If you’re a hummus fan looking to shake things up this season, I’ve got a treat for you. The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe is my go-to fall snack that’s creamy, flavorful, and just a little bit unexpected. It’s that perfect blend of savory and subtly sweet with a hint of spice, and once you try it, I promise you’ll be hooked. Let me walk you through every step so you can nail this easy and delicious dip at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple: You just blend everything together—no cooking required, which is perfect for busy days.
- Unique Flavor Twist: The pumpkin adds a creamy sweetness that takes your usual hummus to a delicious new level.
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Whether for snacks or entertaining, it pairs beautifully with pita, veggies, or crackers.
- Perfectly Balanced Spice: The chili and spices add warmth without overpowering the pumpkin’s natural flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
When I first made The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe, I was amazed at how a handful of simple ingredients work together to create such a flavorful bowl. Here’s what you’ll want to grab, along with my shopping tips for the best results.
- Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas work great—just rinse them well for a smoother blend.
- Pumpkin puree: Use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best natural flavor.
- Tahini: This sesame paste adds richness and depth, so don’t skip it.
- Olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds silkiness and helps bring everything together.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled can work in a pinch to brighten the flavors.
- Chili powder: Adds that lovely warm spice—adjust to taste if you like it milder or more robust.
- Garlic powder: Gives a nice mellow garlic flavor without the harshness of fresh cloves.
- Onion powder: Rounds out the flavor and adds subtle depth.
- Dark brown sugar: Just a touch to enhance the pumpkin’s sweetness without being overpowering.
- Salt: Essential to balance all those flavors and bring out the best in each ingredient.
Variations
This recipe is truly a blank canvas, so I love experimenting with little tweaks depending on my mood or what’s in the pantry. Feel free to customize The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe to make it your own.
- Spicy Kick: I once added a pinch of cayenne pepper for some extra heat, and my family went crazy for the bold flavor.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley or cilantro stirred in at the end brightens the dip wonderfully for a fresh contrast.
- Swap Tahini: If you don’t have tahini, sunflower seed butter makes a tasty alternative, especially if you have sesame allergies.
- Maple Syrup: For a sweeter twist, I swapped the brown sugar with maple syrup, adding a lovely autumnal note.
How to Make The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients
Before you start, make sure you’ve rinsed your chickpeas well—that’s a little trick I learned to keep the hummus smooth and prevent it from tasting too canned. Fresh lemon juice will elevate the flavor, so squeeze it right before blending. Have all your spices measured out because this recipe comes together fast once you start.
Step 2: Blend Everything Until Silky Smooth
Pop all the ingredients into your food processor—chickpeas, pumpkin puree, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, spices, brown sugar, and salt. Start blending on low and gradually increase speed. I love stopping halfway to scrape down the sides so nothing’s left unblended. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. The key here is patience: keep blending until the texture is creamy and completely smooth. If it feels too thick, add a teaspoon of water or olive oil to loosen it up.
Step 3: Taste and Adjust
Now comes the fun part—give it a taste! I usually add a little extra salt or lemon juice if it needs a brightness kick. Trust your taste buds here; every batch can vary depending on your pumpkin’s sweetness and chickpeas. If it’s slightly less sweet, add a pinch more brown sugar. If you want more heat, sprinkle in a touch more chili powder.
Step 4: Serve and Garnish
Transfer your pumpkin hummus to a pretty bowl and garnish it with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of chili powder or smoked paprika. Sometimes I throw on a few toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch or chopped fresh herbs for color. Serve it right away with grilled pita bread, fresh veggies, or your favorite crackers.
Pro Tips for Making The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
- Rinse Chickpeas Thoroughly: I discovered this trick when I noticed my hummus tasted a bit metallic—rinsing removes that can flavor and makes for a cleaner taste.
- Slow and Steady Blending: Let your processor run a few minutes for ultra-smooth texture; rushing this step can leave it gritty.
- Balance Your Flavors: Don’t be afraid to tweak lemon, salt, or sugar after blending—each batch can surprise you.
- Use Good Olive Oil: It makes a subtle but noticeable difference in creaminess and flavor, trust me on this!
How to Serve The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish mine with a simple drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of chili powder or smoked paprika for a pop of color and warmth. Sometimes I toss on some toasted pumpkin seeds or chopped parsley for crunch and freshness. These extras make it look as good as it tastes, especially when you’re serving guests.
Side Dishes
I love pairing this pumpkin hummus with warm grilled pita bread, crunchy carrot sticks, sliced cucumbers, or radishes. For a heartier snack, baby bell peppers stuffed with the hummus are a family favorite. It also works great alongside a crisp fall salad or roasted vegetables.
Creative Ways to Present
For fall parties, I like to serve The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe in a hollowed-out mini pumpkin or a rustic bread bowl. It always impresses guests and brings that festive vibe to the table. Adding a few colorful autumn leaves or edible flowers nearby takes it to the next level for special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where the pumpkin hummus stays fresh and creamy for up to 4-5 days. Stir it gently before serving again—you might notice the flavors meld and actually taste even better the next day!
Freezing
Freezing pumpkin hummus isn’t my first go-to, but if you want to stash some away, do it in a freezer-safe container with a tight lid. When thawed overnight in the fridge, it may firm up slightly, so just give it a good stir or add a drizzle of olive oil to bring back that creamy texture.
Reheating
I prefer to enjoy this hummus at room temperature or chilled. If you want it warmer, just let it sit out for 20 minutes to soften, or microwave briefly on low power in short bursts, stirring in between to avoid drying out.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
Absolutely! If you have fresh pumpkin, just roast it until soft and puree it until smooth. Make sure it’s cooked well and drained of excess moisture for the best texture in The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe.
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Is this hummus recipe gluten-free and vegan?
Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free and vegan, making it a great snack option for many dietary preferences.
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How spicy is The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe?
The chili powder adds gentle warmth without overwhelming heat, but you can always adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less.
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Can I make this pumpkin hummus ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, making it a few hours or even a day in advance allows the flavors to develop beautifully, making it taste even better.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how The BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe transforms the classic dip into something cozy and seasonal without any fuss. It’s become my family’s snack-time superstar and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at get-togethers. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy how that creamy pumpkin blends with chickpeas and spices to create a comforting, crave-worthy treat. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your rotation all fall long.
PrintThe BEST Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This vibrant and creamy Pumpkin Hummus blends the earthiness of pumpkin puree with traditional hummus ingredients, creating a perfect seasonal dip. It’s flavored with warm spices like chili powder and garlic, balanced with a hint of sweetness from dark brown sugar, making it ideal for serving with pita, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Hummus Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpeas
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the chickpeas, pumpkin puree, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dark brown sugar, and salt into a food processor.
- Blend Until Smooth: Process all ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Transfer and Garnish: Spoon the pumpkin hummus into a small bowl. Optionally garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of chili powder, or fresh herbs for presentation.
- Serve: Serve the pumpkin hummus chilled or at room temperature alongside grilled pita bread, crackers, and fresh vegetables for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed, for convenience.
- Adjust spices to taste, adding more chili powder for extra heat or more lemon juice for brightness.
- This hummus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a smoother texture, peel the chickpeas before blending.
- If pumpkin puree is unavailable, you can use canned pumpkin specifically labeled as puree.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: approximately ⅙ of the recipe (about ⅓ cup)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2.5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg