How To Reheat Hummus – I Test 4 Methods [Pics]

This article was updated on 25/07/2023 for clarity and to incorporate a new method.

Warming up hummus can be tricky. You don’t want it to become mushy, watery, or lose its signature creaminess.

With these concerns in mind, I’ve experimented with three different ways to reheat hummus. I wanted to discover which one worked best to retain its freshly-made taste and texture.

In a rush?

The best way to reheat hummus is on the stove over a low heat. Add in a few drops of olive oil or water to help rehydrate the hummus.

A note on my experiment

There’s no such thing as too much hummus, and whenever I make it I always make too much. Not one to let good hummus go uneaten, I stored the leftovers safely in the fridge ready for my experiment the next day.

The next day, I tested reheating the hummus in:

• A saucepan: Best method overall.
• The microwave: Convenient, but changes the texture.
• A hot water bath: Preserves the texture.
• An oven: Too slow (tested at a later date).

Reheating hummus in a saucepan

Time: 2-3 minutes
Rating: 10/10

1. Set your stove to low heat and transfer the leftover hummus into a saucepan.
2. Add a small splash of olive oil and stir your hummus gently as it warms up.
3. Once heated, remove from the stove, and serve immediately.

Easy does it when it comes to the stovetop method. You don’t want to heat your hummus too quickly and risk boiling or burning it. When you notice the hummus steaming, this is a good indication that it’s ready.

Adding a bit of olive oil helps hydrate the hummus, and if you don’t have olive oil, you can use water.

Results: This was my favorite reheating method. The stove reinvigorated all of the nutty, garlicky flavors in my hummus and it still had some texture. It’s also easy to reheat larger quantities of hummus.

Reheating hummus in the microwave

Time: 30 seconds
Rating: 8/10

1. Place your hummus in a microwave-safe bowl and stir in a splash of water.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape.
3. Heat your hummus in 10-second increments.
4. Check and stir it during each interval.
5. Once warm, remove and serve immediately

It’s best to keep a close eye on your hummus when you’re reheating it in the microwave, because it can be harsh on delicate foods. Adding too much water can also be problematic so be cautious!

Results: This method will work fine if you’re in a rush or only looking to reheat a small portion of hummus. My hummus tasted nice, but the consistency was noticeably smoother and a bit mushy.

Reheating hummus in a hot water bath

Time: 3-4 minutes
Rating: 8/10

1. Place a portion of hummus in a freezer or zip-lock bag and remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing.
2. Prepare a bowl with hot water (not boiling).
3. Rest the bag in the bowl for 3-4 minutes or until the hummus is warm.
4. Remove and serve immediately.

This indirect heating method is gentle enough to preserve the creamy consistency of hummus and reawaken its flavors, but I wouldn’t recommend it for large portions of hummus because the warmth from the bath might not heat it all the way through.

Results: I was happy with the results of this method, but I’d still opt for the stovetop technique instead. My hummus wasn’t quite as warm as I would’ve liked. Transferring hummus into a freezer bag can also be a little cumbersome, and you get some waste.

How to store hummus

You can store homemade hummus in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and most store-bought varieties for 5 to 6 days. Keep it in an airtight container with a layer of plastic wrap covering the surface of the hummus to lock in moisture.

You can also add a very thin layer of olive oil to the hummus before adding the plastic wrap.

Can you freeze hummus?

You can freeze hummus for up to 3 months in a airtight contianer or freezer bag. If you’re using a container, leave some room at the top before sealing, and add a splash of olive oil for extra moisture. If you’re using a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible before closing the bag securely.

The best way to thaw hummus is to remove it from the freezer a few hours before to plan to eat it and let it defrost naturally in the fridge or on the counter.

I don’t recommend reheating hummus straight from frozen as this will compromise its creamy consistency.

Read Next: How To Keep Soft Pretzels Fresh Overnight (who doesn’t love a pretzel dipped in hummus?!)

How To Reheat Hummus [Tested Methods]

Warming up hummus can be tricky. You don’t want it to become mushy, watery, or lose its signature creaminess. With these concerns in mind, I experimented with three different ways to reheat hummus.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keyword: hummus, reheat hummus

Prep Time: 0 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 166kcal

Ingredients

• 1 portion hummus
• 1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

• Set your stove to low heat.
• Transfer your leftover hummus into a saucepan.
• Add a small splash of olive oil (roughly a teaspoonful).
• Stir your hummus gently as it warms up.
• Once heated, remove from the stove, and serve immediately.

Notes

Easy does it when it comes to the stovetop method. You don’t want to heat your hummus too quickly and risk boiling or burning it.

While adding a bit of olive oil generally does the trick for restoring hummus’ moisture, you can also add a little water to prevent it from being too dry.

Constantly stirring your hummus as it heats up allows you to monitor its texture.

When it is just starting to emit steam, it usually means it’s warmed right through and ready to eat. Too long on the stove, and your hummus might become overly smooth.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 166kcal