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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Colorful Loaded Mediterranean Hummus Dip

    Published: May 12, 2021 · Modified: Jul 21, 2024 by Amy Sandidge · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    This Colorful Loaded Mediterranean Hummus Dip is packed with homemade hummus and fresh veggies! This flavorful dip is bursting with flavor and nutrients, making it the perfect appetizer for any occasion. This delicious dip recipe comes together quickly and can be made ahead of time to make serving simple!

    This layered hummus dip is packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients from the chickpeas and as well as fresh toppings. It can be customized with your favorite spices and surrounded by your choice of crunchy dippers for a filling meal or snack. If you've never made your own hummus before, this is an excellent opportunity to try it.

    Homemade Instant Pot Hummus is simple and delicious, and no soaking is required! You'll definitely be wishing you tried making your own sooner! Looking to round out your meal? Here are a few more Mediterranean-inspired dishes I love: How about some Marinated Feta? It is such a great, simple dish. Roasted Tomato Caprese is also to die for!! I love this Greek Buddha Bowl too!! These spinach roti and Labneh are a really delicious dishes as well.

    Mediterranean Hummus on a white plate.

    What is a loaded hummus dip?

    To elevate the presentation of your hummus, creating a loaded dip filled with flavorful toppings is a fantastic option. A typical loaded hummus dip consists of a thick layer of hummus spread over a serving platter, which is then topped with high-quality oil, fresh vegetables, and crumbled feta cheese. To provide options for your guests, consider placing veggies only on one half of the hummus, allowing them to choose whether to enjoy the hummus plain or loaded. Everyone can tailor their dip to their liking and enjoy this delicious appetizer. 

    Loaded hummus dip is best served with an assortment of dipping options such as pita chips, warmed pita slices, and pretzel thins. It is a versatile appetizer that can be served as a light dinner or an amazing party snack. You can even make individual servings using appetizer plates so that everyone can enjoy their own personal platter. 

    Mediterranean Hummus on a white plate.

    Ingredients

    As this is eaten fresh, make sure and look for good quality ingredients. Be sure that any vegetables you use for serving dishes have firm and vibrant colored skins that are free from blemishes.

    Hummus- Feel free to use store-bought hummus or you can make your own. Homemade hummus is very easy to make and tastes incredibly fresh. The best part is that you can customize it with your favorite flavors and seasonings. As there are so many flavors in the toppings, I went with neutral-flavored hummus but feel free to get creative.

    Olive oil- Olive oil is a staple ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. Although there are various types of olive oil, the difference is less significant when using it for cooking purposes. When enjoying it fresh, the quality can significantly impact the taste of your dish. For this recipe, I recommend Moires Life for its superior quality and taste. You can also use flavor-infused extra virgin olive oil.

    Cucumbers- Cucumbers are popular in Mediterranean food and for good reason. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to find ingredients. For this recipe, you can use regular cucumbers or English cucumbers, if you prefer their thin skins and lesser amount of seeds.

    Tomatoes- Juicy tomatoes add a subtle sweetness to this dish that plays wonderfully with the savory elements. It doesn't matter which kind you use, though cherry and grape are traditionally the choices for Mediterranean-style foods. Find the freshest tomatoes you can for this because a soggy or older tomato can affect the overall dish negatively.

    Feta- Can you really have a Mediterranean dish without it? Feta cheese is creamy and so delicious with hummus and fresh veggie toppings. You can choose to buy a big block and crumble it yourself or purchase crumbled feta. There are also brands that have flavored feta or you can make easy marinated feta!

    Olives-  Green olives or kalamata olives add a pop of salt to this dish. They brighten up all the other ingredients. You can also use pitted Kalamata olives or even black olives if you prefer. 

    Mediterranean Hummus on a white plate.

    How To Make Homemade Hummus from Scratch

    Making homemade hummus from scratch is very easy and worth the extra effort. If you want to use store-bought hummus, there are a lot of great options out there but for the freshest taste, it's simple to whip up a batch yourself.

    Making Creamy Hummus

    I made my hummus and even cooked the chickpeas myself. You can also buy them canned and the process is the same. If you choose to make hummus from dried chickpeas, cooking them in a pressure cooker really is so simple!

    All you'll need to do is add the chickpeas to the pressure cooker with water and salt. Cook for about 45 minutes and you are good to go! I use an Instant Pot because I really love how easy it makes the entire process.

    Easiest way to peel chickpeas

    Here is the slightly tedious part. It only takes about 5 minutes, but it really makes a difference in getting smooth hummus. Remove the chickpeas from the pressure cooker, drain the water, and add them to an ice water bath.

    Gently rub to remove the skins from the chickpeas. Then, remove the skins from the water.

    You don't have to remove them all, but a good portion really helps! Drain your water from the chickpeas. Next, you will add them to the food processor. I use a Cuisinart and love it!

    hummus being made in the food processor.

