This Harissa Hummus recipe will have you hooked with its spicy, smoky, and wonderfully aromatic flavor.
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What is Harissa?
Harissa is traditionally a blend of hot chili peppers (which are often smoked), garlic, olive oil, and middle eastern spices such as cumin, coriander, mint and caraway.
It’s definitely got a heat level to it, and it’s a bit pungent. The flavors are a bit reminiscent of sriracha, but the texture is totally different. Harissa is more like a thick paste, almost similar to a rich chutney.
To me, its tangy notes were just begging for it to be swirled into a bowl of my go-to creamy hummus.
So, how much harissa to add to hummus?
Here’s how it went down:
- I started with 2 teaspoons. It gave a faint flavor, and a tad bit of heat, but I wanted more.
- 1 tablespoon gave it a great color, and the garlic, chili flavor was more noticeable, but it wasn’t quite there yet.
- 2 Tablespoons was my happy spot. It was just enough to add in more of that heat and let those spices shine through. (I think 3 Tablespoons would have been pushing it on the heat level)
The result was a spicy, smoky, and wonderfully aromatic hummus that I couldn’t stop eating.
Ingredients Needed
- Canned Chickpeas – About 2 cups. Or, you can swap in these instant pot chickpeas (they’re so easy to make with no soaking!). You’ll also need some of the liquid from the chickpeas.
- Garlic
- Tahini Sauce
- Lemon Juice
- Harissa – Harissa is typically sold in the form of a thick paste or a jarred sauce. It is commonly found in grocery stores, specialty food stores, or international markets that carry North African or Middle Eastern ingredients. I find it at World Market.
- Salt
How to Make It
The prep is simple. You’ll have this on the table in 5 minutes flat!
- Turn on the blender and toss in the garlic through the lid. Process until minced.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and process until smooth.
- Enjoy at room temperature or chilled.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. You can also freeze hummus for up to three months. I like to package it into ziploc bags to do this.
Other Ways to Use Harissa
Looking for more ways to use harissa? Try tossing some vegetables with it before roasting them in the oven. Or, mix some into yogurt for a sauce that’s perfect with grilled meats. You can also add a spoonful to a bowl of olive oil for bread dipping perfection.
Recipe FAQs
It’s up to you! Chickpea skins are edible and don’t affect the flavor of the hummus. Blending chickpeas without the skins can sometimes result in a smoother texture but the difference isn’t that noticeable.
I don’t recommend leaving tahini out of the hummus recipe because it’s a necessary ingredient in authentic hummus. You can leave the tahini out if you can’t find any or replace it with Greek yogurt, but this would be more of a “chickpea puree” than hummus.
Aquafaba (or the liquid in a can of chickpeas) will make the hummus super light and fluffy. If you got rid of the chickpea liquid, just replace it with cold water.
What to Serve with Hummus
- Veggie Sticks – Radishes, cucumber, celery, carrots
- Air Fryer Pita Chips or Pita Bread
- Baked Tortilla Chips or Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
- Naan
- Crostini
- Fattoush Salad
- Greek Tomato Cucumber Salad with Feta
- More → 25+ ides for what to dip in hummus.
Wine Pairings
- Try a dry-Riesling or Gewurztraminer with this spicy dip. Their bright acidity and balanced sweetness play nicely off the spicy harissa hummus.
More Creamy Dip Recipes
- Salmon Dip with Creme Fraiche
- Corn Queso
- Beef Enchilada Dip
- Grilled Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush)
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
- Whipped Feta
- Hummus with Whipped Feta & Chili Oil
More Harissa Recipes
Did you try this harissa hummus recipe?
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Wondering what to serve with it? Here’s 25+ ides for what to dip in hummus.
Harissa Hummus
Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 cups canned chickpeas (drained (reserve the liquid))
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup tahini
- 5 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons chickpea liquid (or water)
- 1 ½ Tablespoons harissa
Instructions
- Turn on the blender and toss in the garlic through the lid. Process until minced.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and process until smooth.
- Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2016. It was updated in 2023 to add new content and photographs. The recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous as always!! Will have to give Harissa a try now. You’ve made me super curious!
