This loaded hummus recipe takes your favorite store-bought hummus up a notch with roasted lemons and olives! Start with plain hummus and transform it into an elevated appetizer or snack perfect for dinner parties, holidays, and entertaining, thanks to the addition of flavorful toppings.
Have you ever wondered how to jazz up or dress up your hummus and make it look as fancy as the kind you get at restaurants? If so, you’re in the right spot! I’ll teach you all my tips and tricks for plating hummus and enhancing its flavor, whether you’re using homemade or store-bought varieties.
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For this recipe, we roast lemons, garlic, fresh lemon thyme, and olives in olive oil. This creates a caramelized topping full of briny, herbaceous flavor that’s mildly sweet with vibrant notes of acidity. Spooned over hummus, the mixture adds incredible depth to the flavor and lots of texture.
When served on a plate, the dish looks like it came from a five-star restaurant, but it’s actually really simple to make. Enjoy your hummus with toppings alone, or add the dish to an appetizer table with Mushroom Puff Pastry Bites and Boiled Shrimp. No matter what, it never disappoints!
What's great about this recipe
What is hummus?
Hummus is a dip or spread made with chickpeas. You can find many different varieties. Traditional Middle Eastern versions typically feature lemon, tahini, and garlic, creating a smooth consistency and savory, slightly nutty flavor.
However, you will find slight variations depending on the region. You can also use the chickpea base to create flavor variations with beets, peas, beans, and roasted red peppers. You can even find dessert hummus options with chocolate and pumpkin!
Allergens:
Sesame, Legumes (chickpeas)
Ingredients
In this recipe, we will start with a classic hummus - either homemade or store-bought-and show you how to "dress it up" with various toppings. These additions will not only enhance the flavor but also transform the presentation, turning a simple dip into an eye-catching and delicious appetizer. One you could impress your guests with or just upgrade your snack game, this combo of toppings will help you create a restaurant-style hummus right in your own kitchen.
- Hummus - You can definitely make your own. However, if you’re on a time crunch, store-bought options work great. I've got some favorite brands for different budgets: Zahav Foods for a gourmet experience, Cava for a solid option, or Trader Joe's organic hummus for a budget-friendly choice that doesn't skimp on flavor. These usually come in 8 to 10-ounce containers. Remember, hummus is our canvas here, so choose one you love.
- Olive Oil - Choose a high-quality olive oil.
- Lemon - Cut this into wedges or slices, whatever you like best!
- Garlic - For the best flavor, use whole cloves and crush and roughly chop them yourself.
- Thyme - I really like using lemon thyme in this recipe. However, if you can’t find it regular thyme works well, too. Luckily, my husband grows it in our house garden. So, we always have fresh herbs on hand!
- Olives - I like Kalamata olives or a mixture of varieties. Whatever you like best will taste great! I use pitted varieties to make eating easy, but that’s also up to you.
- Sumac - This adds a nice tangy, slightly earthy flavor that pairs well with hummus.
How to make and add toppings to hummus
- In an oven-safe dish, add olive oil, lemon, thyme, garlic, and olives.
- Roast in a preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes.
- Add hummus to a plate or shallow bowl. Using the back of the spoon, spread the hummus, creating a small "well" in the center.
- Sprinkle with sumac, and add roasted olive oil and lemon mixture to the center.
How to plate hummus
Sure, you can just spoon your hummus onto a bowl or plate and dump the toppings over it. However, for this fancy hummus, we’re taking things up a notch, creating a restaurant-worthy presentation.
To do so, transfer your hummus to a serving plate or platter. Then, use the back of a spoon to spread it out in a circle, creating a dip in the center for the toppings. Spoon the toppings in the center, and enjoy!
What to look for in a ready-made hummus
When it comes to buying store-bought hummus, I like to look for high-quality brands made with minimal ingredients. Avoid options with additives or gums, and steer clear of funky or processed oils. Instead, opt for pre-made hummus with oils like olive oil or avocado oil.
Also, be sure to avoid options with any ingredients that may pose allergy concerns, such as nuts or dairy, if preparing for someone with food allergies. When making fancy hummus, choose plain flavors that pair well with a variety of toppings.
What is the Best/Healthiest Store-Bought Hummus?
The best hummus is a divisive subject that depends on a lot of factors, including whether or not the dip is homemade, flavor preferences, and priorities in terms of ingredient quality.
Personally, I think the best options are made with high-quality, clean ingredients. I also look for options that are peanut-free due to my kid's allergy needs. Some of my favorite brands include:
- Kirkland Organic Hummus - It comes in small containers that are great for packing for lunch or school.
- Trader Joe’s Organic Hummus - The ingredients are clean, and the price point is budget-friendly.
- Cava - a delicious, restaurant quality option.
- Zahav - This is a pricier option but has very good ingredients. It’s the same hummus recipe served at the James Beard award-winning Israeli restaurant Zahav in Philadelphia! For now, I believe it’s only available on the East Coast at various Whole Foods.
What to serve with hummus
I like to serve hummus as a dip with options like:
- Pita Bread
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Jicama
- Pita Chips
- Crackers
- Snap Peas
However, you can also use it to add flavor to protein sources, salads, and bowls!
FAQ
Delicious appetizers and side dishes
Looking for other dips, appetizers, or side dish recipes? Try these:
Pairings
Here are some of the dishes that make a great pairing with dressed-up hummus:
Dressed up hummus
Ingredients
- 8 oz - 10 oz container plain hummus
- 1 lemon, cut into slices or wedges
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed and roughly chopped
- 3 sprigs thyme or lemon thyme
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, drained
- 1 teaspoon sumac, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉ (200℃).
- In an oven safe dish, combine olive oil, lemon slices, thyme, garlic, and olives.
- Roast for 15 minutes, or until lemons and garlic are lightly browned. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Spread ready made hummus on a plate or a in a shallow bowl. Using the back of the spoon, create a wave design or circular swoosh, leaving a well in the center.
- Sprinkle with sumac and spoon the roasted olive oil and lemon mixture into the center.
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