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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Dips

    Published: Aug 3, 2019 · Modified: Sep 10, 2020 by Paula Montenegro · Income from ads and affiliates

    Eggplant Hummus

    Jump to Recipe
    White bowl with hummus, charred eggplant. Long pin with text
    White bowl with Hummus, image long pin with text

    As an ultra fan of hummus, I proclaim this roasted eggplant hummus the second-best thing. You can char or bake the whole eggplant which gives it a smoky, deep flavor that is just fabulous! Ready in 45 minutes, it's a flavorful and healthy dip recipe!

    Table of Contents Open
    The eggplants
    How to cook the eggplants
    Mixing it
    Top tips
    Related recipes you might like:
    Eggplant Hummus
    White napkin with white bowl containing hummus with parsley garnish on top


    I can eat hummus every single day. Or something along those lines. I am a true fan. And used to be a purist. i would stick to the original recipe I got from a friend, with real chickpeas (not from a can), tahini, no oil in the mix but only to serve, and so on.

    Despite my efforts, other ingredients (avocado hummus anyone?) found their way into it and I was declared a hummus fake. Well, it didn't matter much as I get to eat this eggplant hummus. So it's a definite win.

    Before we dive into this super easy recipe, should we say it's eggplant hummus or chickpea baba ganoush?

    The eggplants

    I use Italian eggplants (image above) which are the most common and popular.

    When raw they are bitter and astringent and a bit sandy. Not much to like in my opinion. And I can't think of a good way to eat them raw. But bake or char them, and boom! they become this fantastic soft, fleshy thing, with a smoky flavor. A sexy thing.

    • How to choose good eggplants: they should be firm, have a shiny and smooth surface, and be even colored.

    For other eggplant varieties check out this link.

    Bunch of whole, raw Italian eggplants on grey counter

    How to cook the eggplants

    As I mentioned above, they can be baked in the oven or charred in an open flame.

    Charring:

    This is my absolute favorite way of cooking eggplants for hummus. Why? Because the smoky flavor is much deeper. And I think that is what makes all the difference. And it's done in 10 minutes or so.

    • Put the whole, unpeeled, raw eggplant over an open flame, a burner in this case, but you can do it in the grill too. It will be somewhat messy if you do it directly, with bits of charred skin falling off the eggplant, and sticking to the burner or grill. But that is cleaned in no time after you're done. Trust me. I wouldn't do it this way if I had to spend ten minutes scrubbing the burner afterward.
    • You can cover the burner with aluminum foil or use a heat diffuser, necessary if you have an electric stove. I do it directly and then clean it up with a wet cloth. It takes thirty seconds.
    • The skin starts to char and, with the help of kitchen tongs, you turn it periodically so that all sides char.
    • It might take more or less depending on the size of the eggplant, so it's best to use a low/medium flame. You need to cook the inside before the skin becomes a mess. Make sure the inside is soft. You can feel it when you poke with the same tongs.
    • You need to keep turning and holding it over the flame until it's all charred and soft. It doesn't matter if in some parts the skin falls and the flesh is directly over the flame.
    • The charred skin is then easily taken off with a spoon or smooth bladed knife. The pulp is chopped before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients.

    These are the kitchen tongs I use and love.

    Collage of eggplant being charred on stovetop and chopped pulp

    Baking:

    Another way of cooking the eggplants is by baking them in the oven. This is probably the most common way.

    The results are also great.

    • I like to line the oven pan with aluminum foil so I don't have to scrub it afterward.
    • The eggplant is cut in half and a crisscross pattern made with the tip of a knife. Some freshly ground pepper, a little salt, a drizzle of olive oil (image above, left), and into the oven for 45-60 minutes.
    • It takes a while, much more than the charring does. But the flavor is amazing.
    • Garlic: the recipe calls for roasted garlic cloves, so I just pop the whole head of garlic, top cut off (image above), and drizzle with olive oil.

    Once the eggplant is roasted long enough for the flesh to darken and soften, the pulp comes off easily with a spoon.

    This is the best way if you have other things to do while making this step. You simply pop the pan in the oven and wait.

    It's really hard to overbake the eggplant, though you might need to check on the garlic clove as it will be ready before.

    Scooping pulp from baked eggplant half with a spoon
    • I prefer the charring method, but don't get me wrong, both make a super flavorful eggplant hummus.

