What to Eat with Hummus (16 Quick Ideas)

Hummus is a deliciously versatile dish that has gained worldwide popularity. It is a mainstay in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.

It is a smooth, creamy dip or spread made mostly of cooked, mashed chickpeas, tahini (a sesame seed paste), olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic.

The word “hummus” literally translates to “chickpea paste” in Arabic, a nod to the dish’s main ingredient. Its silky texture and savory flavor make it a popular option for appetizers and main courses alike.

Just as important as making the hummus is picking the appropriate accompaniments for it. Foods that go well with hummus can enhance its flavor, add texture, and even boost the nutritional content of your meal.

Without question, hummus is a fantastic snack, so let’s explore some of the best ways to eat it.

Bread, crackers, and chips

One of the most traditional ways to enjoy some hummus is to have it with different bread and crackers. It is the perfect contrast to the smooth, creamy texture of hummus.

1. Flatbread

Since hummus is a Middle Eastern dish and is eaten widely throughout this region in countries Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey, the most popular type of bread they serve with hummus is pita bread.

You can find similar substitutes from other cuisines that go great with hummus like any Greek flatbread, Mexican tortilla, Indian naan, or roti (chapati), zataar manakesh (see below photo), Armenian lavash, or even Italian focaccia.

2. Crunchy snacks

If you don’t have any type of flatbreads, you can dip rice crackers, tortilla chips, toasted bread, baguette, breadsticks, pretzels, bagel chips, pita chips, or any other types of chips.

Basically, any crunchy bread that is hard enough to scoop up some hummus.

3. Pasta chips

Have you seen the latest craze over pasta chips? It has made everyone turn on their oven or air fryer to create crispy snacks out of any type of pasta.

Cook, season and bake them away. Unflavored or flavored they could be the trendiest thing you can dip into hummus. See for yourself below.

Vegetables

Vegetables are another great option to enjoy hummus. Not only are there different types of options, but they are also healthy for you. It’s a fun way to get kids to have more veggies too.

4. Raw vegetable sticks

Veggies and hummus are a match made in heaven. Any raw vegetables are fair game like carrot sticks, cucumber, kohlrabi (this is one of our favorite. Oh, so delicious…), celery, bell pepper, radishes, or snap peas. Even asparagus, broccoli, or cauliflower if you pre-cook them.

5. Roasted veggies

If you are looking for new ways to eat hummus with.

Try adding some roasted veggies on top like zucchini, eggplant, roasted asparagus, tomatoes, or mushrooms seasoned with Middle Eastern spice mixes like Za’atar, Ras el Hanout, or Baharat.

For a really hot & spicy variation, add harissa paste.

6. Veggie chips

Have you heard of beetroot chips or kale chips? You can certainly make them at home, but there are many brands that sell them.

Try these yummy lentil chips, these mixed root veggie chips (see below photo), or these kale chips.

Have you seen these colorful veggie straws? My kids love them too. These zucchini crisps would also be a unique addition to the mix.

7. Fries

You cannot imagine how good it is to dip deep-fried or baked crispy sweet potato sticks into creamy hummus until you try it. Here again salty and sweet make a perfect couple.

I have also tried it with seasoned potato fries, but you can experiment with other “fries” as well like zucchini fries, carrot or other root veggie fries, polenta fries, even crispy tofu sticks.

Proteins

Try pairing hummus with some plant-based proteins that will not only taste good but also fill you up.

8. Falafel

It is hard to say whether falafel or hummus is the most popular Middle Eastern recipe when it comes to using chickpeas as the main ingredient.

The good news is that falafel is often served with hummus, so you can really load up on chickpeas if you pair up these two. Switch falafel sauce for hummus in the below falafel sandwich or tzatziki sauce in falafel gyros and you will have a delicious grab-and-go lunch.

9. Shawarma

Shawarma or gyro meat are two typical toppings as well if you were to create a complete main course instead of serving hummus as an appetizer.

Let me show you a delicious meatless alternative. In the below photo you can see vegan gyros made from oyster mushrooms. It is incredibly flavorful and crispy.

10. Crispy tofu

Crispy tofu is another great dish to have with hummus that is also plant-based. You can easily make some baked tofu at home using six ingredients in just 30 minutes.

