If you’ve whipped up a big batch of hummus, you might be wondering if you can store and reheat it to use in the next few days.
Warming up hummus can be tricky, as 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 what works best to retain its freshly-made taste and texture.
I’ve also explored how to store hummus to keep it tasting delicious for as long as possible.
A note on my experiment
To me, there’s no such thing as too much hummus. That’s why I sometimes get carried away and prepare too much of it – like last night.
Not one to let good hummus go uneaten, I stored it safely in the fridge to reheat the next day.
Sure enough, by the following afternoon, my craving for warm hummus on crispy toast kicked in.
Determined to restore its light lemony-garlic taste and creamy, fluffy texture, I experimented with three different reheating techniques to see which would produce the best results.
These included:
- Reheating hummus in a saucepan (best method overall)
- Reheating hummus in the microwave (convenient, but may turn hummus smooth)
- Reheating hummus in a hot water bath (preserves the texture but doesn’t make it very hot)
I loved the results from the saucepan method and would recommend it as the best way to reheat hummus for preserving taste, tang, and texture.
The microwave method produced decent results, but it does leave hummus a little on the mushy side.
For a good balance of warmth and freshness, I suggest the hot water bath technique. While my hummus wasn’t hot-hot, the texture was almost exactly as good as new.
Reheating hummus in a saucepan
Set your stove to low heat. Place your hummus in a small saucepan and add a splash of olive oil. Keep stirring your hummus gently and slowly as it warms up. Once it is heated to your satisfaction, remove it from the heat and serve. Optionally, add a drop or two of water for added moisture.
The saucepan method is an excellent way to restore the texture of hummus and amplify its flavors. Plus, you can decide how warm you want it to be.
How to reheat hummus in a saucepan:
- 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.
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.
My verdict
I found this technique to be my favorite in terms of both taste and texture.
The combination of the olive oil and my thorough stirring seemed to reinvigorate all of the nutty, garlicky flavors embedded in the hummus.
It’s also a great way to reheat larger quantities of hummus in one go.
Reheating hummus in the microwave
Transfer your leftover hummus into a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in a teaspoon of water (more if a large portion size) and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Warm your hummus on medium heat in 10-second increments. Add more water if necessary. Once heated to your satisfaction, remove and serve.
This is a very convenient method, but it can make your hummus smooth and mushy if you overdo it or add too much water.
How to reheat hummus in the microwave:
- Place your hummus in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Add a teaspoon or two of water and stir it in.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- On medium (50%), heat your hummus in 10-second increments.
- Check and stir it during each interval.
- Once warm, remove and serve immediately
It’s best to keep a close eye on your hummus when reheating it in the microwave, as this is a direct heating method that can be harsh on delicate foods.
Adding too much water can also be problematic. Excess moisture might turn your hummus smooth or watery, thereby ruining its texture and diluting its taste.
Once you get the hang of what works for you in terms of your own microwave, it’s a low-effort method that produces tasty results in a hurry.
My verdict
This method works just fine if you’re in a rush or only looking to reheat a small portion of hummus.
However, you do run the risk of overcooking it, so it might take a bit of practice to get it just right.
While my hummus still tasted nice, the consistency was noticeably not quite the same as when I had just made it.
Reheating hummus in a hot water bath
Place your hummus in a heavy-duty freezer (or zip-lock) bag and press out as much excess air as possible. Seal the bag tightly. Prepare a bowl of hot, but not boiling, water. Place the bag in the bowl and allow it to rest there for one to two minutes. Remove and serve immediately.
While this method won’t make your hummus piping hot, it produces a pleasantly warm result without damaging taste or texture.
How to reheat hummus in a hot water bath:
- Place a portion of hummus in a freezer or zip-lock bag.
- Remove as much air from the bag as possible and seal.
- Prepare a bowl with hot water (not boiling).
- Rest the bag in the bowl for 1 to 2 minutes or until warm.
- Remove and serve immediately.
This indirect heating method is gentle enough to preserve the creamy consistency of hummus and reawaken its flavors.
If you’re aiming for hot hummus, though, this isn’t the method for you, but it’s a cut above room temperature.
I wouldn’t recommend using this method for large portions of hummus, as the warmth from the bath might not then be able to heat it all the way through.
My verdict
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 hot as I would’ve liked.
Transferring hummus into a freezer bag from the fridge can also be a little cumbersome, as can serving it from one.
How to store hummus
Allow your hummus to cool to room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight container. Inside the container, press down a piece of plastic wrap over the top of your hummus. Then, seal the container with its lid. Optionally, add a thin layer of olive oil before placing the plastic wrap and sealing.
When storing hummus, your priority should be keeping out excess moisture or pesky contaminants.
Letting your hummus cool first prevents condensation from forming within the container.
Covering your leftovers with plastic wrap inside the container prevents a dry crust from forming and seals in existing moisture.
You can store homemade hummus in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and most store-bought varieties for 5 to 6 days.
Can you freeze hummus?
You can freeze hummus either in airtight containers or in freezer bags. 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.
Hummus freezes really well, and keeping it stored in portions means you don’t have to keep making fresh batches.
How to freeze hummus:
- Cool your hummus to room temperature.
- Place leftover portions in either an airtight container or a freezer bag.
- Seal your airtight container or freezer bag securely.
- Store in the freezer for up to 4 months.
If you’re storing hummus in a container, add a splash of olive oil. This will help retain its moisture and complements its existing flavors.
If you’re using a freezer or zip-lock bag, try to remove as much air as possible by pressing down on it before sealing it.
How to thaw hummus
The best way to thaw hummus is to remove it from the freezer well before you plan to reheat it and then let it defrost naturally in the fridge or on the counter.
You can also thaw hummus in the microwave, but this may impact its consistency, so check its progress every 10 to 15 seconds.
How to reheat frozen hummus
To reheat frozen hummus, first, thaw it properly by allowing it to defrost either in the fridge or at room temperature. Once soft, you can reheat your hummus in a saucepan, in the microwave, or in a hot water bath until warmed to your satisfaction.
I don’t recommend reheating hummus straight from frozen as this will compromise its creamy consistency.
In addition to this, unthawed hummus will heat up unevenly, so your texture will become inconsistent.
Adding a drop or two of olive oil to reheated hummus will assist in amplifying its flavors.
How long does hummus last?
Use the information below as a guideline for storing your hummus while retaining as much of its freshness and flavor as possible.
- Room temperature: Hummus can be left out at room temperature for up to 4 hours. Anything longer accelerates its exposure to harmful bacteria.
- Refrigerated: You can store homemade hummus in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and store-bought hummus for 5 to 7 days.
- Frozen: In the freezer, hummus keeps well for up to 4 months.
Is hummus best served hot or cold?
Hummus is traditionally served warm. However, it depends on preference. It can be consumed hot, lukewarm, or at room temperature but technically shouldn’t be served cold.
Whatever you decide, hummus lovers worldwide agree that a bit of warmth goes a long way in emphasizing its various flavors.
Read Next: How To Keep Soft Pretzels Fresh Overnight (who doesn’t love a pretzel dipped in hummus?!)
The Best Way To Reheat Hummus
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.
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