    Mixing it

    This step is as easy as putting all the ingredients in a bowl and processing them until smooth.

    • Immersion blender: this is my favorite way because it's fast and I can use any jar or bowl to do it.
    • Blender: I like how it makes it ultra smooth, but it's hard to take all of the hummus from the jar after it's blended.
    • Food processor: this will make a chunkier or not-so-smooth hummus in my experience. Which is great if you're going for a more rustic dip.
    Glass jar with eggplant hummus ingredients, mixing it with immersion blender
    A white bowl containing plain hummus on white napkin and wooden board

    Top tips

    • Eggplants: use firm, unblemished, shiny ones. Those are signs of a good eggplant.
    • Charring: if you use this method, it's better to use medium/small eggplants because they will soften inside faster.
    • Ratios: I give you my favorite recipe, but the ratio of eggplant, garlic, and other ingredients can be varied according to your taste. I like it with a lot of eggplant pulp and that means more lemon. the same with salt and pepper. Your taste is what matters.
    • Keeping: it keeps well for several days in the refrigerator, well wrapped.
    • Uses: it's a great spread for sandwiches, as a dip before a meal with pita chips and for wraps.
    • Dried garbanzo beans: if using dried beans put ¾ cup dried chickpeas in a medium bowl, cover with water almost to the top of the bowl, and soak overnight. Drain, put in a saucepan and cover with fresh water. Cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook until soft, about 1 hour. Drain and cool. Makes 2 cups cooked chickpeas.
    White bowl with eggplant hummus, sprinkled with parsely and olive oil, on wooden board

    Related recipes you might like:

    • Washed white table with bowl containing avocado dip, chickpeas on top, pita chips around
      Avocado Hummus (quick & easy)
    • Several eggplant rounds with honey and chopped parsley on a white plate set on a wooden surface.
      Honey Eggplant
    • White bowl, jar, and wooden spoon with cilantro pesto on a white plate. Grey background.
      Easy Cilantro Pesto
    • Close up of reddish orange romesco sauce in a white bowl on a white background.
      How to Make Romesco Sauce (easy Spanish recipe)

    Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it and if you had issues so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here. It's much appreciated.
    You might also consider subscribing to our FREE email series to Boost your Home Baking Skills! And our regular newsletter.
    And let's connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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    White bowl with eggplant hummus, sprinkled with parsely and olive oil, on wooden board

    Eggplant Hummus

    ★★★★★

    5 from 10 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    As an ultra fan of hummus, I proclaim this roasted eggplant hummus the second-best thing. You can char or bake the whole eggplant which gives it a smoky, deep flavor that is just fabulous! Ready in 45 minutes, it's a super easy and flavorful recipe!

    The time given is for the fastest way, with canned chickpeas and charring the eggplant.

    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: about 3 cups

    Ingredients

    Units

    For the hummus:

    • ¼ cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
    • â…“ cup fresh lemon juice
    • â…“ to ½ cup warm water
    • 1 garlic clove, chopped
    • 2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained if canned or ¾ cup dried and cooked until tender (see notes, below)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup roasted eggplant pulp (about 1 medium)
    • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    • Olive oil (for garnish)
    • Smoked or regular paprika (for garnish)
    • Chopped parsley (for garnish)

    Instructions

    For the hummus:

    1. Put tahini, lemon juice, water and garlic in cup of immersion blender or food processor fitted with the metal blade. Cover and process until smooth.
    2. Add chickpeas, eggplant pulp, salt and pepper and process until smooth. If necessary scrape down sides of bowl and add a bit more water.
    3. The mixture will thicken when it is refrigerated. Check seasoning.
    4. Put the hummus into a bowl, cover and refrigerate.
    5. To serve, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika and parsley if using. It keeps for
      a week in the refrigerator.

    For the eggplant:

    • Charring method: put 1 medium whole washed eggplant directly on the burner flame.

    The skin starts to char and, with the help of kitchen tongs, you turn it periodically so that all sides char

    It might take more or less depending on the size of the eggplant, so it's best to use a low/medium flame. You need to cook the inside before the skin becomes a mess. Make sure the inside is soft. You can feel it when you poke with the same tongs.

