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White Bean Hummus Recipe with Za’atar and Sweet Paprika – a must-have, deliciously smooth and creamy, perfectly spiced variation of everyone’s favorite classic hummus recipe. Still totally vegan and dairy-free.

Large bowl of hummus made with chickpeas and white cannellini beans topped with more chickpeas, olive oil, and Za'atar.

White Bean Hummus Recipe with Za’atar and Sweet Paprika

I am a huge fan of hummus. But, for some reason, I often forget how much I love this popular Middle Eastern dip and go weeks (even months!!) before eating it again. You guys, this makes no sense. So, last weekend as I contemplated what to make for dinner, I decided I wanted hummus.

Since I would also be feeding two hungry boys (one big and one small) I decided to call it a theme night with marinated Greek-chicken, fresh veggies, and warm pita bread.

One of the things I love most about hummus is its flexibility. Of course, there is classic hummus– chickpeas, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and tahini. Delicious, amazing and my absolute favorite forever and ever. But sometimes even the classics need a little change. Recipes where the overall formula stays the same (in theory you could leave out the tahini, but if you do I promise it WILL NOT taste like hummus), but in the end you’ve created something brand new!

For example, basil hummus, beet hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, chipotle hummus…

You see where I’m going here.

Anyway, today I have for you guys this white bean hummus. Made with cannellini beans, chickpeas (or just cannellini beans), tahini, olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, and lemon juice. Delicious as-is? Yes. However, the real fun comes with the garnishes. A little drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of Za’atar, some paprika for color, a handful of leftover chickpeas, and fresh parsley.

In a world of endless hummus varieties, this one takes the cake. After all, few things are better than sitting down to a large bowl of dreamy, creamy white bean hummus and pillowy soft pita bread.

What is Za’atar?

Traditionally eaten with pita bread that has been dipped in olive oil, Za’atar is also used as a seasoning for meats, vegetables, and dips – like hummus!

Made with ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, and mixed with toasted sesame seeds and salt, you’ll often find Za’atar mixed with sumac, or (in especially large productions) roasted flour. Unless specified as otherwise, always assume that your Za’atar is not gluten-free.

White Bean Hummus Ingredients

Not much different from regular hummus recipes, to make this recipe you’ll need the following

  • White beans (cannellini beans or great northern white beans)
  • Chickpeas (or one more can of white beans)
  • Tahini 
  • Olive oil
  • Lemon Juice
  • Garlic
  • Ground cumin
  • Water (if needed)
  • Za’atar
  • Paprika
  • Fresh parsley

How to Make White Bean Hummus

  1. Place the drained and rinsed white beans, chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, ground cumin, garlic, lemon juice and salt in the bowl of a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend the ingredients until completely puréed and silky smooth, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  2. Season to taste. Does it need more salt? More tahini? More lemon juice? Is it too thick? Add a couple of tablespoons of water if it’s too thick.
  3. Transfer hummus to a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with reserved chickpeas, Za’atar, sweet paprika, and fresh chopped parsley.
  4. Serve this delicious white bean hummus with fresh pita bread, fresh veggies, on sandwiches or wraps, or alongside rice and meats.

READ MORE: Can you freeze hummus?

Large bowl of hummus made with chickpeas and white cannellini beans topped with more chickpeas, olive oil, and Za'atar.

More White Bean Recipes,

Tomato Baked Vegetarian Beans with Tangy Feta

Easy Minestrone Soup Recipe (Stovetop + Slow Cooker)

Vegetarian Butternut Squash Chili

Ricotta and White Bean Dip with Roasted Strawberries

If you try making this White Bean Hummus Recipe with Za’atar and Sweet Paprika, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

Large white bowl of hummus made with chickpeas and white cannellini beans topped with more chickpeas, olive oil, and Za'atar and served with pita bread.

Large white bowl of hummus made with chickpeas and white cannellini beans topped with more chickpeas, olive oil, and Za'atar and served with pita bread.
4.82 from 11 votes

Homemade White Bean Hummus Recipe with Za'atar and Sweet Paprika


Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa
White Bean Hummus Recipe with Za'atar and Sweet Paprika - a must-have, deliciously smooth and creamy, perfectly spiced variation of everyone's favorite classic hummus recipe. Still totally vegan and dairy-free.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 1 (15 oz) can white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed with 1/2 cup chickpeas set aside for garnish
  • ¾ cup tahini
  • ¼ cup olive oil, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 lemon, juiced, plus more as needed
  • water, as needed
  • salt, to taste
  • 1.5 teaspoon Za'atar, to garnish
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, to garnish
  • Fresh parsley, finely chopped, to garnish

Instructions 

  • Place the drained white beans, chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, ground cumin, garlic, lemon juice and salt in the bowl of a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend the ingredients until completely puréed and silky smooth, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  • Season to taste and add water if needed to reach desired consistency.
  • Transfer hummus to a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with reserved chickpeas, Za'atar, sweet paprika, and fresh chopped parsley.
  • Serve with soft pita bread and fresh vegetables.

Notes

**this makes enough hummus to entertain a small group of 6-8 friends and keeps well in the refrigerator for approximately 5-7 days.
Originally published June 6, 2017

Nutrition

Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 159mg | Potassium: 501mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 4.3mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 4.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!

 

Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

Jessica Randhawa

Chef | Food Photographer

I’m Chef Jessica Randhawa, bringing over 14 years of experience in creating and publishing over 1200 mouthwatering recipes, coupled with invaluable kitchen tips and professional guidance, to transform your daily cooking into a truly enriching culinary adventure.

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Recipe Rating




4.82 from 11 votes (10 ratings without comment)

1 Comment

  1. Nancy R. says:

    5 stars
    Needed lots of water to thin it but the hummus was outstanding & husband agreed!! Served with baby bell peppers, cucumbers, carrot sticks, celery, radishes, green onions, pita & Greek chicken.