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5 from 6 votes
Home | Recipe | Dips, Sauces & Dressings

Easy High-Protein Hummus

Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Protein 11g
Carbs 8g
Fats 14g
Say "hello" to the easiest hummus recipe that is creamy, delicious, and packed with protein. This is my Easy High-Protein Hummus that contains a special, not-so-secret ingredient: cottage cheese! Don't knock it until you try it – the end result is a smooth, creamy, velvety hummus that will keep you hitting your protein goals and while also feeling fuller, longer. Trust me when I say that you'll never want to buy store-bought hummus ever again!

Recipe by:

Nicole Modic

November 17, 2024
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    Say “hello” to the easiest hummus recipe that is creamy, delicious, and packed with protein. This is my Easy High-Protein Hummus that contains a special, not-so-secret ingredient: cottage cheese! Don’t knock it until you try it – the end result is a smooth, creamy, velvety hummus that will keep you hitting your protein goals and while also feeling fuller, longer. Trust me when I say that you’ll never want to buy store-bought hummus ever again!

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    3.2K shares

    Friends, can you believe that this is the FIRST hummus recipe that I’m sharing on my blog? As a proud Armenian, I’ve grown up eating delicious, homemade hummus my entire life. Back in the day, my dad would make a large container of hummus every single week for my sister and I to snack on. After school, we’d enjoy it with copious amounts of warm pita bread, fresh cut veggies, or tender Kofta kebabs. The creaminess of the chickpeas mixed with the salty tahini and spices was a truly unbeatable combination. And if you’ve never tried homemade hummus before, be warned: once you go homemade, you’ll never want to buy store-bought again!

    Not only does homemade hummus taste infinitely better than its store-bought counterpart, but it also is incredibly easy to make. A simple hummus recipe comes together with chickpeas, lemon, olive oil, and some spices. But for this recipe, we’re taking things up a notch with two of my favorite ingredients: tahini and cottage cheese. While some people will debate whether or not you should add tahini to your hummus recipe, I am all in favor of it. After all, I am a die-hard tahini fan (if you couldn’t tell by my famous Life Changing Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies). But also, the salty, slightly-nutty flavor of tahini pairs perfectly with the creamy hummus, adding both depth and flavor to this recipe.

    But the real star of the show here is, of course, none other than the cottage cheese. Creamy cottage cheese is a true superfood, in my opinion. For starters, it’s PACKED with protein, making it a super easy way to add more protein into your diet. But second, it also doesn’t influence the flavor of this hummus, which means that it’s virtually undetectable. You, your kids, or anyone that you serve this hummus to will never know that it’s there! Cottage cheese is a staple in my kitchen and I promise, you will love it in this recipe.

    To make this hummus, you’ll need garbanzo beans, cottage cheese, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, seasoning, and ice cubes.
    Wash the chickpeas and remove the skins from them, then add them to a food processor alongside the cottage cheese, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, seasonings, and ice cubes.

    What You Need to Make This High-Protein Hummus

    • Garbanzo Beans: Of course, the base for any hummus recipe begins with garbanzo beans, aka chickpeas. These small “beans” are a true superfood – they’re packed with healthy plant-based proteins and fats and are extremely affordable, which makes them a great staple in any kitchen.
    • Cottage Cheese: The secret to making this hummus high-protein? Two words: cottage cheese. Don’t knock it until you try it – the cottage cheese adds a thick and creamy element that helps you meet your protein goals while also staying fuller, longer.
    • Tahini: If you’ve been to my blog before, then you may know that I am a HUGE fan of tahini. Made from ground sesame seeds, this salty paste is a staple in not only Middle Eastern cooking, but also in beloved recipes like my Life Changing Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies. My favorite tahini is by Soom Foods, and I highly recommend it in this recipe!
    • Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds the perfect amount of acidity to keep this hummus balanced. Don’t skip it!
    • Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic cloves in my recipes, and this hummus is no exception!
    • Seasonings: The seasoning for this hummus is simple- just a combination of cumin and sea salt does the trick!
    • Ice Cubes: You might be wondering, “Nicole, why do you need ice cubes to make this hummus?” and the answer is simple: it makes the hummus creamy! This is a popular “hack” used in Middle Eastern cooking to make the hummus thick, fluffy, and creamy.
    • Garnishes: I like to garnish this hummus with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh chopped parsley.
    Blend or process the hummus together until it’s smooth and creamy. If you want a saltier flavor, you can add in more tahini!

    The Secret to Making This Hummus Extra Creamy

    Have you ever wondered how Middle Eastern restaurants make their hummus nice and fluffy? The secret might surprise you… in fact, the key is to add ice cubes to the hummus as it’s processing. Trust me, I know!

    While it may seem counterintuitive, the ice cubes make the hummus super thick. It works by incorporating air into the hummus as it’s blending, simultaneously “whipping” it, which leads to the hummus taking on a lighter and fluffier texture. Plus, it also helps to cool the ingredients, which can help prevent the oil and solids from separating. There is nothing worse than a thin and runny hummus, in my opinion, and this is truly the easiest way to fluff up the texture of this homemade hummus. Don’t skip it!

