Apart from hummus being a delicious snack packed with nutrients and protein, its also one of the most versatile dips out there. Whether youre craving chips, pita, or veggies, hummus goes with pretty much anything. And with the recent addition of dessert hummus to the mix, the snack possibilities are truly endless.
Traditionally a mix of chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, hummus is best served fresh and refrigerated for later use. But if you have a lot left over (or just bought a few too many containers like we tend to do), you can freeze it for later as long as a few precautions are taken.
If you have unopened containers of hummus that you know you wont use for a bit, you can toss those right into the freezer as is. But if youve already dug into the dip then youll need to place the remaining hummus into an air-tight, freezer-safe container. You can then freeze the hummus for up to four months, but remember the longer it sits there, the higher the chance the flavoring might taste a little different once thawed.
When youre ready to eat the hummus, remove the container from the freezer a day before you plan to eat it and let it thaw in the refrigerator (reminder: the bigger the batch, the longer it will take to thaw). When it comes time to finally dig back in, you might notice a thin layer of oil at the top. Dont worry! This is perfectly normal and just means the hummus separated a little while in the freezer. Stir the hummus with a spoon until youre happy with the consistency.
As we noted earlier, the flavoring might taste a bit more bland than it did before. To remedy this, try adding fresh veggies, minced garlic, or onions to help bring the hummus back to life once its thawed. If the hummus is dry, stir in a small amount of olive oil. Keep in mind that after thawing, the hummus will only keep in the fridge for about a week. And more often than not, once food is thawed it cant go back in the freezer, but you probably want to avoid doing this in order to get the most out of the flavors.
Due to its high chickpea content, hummus can dry out in the freezer. To prevent this, drizzle some olive oil on top of the hummus and secure the lid. The extra moisture will ensure it comes out tasting just as good as when you froze it.
Once you do thaw your hummus, it should be eaten within 5-7 days. Frozen hummus can keep in the freezer for at least 6 months, but dont longer than a year.
Good news! You can absolutely freeze hummus. Freezing hummus is as easy as freezing any other foods. You just have to follow a few guidelines to prevent spoilage.
As for whether or not freezing will affect the taste of the hummus, it may, in fact, taste a bit different. But that doesnt mean it will taste bad or spoiled. It also depends on what type of hummus you are making. There are dozens of different flavors of hummus and I have noticed that the traditional chickpea version holds its flavor best when frozen. Note that freezing may make flavors a bit more bland so, if its a flavor like roasted red pepper hummus, you might consider adding some fresh onions or a little minced garlic to the hummus to resurrect it.
The consistency of the hummus should not change too much when you freeze it, either. You may find its a little thinner than the fresh, but not to the point where it is not edible.
When you are ready to eat your frozen hummus, just simply thaw it in the refrigerator the day before you want to use it. When you remove the lid, you may notice that theres some liquid at the top but this is completely normal and just means the hummus has separated a bit. Give it a good stir and it should be ready to eat immediately. If you like your hummus warm, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds, and that will help with the consistency as well.
Traditionally a mix of chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, hummus is best served fresh and refrigerated for later use. But if you have a lot left over (or just bought a few too many containers like we tend to do), you can freeze it for later as long as a few precautions are taken.
If you have unopened containers of hummus that you know you wont use for a bit, you can toss those right into the freezer as is. But if youve already dug into the dip then youll need to place the remaining hummus into an air-tight, freezer-safe container. You can then freeze the hummus for up to four months, but remember the longer it sits there, the higher the chance the flavoring might taste a little different once thawed.
When youre ready to eat the hummus, remove the container from the freezer a day before you plan to eat it and let it thaw in the refrigerator (reminder: the bigger the batch, the longer it will take to thaw). When it comes time to finally dig back in, you might notice a thin layer of oil at the top. Dont worry! This is perfectly normal and just means the hummus separated a little while in the freezer. Stir the hummus with a spoon until youre happy with the consistency.
As we noted earlier, the flavoring might taste a bit more bland than it did before. To remedy this, try adding fresh veggies, minced garlic, or onions to help bring the hummus back to life once its thawed. If the hummus is dry, stir in a small amount of olive oil. Keep in mind that after thawing, the hummus will only keep in the fridge for about a week. And more often than not, once food is thawed it cant go back in the freezer, but you probably want to avoid doing this in order to get the most out of the flavors.
Apart from hummus being a delicious snack packed with nutrients and protein, its also one of the most versatile dips out there. Whether youre craving chips, pita, or veggies, hummus goes with pretty much anything. And with the recent addition of dessert hummus to the mix, the snack possibilities are truly endless.
How to Freeze Hummus | Our Method for Freezing Hummus
FAQ
Does freezing hummus ruin it?
Can you eat hummus after it’s been frozen?
Can you freeze and reuse hummus?
How do you freeze store bought hummus?
What happens if hummus freezes?
When freezing hummus, it’s crucial to leave some headspace in the containers to allow for expansion during the freezing process. As hummus freezes, it may slightly expand, and providing sufficient room for this expansion is essential to avoid any mess or potential damage to the container.
Can one eat too much hummus?
While hummus is a healthy and nutritious food, it’s important to remember that it is also high in calories. A 100 gram serving of hummus contains about 166 calories, so it’s important to consume hummus in moderation. Also, over-consumption of hummus can cause flatulence and abdominal discomfort in some people.
Can hummus be frozen?
Pour some olive oil over the hummus once you’re done transferring it to the container to retain its texture. Then, put the container into the freezer. One important trick to freezing hummus is to freeze it in small quantities. The more you freeze in one batch, the longer it takes to thaw, and it also creates a risk of cracking the container.
Does hummus change flavor after freezing?
You may notice a change in flavor after freezing hummus. That’s normal and easy to fix. In addition to adding olive oil, lemon juice, or garlic, you can also incorporate additional flavors like fresh herbs and spices (I personally love it with a sprinkle of paprika) to improve the post-frozen flavor of your hummus.