5 Great Ways to Use Hummus

Not long ago, hummus became one of the fastest-growing snack foods in America. This Middle Eastern classic is made of healthful chickpeas and tahini, so it's a welcome alternative to the usual starchy and sugary junk foods people often gravitate to.

As a bonus, this Middle Eastern classic is already vegan! Here are 5 great ways to use hummus, aside from its most common use as a dip for fresh pita bread.

Of course, you can make your own hummus and experiment with your own creative combinations and flavorings. But here at VegKitchen, we're very lazy and fully endorse the use of store-bought hummus varieties. There are so many varieties and flavors of hummus that it often has its own bay in the supermarket produce section!

Use As A Spread For Wraps Or Sandwiches

This suggestion might, admittedly, be coming straight from Captain Obvious. But for anyone looking for a nice change of pace for wraps or sandwiches, you'll thank him for the reminder. Hummus keeps well on bread and wrappers, and doesn't get soggy when packed up for school or office lunch a few hours later. It also helps stick all the sandwich ingredients together!

Hummus goes well with leafy greens, avocado, bell pepper strips, shredded carrots, leftover cooked grains, and other legumes. Add variety to your combinations based on what's in your fridge!

If you want more specific recipe instructions, see Hummus and Veggie Lavash Wraps, Hummus, Avocado, and Baby Spinach Sandwich, Hummus Wraps with Grains and Greens, and Hummus, Cucumber, and Avocado Wrap. All of these recipes are so easy that you can just follow the photo rather than the recipe-no need to obsessively measure ingredients!

Use As A Topping For Potatoes

Tangy hummus is a great foil for the starchy flavors of potato or sweet potato. You can add other vegetables to the equation, too. Steamed broccoli tops the sweet potato variation above. Wilted spinach or other greens are also a great option.

Simply mix a few steamed vegetables in with the hummus before scooping over the potatoes. Then top with salsa or drizzle with sriracha, as shown in the photo at the top of this post. Served with a simple salad or slaw, these hummus slathered potatoes make for a great emergency dinner.

Use As Extra Protein For Vegan Bowls

Bowls are all the rage as a one-dish way to serve a well-rounded meal of complex carbs, protein, and veggies (cooked and/or raw). Bowls are meant to appeal to the eye as well as the palate. Simply arrange colorful veggies on a bed of cooked grain. The hummus doubles as your protein and your sauce!

Use As A Topping For Toast

Lately, avocado toast has become a big thing. This version's a bit in reverse: hummus toast topped off with thick slices of avocado. Their flavor and texture are so compatible, you could say that they're made for each other!

Use As An Appetizer Or Snack With Raw Veggies

This is another pretty obvious use of hummus, but how many times do you forget to prepare an appetizer when company's coming? If you keep prepared hummus in the fridge, you'll have an instant appetizer that everyone loves at the ready.

Spoon some hummus into a small bowl (pretend you made it; I won't tell), and surround the bowl with raw vegetables and whole-grain chips or crackers. If you're really pressed for time, you can get cut fresh vegetables at the supermarket, as well.

As another plus, hummus served as a dip works as a great incentive to get kids and picky eaters to eat their vegetables.

Want even more ideas? Check out four more ways to use hummus over at Oh My Veggies!