If you’re looking for a soul-warming dish that’s creamy, flavorful, and packs a lovely crunch, you’ll absolutely want to try my Hummus Soup with Crispy Chickpeas and Roasted Garlic Recipe. This soup is like a cozy hug in a bowl — think silky hummus-inspired base with just the right zing of lemon and cumin, accented by irresistibly crispy roasted chickpeas. When I first made this soup, I was amazed at how something so simple could feel so special and satisfying, and trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort in a Bowl: Creamy texture with a savory roasted garlic punch makes it perfect for chilly days or any time you want a cozy meal.
- Crunch Meets Cream: The crispy chickpeas on top add that satisfying contrast every hummus soup deserves.
- Easy to Prep: With pantry staples like canned chickpeas and simple fresh veggies, this soup comes together without fuss.
- Flavor Booster: Roasted garlic and toasted cumin bring a deep, rich flavor that’ll make you wonder why you ever ate plain soup.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love that this recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have, but they combine in such a way that every bite feels fresh and vibrant. Don’t skimp on roasting the garlic and chickpeas—that’s where the magic really happens!
- Chickpeas: I use canned for convenience, but make sure to rinse and drain them well for the best texture; dividing them helps with the roasted crispiness and creamy soup base.
- Garlic: Roasting whole cloves mellows the bite and adds a sweet, caramelized flavor that’s unbeatable.
- Olive Oil: Quality olive oil makes a difference in roasting and sautéing, bringing richness and a smooth mouthfeel.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning properly and bringing out the best flavors.
- Ground Cumin: Toasting it with the vegetables amps up that warm earthy flavor that complements chickpeas perfectly.
- Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed gently.
- Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and body to the soup.
- Vegetable Broth: For a savory, well-rounded base; homemade or store-bought both work well.
- Water: Helps adjust consistency without diluting flavor too much.
- Tahini: Brings that authentic hummus creaminess—don’t skip it!
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and lifts all those cozy flavors.
- Fresh Parsley: For garnish, adding a fresh pop of color and subtle herbal notes.
Variations
This hummus soup is wonderfully versatile—I often tweak it a bit depending on the season or what’s in the pantry. You should feel free to play with it and make it your own.
- Spice it Up: I sometimes add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne for a smoky kick that my family loves.
- Greens Boost: Adding some chopped spinach or kale toward the end of cooking is a great way to sneak in extra veggies.
- Nut-Free Version: For those allergic to tahini, I swap it out with a spoonful of sunflower seed butter—it’s surprisingly good!
- Make it Chunky: If you prefer texture, puree just half the soup, then stir in the remaining chickpeas without blending.
How to Make Hummus Soup with Crispy Chickpeas and Roasted Garlic Recipe
Step 1: Roast Chickpeas and Garlic to Crispy Perfection
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss 1 1/2 cups of rinsed chickpeas with garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread them out well—crowding leads to steaming instead of crisping. Roast for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway, until the garlic is tender and browned and the chickpeas get that golden, crunchy texture. Set aside the garlic cloves separately for pureeing later. This step adds that crave-worthy crunch and depth of flavor you’ll notice every time.
Step 2: Sauté Onions, Toast Spices, and Build Soup Base
While your chickpeas roast, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until translucent and soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle in the remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon cumin, stirring constantly until the spices bloom and darken, about 30 seconds to 1 minute—this part really deepens the soup’s flavor. Toss in your chopped carrots and the remaining 1 1/2 cups of chickpeas, stir for 2 minutes so everything is beautifully coated. Then gradually add vegetable broth and water, scraping the fond (those browned bits) from the pot with your wooden spoon—it adds so much complexity you don’t want to miss. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until the carrots are fork-tender, around 20 minutes.
Step 3: Puree and Finish with Creamy Tahini and Lemon
Once the vegetables are tender, remove from heat and stir in tahini, the fresh lemon juice, and your reserved roasted garlic cloves. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until silky smooth—this usually takes 1 to 2 minutes. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender, venting the lid to let steam escape, and puree until creamy. I like to add a bit of extra water here or there to get the consistency just right—think of it like a velvety hummus you can sip. Taste and adjust with extra lemon juice if you want a brighter punch.
Step 4: Serve with Crispy Chickpeas and Fresh Parsley
Ladle the soup into bowls, then sprinkle generously with those crispy chickpeas and a handful of fresh parsley. This fresh herb adds a lovely vibrancy, and the chickpeas bring that textural oomph that makes each bite special. I promise you’ll get tons of compliments for this one—it’s the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and crunchy.
Pro Tips for Making Hummus Soup with Crispy Chickpeas and Roasted Garlic Recipe
- Don’t Rush Roasting: Give the chickpeas enough time to develop that golden crunch, or you’ll lose the contrast that makes this soup shine.
- Toast Your Spices: Sautéing cumin with onions brings out deeper notes and avoids a bland soup base.
- Adjust the Consistency: Add water gradually after pureeing for your favorite thickness—you want it creamy but still spoonable or sippable.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice Last: Adding it right before serving preserves that bright, fresh flavor you want.
