Now I know “hummus” means chickpeas, but really we use the name for anything resembling a beany dip. I’ve tried many sorts of beans and the white (or white pea bean) really works for me. Instead of the usual smooth tahini, I’ve toasted sesame seeds, which gives this hummus a little crunch. For a spicy kick I also added some hot sauce. You could easily put more or less, depending on the level of hot that you enjoy. Also, the recipe yields 4 cups, which may seem like a lot, but trust me, you’ll go through it fast enough.
Enjoy!
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Toasted Sesame and White Bean Hummus
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Description
A deliciously beany dip made with white pea beans, toasted sesame seeds, and a hint of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 ml) dried white beans
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) sesame seeds, toasted
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted
- 6 tbsp (90 ml) lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 2 tsp hot sauce
- 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak the dried white beans in water overnight.
- Drain the beans and place them in a pot. Cover with fresh water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the beans are tender.
- Strain the beans and let them cool for about 10 minutes.
- In a food processor, combine the cooked beans, olive oil, toasted sesame seeds, toasted cumin seeds, lemon juice, hot sauce, and chopped garlic.
- Blend until smooth, adding salt to taste. Adjust the consistency with a bit of water if needed.
- Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle with a little extra olive oil if desired.
- Serve with pita bread, vegetables, or as a spread on sandwiches.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to suit your taste.
- This hummus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Toasting the sesame seeds adds a nice crunch and depth of flavor.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use tahini instead of whole sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 0
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Love These
- Dried Fava Bean Hummus
- Savory Tomato and Parmesan Crumble
- Prosciutto and Cream Fava Beans
- Bacon Baked Beans
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use white beans instead of the traditional chickpeas?
The article addresses this directly: the author acknowledges that “hummus” technically means chickpeas but uses the term broadly for any creamy bean dip. After trying many varieties, they find white (pea) beans produce a smooth, mild base that works particularly well — lighter in flavor than chickpeas and easy to blend to a silky consistency.
What is the difference between using whole toasted sesame seeds versus tahini?
The recipe deliberately swaps smooth tahini for 1/2 cup (120 ml) of toasted sesame seeds blended into the dip. The article notes this gives the hummus a little crunch that tahini cannot provide. The notes add that if you prefer a smoother result, tahini can be used instead.
How long does this hummus keep, and does the 4-cup yield really get used up quickly?
The notes say it stores in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The article also reassures that the large yield is not a problem — “trust me, you’ll go through it fast enough.”