Season and marinate it how you like before enjoying it with some hummus. Trust me, this is one of the best proteins to enjoy with hummus.

Traditional toppings

Another great way to enjoy hummus is to top it off with some traditional toppings that are widely enjoyed in the Middle East. They not only enhance the flavor, but add a different texture to the dish.

11. Chickpeas

If you don’t use up all your chickpeas to make hummus, the leftovers can be a good topping alternative.

Even if you just add them unseasoned or get creative and roast them in the oven covered in Middle Eastern spice mixes like Za’atar, Ras el Hanout, or Baharat.

12. Freshly chopped parsley

If you go to an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant you will see two very typical decorations on hummus: freshly chopped parsley and smoked sweet paprika powder.

Look at this list of where to eat the best hummus around the world, most pictures show beautifully plated hummus with these toppings as well as cooked unseasoned chickpeas.

13. Toasted nuts

The most popular nuts in the Middle East are pistachios, walnuts, pine nuts, and almonds.

If you lightly toast them in a skillet oil-free, you give them a delicious flavor that goes perfectly with the creamy texture of hummus.

14. Pomegranate

Pomegranate seeds and pomegranate molasses are also very typical ingredients in Middle Eastern cuisine. They are the main ingredient to Fesenjan, the Persian walnut pomegranate stew, but also part of a typical Mediterranean grazing board. Aren’t they perfect toppings on this roasted red hummus below?

You have probably heard of Yotam Ottolenghi, the most popular chef creating delicious Middle Eastern dishes. He recommends eating hummus with pomegranate molasses and parsley salsa.

15. Olives

If you love olives, you’ll love them with hummus as well. They are staples in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern recipes. No wonder we added them to our hummus pizza.

16. Yogurt

Turkish yogurt is an essential part of their cuisine and as such, they are frequently used not only as a condiment but as a topping or ingredient.

Try to top your hummus with olives and yogurt or even feta, and you’ll see that they complement each other perfectly.

Unique serving ideas

The best thing about hummus is how versatile it is. Just when you thought we had covered all the things you could eat with hummus, there are more ways to enjoy it.

17. Fruits

You would be surprised how hummus and fruits are such a tasty combination. Try dried dates, figs, apricots, or fresh apple, pear, and strawberries.

Fruit is not only great served with chocolate dessert hummus (see below picture). There is something decadent in pairing sweet and salty things, don’t you think?

18. As a salad dressing

Turn your hummus into a creamy salad dressing to add flavor to any salad mix.

To thin out the hummus, whisk in a little water, lemon juice, or vinegar until it reaches the consistency you want. Season to taste with salt, pepper, or additional seasonings, and spread the hummus dressing over your salad.

Hummus recipes to try

Creamy Oil-free Hummus

Nandi Barta

This oil-free hummus is the smoothest, creamiest hummus you will ever come and is made without using any oil. Instead, we use aquafaba for the perfect consistency and texture. The best part is that you can make it from scratch in just 5 minutes.

Make this recipe

Sunflower Seed Hummus (Without Tahini)

Nandi Barta

This sunflower seed hummus recipe is hands down the best hummus without tahini out there. Roasted sunflower seeds or sunflower butter give the hummus a rich, nutty flavor that you will absolutely love. Trust me, you won't be able to get enough of this irresistible dip!

Make this recipe

Roasted Beet Hummus

Nandor Barta

Have you ever tried pink hummus? This roasted beet hummus recipe will give you the fluffiest and creamiest texture you could imagine. It is also quick to make since you need only 15 minutes to roast the beets, then 5 minutes to blend them together with the chickpeas, tahini and other ingredients.

Make this recipe

Mediterranean Hummus Pizza

Nandi Barta

Can you put hummus on pizza? Absolutely. Mediterranean ingredients like olives, feta cheese, cherry tomato, and fresh basil go perfectly with hummus pizza. You can try it now and make your regular pizza night a Mediterranean feast.

Make this recipe

Hummus Quesadilla (Without Cheese)

Nandi Barta

These hummus quesadillas are packed with mushroom, red bell pepper, and onion slices seasoned with fajita spice blend, black beans, and avocado. No cheese is needed, as hummus will be your sticky binder. It is easy to make and so flavorful.

Make this recipe

More vegan dip recipes