As dip for fruit and pretzels, this dark chocolate hummus is a surprising hit at parties and showers. It’s perfect for entertaining!
Dark chocolate hummus? It’s a bit unexpected, but oh-so-delicious and our new favorite snack for parties and gatherings. It was met with high praise at our latest book club, and disappeared quickly at another family gathering. Instead of vegetables like a traditional hummus, we treat it like a fruit dip and serve it with strawberries, pineapple, green apple slices, and my favorite: salty pretzels. Keep reading for the recipe for this healthy appetizer…it really is the best!
Related: 18 Delicious Healthy Snack Recipes | 10 Easy Recipes for Kids
How to make chocolate hummus
When I was on a retreat a few years ago, I was served a storebought version of this chocolate hummus, and I was so intrigued I had to try a recipe for myself! Using hummus as a lightly sweet dip with fruit and pretzels was so delicious that I could barely stop eating it! Over the years, we’ve heard from many of you who have loved this recipe at the same intensity as we do! It goes over very well with kiddos. And, it fits almost every diet (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free), so it’s pretty party friendly.
To make this chocolate hummus recipe, as with any hummus, you’ll need a food processor. (If you don’t have one, here’s a food processor we recommend.) Then simply blend together chickpeas with tahini, maple syrup, cocoa powder and vanilla! They come together into a beautifully creamy dip. We’ve also called for using a bit of the chickpea can liquid, called aquafaba. You can also use water, but using the aquafaba makes for an even creamier chocolate hummus.
What is tahini? If you’re not familiar with tahini, it’s a typical hummus ingredient. Tahini is a paste made of sesame seeds, typically used in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dishes. It’s purely sesame seeds and salt! If you have tahini left over from making this homemade hummus recipe, try our 13 Delicious & Healthy Tahini Recipes. A fun alternative to the tahini could be peanut butter, for a chocolate peanut butter hummus variation!
Related: Classic Hummus Recipe | 28-Day Healthy Meal Plan
Looking for chocolate recipes?
Outside of this chocolate hummus recipe, here are a few of our favorite chocolate recipes on A Couple Cooks:
- Decadent Vegan Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Banana Bread
- Chocolate Muesli Recipe
- Chocolate Tahini Vegan No Bake Cookies
- Amazing Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Cherry Vegan Tarts
- Cherry Quinoa Chocolate Bark
- Chocolate Brownie Vegan Pancakes
- Bliss Bites
Did you make this recipe?
If you make our dark chocolate hummus recipe, we’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment below or share a picture on Instagram and mention @acouplecooks.
This chocolate hummus recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, naturally sweet, and refined sugar free.
PrintBest Chocolate Hummus
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
As dip for fruit and pretzels, this dark chocolate hummus is a surprising hit at parties and showers. It’s perfect for entertaining!
Ingredients
- 15-ounce can chickpeas (1 1/2 cups cooked)
- 1/4 cup tahini*
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave syrup, to taste
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder (Dutch process or dark chocolate, if desired)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Drain the chickpeas into a glass measuring cup and reserve.
- To the bowl of a food processor, add the chickpeas, tahini, maple or agave syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla, kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons water or the water from the chickpea can (aquafaba). Puree for 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl. Taste; if necessary, add a bit more syrup to your liking. Add additional 1 to 2 tablespoons water and puree again to come to a creamy consistency. Store refrigerated for 7 to 10 days.
- Serve with pretzels, pineapple, green apple slices, and strawberries.
Notes
*Use peanut butter for a fun variation!
Nutrition info calculated based on about 3 tablespoons per serving.
- Category: Snack
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: dessert hummus, chocolate hummus
58 Comments
Rachel
September 26, 2016 at 8:41 amThis does sound rather crazy, but when you think about it, there is no reason why it can’t work! Have you thought about scattering cocoa nibs over the top for some more crunch/ texture (I sprinkled them over guac for my summer party this year, and everyone was raving about the addition! http://www.rachelphipps.com/2016/08/road-to-rio-south-of-border-inspired.html)
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:51 pmCocoa nibs = genius! Love that idea, Rachel!
Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek
September 26, 2016 at 9:12 amI have never thought about this combo, but it sounds like a new classic that everyone will be soon be making! ;) Love the idea of this virtual baby shower–I can’t wait to try some of these recipes from the collaboration. xoxo
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:52 pmI know, right? I hadn’t had it until a recent trip to California, but I’m now SOLD.
Ashley
September 26, 2016 at 9:40 amYay! I’m all about chocolate hummus with fruit + pretzels. But all I can really think about is trying this out with peanut butter instead of tahini for PB choco hummus! (Though I’m sure the tahini version is A+!) Thanks for organizing this sweet shower! :)
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:53 pmYes, I totally thought of this as I was making it — but wasn’t sure if I was ready to go there. Next time for sure! :)
Vedrana
May 3, 2018 at 7:42 amA friend tried it with PB, as she didn’t have tahini. She loved it! I’d say this can be made with any nut butter as a substitute for tahini. ?
