Save I discovered chocolate hummus during a chaotic week when my sweet tooth was at war with my desire to actually eat something nourishing. My roommate raised an eyebrow when I pulled out the tahini and cocoa powder together, but one spoonful had both of us hovering over the food processor. The way it bridges snack and dessert still feels like pulling a fast one on my own cravings.
I brought this to a game night last winter and watched skeptical friends go from polite dipping to hovering by the bowl with strawberries. The best part was telling them what it was after they had already declared it the best dessert dip they had ever tasted.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas: The humble base that transforms into silky magic when blended thoroughly, so do not rush this step
- Unsweetened almond milk: Creates the perfect creamy consistency without competing with the chocolate flavor
- Tahini: Adds that signature hummus richness while deepening the chocolate experience
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Use good quality cocoa here because it carries the entire chocolate profile
- Maple syrup: Sweetens naturally while adding a beautiful depth that white sugar cannot match
- Vannilla extract: Do not skip this because it makes the chocolate taste more expensive
- Salt: Crucial for making the chocolate flavor pop forward instead of tasting flat
- Chocolate chips: Optional but creating little pockets of melted chocolate feels like a special treat
Instructions
- Blend the base:
- Add everything except optional chips to your food processor and blend for several minutes until completely smooth
- Scrape and repeat:
- Stop to scrape down the sides multiple times because stubborn lumps of tahini or chickpeas will ruin the texture
- Adjust the consistency:
- Add almond milk one tablespoon at a time if it feels too thick, remembering it will firm up slightly when chilled
- Taste and tweak:
- Trust your palate here because cocoa strength varies and you might want more sweetness or a pinch more salt
- Add texture:
- Pulse in chocolate chips or nut butter briefly so you get pockets of variation instead of a completely uniform dip
Save This became my go to when I want something that feels indulgent but leaves me feeling energized instead of sluggish. My niece now requests it every time she visits, and I love that she is obsessed with something made from beans.
Serving Ideas That Work
Strawberries are the classic choice for good reason, but sliced apples or pretzels create that sweet salty situation that makes people keep reaching for more. I have even spread this on toast for a breakfast that feels like dessert but powers me through a morning workout.
Make It Your Own
The nut free variation with sunflower seed butter works surprisingly well and brings a slightly earthier note that some people actually prefer. Adding a scoop of protein powder turns this into post workout fuel, though you will need extra milk to thin it back out.
Storage and Prep
This keeps beautifully in the fridge for five days and actually tastes better on day two when the cocoa has time to fully bloom. I often double the batch because it disappears faster than I expect.
- Let it come to room temperature for 15 minutes before serving if it has been chilling overnight
- The texture firms up in the cold, so a quick stir brings back that creamy magic
- Portion into small containers for grab and go snacks throughout the week
Save There is something deeply satisfying about serving a dish that surprises people with how good healthy can taste. Every time I make it, I am reminded that the best recipes are often the ones that make us question everything we thought we knew about food.
Kitchen Tips & Answers
- → What ingredients create the creamy texture?
The blend of chickpeas, tahini, and plant-based milk yields a smooth, creamy texture that balances richness and spreadability.
- → Can I adjust the sweetness?
Yes, maple syrup levels can be tuned to taste, making the dip sweeter or more subtle according to preference.
- → Are there variations for added flavor?
Adding dairy-free chocolate chips or nut butters enhances texture and introduces extra chocolatey or nutty notes.
- → Is this suitable for special diets?
It fits vegan and gluten-free lifestyles naturally, using plant-based ingredients without animal products or gluten.
- → How should it be stored?
Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to five days to maintain freshness and flavor.
- → How can consistency be modified?
Adding more plant-based milk while blending allows thinning to preferred texture, perfect for spreading or dipping.