Easy High-Protein Hummus

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!

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.

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.

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!

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