Easy Oil-Free Hummus Recipe

Meet your snacking soulmate: oil-free hummus! This recipe nails the classic dish without any added oil with pure goodness in every bite.
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A bowl of oil-free hummus garnished with chickpeas.
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Making your own oil-free hummus is quick, easy, and will save you loads of money over time (especially if you eat hummus as frequently as I do). I’ve stopped buying tubs of hummus at the store for the most part and instead will whip up a batch in my food processor whenever I need more. This homemade hummus recipe will truly change your mind about buying pre-made packages.

Hummus is traditionally made with a huge amount of olive oil—something like a ¼ cup! Today I’m excited to share a classic hummus recipe that is just as good but without any added olive oil. (If chickpeas are not your thing, make sure to check out this white bean hummus recipe!)

A plate with hummus, pita, and cucumbers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Step into a world of wholesome indulgence with our oil-free hummus, where flavor meets fitness in every delicious scoop. This recipe transcends the ordinary, crafting a velvety hummus that’s light on calories but heavy on satisfaction.

Whether you’re a health enthusiast or a taste connoisseur, this hummus promises a satisfying journey for your taste buds, making every bite a celebration of plant-based protein goodness. Get ready to redefine your hummus experience and savor the delicious liberation of oil-free delight!

A bowl of hummus garnished with chickpeas.

Ingredient Notes And Substitutions

Unlock the secret to a flavorful classic with oil-free hummus, where a handful of simple ingredients harmonize effortlessly in the blender. Tahini, chickpeas, lime juice, and more come together in a perfect blend, proving that you can achieve deliciousness without a trace of oil.

Tahini: This luscious sesame paste infuses this hummus with a creamy richness. Consider substituting with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a unique flavor twist.

Lime Juice: Zesty and tangy, lime juice elevates this hummus with a refreshing kick.

Chickpeas: The foundation of hummus, chickpeas deliver a silky texture and offer nutty undertones. If you don’t have chickpeas, cannellini beans can be substituted for a milder flavor.

Chickpea Brine: Also known as aquafaba, this liquid contributes to a light and fluffy consistency, without the need for oil.

Garlic: A powerhouse ingredient, garlic adds a robust and savory flavor to the hummus.

Salt: Enhancing the overall flavor profile, salt is a fundamental element in perfecting the hummus taste.

Cumin: This earthy and warm spice complements the hummus, adding depth and complexity to the flavor profile.

Key ingredients for oil-free hummus with labels.

How To Make This Oil-Free Hummus

Making hummus is the easiest! With just a few simple steps, you’ll be on your way to this oil-free version.

Add the tahini and lime juice to a food processor or high-powered blender. Process for one minute.

Chickpeas, spices, salt, and garlic in a food processor.

Add the chickpeas, aquafaba, garlic, salt, and cumin and blend until smooth. This should take about a minute.

Hummus, blended in a food processor.

Serve immediately, garnishing with olive oil, paprika, whole chickpeas, and chopped parsley, if desired.

My dad has been making homemade hummus since I was a little kid, so he joined me to make a video showing how to make it! Enjoy! 

Many thanks to my dad, Joel Cehn, for joining me in this video! If you want to see more videos with my dad, you can check out our “Dad Makes His First Tofu Scramble” recipe video here

How To Store

This hummus tastes best served at room temperature. However, storing this oil-free hummus is easy if needed. Just transfer to an airtight container, refrigerate, and consume within 4-5 days!

Flavor Variations

  • Roasted red pepper hummus: Add roasted red pepper to a smoky and slightly sweet flavor.
  • Olive hummus: Blend 1/4 cup of pitted black or green olives into your hummus for a briny and savory flavor.
  • Caramelized onion hummus: Mix in caramelized onions for a sweet and savory hummus perfect for dipping veggies or spreading on sandwiches.
  • Sun-dried tomato hummus: Fold in chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a rich, tangy flavor.
  • Spicy jalapeño hummus: Incorporate diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.

Perfect Pairings For This Homemade Hummus Recipe

In all honesty, we think hummus is delicious with everything! But, if you’re rushing around and out of ideas, here are our all-time favorites. They’re all temptingly tasty and fun.

