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    Home / Recipes / Sauces, Dips & Dressings

    Easy Basil Hummus Recipe

    Published: Jul 15, 2025 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Fresh basil hummus is vibrant and infused with fresh basil from the garden.  This basil hummus recipe is simple and tastes better than any store-bought hummus. So dip, dip away, and enjoy!

    Fresh basil hummus recipe in a bowl on a plate with baby bell peppers and pita bread.

    We love hummus, and since the basil in my garden is growing like a weed, I decided to use it to make fresh basil hummus with 5 simple ingredients. If you haven't tried making hummus at home, try this basil hummus recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Making Hummus at Home vs. Store Bought Hummus
    • The Benefits of Chickpeas in Your Diet
    • Easy Basil Hummus Ingredients
    • Basil Hummus Recipe Ingredient Substitutions
    • How to Make Quick and Easy Basil Hummus
    • Serving Suggestions: What Do You Dip In Hummus?
    • Storing Homemade Hummus
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Tips
    • More Vegan Dips and Sauces to Try This Summer!
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Making Hummus at Home vs. Store Bought Hummus

    Most of the store-bought hummus I buy costs about $7.00 for the brands we like. And I don't know about you, but hummus only lasts for a short time in my house. Making homemade hummus at home costs half the amount of store-bought, and it's simple to make with only a few simple ingredients in under 5 minutes!

    And, you won't find fresh basil hummus flavor in your local grocery store.

    The Benefits of Chickpeas in Your Diet

    I am holding chickpeas in a bowl.

    Why should you eat chickpeas? They are pure plant protein. So, chickpeas are always a great answer if people ask where you get your protein.

    Chickpeas boast an impressive nutritional profile.

    They contain a moderate number of calories, providing 269 per cup (164 grams). Approximately 67% of these calories come from carbs, while the rest comes from protein and fat.

    Chickpeas also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as a decent amount of fiber and protein. A 1-cup (164-gram) serving of cooked chickpeas offers.

    • Calories: 269
    • Protein: 14.5 grams
    • Fat: 4 grams
    • Carbs: 45 grams
    • Fiber: 12.5 grams
    • Manganese: 74% of the Daily Value (DV)
    • Folate (vitamin B9): 71% of the DV
    • Copper: 64% of the DV
    • Iron: 26% of the DV
    • Zinc: 23% of the DV
    • Phosphorus: 22% of the DV
    • Magnesium: 19% of the DV
    • Thiamine: 16% of the DV
    • Vitamin B6: 13% of the DV
    • Selenium: 11% of the DV
    • Potassium: 10% of the DV

    Easy Basil Hummus Ingredients

    Recipe ingredients: chickpeas, basil, aquafaba, tahini, garlic, salt/pepper, and lemon juice.
    • Chickpeas: I used organic canned chickpeas, but you can also soak dry chickpeas overnight and cook them if preferred.
    • Basil: I used fresh basil from my garden. For the best flavor, I suggest using fresh basil.
    • Aquafaba: Aquafaba is the liquid inside the chickpea can. Drain the chickpeas, but reserve the fluid to add to the hummus. I use aquafaba instead of oil in my hummus.
    • Tahini: Tahini is made from hulled sesame seeds.
    • Garlic: I prefer using fresh garlic cloves when making hummus for the best flavor.
    • Salt/Pepper: A pinch of salt and pepper enhance the flavor of the other ingredients in the basil hummus recipe.
    • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds brightness to the hummus.

    Basil Hummus Recipe Ingredient Substitutions

    • Instead of chickpeas, use white beans.
    • Enjoy the basil hummus without tahini; double the amount of aquafaba, and skip the tahini.
    • Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch if necessary.

    How to Make Quick and Easy Basil Hummus

    The hummus is mixed in a food processor.

    You only need a food processor or a high-speed blender to make this simple basil hummus!

    • I used a 10-cup food processor with a large blade, but you can also use a blender.
    • First, drain the chickpeas, but reserve the aquafaba (liquid in the can) for the hummus recipe.
    • Add the chickpeas and the remaining ingredients to the food processor.
    • I suggest adding the tahini last because it tends to be sticky, and you don't want it to stick to the bottom of the food processor cup.
    • Turn the food processor on high for 2 minutes.
    • Stop the food processor, and using a spatula, scrape the sides down and turn it on again for another two minutes.
    basil hummus recipe ina bowl garnished with fresh basil leaves.

    Serving Suggestions: What Do You Dip In Hummus?

    Hummus and tabbouleh wrapped in a tortilla on a plate.
    • I served the basil hummus with whole-grain pita wedges and baby bell peppers.
    • Turning baby bell peppers into scoop chips. Cut the ends, slice them lengthwise, and remove the seeds and veins. These are the healthiest scoop chips around!
    • Serve the basil dip in a bowl with veggies, or add it to your favorite wrap sandwich.
    • Add it to vegan grilled cheese.
    • You can use the basil hummus as the base for hummus salad dressing.
    • Try it as a pasta sauce.
    • Or, use it as a base for vegan flatbread pizza.

