The Joys of Hummus

Hummus is a tasty treat that comes with remarkable amounts of fiber and protein. Traditional hummus is made with chickpeas, olive oil, salt and lemon juice, although some add tahini into the mix.

If you're wondering how to incorporate hummus into your diet, try one of these 10 easy methods.

As a Dip for Veggies

One of the most popular ways to eat hummus is with vegetables. Simply scoop some hummus onto a serving tray and surround it with raw broccoli, celery, grape tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, carrot sticks, cucumber or any other veggies you love.

Use It On Sandwiches

Everyone has a favorite sandwich. You probably spread mayonnaise or mustard over the bread before anything else, but did you know that you could sub hummus for those condiments? With its delightfully creamy texture, it's a replacement that will only amplify your tried-and-true sandwich.

Use It As Salad Dressing

With hummus, there's no need for additional salad dressing. Hummus is made with plenty of olive oil and lemon juice, so it can serve as your new favorite dressing. Just mix your salad greens with your hummus of choice, or put a dollop on the side so you can slowly incorporate it in.

Put It on Toast

Move over, avocado toast. Hummus toast is the next best thing, so why not enjoy a chickpea tahini spread on your toast for a change? Top with hard-boiled egg slices or thin red pepper ribbons, and hummus toast will quickly turn into one of your favorite breakfast dishes.

The Classic Pita Chips and Hummus

Visit any grocery store and you're likely to find an entire section dedicated to different flavors of hummus, including garlic, lentil, black bean, sweet potato and even dessert varieties like chocolate brownie. Of course, there are plenty of plain hummus options as well. Grab what sounds good to you, then add some pita chips to your basket to complete the ultimate snack.

Use It to Replace Cream Sauce

Hummus is naturally creamy, so it's the perfect ingredient for a cream sauce. Instead of a thick Alfredo sauce, tune into your healthy (yet indulgent) side with a hummus substitute. Because hummus is thicker than most cream sauces, thin it out with a little water to achieve the right consistency.

Use Hummus in Deviled Eggs

Just as you substitute hummus for mayo on your sandwich, try doing the same for a batch of deviled eggs: Hard-boil eggs and slice each in half lengthwise, scooping out the yolk and placing them in a separate bowl. Mash the yolk with a couple of tablespoons of hummus, then return the mixture to the hollowed-out egg whites.

Hummus Pizza

There's always room to be traditional, but it's also fun to step out of bounds. To do this, make a hummus pizza with pita bread as your base. Top with smeared hummus, arugula, fresh diced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and a sprinkling of your favorite cheese. Hummus pizza is best eaten with a fork and knife.

Eat Hummus by Itself

Hummus is so delicious that you may just want to eat a spoonful all by itself, and you won't be the only one reaching for that spoon.

Make Hummus Marinade

Hummus also serves as a fantastic marinade for chicken or fish because of how flavorful it is. Just slather some on your meat and let it marinate for an hour before cooking.