Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is the festive version of everyone's favorite classic hummus recipe. The distinct color and zingy flavor makes red pepper hummus perfect for every occasion! This hummus recipe uses pressure cooked chickpeas or canned chickpeas.
Calling all hummus lovers! If you know how to make hummus in its classic form, you're one simple step away from making roasted red pepper hummus. Adding roasted peppers to hummus gives it that gorgeous red-orange color and zesty flavor with a hint of smokiness. Red pepper hummus goes from healthy snack to party food with a simple costume change!
Roasted red pepper hummus ingredients
* see recipe amounts below
- chickpeas (canned or cooked from scratch)
- roasted red bell peppers
- sesame tahini
- lemon
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh garlic
- paprika
- cumin
- salt
Is red pepper hummus spicy?
No...this hummus recipe is not spicy as long as you use a sweet paprika as opposed to a spicy one. If you're not sure which one you have, you can leave the paprika out entirely, especially if you're making it for kids.
If you want it spicy, you can add cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or fresh hot peppers in small amounts of course 😂 so you don't end up 😭.
What are roasted red peppers?
Roasted red peppers are exactly that. They are sweet red peppers that have been roasted and canned. They are one of my favorite brined pantry ingredients.
Until I read this short article on Fine Cooking, I thought they were solely make with red bell peppers, but there are other pepper varieties used in this product. Not matter which ones you use, roasted red peppers add so much flavor and color to sandwiches, salads...and dips like hummus!
How to make roasted red pepper hummus
If you know how to make classic hummus, red pepper hummus is as simple as adding roasted red peppers to the food processor with all of the regular hummus ingredients. Just remember to drain excess juice from the peppers.
Pro tip: Chop some extra roasted red pepper pieces and fold them into the blended hummus or scoop over the top as a garnish. This adds texture, color, and even more flavor!
Cooked chickpeas are better than canned
This is certainly a matter of opinion, but I'm a believer that chickpeas cooked from scratch (as opposed to canned beans) are creamier, sweeter, and nuttier...the way they're supposed to taste. Canned chickpeas certainly have their place and they work great for this recipe, but if you want to cook beans from scratch without soaking first, I have two methods:
What to eat with hummus
As an appetizer or snack
- spread on crackers
- as a dip for tortilla chips
- raw vegetables
As a spread or condiment
- inside veggie wraps
- as a spread for crostini
- as a sandwich spread like my Vegan Veggie Sandwich
- falafel pita spread
Recommended Tools
- Instant Pot pressure cooker (if cooking beans from scratch)
- 7-cup food processor (or high-speed blender)
- Microplane (to zest the lemon)
- food processor spatula
Mostly healthy dip recipes
- Classic Homemade Hummus
- Greek Yogurt French Onion Dip
- Loaded Black Bean Dip
- Herb Artichoke White Bean Dip
- Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
- Hummus Without Tahini
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Chickpeas (drained, reserve juice) cooked from scratch or 15oz can
- 8 oz Roasted Red Bell Peppers drained
- 1/4 cup Sesame Tahini
- 1 Lemon zested and juiced
- 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic chopped
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
RECIPE VIDEO
Recipe Instructions
- To the food processor, add CHICKPEAS, ROASTED RED PEPPERS, TAHINI, LEMON ZEST, LEMON JUICE, OLIVE OIL, GARLIC, PAPRIKA, CUMIN, and SALT. *See recipe footnotes to cook chickpeas in the Instant Pot
- Turn on food processor and add the reserved CHICKPEA JUICE through the top to adjust hummus consistency. This is where you make it the exact consistency you want.
- Blend ingredients 3-5 minutes until creamy, stopping and scraping the sides as needed. *Pro tip: longer blending time = creamier hummus.
- Refrigerate hummus in an airtight container up to five days.
- Serve chilled garnished with drizzled olive oil, diced roasted red peppers, chickpeas, and paprika.
RECIPE NOTES
- next to peanut butter or cooking oils in conventional grocery store
- in the regional cuisine section in conventional grocery store
- international grocery stores
- buy online via thrive market or amazon
- Add 1 cup DRIED CHICKPEAS + 4 cups WATER + 1/4 tsp SALT to the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid, set pressure valve to “sealing”.
- Pressure cook on HIGH for 30 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release.
- Safely release excess steam (if any) by carefully turning pressure release valve to “venting".
- After you open the lid, test the chickpeas to make sure they're soft enough to easily smash between your fingers. Ideally, the skins are starting to fall off (softer beans = creamier hummus). Not all chickpeas cook equally depending on their age, so if they need more time, repeat pressure cook process in 5 minute intervals until they've softened enough.
- If not making hummus immediately, store chickpeas in their juice in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days. When it's time to drain them, keep the juice for the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Made this and it's officially AMAZING!!! I did not know about lemon zest in hummus, what a perfect call my friend! I added a 1/4 tsp cayenne and 1/4 cup of garbonzo juice and 2 tbsp cream in a blender....seriously the best hummus I've ever had...well done!
Awesommmme! I'm soooo glad you found your new fav hummus recipe 🙂 I love your add-ins 😋 Thanks for the review...much appreciated 💚
First time I have made hummus. Brought it to our Labor Day picnic. Everyone gave it 5 stars. I added the oil that I drained from from the peppers with the small amount of water left from cooking the beans. Added all that to the blender a little at a time while checking for the right consistency. Then I blended for a long time. But it was super creamy! Thanks for all the tips along with a great recipe.
You are so welcome, Cindy and I'm glad it was a hit 🤩 Thanks so much for the feedback...I appreciate you taking the time 💚
I made this and it is amazing! Better than ANY hummus we have ever eaten before.
Hi Rahul, so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback. We kinda feel the same way about this hummus recipe 😉
Everyone loved it and wiped the bowl clean! Thank you for this yummy recipe
Awesome, Priya! Glad to hear it...can't go wrong with red pepper hummus 🤩
This is just the hummus that I have been looking for. It will work so well with my favorite dishes. Yum!
Thanks, Mahy! Glad to hear it 🤩
I am in love with hummus, and this version looks amazing! Bookmarked for later, thanks for the recipe!!
Great, Cathleen! So glad to hear it 🥰
I am never tired of trying a new recipe for hummus! I love your recipe and cannot wait to give it a try!
Awesome, Irina! So glad you can enjoy this one!
This is one of my favourite hummus' to make - so much flavour.
Awesome, Danni! Glad you like! Can't go wrong with roasted red pepper hummus for any occasion 🤩
I love hummus as a snack and haven't tried making this flavor! Excited to have this for a snack or lunch soon!
Awesome Vicky! Glad you can enjoy this recipe...thanks! 🙂
I love roasted bell peppers, but never thought to put them in hummus. What a great idea! Their sweet flavor really enhances the hummus. I love Mezzetta too! My whole pantry is filled with their olives, pepperoncini and jalapenos! Need to try their roasted peppers!
Thanks, Lisa 🙂 Glad you can enjoy your hummus with roasted red peppers...it's my favvvvv 🤩
I love hummus! This roasted red pepper flavor is a favorite! Love that I can make it at home!
Thanks Taylor! Yes, roasted red pepper hummus is hands down my favorite way to eat it 🙂
This is such an amazing dip!! A new favorite at my house!
Awesome, Toni! So glad your family can enjoy this one 🤩
This hummus is incredible! I love that the ingredients are so simple, and it makes for a really great snack!
Thanks Jessica! Lovvvvve hearing that...we're pretty crazy about it ourselves 😉