    You need to keep turning, even hold it over the flame until it's all charred and soft. It doesn't matter if in some parts the skin falls and the flesh is directly over the flame.

    • Baking method: cut eggplant in half and put on an oven pan lined with aluminum paper (for easier cleaning).

    Score each half in a criss-cross pattern, drizzle with olive oil, and add some salt and black pepper.

    Roast in a 180ºC / 350ºF oven for about 45 minutes, until the pulp is soft.

    Let cool and scrape the pulp with a spoon.

    Notes

    • Eggplants: use firm, unblemished, shiny ones. Those are signs of a good eggplant.
    • Charring: if you use this method, it's better to use medium/small eggplants because they will soften inside faster.
    • Ratios: I give you my favorite recipe, but the ratio of eggplant, garlic, and other ingredients can be varied according to your taste. I like it with a lot of eggplant pulp and that means more lemon. the same with salt and pepper. Your taste is what matters.
    • Keeping: it keeps well for several days in the refrigerator, well wrapped.
    • Uses: it's a great spread for sandwiches, as a dip before a meal with pita chips and for wraps.
    • Chickpeas or garbanzo beans: if using dried beans put ¾ cup dried chickpeas in a medium bowl, cover with water almost to the top of the bowl, and soak overnight. Drain put in a saucepan and cover with fresh water. Cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook until soft, about 1 hour. Drain and cool.
      Makes 2 cups cooked chickpeas.
    • These are the kitchen tongs I use and love.
    • Author: Paula Montenegro
    • Prep Time: 30
    • Cook Time: 15
    • Category: Appetizers & Dips
    • Method: Mixing
    • Cuisine: International

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: â…™
    • Calories: 158
    • Sugar: 0.8 g
    • Sodium: 421.1 mg
    • Fat: 9.3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 15.1 g
    • Protein: 5.9 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: egpplant hummus, eggplant dip

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @vintagekitchenblog on Instagram and hashtag it #vintagekitchenblog

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    About Paula Montenegro

    I'm Paula, a baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe developer, sharing the best ones here with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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    1. Traci says

      August 10, 2019 at 10:42 am

      I absolutely love eggplant and chickpeas together… It's the best of both worlds! Thanks for sharing this great recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Julia says

      August 10, 2019 at 9:46 am

      I absolutely love hummus - either the real deal or mixed/substituted with other ingredients so putting this on my menu for next week! Yum!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      August 06, 2019 at 11:50 am

      I just rediscovered your blog....someway along the line you disappeared from my reader. Love baba ganoush and hummus and this sounds like a great combination of the two. I've spent about an hour pinning lots of recipes that I have missed. 😀

      Reply
      • Paula Montenegro says

        August 07, 2019 at 5:28 am

        So nice to see this comment Karen! Have a great week!

        Reply
    4. Macarena says

      August 03, 2019 at 8:15 am

      I'm dying to try this recipe! Eggplant is one of my favorite things and I am always looking for some recipe inspiration. Spot on Paula!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Cocoa and Lavender says

      April 06, 2013 at 9:23 pm

      Eggplant is soooo underutilized in my opinion. This sounds fantastic - and healthy, too. The crackers are amazing looking,,, ~ David

      Reply
    6. kale says

      March 28, 2013 at 4:21 am

      that is too funny, because I love red pepper but I ALWAYS have some left over too! super smart cleaning out the fridge tips! I hate wasting food.

      Reply
    7. Laura Dembowski says

      March 28, 2013 at 1:40 am

      Love the idea of eggplant hummus. I'm not typically a hummus fan but the addition of eggplant sounds great! Such a good idea to use up leftover doughs too!

      Reply
    8. Liz : strayed from the table says

      March 28, 2013 at 12:24 am

      I love cleaning out the fridge, like you most of the things end up in soup or sauces. I never think to make dip with the leftovers. I do like the combination of eggplant, chickpeas, tahini and lemon.

      Reply
    9. Kate@Diethood says

      March 27, 2013 at 6:58 pm

      YUMMO!! I love this... homemade crackers, homemade hummus...it just doesn't get better!

      Reply
    10. Carol | a cup of mascarpone says

      March 27, 2013 at 5:24 pm

      The eggplant hummus is driving me crazy...love it, Paula! I MUST make this - and soon!!!

      Reply
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