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    You Are Here: Home → Appetizers

    Pesto Hummus

    March 10, 2022 | Updated September 10, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

    257 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pita bread dipping in white bowl of hummus with pesto
    pesto hummus in white bowl with veggies on plate
    overhead shot of white bowl of pesto hummus

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    This pesto hummus recipe is super creamy and kicked up a notch by you guessed it - pesto. It works great as a dip or spread.

    overhead shot of white bowl of pesto hummus

    Who doesn't love a dipping vehicle, whether it is something a little more healthy like white bean hummus or loaded with cheese like beer cheese dip or smoked queso.

    To be honest, hummus is a go-to of mine when it comes to easy and healthy appetizers. While you can buy at the store, where is the fun in that?

    And with that in mind, I like to mix and match flavors. With my favorite sauce of all time being pesto, I thought it would be a tasty addition and I wasn't disappointed.

    This pesto hummus has the traditional ingredients, but you just add some pesto, whether it is store-bought or homemade. Either way, everyone will love it!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Photos
    • FAQs
    • Best Pesto
    • What to Eat with Hummus
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Appetizer Recipes
    • Pesto Hummus
    pesto hummus in white bowl with veggies on plate

    Ingredient Notes

    • Chickpeas - the base bean for most hummus recipes. You can also use white beans.
    • Lemon - adds some brightness/acidity that is needed to offset some of the fat.
    • Pesto - I personally like to use homemade pesto, but you can also use store-bought.
    • Tahini - creates a smooth texture and adds flavor.
    • Olive oil - thins out the hummus slightly and adds fat.

    Step-by-Step Photos

    Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.

    process shots of how to make pesto hummus

    Add all ingredients to food processor and puree until smooth. Add the reserved chickpea water if you need it to reach desired consistency.

    FAQs

    Is Hummus Good for You?

    Hummus is naturally high in good fat because of its sesame seeds (tahini) and olive oil. It is also low in carbohydrates and is a good source of protein and fiber.

    Can I Use a Different Bean?

    Yes. While I prefer chickpeas, there are 4 types of white beans and all work well as a substitute.

    Can I Make Without Tahini?

    Yes. Just use 2 additional tablespoon of olive oil in place of it.

    Do I Have to Make My Own Hummus?

    While this recipe is simple you can easily just mix in ¼ cup of pesto in 16 oz of premade hummus.

    How Long Will It Last?

    This hummus will last 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Best Pesto

    While store-bought works just fine, I like to make my own for this pesto hummus recipe. I have quite a few varieties, from kale pistachio pesto to almond basil pesto.

    Traditional pesto consists of basil, garlic, pine nuts, coarse salt, Parmesan cheese and blended with olive oil. The great thing is you can really mix and match the herbs and nuts.

    You can also control the amount of oil, whether you want it a little thicker or thinner. I tend to like my pesto a little thicker so I don’t put as much olive oil in my pesto recipes as others.

    Herbs/Greens to Use in Pesto: Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, Mint, Sage, Kale, Spinach, Arugula

    Nuts/Seeds to Use in Pesto: Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Pecans, Almonds, Walnuts, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sesame Seeds

    What to Eat with Hummus

    You can dip almost anything in this pesto hummus and it will taste great. Some dip options include:

    • Pita bread
    • Chips - pita chips, pretzels, rice crackers, etc...
    • Fresh vegetables - carrots, red peppers, celery, cucumbers, broccoli, etc...

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • Use a food processor, not a blender to make the hummus. The wider base is just better for homemade hummus.
    • While store-bought bottles can be quite convenient, they lack in flavor compared to the real thing. It really isn't that much extra work to freshly squeeze the lemon and you'll notice a difference in flavor.
    • Use quality tahini and olive oil as it lends to the flavor of the hummus.
    • Reserve the liquid from the canned chickpeas and use in place of water to get the consistency you want.
    pita bread dipping in white bowl of hummus with pesto

    Other Appetizer Recipes

    • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
    • Cheddar Cheese Fondue
    • Rosemary Hummus
    • Homemade Guacamole

    If you’ve tried this pesto hummus recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    overhead shot of white bowl of pesto hummus
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Pesto Hummus

    This pesto hummus is super creamy and kicked up a notch by you guessed it - pesto.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Middle Eastern
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 182kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • 1 (15 oz can) chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 lemon, juiced
    • ½ cup pesto
    • ¼ cup tahini
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to food processor. Puree to make smooth, about 45 second to 1 minute. Add reserved chickpea water if needed to reach desired consistency. I usually add about 2-3 tbsp. Serve immediately or store in fridge until ready.

    Notes

    • Use a food processor, not a blender to make the hummus. The wider base is just better for homemade hummus.
    • While store-bought bottles can be quite convenient, they lack in flavor compared to the real thing. It really isn't that much extra work to freshly squeeze the lemon and you'll notice a difference in flavor.
    • Use quality tahini and olive oil as it lends to the flavor of the hummus.
    • Reserve the liquid from the canned chickpeas and use in place of water to get the consistency you want.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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