    Storing Homemade Hummus

    Basil hummus in a bowl served with pita bread and baby bell peppers.

    Because homemade hummus does not contain preservatives, it lasts less time than our typical store-bought hummus.

    • Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
    • But trust me, it won't last that long!

    Recipe FAQs

    Is it worth it to make your own hummus?

    Store-bought flavor and texture disappointments aside, the math in favor of making my own hummus is reason enough. (Put simply: it's cheaper.) Learning to make hummus is easy, delicious, and well worth it. You can get very serious about making hummus from scratch

    What can I use instead of tahini in hummus?

    If you feel adventurous, try replacing the tahini with an equal amount of peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, chopped roasted peppers, pitted olives, roasted beets, steamed sweet potato, avocado, or thawed frozen peas, to name just a few possibilities.

    Why is my homemade hummus bitter?

    You've most likely added too much tahini. Also, make sure that the tahini you have is hulled instead of unhulled. Hulled tahini means the bitter husks outside the sesame seed have been removed before blending.

    Tips

    • If soaking dried chickpeas, make sure you cover them with water and let them soak overnight; then, cook them.
    • Don't forget to reserve the aquafaba when using canned chickpeas.
    • Don't have chickpeas? Try white beans instead.
    • Double the aquafaba and skip the tahini for fat-free hummus.
    • Remember, homemade hummus stays fresh for 7 days in the refrigerator.
    • Does freezing hummus ruin it? Hummus freezes well for about four months. The longer you freeze hummus, the more likely it is to change flavor and texture. If you have a lot of hummus to freeze but want to thaw it out in small amounts, use several freezer bags to divide it. Place your desired amount in the bag and press out as much air as possible.

    If you love summer fresh basil and hummus, this basil hummus recipe is for you!

    More Vegan Dips and Sauces to Try This Summer!

    • Jicama Fries Recipe
      Jicama Fries
    • maple dijon dressing recipe
      Simple Vegan Maple Dijon Dressing
    • Simple Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing
    • white bean dip recipe
      Vegan White Bean Dip

    If you love this basil hummus recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Basil hummus recipe

    Basil Hummus Recipe

    Kathy Carmichael
    Fresh basil hummus is vibrant and infused with fresh basil from the garden.  This basil hummus recipe is simple and tastes better than any store-bought hummus. So dip, dip away, and enjoy!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Sauces, Dips & Dressings
    Cuisine American, Mediterranean
    Servings 8
    Calories 50 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 15 ounce can Chickpeas drained; reserve the aquafaba (fluid in the can of chickpeas)
    • 2 cups fresh basil (generously packed cups)
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • ¼ cup aquafaba
    • ¼ cup tahini
    • 1 lemon juiced
    • 1 pinch salt and pepper

    Instructions
     

    • I used a 10-cup food processor with a large blade, but you can also use a blender.
    • First, drain the chickpeas, but reserve the aquafaba (liquid in the can) for the hummus recipe.
    • Add the chickpeas and the remaining ingredients to the food processor.
    • I suggest adding the tahini last because it tends to be sticky, and you don't want it to stick to the bottom of the food processor cup.
    • Turn the food processor on high for 2 minutes.
    • Stop the food processor, and using a spatula, scrape the sides down and turn it on again for another two minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    • If soaking dried chickpeas, cover them with water and let them soak overnight; then, cook them.
    • Don't forget to reserve the aquafaba when using canned chickpeas.
    • Don't have chickpeas? Try white beans instead.
    • Double the aquafaba and skip the tahini for fat-free hummus.
    • Remember, homemade hummus stays fresh for 7 days in the refrigerator.
    • Does freezing hummus ruin it? Hummus freezes well for about four months. The longer you freeze hummus, the more likely it is to change flavor and texture. If you have a lot of hummus to freeze but want to thaw it out in small amounts, use several freezer bags to divide it. Place your desired amount in the bag and press out as much air as possible.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 50kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.4mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 3 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sandie B

      August 05, 2025 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      Never would think to put basil with Hummus? BUT its so good and SO FANCY! I may never buy store bought again 😉

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        August 06, 2025 at 4:42 am

        Hi Sandi! I literally had basil growing out of my garden, so I thought, Why not? It's one of our favorites, and it's different than any flavor you can buy at the store. Try it as a sandwc=ich spread. It is divine. I have also used it as a layer in lasagna. Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it.

        Reply
    2. Charlie

      May 23, 2024 at 8:37 am

      5 stars
      Love hummus

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        May 23, 2024 at 12:39 pm

        Charlie, I love hummus, too. I hope you enjoyed the recipe.

        Reply
    3. Renee

      May 22, 2024 at 6:16 am

      5 stars
      This looks delicious! Can't wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        May 22, 2024 at 1:54 pm

        Hi Renee, it's so easy and delicious; you won't waste money on store-bought hummus anymore.

        Reply

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