  • Break Out the Bread: Super soft pita bread, sliced seeded bread, and breadsticks are the best. Any or all of these would work well with this mouthwatering hummus. This vegan bread guide is a great resource!
  • Tons of Tortillas: You don’t have to stick with flour tortillas to go with this recipe. Try corn tortillas or tortilla chips of all shapes and sizes. So satisfying!
  • Vats of Veggies: Pretty much any bite-sized vegetable would be yummy with this beany dip. You can choose traditional choices like baby carrots, broccoli, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and peppers, but how about out-of-the-box vegetables such as thinly sliced radishes, chunks of red onion, or cool jicama as well?
  • Don’t Forget the Fruits!: Yes, it may seem slightly strange to include fruits, but some types actually go great with this savory recipe. Try strawberries, pear or peach slices, dates, dried apricots, or apples?
A bowl of hummus with cucumbers and pita.

More Yummy Chickpea Recipes

Got an abundance of chickpeas? Try these other excellent recipes:

  • Crispy and flavorful these Roasted Chickpeas are the perfect savory guilt-free snack or crunchy topping for salads and bowls. Prefer something sweeter? Try this Sweet Roasted Chickpeas instead!
  • A plant-based twist on a classic, this Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad swaps out fish for hearty chickpeas, creating a satisfying and protein-packed lunch.
  • Indulged in a velvety Hummus Pasta adorned with the rich flavors of sun-dried tomatoes for a rich and creamy lunch or dinner!
  • This hearty and comforting Chickpea Noodle Soup is a delicious and wholesome alternative to traditional chicken noodle soup.
  • Love chickpeas as much as we do? Dive into our Ultimate Chickpea Guide with cooking tips, recipes, and some unexpected ways to use chickpeas!
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Oil-Free Hummus Recipe

Author: Michelle Cehn | World of Vegan
5 from 8 votes
This oil-free hummus recipe is delicious with pita chips, on toasted bread, in wraps, or scooped up with carrots and other chopped veggies. Enjoy!
A bowl of oil-free hummus garnished with chickpeas.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • ½ cup tahini
  • juice of one lime
  • 2 cans chickpeas, aka garbanzo beans
  • ¼ cup chickpea brine, aka aquafaba
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • salt to taste, about 1 teaspoon
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • olive oil, paprika, and chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • In a food processor (ideal) or high-powered blender (such as a Vitamix), add the tahini and lime juice and blend together for one minute.
  • Add the remaining ingredients (chickpeas, chickpea brine, garlic, salt, and cumin) and blend until creamy (at least one full minute).
  • Plate in a serving bowl and using a spoon, spread some waves in the hummus. Drizzle with olive oil (optional) and garnish with paprika and chopped parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe is made without added oil in the hummus, although of course there is some oil in the tahini, even though it’s just ground up sesame seeds!
  • Tip: If your tahini isn’t very “drippy,” you can add a few extra tablespoons of aquafaba (chickpea brine) as needed to get a smoother consistency.

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 100mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.03g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
Course — Side
Cuisine — Middle Eastern
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5 from 8 votes

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Recipe Rating




10 comments
  1. Tonya Perry says:

    Thank you so much I have been having so much trouble trying to figure out what to eat but you got me and I thank you

  2. Sarah Koller says:

    5 stars
    I have tried other oil-free hummus recipes, and I don’t usually like them as much as the typical oil-laden versions. This one is perfect and my new go-to for homemade hummus.

  3. 5 stars
    Hummus is super easy to make, I used to buy it until I made it once and realized how much I could save in amount made and money 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    Love it!!!! This hummus looks sooo good!!

  5. Beatriz Buono-Core says:

    5 stars
    This oil-free hummus is a staple in our house! The perfect snack for three hungry boys 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    The best hummus you’ll ever try! I always wondered why you needed to add oil in (and, sometimes, on top) of hummus. Without the oil, it tastes just as good…or even better! The tahini and garlic gives the recipe juts the right flavor, texture and richness. SOOOO good. Don’t just take my word for it. Make it today! 😀

  7. 5 stars
    I have made this many times and it is delicious. No oil needed, at all, and it is not missed. This hummus is creamy and rich and is so much better than any I have ever purchased. I like to sprinkle parsley and smoked paprika on the top for a colorful presentation and some added flavor. I am a big garlic lover and the 2 cloves of raw garlic works for me!!

  8. 5 stars
    This made me wonder why I ever dumped so much oil in my hummus before! This is JUST as good! Yum.

  9. 5 stars
    This hummus recipe is so easy and delicious! I’m big on adding a bit of roasted garlic to mine.

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