High-Protein Red Pepper Hummus

If you’re looking for a high-protein snack recipe that also doubles as a delicious condiment, then you will love this High-Protein Red Pepper Hummus. This creamy, delicious hummus gets its protein thanks to one very special ingredient: cottage cheese. But don’t let that scare you — you’ll never taste it! Instead, what you’ll taste is the salty garbanzo beans, the touch of tahini, the rich olive oil, and the roasted red peppers that add just the right amount of flavor and kick to this hummus. Enjoy it alone or pair it with your favorite kebab recipe. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, you can’t go wrong!

Friends, if you’re looking for a high-protein snack recipe that is anything but boring, then you will love this High-Protein Red Pepper Hummus. When I shared my Easy High-Protein Hummus recipe at the end of last year, you (my community) loved it. And I completely understand why! Up until recently, when you thought about a high-protein snack recipe, the options were between a sad, brick-like protein bar, hard boiled eggs, or a ball made of raw dates, nuts, and protein powder. I don’t know about you, but all of those options seem sad and boring.

So, I love finding ways to give your favorite snacks a high-protein twist. Especially when it’s as easy to prepare as this hummus is! This creamy hummus tastes just like the hummus that you will find in your favorite Middle Eastern restaurants, but gets a not-so-secret, protein-packed twist, thanks to the cottage cheese. Now, before you scoff at the idea of cottage cheese in hummus, I want to assure you that you won’t taste it. The cottage cheese, rather, adds a smooth and creamy texture to the hummus while allowing all of the rest of the ingredients (the garbanzo beans, tahini, red peppers, and lemon juice) to shine!

Plus, it’s not just good as a snack — it’s also perfect for serving alongside all of your favorite Middle Eastern dishes, like my Chicken Kebabs, Meat Stuffed Pitas (aka Arayes), and my tender Beef Kofta Kebabs. Any Middle Eastern or Armenian dish can be taken to the next level with a spoonful of hummus, and the higher protein content means that it’ll also help you stay fuller, longer! But whether you’re adding it to your favorite recipes, or enjoying it with some warm and fluffy pita bread, you can’t go wrong with this hummus. It’s the perfect condiment to prep-ahead and enjoy anytime!

What You Need to Make This Red Pepper Hummus Recipe

• 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. The cottage cheese adds a thick and creamy element that makes this hummus creamy while also helping you to reach your protein goals.
• Red Peppers: It wouldn’t be a red pepper hummus without the red peppers! I like to use jarred, roasted red peppers — you can usually find them in the same aisle of the grocery store that olives are in!
• 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 the flavor of this hummus balanced. Don’t skip it!
• Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic cloves in my recipes, and this hummus is no exception! You’ll need three whole garlic cloves for this recipe, but if you like a really garlicky hummus, you can always add in more.
• Seasonings: The seasoning for this hummus is a simple combination of just cumin and sea salt.
• Ice Cubes: Did you know, the secret to making light and fluffy hummus is to add in an ice cube. This is a popular “hack” used in Middle Eastern cooking to make the hummus thick, fluffy, and creamy.

How to Make This Easy, Creamy, High-Protein 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, roasted red peppers, 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.

Transfer the hummus to a bowl and garnish it with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped parsley and more red peppers. Serve with your favorite chips, crackers, or cruité, and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

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