I love making roasted beets in my air fryer in the fall, as it’s totally the perfect season for root vegetables! When I have leftover beets (or sometimes even if I don’t), then I turn them into this easy roasted beet hummus for a delicious appetizer or snack option!
What is Roasted Beet Hummus?
Roasted beet hummus is a vibrantly colored flavorful twist on traditional Mediterranean hummus, made by blending roasted beets with the standard hummus ingredients of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil.
The roasted beets give the hummus a striking reddish-pink color and add a sweet, earthy flavor that compliments the tanginess of the lemon and the creaminess of the tahini and chickpeas.
This version of hummus is not only beautiful to look at, but also good for you! It’s packed with nutrients from the beets, which are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.
Serve beet hummus as a dip with pita bread, vegetables, or crackers, or used as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. It’s naturally vegetarian and gluten free as well (just adjust your serving sides accordingly), so it works for a variety of different dietary needs!
Katie’s Tip
Looking for more great dips for your party spread? Check out my collection of the Best Air Fryer Dip Recipes for lots of delicious ideas!
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Roasted Beet Hummus Ingredients
- 2 small red beets, peeled
- 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained
- 3 cloves garlic (or more to taste)
- 2 Tbsp tahini
- ¼ cup olive oil (divided)
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cumin
For Topping:
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon zest
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Red beets will give you the most vibrant color, but you can use yellow or striped beets if that’s what you’ve got! You can also substitute pickled beets for a different flavor variation
- The cumin can be adjusted to taste, including omission. You can also try coriander, or another spice of choice
- Other topping ideas include: pine nuts, chopped fresh herbs (parsley and dill are great choices), everything bagel seasoning, toasted sesame seeds, pesto, chopped nuts (pistachios work well), flaky sea salt, or a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic vinegar
Equipment Notes
- For roasting the beets, I use my air fryer. However, you can also roast them in a regular oven (it just takes longer). Bake them wrapped in foil at 400°F for an hour, until fork tender. For the air fryer, just follow my recipe directions below!
- To blend the hummus, you’ll need a food processor, or a blender can be used if you don’t have one. However, I find the food processor generally produces better results overall
How to Make Roasted Beet Hummus
- Rub your peeled beets in ½ tsp olive oil each, and a little salt and pepper to taste. Then, wrap them in foil
- Place the wrapped beets into your air fryer and cook on the air fry setting at 380°F for 30 minutes, until fork tender
- While the beets are roasting, you can add the chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and cumin to your food processor (not the olive oil yet)
- Add the beets to the other ingredients once they’re done cooking, and blend on high, drizzling in the olive oil while it’s blending, until the mixture is smooth (I usually use 3 Tbsp olive oil, but you can adjust as needed)
- Top with chopped fresh parsley and lemon zest (optional) and any remaining olive oil if you want (also optional). Serve with pita chips, crackers, fresh vegetables, or your favorite dippers!
What to Eat With Beet Hummus
- Pita bread
- Sandwiches
- Wraps
- Pita chips
- Baby carrots
- Radishes
- Cauliflower florets
- Pretzels
- Tortilla chips
- Vegetable chips
- Crackers
- Crostini
- Focaccia
- Falafel
- Goat cheese
- Pickled vegetables
- Grilled chicken
- Lamb
- Stuffed zucchini
- Green salad
There are lots of great dippers and sides you can choose to serve alongside your beet hummus. I serve mine with pita chips, along with rainbow baby carrots and fresh radishes, but the choice is yours!
Some other great options include my Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Breasts, Trader Joe’s Frozen Falafel in the Air Fryer, Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls, or garlicky Air Fryer Focaccia!
Recipe FAQs
What Are The Health Benefits Of Roasted Beets?
Beets are high in antioxidants, fiber, folate, and vitamin C, which promote heart health and support a strong immune system.
The chickpeas in the hummus also provide plant-based protein and fiber, while tahini and olive oil contribute healthy fats, making this hummus a nutritious snack or meal addition.
How Does Roasting The Beets Affect The Flavor Of Hummus?
Roasting the beets brings out their natural sweetness and softens their earthy flavor. This creates a delicious balance with the tangy lemon and creamy tahini.
The roasting process caramelizes the sugars in the beets, making them more palatable and helps them to blend seamlessly with the chickpeas.
Can Roasted Beet Hummus Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Yes, roasted beet hummus can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
This makes it a convenient make-ahead dish for parties, gatherings, or meal prepping. Just give it a quick stir before serving, and you can enjoy it for a low stress appetizer or snack.