    Once the hummus is done, transfer it to a bowl and smooth it out with a spoon.
    A bowl of hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with parsley and red pepper flakes. Sliced cucumbers are on the side, and a hand is dipping a cracker into the hummus.
    Garnish with olive oil and chopped parsley, if desired. Serve with chips, crackers, pita bread, or cruité, and enjoy!

    5 Steps to Making This Simple & Easy Hummus

    To make this hummus, start by preparing the garbanzo beans. Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans well, and remove the skins – this is what will make the hummus nice and creamy! Transfer the prepared chickpeas to a food processor alongside the rest of the ingredients (the cottage cheese, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and sea salt). Add in the ice cubes last.

    Process the ingredients together for 3-4 minutes, until the hummus is smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor and re-blend once or twice, to ensure that the ingredients are fully incorporated. Then, remove the cover and taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Serve with your favorite chips, crackers, or cruité, and enjoy!

    If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

    ** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim

    Home | Recipe | Dips, Sauces & Dressings

    5 from 6 votes

    Easy High-Protein Hummus

    • Gluten Free
    • Grain Free
    • Refined Sugar Free
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Say "hello" to the easiest hummus recipe that is creamy, delicious, and packed with protein. This is my Easy High-Protein Hummus that contains a special, not-so-secret ingredient: cottage cheese! Don't knock it until you try it – the end result is a smooth, creamy, velvety hummus that will keep you hitting your protein goals and while also feeling fuller, longer. Trust me when I say that you'll never want to buy store-bought hummus ever again!
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    Servings: 4 Servings
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    Equipment

    • Food Processor this food processor is a staple in my kitchen and is perfect for making this hummus!

    Ingredients

    For the Hummus:
    • 1 15 Ounce Can Garbanzo Beans, drained and rinsed with the skins removed
    • 1 ¼ Cups Cottage Cheese
    • ⅓ Cup Tahini
    • ¼ Cup Lemon Juice
    • 2 Cloves Garlic
    • ¼ Teaspoon Cumin
    • ½ Teaspoon Sea Salt
    • 2 Ice Cubes
    For Garnishing:
    • 1 Drizzle Olive Oil
    • Fresh Parsley, chopped

    Instructions 

    1. To make this hummus, start by preparing the garbanzo beans. Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans well, and remove the skins – this is what will make the hummus nice and creamy!
    2. Transfer the prepared chickpeas to a food processor alongside the rest of the ingredients (the cottage cheese, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and sea salt). Add in the ice cubes last.
    3. Process the ingredients together for 3-4 minutes, until the hummus is smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor and re-blend once or twice, to ensure that the ingredients are fully incorporated.
    4. Then, remove the cover and taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
    5. Serve with your favorite chips, crackers, or cruité, and enjoy!

    Recipe In Action

    Nutrition Hide Nutrition
    Calories: 191kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 505mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 108IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 88mgIron: 1mg

    Hey I’m Nicole!

    Founder of Kale junkie

    Your go-to girl for bold, nourishing eats that actually taste good.

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    Rate & review

    SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!

    What others are saying

    1. Amy
      November 27, 2024

      5 stars
      This is absolutely unreal. It’s so amazing. It’s almost too good to be true. She is completely right when she says you won’t want to buy store-bought hummus. Thank you so much for this amazing recipe.!!! I need self-control 🙂. Sooo good!!

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        December 4, 2024

        I am so happy you enjoyed it, Amy! Thank you so much for making this recipe and for leaving such a kind review!

    2. Sara
      January 5, 2025

      5 stars
      My son was literally eating this with a spoon!!! Definitely going to be a staple in our home!!

      Reply
    3. Julie
      January 24, 2025

      Good Morning Nicole,

      Can you make the recipe without cottage cheese? I don’t do dairy.

      Thank you

      Reply
    4. Tara-Lee
      January 24, 2025

      Thank you for the recipe!! Have you ever frozen leftover hummus in case it won’t get eaten all in time?? I’m curious if possible and how it would be once unthawed….

      Reply
    5. Natalie
      February 17, 2025

      5 stars
      Beyond easy, SO delicious – done in 6 minutes. This one is definitely going in my regular rotation!

      Reply
    6. Jessica
      March 4, 2025

      5 stars
      I was scared of the taste so I only added 1 cup of cottage cheese and it turned out to be so good !! Will definitely make this recipe again. Thanks

      Reply
    7. anon
      March 6, 2025

      but how can I make it high protein if I’m vegan? please don’t say tofu 🙁

      Reply
    8. jasmine
      March 16, 2025

      5 stars
      I LOVED IT SO MUCH “perfect”

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        March 31, 2025

        I am so happy to hear that, Jasmine! Thank you for your review!

    9. Carolyn
      June 21, 2025

      Delicious! I’m always looking for extra ways to add protein to my diet. I had a favorite hummus recipe but it will have to be replaced by this. Thank you!

      Reply
      1. kalejunkie
        July 1, 2025

        I am so happy to hear that, Carolyn! Thank you so much for making it and for your review!

    10. Sheri
      September 5, 2025

      5 stars
      Added a large, seeded jalapeño and 4tbsp honey instead of the lemon juice, garlic, and cumin and it turned out so good!

      Reply
      1. Nicole Modic
        September 5, 2025

        Sounds delicious! Thanks for trying it out and leaving the review Sheri!

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