Thanks so much Lorena – I hope you give the harissa a try. It really has such an amazing flavor!
I could just eat this with a spoon!
Confession Jasmine – I did!
LOVE hummus – especially homemade. And living in Asia has worked up my spice tolerance to level where I crave heat if it is missing from a dish. You’ve convinced me that I need to give Harissa a try
Yay – Introducing the world to hummus, one spicy food lover at a time… 😉
Ah so good! I love making harissa hummus! The ultimate middle eastern dip 😉
this sounds amazing, and the photos – stunning!
Thanks Kristina!
this looks super tasty, I will try it soon. 😀
I’ve never heard of harissa, but I love spice and I love hummus. This sounds so tasty. Adding it to my grocery list.
It’s really delicious Brettni! I’m so glad that I’ve finally become acquainted with it. My new favorite condiment!
I love harissa, but hadn’t had it with my hummus! Perfect idea, can’t wait to try!
Thanks Amy – Cheers!
Harissa is a favorite of mine!! This would be a great addition to a sandwich.
Agreed Meredith!
I love changing up my hummus recipes. This sounds fun, and not too spicy that my kids wouldn’t eat it. Pinning it so I remember to pick up some harissa so I can make this soon!
Enjoy Mary! I’ll bet your kiddos have very experienced palates! I can definitely picture them eating this.
I used to make hummus all the time but haven’t made it in a couple years. I should fix that! 🙂 Also, I’ve never has harissa before but I’m definitely intrigued!!
Hummus is so easy to make, but I often fall out of my routine. I was happy to find this version to twist things up a bit!
What a great giveaway! And this hummus looks amazing.
Good luck to you Marlynn!!! I absolutely adore my Vitamix!
Hi Erin!
I saw this yesterday morning and my jaw dropped at the vibrant colors in the dish. I’m such a fan of harissa and have plans to cook with it again very soon.
I love integrating international flavors into my every day recipes. Love the ease and simplicity of this healthy snack and your photography is so lovely!
Thank you so much Robyn – I appreciate the compliments 🙂
your recipes and ideas look lovely. looking forward to trying more of them.
Thank you Julia!
This is it – I must go buy some harissa to try!
I’m all about the harissa these days, so this sounds extra awesome. Great idea.
Thanks Erin – Cheers!
Wow, harissa sounds delicious! Keeping my eye out for this next shopping trip. My husband was just saying the other day he prefers just traditonal hummus over ‘flavored’ ones, but I think this might sway him.
Give it a try Courtney 😉
Beautiful photos. It’s making me hungry.
I’d never heard of harissa either but I feel a little sad that I hadn’t because it sounds so much like something I’d love. I like that you created a hummus dip with it!
Also, can I just say… your ability to post so often with such great content is blowing my mind. Gorgeous photos, great recipes and at such a consistent rate. Such an inspiration.
Awww – Thank you so much for the kind words Jenni! I really appreciate it 🙂
Very interesting hearing about the food trends – I am definitely very late to the game as I have never even tried harissa before and before this post with your explanation would not have even been able to list the ingredients. I do hate hate hate caraway though – hopefully it’s not super strong in the harissa otherwise it’s a no go for me! This hummus sounds delicious and LOVE your extra addition of citrus. Happy to be hosting this giveaway with you. Pinning, tweeting, yumming!
Thanks so much Vicky!!!
I just recently tried harissa too! I’m totally hooked now! Gorgeous photos, Erin.
Thanks Trish!
I’ve never made a harissa hummus before! This looks delicious. Definitely want to try making this one at home. Harissa adds such an interesting flavor to dishes, i’ve been trying to include it more! Thanks for sharing.
Of course – Enjoy Billy!
I made it with 2 harissa tbsp and it’s delicious!! 👨🏻🍳👌🏼😋 Thanks for the recipe!!
So happy to hear that you liked it Ana!
This is going to work out nicely tonight! Made a batch of Harissa this weekend and it needs to go for a test drive!
Yay! I hope you love it.
This hummus was very tasty 😋. However, I think 3 teaspoons of salt for the 2x recipe was a little too much. Otherwise, 👌🏾