Savory Pumpkin Hummus

(Note: this post was originally published on October 3, 2022. It has since been updated with additional photos and a few tweaks.)

A Savory Pumpkin Hummus for Fall

If you're hosting a fall gathering, gameday party, Halloween party, or even Thanksgiving, you'll definitely want this pumpkin hummus at your event. This autumnal appetizer is easy to make and can be prepared in advance, so it's a big win for anytime you have people over. It's also vegan, grain-free, and friendly for most diets, plus the protein and fiber will keep everyone satisfied until dinner.

I've made this pumpkin hummus for years. It makes frequent appearances at our house for fall gatherings and even for Thanksgiving, often alongside autumnal cocktails and other seasonally-inspired finger foods. Because this savory pumpkin dip is such a go-to for me, you'll see numerous versions of it in the photos below that I hope will provide lots of ideas and inspiration.

If you've never tried pumpkin hummus before, prepared to be amazed! You're going to love the interesting combination of sweet, salty, savory, herbal, and even spicy flavors.

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What Is Pumpkin Hummus?

Although there are many variations, pumpkin hummus is typically considered to be a chickpea hummus made with the addition of pumpkin puree. I've seen both sweet and savory versions; this one is decidedly savory, and there's even a spicy option below.

Although pumpkin is certainly not a traditional hummus ingredient, I hope you'll give this unexpected fall hummus a try. The pumpkin is subtly sweet, but it's nicely balanced by nutty tahini, smokey paprika, generous salt, and fall herbs. Pumpkin is a fabulous and versatile fall ingredient that can become so much more than just pie!

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How to Make Pumpkin Hummus

Like many hummus recipes, this one is very simple and takes only a few minutes. You'll just add the hummus ingredients into a food processor and blend everything together until the texture is rich and creamy. Transfer the pumpkin hummus to a serving dish, then garnish it with an additional swirl of pumpkin, a drizzle of olive oil, some pepitas, and fall herbs.

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Make-Ahead Tips

Hummus is great to have on hand in the fridge, regardless of whether you're planning for a party or a busy week. You can make this pumpkin hummus a day or two ahead of time; just keep it in the refrigerator in a sealed container. When you're ready to serve, transfer it to a serving bowl and garnish.

Have a busy week coming up? Make a big batch to have ready for hectic evenings. It's a tasty and easy way to add plant-based protein to a salad, bowl meal, or sandwich.

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A Spicy Pumpkin Hummus Variation

If you're a fan of a sweet/spicy combo, then I have a twist on this recipe that you're going to love. Many times when I make this savory pumpkin dip, I add in a few pinches cayenne pepper. I don't want it to be super-spicy, but rather I just want the hummus to have a very delicate heat in the background. It makes the flavor of the pumpkin really stand out. I also sometimes add a few pinches of chili powder if I'm working with other Mexican-inspired flavors in my meal.

So I leave the decision to you. If you'd rather keep things simple and just highlight the sweet/salty balance, then omit the chili powder and cayenne. But if you'd rather jazz things up a bit, add a few pinches of one or both. I suggest starting small; you can always taste it and add more heat if you like.

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Ingredients and Substitutions

Here's what you'll need for this savory pumpkin hummus, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

• Chickpeas
• Pumpkin puree. Either homemade or store-bought is fine. If you use homemade, be aware that the water content might be higher; in that case, I suggest starting with less than what the recipe suggests. You can also experiment with cooking your pumpkin puree on the stovetop to drive off excess water and concentrate the flavor.
• Tahini. This is the tahini that I recommend and use in my own kitchen (click here to open it right in the Amazon app if you're on mobile). If you're a tahini lover, make sure you also check out my comprehensive tahini guide, which includes tips, ideas, and recipes.
• Salt
• Smoked paprika. Adding some paprika into the hummus creates an important savory counterpoint to the sweet pumpkin. You'll also use paprika to garnish the top, although feel free to garnish with sumac instead if you have it.
• Chili powder. Optional; add a few pinches if you're working with Mexican-inspired flavors in your meal.
• Cayenne. Optional; add a few pinches if you want some heat.
  
• Olive oil
  
• Roasted salted pepitas. Or feel free to use pecans instead, especially around Thanksgiving time.
• Thyme. Fresh thyme brings all the flavors in this pumpkin dip to life. You can also add some very finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves for even more holiday flair.

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Other Hummus Recipes to Try

If you love this savory pumpkin hummus, then there are many other hummus recipes here for you to explore:

• For a relatively classic recipe, try this lemon hummus (you can either use or omit the toppings)
• To incorporate anti-inflammatory turmeric into your meals, try this superfood turmeric hummus
• If you're craving freshness, this green goddess hummus is my personal favorite
• To celebrate an iconic spring ingredient, try this easy carrot hummus
• If you want to take hummus in a beachy direction for summer, try this tropical coconut lime hummus
• If you're buried in summer produce, try this eggplant hummus
• To make a fun, whimsical, kid-appropriate version, try this colorful unicorn hummus
• To celebrate fall or fall holidays, try this sweet potato hummus
• For an unforgettable holiday appetizer, try this maple sea salt hummus with pomegranate

I also have a load of tahini recipes here on the blog, since tahini is one of my favorite ingredients. Make sure to check out my comprehensive tahini guide for tips, tricks, and an abundance of tahini recipes.

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Closing Thoughts

How will you enjoy this pumpkin hummus? You can of course use it as a dip for veggies, crackers, or pita chips. But it's also great spread onto sandwiches, scooped onto salads, mixed into salad dressings to give them body, or even as a creamy pasta sauce. I love to make a big batch when we have friends over on a fall weekend, then use the leftovers in different ways over the next few days.

Our favorite way to enjoy this hummus is on an October Friday evening with a bunch of snacks and some cocktails (see the photos above and below for inspiration!). It's especially wonderful paired with fall fruits and veggies, fig jam, and my homemade maple cider mustard, as shown on the pumpkin hummus snack board above. I hope it makes some special fall appearances in your house too!

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Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

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Suggested Pairings

Chaider (Chai + Cider) Rum Punch

Spicy Ginger Sweet Potato Dip

Fall Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Dressing

Spanish Green Beans with Orange and Almonds

Vegan Wild Rice, Macadamia, and Fall Fruit Stuffing

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