What Is The Best Way To Serve Roasted Beet Hummus?
Roasted beet hummus is versatile and can be served as a dip with pita bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables like carrots and cucumbers.
It also works well as a spread for sandwiches and wraps, or as a colorful addition to a charcuterie board. The bright reddish pink hue adds visual appeal to any dish, making it a great appetizer for events too!
Is Roasted Beet Hummus Vegan And Gluten Free?
Yes, roasted beet hummus is naturally vegan and gluten free, as the ingredients contain no animal products or gluten.
This makes it a popular option for those with dietary restrictions or preferences. However, it is so delicious that even those without restrictions will enjoy it!
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Roasted Beet Hummus
- You may need to cut your beets in half after roasting before adding them to your food processor. My small food processor struggled with the full ones, but cutting them down did the trick!
- If you want to roast your garlic too (which will caramelize the cloves so they’re mellower and sweeter), wrap them in a separate foil packet and throw them in the air fryer with the beets. Remove after 10-15 minutes, depending on size of cloves (they should be browned and softened)
- To reduce the cooking time for the beets if you’re in a rush, you can cut them into smaller pieces before roasting. The ½” thick slices in my Air Fryer Beets and Carrots recipe are done in 15 minutes usually
Storage Tips For Beet Hummus
- Store any leftover beet hummus in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a good stir before enjoying it again (and feel free to add fresh toppers if desired)
- You can make this hummus ahead of time for easy entertaining! Just prepare it and pop it right in the fridge. Stir and add any fresh toppings right before serving for an easy app or snack option!
More Beet Recipes
Final Thoughts
This easy homemade roasted beet hummus is the perfect twist on a classic Mediterranean recipe! Beautiful, caramelized beets are roasted in the air fryer, then mixed with garlic, tahini, lemon, and chickpeas for a dip that’s both beautiful and delicious.
Serve it with chips, veggies, or alongside a meal. It’s great for fall entertaining due to the use of root vegetables, and perfect for game day snacking too.
Plus, beet hummus is naturally vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free, so it works with a huge variety of diets (but is so tasty you’ll love it even if you aren’t restricted)!
Looking for more great recipes to use your beets in? Check out my entire collection of Air Fryer Beet Recipes for inspiration!
Roasted Beet Hummus (Air Fryer Roasting Method)
Equipment
- Food processor (or blender)
- Foil
Ingredients
- 2 small beets (peeled)
- 15 ounce can chickpeas (drained)
- 3 cloves garlic (or to taste)
- 2 Tbsp tahini
- ¼ cup olive oil (divided)
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp cumin
For Topping (Optional)
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon zest
Instructions
- Rub your peeled beets in ½ tsp olive oil each, and a little salt and pepper to taste. Then, wrap them in foil2 small beets
- Place the wrapped beets into your air fryer and cook on the air fry setting at 380°F for 30 minutes, or until fork tender
- While the beets are roasting, you can add the chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and cumin to your food processor (not the olive oil yet)15 ounce can chickpeas, 3 cloves garlic, 2 Tbsp tahini, 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp cumin
- Add the beets to the other ingredients once they’re done cooking, and blend on high, drizzling in the olive oil while it’s blending, until the mixture is smooth (I usually use 3 Tbsp olive oil, but you can adjust as needed)¼ cup olive oil
- Top with chopped fresh parsley and lemon zest (optional) and any remaining olive oil if you want (also optional). Serve with pita chips, crackers, fresh vegetables, or your favorite dippers!2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 Tbsp fresh lemon zest
Notes
- Red beets will give you the most vibrant color, but you can use yellow or striped beets if that’s what you’ve got! You can also substitute canned pickled beets for a different flavor variations
- The cumin can be adjusted to taste, including omission. You can also try coriander, or another spice of choice
- Other topping ideas include: pine nuts, chopped fresh herbs (parsley and dill are great choices), everything bagel seasoning, toasted sesame seeds, pesto, chopped nuts (pistachios work well), flaky sea salt, or a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic vinegar
- You may need to cut your beets in half after roasting before adding them to your food processor. My small food processor struggled with the full ones, but cutting them down did the trick!
- If you want to roast your garlic too (which will caramelize it so it’s mellower and sweeter), wrap them in a separate foil packet and throw them in the air fryer with the beets. Remove after 10-15 minutes, depending on size of cloves (they should be browned and softened)
- To reduce the cooking time for the beets if you’re in a rush, you can cut them into smaller pieces before roasting. Approximately ½” thick slices are done in 15 minutes for me usually
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any toppings, dippers, or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
