Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

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hummus topped with pine nuts, sumac, and olive oil in white serving bowl; bowl is placed between fresh vegetables and pita triangles

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This vibrant roasted red pepper hummus is easy to make, full of flavor, and so much better than anything from a tub—you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff.

hummus topped with pine nuts, sumac, and olive oil in white serving bowl; bowl is placed between fresh vegetables and pita triangles

This roasted red pepper hummus is one of those dips that feels a little special but couldn’t be easier to make. It starts with canned chickpeas and jarred roasted red peppers, so there’s no cooking involved—just toss everything in the food processor and blend. Like baba ganoush, whipped feta dip, or classic hummus, it’s perfect as part of a Middle Eastern-inspired spread or served with pita and veggies for snacking. You can even swap it in for the regular hummus on my always-popular hummus board—it’s always a hit.

I like to finish roasted red pepper hummus with a swirl of good olive oil, a sprinkle of sumac, and a handful of toasted pine nuts for texture and a pop of flavor. Bonus: it can be made up to two days in advance; just bring it to room temperature before serving.

What You’ll Need To Make Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

roasted red pepper hummus ingredients
  • Chickpeas: The base of the hummus, giving it that creamy texture and a nice boost of protein.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds bright, fresh acidity to balance the richness of the tahini.
  • Sesame Tahini: Gives the hummus its signature nutty flavor and smooth, creamy texture.
  • Jarred Roasted Red Bell Peppers: Add a sweet, smoky flavor to the dip; be sure to pat them dry so the hummus doesn’t turn out watery.
  • Garlic: Adds punchy, savory flavor. Always use fresh garlic when making hummus.
  • Sumac, Cumin, And Cayenne Pepper: A warm, slightly tangy spice blend with a touch of heat. Sumac, often used in Middle Eastern cooking, is optional but really nice if you have it (you can find it online or in the spice section of many large supermarkets).
  • Salt And Sugar: Salt brings out all the flavor in the hummus, while a bit of sugar helps highlight the natural sweetness of the roasted red peppers.
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps everything come together with a smooth texture.
  • Pine Nuts (Optional): Great for topping the hummus with a little crunch and toasty flavor.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Purée the ingredients. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, roasted red peppers, garlic, sumac (if using), cumin, cayenne, salt, sugar, and olive oil. Process for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth and creamy. Processing for the full 1 to 2 minutes is key—longer blending time breaks down the chickpeas for a smoother finish. The hummus should hold its shape when you drag a spoon through it. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 2: Spoon, swirl and serve. Transfer to a serving bowl and use the back of a spoon to create a shallow well in the center. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sumac (if using), and garnish with toasted pine nuts, if you like. Serve the roasted red pepper hummus at room temperature with pita bread, pita chips, or crudités.

hummus in small white serving bowl topped with sumac, olive oil and pine nuts. vegetables and pita triangles arranged around serving bowl

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Print

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

hummus topped with pine nuts, sumac, and olive oil in white serving bowl; bowl is placed between fresh vegetables and pita triangles
With a hint of smoky sweetness, this creamy roasted red pepper hummus is a fresh take on a Mediterranean classic. 
Servings: 3 cups
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 (15-oz) cans chickpeas, well-drained
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 2 lemons
  • ¼ cup sesame tahini, well-stirred
  • cup jarred roasted red bell peppers, drained and patted dry, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon sumac, plus more for serving (optional but recommended)
  • Heaping ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted, for serving (optional, see note)

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, roasted red bell peppers, garlic, sumac (if using), cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, sugar, and olive oil. Process for 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy. The hummus should hold its shape when you drag a spoon through it. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
  • Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to swirl a shallow well in the center. Drizzle a little olive oil in the well; sprinkle with sumac (if using), then garnish with the toasted pine nuts (if using). Serve at room temperature with pita bread, pita chips, or crudités.

Notes

Note: To toast pine nuts, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, about 4 minutes. Immediately transfer the nuts to a small bowl to stop the cooking process. (Pay close attention: they go from perfectly golden to burnt quickly.)
Make-Ahead Instructions: Red pepper hummus can be made and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator up to two days ahead of time. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.25 cupCalories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 215mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3g

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

Comments

  • 5 stars
    Made this exactly as written, including the optional sumac and it was fantastic! I recommend using the sumac for a nice hit of brightness that just doesn’t happen with lemon alone. Everyone at my gathering loved this hummus recipe. Every recipe I’ve tried from this site has turned out perfectly and I recommend Jenn’s recipes to my friends.

    • — KimRock on April 16, 2025
    • Reply
  • Hi, can I use my powerful ninja blender instead of food processor? BTW I love every recipe I’ve tried from your site!!

    • — CD on April 10, 2025
    • Reply
    • Yep!

      • — Jennifer Segal on April 12, 2025
      • Reply
  • 5 stars
    Jennifer…I got tired of buying red pepper hummus my favorite. Can it stay in the frig for a week? Can’t eat this in two days.

    • — Michelle on April 10, 2025
    • Reply
    • Yep it should be fine 🙂

      • — Jennifer Segal on April 10, 2025
      • Reply
  • Can’t wait to try the red pepper hummus, especially since my family so loves your traditional hummus recipe!

    • — Kathy M. on April 10, 2025
    • Reply
    • 💜

      • — Jennifer Segal on April 10, 2025
      • Reply

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