    Add the remaining hummus ingredients to the food processor and blend until very smooth. Since I planned to use many flavorful ingredients for the topping, I kept the hummus really neutral but feel free to add dried herbs to your liking.

    Topping The Hummus Dip

    Spread hummus on a serving bowl or plate. Top with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta. Give it a good drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle it with salt. You can also sprinkle it with paprika if you want.

    Mediterranean Hummus on a white plate.

    What to Dip In Hummus

    Be sure to include strong dippers that will hold up to the weight of the toppings. Good choices include:

    • Pita chips- These are often found near the deli section of the store.
    • Soft Pita slices- I have a post all about the best ways to heat pita bread for more info.
    • Pretzels- Pretzel thins are an excellent choice and scoop easily
    • Crackers-Whole grain/wheat crackers have a nutty taste that complements hummus
    • Flatbread- Flatbread crackers and soft flatbread itself cut into pieces make a fantastic dipper
    • Multi-grain tortilla chips

    You can also provide a variety of veggies for dippings into the plain hummus itself such as:

    • Carrots, sliced or petite carrots
    • Red bell pepper slices
    • Sliced cucumbers
    • Whole grape tomatoes
    • Broccoli
    Tomatoes and cucumbers on top of hummus with olive oil.

    Tips and Substitutions

    • This recipe can be made ahead of time to make serving a breeze. Make the hummus and store it in an airtight container. Chop your vegetables and store them in a single container or separately. When it's time to assemble, it will only take about 5 minutes to appetizer perfection!
    • Don’t chop the veggies too big otherwise, they will be hard to pick up with chips.
    • Always go with the most fresh-looking produce. If the mini cucumbers are the firmest, go for it! A different kind of tomato catches your eye? Use it! While certain types of each vegetables are frequently used for this type of dip, the entire dish is only as good as the fresh toppings.
    • Get creative- You can always add a spoonful of tzatziki sauce or Greek yogurt to your platter for a cool-tasting flavor. Feel free to add a little roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, or sundried tomatoes to your hummus for a smoky taste.
    • Add a sprinkle of green onions or fresh parsley or dill to the top of your dip.
    Mediterranean Hummus on a white plate.
    Mediterranean Hummus on a white plate.

    Loaded Mediterranean Hummus Dip

    Amy Sandidge
    Are you looking for the perfect dip for your next get together? This Loaded Mediterranean Hummus Dip is it! I am telling you, it is so awesome!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 4 servings

    Ingredients
      

    Hummus

    • 10 ounces dried chickpeas
    • 6 cups water
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

    Loaded Hummus

    • 1 cup chopped cucumbers
    • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
    • ½ cup feta crumbles
    • ½ cup sliced olives
    • olive oil
    • 1 ½-2 cups hummus Make your own as I will show, or simply buy it

    Instructions
     

    Hummus in the pressure cooker

    • Add the dried chickpeas, water, and salt to the pressure cooker. Seal the lid and set it to cook for 45 minutes. Once it is finished, do the quick release. Drain the chickpeas and add them to 4 cups of ice water.
    • Gently rub the chickpeas between your fingers to release the skins.
    • Skim out the skin from the water and remove.
    • Once you have quite a few out, I wouldn't spend more than 5 minutes on this.
    • Drain and place the chickpeas in a food processor or blender.
    • Add in the olive oil, garlic, and about ½ teaspoon salt. Blend really, really well. Add in more olive oil and salt as needed. That's it! Done!

    Loaded hummus

    • Spread your hummus on the serving plate. Top with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta. Give it a good drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. You can also sprinkle it with paprika if you want.
    • This can easily be made beforehand. Then serving is a breeze.

    Video

    Notes

    • This recipe can be made ahead of time to make serving a breeze. Make the hummus and store it in an airtight container. Chop your vegetables and store them in a single container or separately. When it's time to assemble, it will only take about 5 minutes to appetizer perfection!
    • Don’t chop the veggies too big otherwise, they will be hard to pick up with chips.
    • Always go with the most fresh-looking produce. If the mini cucumbers are the firmest, go for it! A different kind of tomato catches your eye? Use it! While certain types of each vegetables are frequently used for this type of dip, the entire dish is only as good as the fresh toppings.
    • Get creative- You can always add a spoonful of tzatziki sauce or greek yogurt to your platter for a cool-tasting flavor. Feel free to add a little roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, or sundried tomatoes to your hummus for a smoky taste.
    • Add a sprinkle of green onions or fresh parsley or dill to the top of your dip.
    Keyword feta, Hummus Appetizer, kalamata olives, loaded hummus, Meditteranean Hummus, tomato
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    Hi, I'm Amy! I am a culinary school graduate creating a comprehensive collection of recipes, with a focus on incorporating whole grains. My goal is to craft dishes that resonate with the whole family. 

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