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picture of pesto hummus in white bowl
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5 from 1 vote

Pesto Hummus

Smooth and creamy, this pesto hummus is a healthy, delicious dip that’s packed with flavor! Not only is it the perfect appetizer, but it's ready in just 5-minutes. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Dips
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: appetizer, basil, dip, healthy, hummus, Mediterranean, pesto
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 208kcal
Author: Courtney O'Dell

Ingredients

For the Pesto

  • 3 cups packed fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ¼ cup good quality olive oil
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Hummus

  • 1 can 15 ounces chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • ¼ cup tahini
  • ¼ cup good quality olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • For the Pesto. Add the basil, pine nuts, lemon juice, and garlic to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the basil is in small pieces-- about 10 pulses.
  • With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil and pulse until all of the olive oil has been incorporated.
  • Next add the parmesan cheese and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove the pesto to a small bowl (no need to wash the food processor before making the hummus).
  • For the Hummus. Add the chickpeas and tahini to the food processor and pulse to combine-- about 15 pulses.
  • With the food processor on, slowly add the olive oil. Pulse until the hummus is your desired consistency. I like smooth hummus so I pulse for 30 seconds.
  • Add ¾ of the pesto to the food processor and pulse to combine. If the hummus is too thick for your desired consistency, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and pulse again until smooth.
  • Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and top with the reserved pesto and a drizzle of olive oil. You can also top with toasted pine nuts, fresh lemon zest, or flakey sea salt if you prefer.
  • Store any leftover hummus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Notes

- Fresh basil is key to a good pesto-- make sure to really pack it tightly!
- Feel free to leave the pine nuts out or swap them for toasted walnuts.
- Lemon adds great acidity and freshness. I highly recommend freshly squeezed juice.
- Garlic is a classic addition in both hummus and pesto.
- Olive oil helps thin the pesto and hummus to create a smooth dip.
- Parmesan cheese adds a bit of nuttiness and saltiness.
- Chickpeas are the base of our hummus. Make sure to drain and rinse them very well.
- Tahini adds extra nuttiness and creaminess to the hummus.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g