Save to Pinterest I stumbled onto this combination during a midnight snack experiment years ago when I was craving something chocolate but had nothing sweet in the house except maple syrup and cocoa. The hummus in my fridge caught my eye and I thought why not. Now it is the first thing friends request when they come over and nobody believes the main ingredient is chickpeas.
My sister in law still talks about the time I served this at brunch and everyone spent twenty minutes guessing the secret ingredient before someone finally said chickpeas. Her kids went through three bowls of it and now she keeps a batch made at all times for after school snacks.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas: The creamy base that makes this magic happen. Rinse them really well and pat dry if you want extra smoothness.
- Almond milk: Unsweetened keeps the sugar in check. Any plant milk works but oat makes it extra creamy.
- Tahini: Dont skip this. It adds that rich nutty undertone that makes people think there is peanut butter in here.
- Cocoa powder: Use the good stuff. Since it is the main flavor you will taste the difference between bargain and quality cocoa.
- Maple syrup: Agave works too but maple gives a warmth that pairs perfectly with the earthy chickpeas.
- Vanilla extract: This bridges the gap between savory hummus and sweet treat. Pure extract not imitation.
- Salt: Just a pinch wakes up all the chocolate flavors. Trust me on this one.
Instructions
- Blend the base:
- Toss everything except the optional mix ins into your food processor. Let it run for a solid two minutes stopping to scrape down the sides twice so no lumps escape.
- Check your texture:
- The dip should be smoother than regular hummus. If it looks thick add that splash of milk and blend again.
- Taste and tweak:
- This is where you make it yours. Need more sweetness or a deeper chocolate hit adjust now before the next step.
- Add texture if you want:
- Pulse in those chocolate chips just until they are scattered throughout. You want little pockets of chocolate not a uniform swirl.
- Chill and serve:
- Let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes if you can plan ahead. The flavors meld and it gets even better.
Save to Pinterest This saved me during that phase when my toddler would only eat chocolate anything. I could hand her a bowl of this and feel good about what she was actually putting in her body. Now she is six and still asks for the chocolate dip when she comes home from school.
Serving Ideas That Work
Strawberries are the classic pairing for a reason but dont sleep on apple slices or even pear wedges. Pretzels give you that sweet salty thing that hits the spot at 3pm. My favorite way is actually spread on a warm piece of toast with banana slices on top.
Make It Your Way
Sometimes I swirl in a tablespoon of peanut butter when I want it extra rich. Other times I add a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder. You can also bump up the protein by scooping in your favorite vanilla or chocolate protein powder just keep that extra milk handy to loosen it back up.
Storage And Meal Prep
This keeps beautifully in the fridge for the whole work week. I make a double batch on Sundays and portion it into small containers for grab and go snacks. The texture actually improves after a day as the flavors settle in and get friendly with each other.
- Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface before storing to prevent a skin from forming
- Let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes before serving if it has been in the fridge for a few days
- Freeze portions in ice cube trays for smoothie ready chunks later
Save to Pinterest Every time I bring this to a gathering someone asks for the recipe looking genuinely shocked when I say chickpeas. It is one of those rare wins that is healthy indulgent and dead simple all at once.
Common Questions
- → What gives the dip its creamy texture?
The creaminess comes from blended chickpeas combined with tahini and unsweetened almond milk, creating a smooth, rich consistency.
- → Can I adjust the sweetness of the dip?
Yes, you can modify the sweetness by adjusting the amount of maple syrup or agave syrup used in the blend.
- → Are there options to add more texture?
Adding chocolate chips or nut butters like peanut or almond butter gives extra texture and enhances flavor.
- → Is this suitable for those with gluten sensitivities?
This dip is naturally gluten-free, but always check the labels of add-ins like chocolate chips or plant-based milks to ensure no gluten is present.
- → How should this dip be stored?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days to maintain freshness and flavor.
- → Can the dip be made nut-free?
Yes, substitute tahini with sunflower seed butter and omit nut butters to create a nut-free version.