Are you wondering how to eat hummus? This creamy Mediterranean spread is perfect for dipping crudités like carrots and cucumbers, but it can also be used for so much more. Follow along and get inspired by our delicious suggestions!

If you love our How To Eat Hummus post, you will also love this Skordalia Dip, Authentic Tzatziki or Whipped Spicy Feta Dip!

How to eat hummus. Sliced carrots, pita breads, bowls of hummus and radishes on a table.

What is hummus

Hummus is a creamy dip made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. It can be found in grocery stores, but you can also make your own.
Hummus has its roots in the Middle East (hummus b’tahini) and is very popular and known all over the world. Thanks to its protein, fiber, and good fats, it is considered one of the healthiest snacks and is enjoyed from morning to night.
Fun fact: May 13th is International Hummus Day.

How to eat hummus

Hummus is great served as a dip with carrots or pita, but you can add so much more to enjoy it! Below are our favorite pairings for hummus. There is nothing like a huge hummus platter to enjoy with friends or as a light dinner option for the family.

Create a hummus platter

Fill two medium bowls with the dip and drizzle olive oil on both.

I like to have one bowl with classic hummus and another with a variation.

Bowls of hummus, with vegetables and herbs around them.

For example, my favorite taverna in Athens serves hummus topped with a tablespoon or two of diced smoked thick bacon, as shown here. It is delicious and gives a savory, lightly salty note to the dip.

Hummus can be mixed with sweet roasted peppers or spicy chilies for a kicking dip! Sprinkle it with za’atar or drizzle some harissa sauce. Try it with a pinch or two of smoked paprika. There are so many variations that you can make a different one each time you enjoy hummus.

Sliced carrots, pita breads, bowls of hummus and radishes on a table.

After you have settled on what variation of hummus you want for your platter, it is time to see to the rest of your items.

Slice up carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers, and add them to your platter.

Add radishes, snap peas, cauliflower, and broccoli florets if you like.

Greek pita bread, pita chips, Spanish tortas, crackers and crostini are all great for dipping. Small Greek rusks are also perfect.

Add small bowls with cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese cubes.

Close up of a plate with smoked fish, olives and radishes.

I also love hummus with smoked fish. I add slices of smoked trout or haddock and salty anchovies. Have you tried a cracker with hummus topped with an anchovy?

Other items to add to your hummus platter would be small Greek meatballs, crispy fried eggplant, and zucchini slices. A hearty tabbouleh salad and a couple of falafel take it back to its Middle Eastern roots. For a crunch, add toasted pine nuts on top of your hummus.

Other ideas for hummus

Make hummus bowls. Fill them with a couple of heaping tablespoons of hummus, rice, or orzo, a chicken skewer (or two), crunchy veggies, olives, and pita for dipping.

Serve it as a major component of a dish. Spread a generous amount of hummus on a plate. On top, place roasted vegetables like briam, sprinkle feta crumbles, roasted chickpeas, and pomegranate arils, and drizzle olive oil on top.

A plate with hummus, on top roasted carrots, feta cheese and chickpeas.

Create pita sandwiches. Slice a Lebanese pita open. Fill it with hummus, diced feta, tomato slices, cucumbers, olives, sliced salami, onion slices, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Use it as a spread. We make a beloved feta and tomato sandwich. Instead of whipped feta, we spread a generous amount of hummus and add super thin cucumber slices. Delicious!

A sandwich with hummus and veggies on a cutting board.

Serve hummus with other Greek appetizers and dishes for a family-style dinner. Don’t forget the crusty bread and pitas, a traditional Greek salad, dolmadakia-stuffed grape leaves, spanakopita, hand pies-tiropitakia, and crispy county potatoes. Entrees that go well with hummus can be grilled fish, chicken, or steak, stuffed tomatoes with rice, lemon chicken and potatoes, and lovely Greek burgers.

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