Sonja
May 3, 2018 at 9:53 amOoo fantastic! That is so great to know — and I think she just made a new variation: Chocolate Peanut Butter Hummus!
Brian Chidichimo
April 29, 2019 at 7:08 amwow, peanut butter great idea, just think of the variations one can come up with for various nut pastes? peanut butter, Almond butter, etc.
Erica
September 26, 2016 at 11:06 amShe has such a beautiful blog, it’s one of my favorites!! This chocolate hummus sounds so good, YES to salty pretzels!!!
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:53 pmLindsey is the best! And YES for salty + sweet — it’s my favorite, but somehow Alex doesn’t love it :/
Sara @ Cake Over Steak
September 26, 2016 at 2:00 pmI love this idea! Chickpeas have such a mild flavor that I can see how this would totally work. Filing this one away for my next party. Thanks a bunch for organizing this with me! xoxo
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:54 pmThank YOU for co-organizing! You’re the best!
Alice
September 26, 2016 at 3:14 pmThis is such a good idea!!! Can’t wait to try it. Alice x
http://www.aliceadventures.co.uk
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:57 pmThank you so much! Let us know what you think!
Gena
September 26, 2016 at 9:41 pmI love sweet hummus, but I’ve never tried a chocolate version. This is so inspiring, Sonja! <3
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:56 pmOoo thanks Gena! Your pancakes look like a dream :)
Emily
September 27, 2016 at 10:02 amWhat a fun and interesting recipe! Saved it so I can make it later this week :)
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:57 pmThank you so much, Emily! We hope you enjoy it – let us know if you try it out!
Edwina
September 30, 2016 at 6:56 amWow, I’ve never even heard of chocolate hummus before! I love every other flavor of hummus I’ve tried and I love chocolate so this recipe has definitely piqued my curiosity. I can’t wait to try it.
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:58 pmI know, I only recently heard of it as well! We hope that you enjoy it if you give it a try — let us know!
Caitlin
September 30, 2016 at 6:43 pmHuh. This was great! I used slightly less tahini and slightly more syrup & honey cause I ran out of syrup. And also a touch of cinnamon. But what a nice change from regular hummus. it wasn’t very sweet but it was intensely chocolatey. Great recipe!
Sonja
October 2, 2016 at 3:59 pmSO glad you enjoyed this, Caitlin! Thank you for letting us know! And I agree, not super sweet but very chocolatey — definitely geared for the chocolate lover :)
Amelia @ Eating Made Easy
October 4, 2016 at 3:26 pmI remember how much you loved the Hope Chocolate Hummus! Sweet hummus is so fun to make. I posted Chocolate Chip Hummus awhile back and it quickly became a reader favorite. I love anything that tastes like dessert but is quite a bit healthier :)
lindsey
October 11, 2016 at 12:22 pmohmygosh! chocolate hummus may just be the most genius things ever. but when you think about it chickpeas have such a subtle flavor that totally lends to being sweetened and made into a chocolatey little dish! i can’t wait to try this out! thank you all so very much for coordinating and throwing this shower! frank and i were in the doctor’s office when we simultaneously found out the baby was coming and that you all threw the shower! we are totally convinced that our little babe was coaxed out from all the love you showered us with! thank you so very much, we will treasure these well wishes and sentiments for years to come. xoxo!
Sunny
December 29, 2016 at 1:54 pmTHIS IS SO GOOD!
I’m bringing it to a potluck but I keep sneaking spoonfuls of it.
Rachel K.
January 5, 2017 at 3:32 pmThis hummus is delicious! Even my nephews and nieces (ages 5-10) liked it–we told them it was chocolate “dip” and served it with apple slices and pretzels. And I added more cocoa powder to the recipe to make truffles for Christmas, and rolled them in cocoa powder, dried coconut, or ground pecans. Very yummy. I started eliminating refined sugars and dairy from my diet last year, and am so glad I found this recipe!
Sonja
January 7, 2017 at 1:12 pmOh how fun is this! I’m so glad this was a hit, especially that it jives with your goal of eliminating refined sugars and dairy. So glad to hear it got a seal of approval from kids too! Thanks for the comment!
Jamie
April 18, 2018 at 11:47 amWhere can I buy tahini from???
Jill
April 26, 2018 at 7:36 pmI made the chocolate hummus last week for my bridge group and it was a HIT! I couldn’t stop eating it with fresh fruit and
Andrea
May 5, 2018 at 9:27 pmI made it. It’s to die for. I upped the maple syrup content. I also upped the salt content. My chickpeas were entirely salt-free and I’m a salt-a-holic
Vedrana
May 14, 2018 at 11:34 amFabulous! I upped the maple syrup a touch and also added a dash od cinnamon, two dashes of instant coffee granules and a drizzle of rum, and instead of water I used soy cream when blending it up. Might bring down the amount of tahini next time, too.
