity, you can substitute tamari, Bragg liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
  • Tobasco — A little splash of hot sauce adds a lot to this dip. I prefer Chipotle Tabasco, but any flavor of tabasco will do.
  • Smoked paprika — You can find smoked paprika in the spices aisle at most grocery stores or online.
  • Garnish — I like to add a drizzle of olive oil and black or white sesame seeds on top of the finished hummus.

How to Make Smoky Hummus

You can make this healthy smoky hummus in just 15 minutes!

  1. Cook onions and garlic in an oiled skillet until tender.
  2. Place the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and soy sauce in a blender or food processor and pulse until the beans are mostly smooth.
  3. Add the grilled onions and garlic (including oil if there’s any leftover in the skillet), tabasco, and paprika. Pulse until smooth.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. This dip can be frozen as well. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container where it can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Looking down on a bowl of creamy chickpea dip with black sesame seeds and olive oil over the top. It's surrounded by malt-grain crackers.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hummus with additional olive oil, tabasco and sesame seeds drizzled over the top. You can have any of the following on the side:

More Hummus Recipes

A bowl of creamy dip is topped with smoke sauce, black sesame seeds, and olive oil. It's surrounded by crackers.

Is Hummus Healthy?

Hummus delivers a healthy plant-based dose of both fiber and protein. Hummus delivers 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber in each delicious half-cup serving.

A hand reaches in with a cracker to dip into a bowl of hummus.
A bowl full of smoky chipotle hummus is surrounded by crackers.

Smoky Hummus

Chow down with this smoky hummus and get a great start on your fiber needs for the day while adding a little protein to your step as well.
5 from 1 vote
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 154kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup onion peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
  • 15 oz chickpeas rinsed and drained
  • ¼ cup tahini
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle tabasco
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until slightly translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and turn the heat off.
  • Place the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and soy sauce (or gluten-free alternative) in a blender or food processor. Pulse until the beans are mostly smooth. Remove the lid and push down any ingredients on the side of the bowl and pulse again.
  • Add the grilled onions and garlic (including oil if there's any leftover in the skillet), and the tabasco and paprika. Pulse until smooth.
  • Serve with additional olive oil, tabasco and sesame seeds drizzled over the top.

Recommended Equipment

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Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 5.8mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

This post was originally published in 2015 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2020.

8 Responses to Smoky Hummus

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyAmanda F Reply

    I made this for July 4th – I didn’t have Chipotle Tabasco but I used ground chipotle pepper in its place and it was still delicious! A hit at the party I brought it to.

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks so much Amanda for letting me know. So glad you liked it. And the fact that it was a hit at your party is a nice bonus too! 🙂

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyAnna Reply

    5 stars
    looks so good!! I love hummus 🙂

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Me too, Anna! 🙂

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyJeni Reply

    Love this hummus recipe! I love that you sautéed the onion and garlic before adding it to the food processor! And anything made with chipotle has to be really good!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks, Jeni. I just think cooking the onion and garlic a little bit can make a big difference!

  4. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyRachael @ La Fuji Mama Reply

    Love this post! I, for one, think that smoky chipotle SHOULD be the basic hummus recipe… And amen to fiber!!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks, Rachael! That makes two of us who are in the Smoky-Chipotle-Is-Basic-Hummus camp! 🙂

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