This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
This chocolate hummus recipe is always a hit! The rich chocolaty flavor is perfect for dipping fruit and pretzels.
Dark chocolate hummus is a bit unexpected, but wow is it oh-so-delicious and a fan favorite snack for parties and gatherings! This sweet spin on the savory dip has a rich chocolaty flavor and creamy texture.
Instead of vegetables like a traditional hummus, treat it like a fruit dip and serve it with strawberries, pineapple, green apple slices, and our favorite: salty pretzels. I created this recipe years ago, and everyone always loves it and immediately asks for the recipe.
How to make chocolate hummus (basic steps)
Years ago I tried store-bought chocolate hummus years ago at a party. Eating hummus as a lightly sweet dip for fruit and pretzels was so delicious, I couldn’t stop eating it! I knew I had to create a recipe to enjoy it at home.
Over the years, we’ve heard from many of readers who love this hummus as much as we do! It goes over well with both kids and adults, and fits almost every diet (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free). Here are the basic steps for chocolate hummus—or scroll down to the recipe:
- In a food processor, blend chickpeas with tahini, maple syrup, cocoa powder and vanilla until a smooth puree forms. You’ll also use 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.
- Continue to blend and adjust the syrup and aquafaba until you get the perfect creamy texture.
About tahini
What is tahini? Tahini is a paste made of sesame seeds, typically used in Middle Eastern or Mediterranean dishes. The ingredients are simply sesame seeds and salt, making the paste vegan and gluten-free.
The most popular use for tahini is classic hummus, but it’s also great for baking. If you have tahini left over from making this homemade hummus recipe, try our top 15 Tasty Tahini Recipes.
Making dark chocolate hummus
To make dark chocolate hummus, you can substitute all or some of the cocoa powder with Dutch process (dark) cocoa powder. This special type of cocoa powder has a darker color and ultra chocolaty flavor, with deep rich notes instead of the fruity notes you get with regular cocoa powder.
- Dutch process cocoa powder is available in the baking aisle at your local grocery. Or you can buy it online: our favorite brands are Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder or Ghirardelli Dutch Process Cocoa Powder.
- To use up extra, try our fan favorite Chocolate Zucchini Bread, Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, No Bake Cookies, or this fun Healthy Chocolate Pudding.
More flavor variations
Want a fun alternative to the tahini? Try peanut butter! Peanut butter has a consistency similar to the smooth paste of tahini, and it brings even warmer, sweeter notes to the puree. Who wouldn’t want a chocolate peanut butter hummus variation?
You can also vary the flavor in other ways: add ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon to bring out cinnamon notes. Or try a Mexican hot chocolate hummus with a pinch of chili powder!
Ways to serve chocolate hummus
Chocolate hummus is more similar to a fruit dip than classic hummus. So for dipping, try fruits, pretzels and sweet crackers. Here are a few ideas:
- Strawberries
- Apple slices
- Pineapple chunks
- Grapes
- Cantaloupe or honeydew melon
- Banana slices
- Fruit skewers
- Angel food cake or pound cake cubes
- Pretzels
- Graham crackers
Dietary notes
This chocolate hummus recipe is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, naturally sweet, and refined sugar free.
Chocolate Hummus (Fan Favorite!)
This chocolate hummus recipe is always a hit! The rich chocolaty flavor is perfect for dipping fruit and pretzels.
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 15-ounce can chickpeas (1 ½ cups cooked)
- ¼ cup tahini*
- ¼ cup maple syrup or agave syrup, plus more to taste
- ½ cup cocoa powder (Dutch process / dark chocolate cocoa powder, if desired)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Drain the chickpeas into a glass measuring cup and reserve the can liquid (aquafaba).
- To the bowl of a food processor, add the chickpeas, tahini, maple or agave syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla, kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons aquafaba. Puree for 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl. Taste; if necessary, add a bit more syrup to sweeten the taste even further. Add additional 1 to 2 tablespoons aquafaba 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
*Or, use peanut butter for a fun variation.
Nutrition info calculated based on about 3 tablespoons per serving.
More chocolate recipes
Love chocolate? Us too. Here are a few more chocolate recipes to try:
- Make a Chocolate Banana Smoothie
- Go for Chocolate Zucchini Muffins or Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Opt for Chocolate Ice Cream, Homemade Hot Chocolate, Chocolate Lava Cake, or Chocolate Mousse
- Make these 20 Decadent Chocolate Desserts
We didn’t care for this hummus, it had an overwhelming cocoa powder taste and I only used about 75% of the called for cocoa powder. For those that like a sweet chocolate hummus, like you buy at the store, you’ll need to double the sweetener.