How to Serve Hummus Soup with Crispy Chickpeas and Roasted Garlic Recipe
Garnishes
I’m obsessed with topping this hummus soup with the crispy chickpeas and fresh parsley for texture and color, but I also love adding a drizzle of good olive oil or a sprinkle of smoked paprika. If I want a little heat, I toss on some chili flakes or a swirl of harissa. These small touches elevate the experience, especially when serving guests.
Side Dishes
For a full meal, I usually serve this with warm pita bread or crunchy flatbread to scoop up the creamy soup. It also pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or roasted veggies for some fresh contrast. If I’m making it for lunch, crusty bread is my go-to—it’s so good for soaking up every last bit.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, I like serving the soup in rustic bowls with a small mound of crispy chickpeas in the center, then sprinkling chopped parsley and adding a lemon wedge on the side. It looks gorgeous and makes it interactive for guests to squeeze fresh lemon to their liking. Sometimes I set out small bowls of different garnishes like za’atar or pomegranate seeds for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover hummus soup in an airtight container in the fridge, where it lasts up to 5 days. The crispy chickpeas lose their crunch fast, so I always keep them separate and only add them when serving. When reheating, I gently warm it on the stove, stirring often to prevent sticking and to freshen up that flavor.
Freezing
This soup freezes beautifully. After it cools completely, I portion it out into freezer-safe containers or bags. When I defrost, I usually leave it in the fridge overnight to thaw and then stir well before reheating. Tahini can separate a bit during freezing, but whisking the soup while reheating smooths it right back out.
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat is on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring frequently. You can add a splash of water or broth to bring back the creamy texture if it thickened too much. This method keeps the soup fresh and prevents any bitterness that sometimes comes from microwaving garlic-heavy dishes.
FAQs
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Can I make Hummus Soup with Crispy Chickpeas and Roasted Garlic Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! This recipe is naturally vegan since it uses vegetable broth and plant-based ingredients like chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil. Just double-check your broth to ensure it doesn’t contain animal products.
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How do I get crispy chickpeas without a dehydrator?
Roasting them in the oven at 400°F with a bit of oil and stirring halfway through as described in this recipe is the perfect method. Make sure they’re spread out in a single layer to avoid steaming, which keeps them crisp and toasted.
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Can I substitute canned chickpeas with dried?
Yes, but you’ll want to soak and cook dried chickpeas fully before using them. The cooking times will increase significantly, and you’ll need to adjust the liquid amounts accordingly. For convenience, canned chickpeas work great here.
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What’s the best way to puree the soup if I don’t have an immersion blender?
Carefully transferring the soup in batches to a blender works well. Just remember to vent the lid slightly to let steam escape and cover the opening with a kitchen towel to prevent splatters. Blend until silky smooth for that classic hummus soup texture.
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Is it okay to skip the tahini?
Tahini really adds the signature creamy, slightly nutty character to this soup, but if you’re out or allergic, you can try substituting with a mild nut or seed butter like sunflower seed butter or even a bit of smooth peanut butter. Keep in mind it will alter the flavor slightly.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Hummus Soup with Crispy Chickpeas and Roasted Garlic Recipe turns out every single time. It’s become my go-to for when I want something nourishing but not complicated. My family goes crazy for it, especially when those crispy chickpeas come into play. If you usually think of hummus as just a dip, I encourage you to think bigger—this soup brings that same comforting flavor to a whole new level. Give it a try, and I’m betting it’ll become a favorite in your meal rotation too!
PrintHummus Soup with Crispy Chickpeas and Roasted Garlic Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy and comforting Hummus Soup combines roasted chickpeas and garlic with a smooth blend of tahini, lemon juice, and spices. Roasting some chickpeas and garlic adds a deep, toasty flavor that complements the hearty vegetable broth base. Finished with crispy roasted chickpeas and fresh parsley, this Mediterranean-inspired soup is perfect for a nourishing lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Roasted Chickpeas and Garlic
- 1 1/2 cups chickpeas (from 2 (15-ounce) cans, drained and rinsed)
- 8 medium garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Soup Base
- Remaining 3/2 cups chickpeas (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, divided
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 3/4 cups)
- 4 small carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup water, plus more as needed
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons), plus more to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Roast the Chickpeas and Garlic: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss 1 1/2 cups of chickpeas with the peeled garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the garlic is tender and browned and the chickpeas are toasted and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool. Separate the garlic cloves and set aside to use in the soup.
- Prepare the Soup Base: While the chickpeas roast, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon ground cumin; cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant and toasted.
- Add Vegetables and Broth: Add the coarsely chopped carrots and the remaining 1 1/2 cups chickpeas to the pot, stirring to combine for about 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the vegetable broth and 1 cup of water, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze any browned bits.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the carrots are fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the tahini, fresh lemon juice, and the reserved roasted garlic cloves.
- Puree the Soup: Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. Alternatively, transfer portions to a blender and blend until smooth. Add additional water if needed to reach your desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with more lemon juice if preferred.
- Serve: Divide the soup evenly into 4 bowls. Top each serving with the crispy roasted chickpeas and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Stored properly, this soup keeps well refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a nuttier flavor, you can toast the cumin slightly before adding it to the onions.
- If you prefer, use a food processor or blender to puree the soup in batches instead of an immersion blender.
- Adjust water quantity for a thicker or thinner soup consistency to your liking.
- For extra garnish, consider drizzling with olive oil or adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 1/4 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 0mg