Olive Hummus Recipe

This olive hummus recipe is rich, creamy, and packed with bold olive flavor. It’s a delicious twist on traditional hummus with the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly spicy.

This recipe is traditionally made with tahini, but you can adjust ingredients to suit your preferences. If you’re specifically looking for a sesame-free version, see my classic sesame-free hummus recipe.

This creamy hummus is perfect for gatherings or everyday snacking.

Homemade dips of all kinds are fun to eat and super healthy because they're a great way to get extra fruits and veggies into your family's diet.

You can dip fruit into fruit dips (like this Healthy Chocolate Dip and Almond Butter Dip) and veggies into things like this Vegan Ranch Dressing or Vegan Avocado Dressing

—and of course into hummus.

Hummus is incredibly versatile and always a crowd favorite.

And if you eat a lot of it like we do, then making it homemade is a great option for freshness and flavor, and of course for cost.

Why You'll Love This Olive Hummus

• Bold Olive Flavor: Kalamata olives add a rich, savory taste that makes this hummus stand out.
• Creamy Texture: Smooth and satisfying with just the right consistency for dipping or spreading.
• Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and quick prep make this perfect for everyday snacking.
• Customizable: Adjust the spice level or olive variety to suit your taste.
• Great for Entertaining: A unique twist on classic hummus that guests will love.
• Super Frugal: Store bought hummus costs a small fortune, but it's so simple to make.
• Go Organic: Making hummus at home lets you choose higher-quality ingredients, including organic chickpeas if you prefer.

Key Ingredients for Olive Hummus

The ingredients in this olive hummus are simple, but each one plays an important role in the final flavor and texture.

Olives: Kalamata olives add a bold, briny flavor, while black olives create a milder, smoother taste.
Chickpeas: The base of the hummus, providing creaminess and structure.
Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps create a smooth texture.
Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavor and balances the richness.
Garlic & Spices: Add depth and a subtle kick.

How to Make Olive Hummus

Making olive hummus is quick and easy.

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Adjust texture with olive oil or water as needed.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve.

Best Olives for Olive Hummus

Kalamata olives are a popular choice because they add a rich, briny flavor, but you can also use black olives for a milder taste or green olives for a sharper, more tangy version. Using different olives will slightly change the flavor, so feel free to experiment based on what you enjoy. You can even use a variety all at once!

Tips for Creamy Hummus

There are all kinds of posts out there about peeling chickpeas to get the smoothest hummus out there, but who has time for that?

Instead, here's what to do. For years, we used a super duper heavy duty food processor and added some extra water or olive oil (or both) and our hummus was really creamy, but if you don't have a monster food processor, then here's how to do it.

Cook your garbanzos with BAKING SODA. Easy peasy.

If you're soaking and pressure cooking your beans (like we do), just add some baking soda to the pot. Even a small amount like 1 teaspoon per large pot (we cook 10 cups at a time in our 12-quart pressure cooker) will do the trick.

If using canned beans (I'm not a fan of canned food since some are saying that the BPA-free lining is worse than the BPA lining), then cook your canned beans for about 20 minutes with some baking soda added to the water; about 1 1/2 teaspoons per can of chickpeas should do it.

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What to Serve with Olive Hummus

Serve your new favorite hummus recipe with….

• veggie strips – bell peppers, cucumbers, carrot sticks, etc.
• fresh vegetables – cauliflower and broccoli florets, cucumber slices, celery sticks, radish slices, cherry tomatoes
• tortilla chips
• potato chips (choose kettle or ripple chips so they'll hold up to the weight of the hummus)
• pita chips
• pita bread
• these crispy green bean chips make great dippers!
• flatbread like this focaccia bread
• as a spread for sandwiches, burgers, or wraps
• or eat it by the spoon. You'll definitely want to do that with this recipe!

Recipe Notes

• Olive Varieties: Use whatever kind of olives you like, or even a mix! 6 oz canned black olives or salty green olives can be substituted for the kalamata olives.
• Texture Adjustment: If you choose to omit tahini, add a little extra olive oil, lemon juice, or water to maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
• De-gassing Beans: The beans should be preferably home cooked and de gassed.
• Oil Options: While olive oil works great for that traditional hummus flavor, avocado oil is another good option.
• Salt Tips: Salt amount will depend on taste, type of olives used, and if you use canned chickpeas that already have salt.

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How to Store Leftovers

I really don't think you'll have any left unless you make a HUGE batch. However, if you do, you can store any leftover hummus in an air-tight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.

Putting a layer of olive oil on top might help to extend the life a bit.

You can freeze hummus too, but the texture might turn out to be a bit dry. Blend in a little olive oil after thawing and before serving to help with that.

Other Healthy Dip Recipes

Here are some other healthy dips to try.

• Zingy Bean Dip: amazingly delicious and it just happens to be fat-free
• Tuscan Bean Dip: loaded with garlic and herbs.
• Pumpkin Hummus: a nutritious seasonal twist on traditional hummus
• Healthy Chocolate Dip: so rich and decadent
• Pizza Hummus: dairy-free and so delicious
• Savory Sesame-Free Hummus: in my opinion, this is one of the best hummus recipes ever.

I'd love to hear what you think about this recipe!