Anonymous
June 23, 2018 at 7:39 pmThis was excellent. Super easy, and tasted incredible. Thank you.
Denise
September 12, 2018 at 2:33 pmDo you have the nutritional value of this recipe? Thx!
Alex
September 12, 2018 at 5:53 pmHi! I just added nutritional content to the recipe card. Thanks for reading!
Susan M
September 18, 2018 at 7:38 pmDidn’t know this was a thing until I heard it today from my 75-yr-old foodie friend! Can I use cacao powder instead of dutch cocoa? I’m ready to try it out on my brother who is visiting and LOVES hummus!
Thank you-
SusanM
Alex
September 18, 2018 at 7:40 pmHi! Yes, I think that cacao powder should work! Let us know if you try it :)
Cherysse
January 13, 2019 at 12:54 pmThis recipe is delicious!!! Thank you for sharing.
I ended up by using natural peanut butter, agave and cacao powder as well as a bit of almond milk.
I think next time I would add less cacao powder. Maybe start with a 1/4 cup then go up from there. But still worked out great.
Sonja
January 13, 2019 at 4:50 pmAll these subs sound fabulous! Thanks for making it!
Anonymous
January 14, 2019 at 3:31 pmHave you tried making this with date paste as a healthier sweetener?
Sonja
January 14, 2019 at 3:33 pmWe have not, but I think it would work! Feel free to give it a go and let us know what you think!
HY
January 25, 2019 at 8:40 pmHi – how big is a ‘serving’?? 1/3c? 3 tbsp?
Sonja
January 26, 2019 at 11:03 amHi! Yes, the nutrition info is for about 3 TBSP per serving.
Cheryl
February 12, 2019 at 12:35 amI was wondering if you could use honey in place of the maple syrup or agave?
Sonja
February 12, 2019 at 11:15 amHi Cheryl — great question! You could definitely substitute honey or agave here!
CindyH
March 6, 2019 at 3:18 pmI wasn’t sure if we would like this or not, but wanted to give it a try. I made it last night and really enjoyed it with pretzels. Haven’t had any leftovers yet, but I think we’ll like it even better cold. I peeled the chickpeas because that’s what I always do when I make hummus. Otherwise followed the recipe exactly.
Sonja
March 23, 2019 at 9:48 pmSo glad you took the risk to try it! And that you enjoyed it too :) Thank you for making it and cheers to chocolate hummus! :)
Barbara J Merritt
March 9, 2019 at 2:31 pmHave mercy! Am I the only one eating this straight out of the bowl??!?! Sooo good and chocolately…with lots less guilt!
Sonja
March 9, 2019 at 7:48 pmHaha!! We eat it straight out of the bowl too :) Thanks for making it!
Jennifer Lea Latzke
June 27, 2019 at 6:09 pmHas anyone served this with graham crackers and mini marshmallows for a s’mores hummus? Or does it pair better with salty whole wheat pretzels?
Lisa
August 16, 2019 at 8:16 pmOh my goodness! Love this recipe. I used Guittard Cocoa Rouge, agave with vanilla and added both ground cinnamon and chipotle. Served with strawberries and apple slices. It was delish!!
Alex Overhiser
August 17, 2019 at 1:33 pmGlad you enjoyed it!
Zoe Browning
September 20, 2019 at 2:51 pmI would like to make this sugar free. Any advice for additions of sugar substitutes? I was thinking monk fruit. Thanks!
Alex Overhiser
September 20, 2019 at 7:55 pmHi! We haven’t tried anything, but I think processing some fruit into it would be delish!
Lori Thompson
April 5, 2020 at 4:55 amI am not a hummus eater, but I was intrigued by this recipe. I am a vegan who doesn’t eat sweets and sometimes I miss the taste of chocolate. So, I tried this hummus. Oh my gosh!! I am blown away. It has the protein I need and a rich chocolate flavor that I have missed, with minimal sugar. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this delicious recipe!
Alex Overhiser
April 6, 2020 at 11:46 amYou are welcome! Glad you enjoyed :)
Jamie Atterholt
April 30, 2020 at 7:37 pmThis is AWESOME! We just shared with our readers and family. Thank you. I actually use it to dip grapes and berries in as an alternative to eating ice cream. It’s also sooo easy and filling. Woo hoo!
Rebekah W.
May 8, 2020 at 9:43 pmThis was a great recipe. Never tried sweet hummus before. Used brown sugar instead of syrup, 1/2 the cocoa, and peanut butter instead of tahini. It was delicious with strawberries and pretzels! Thanks!