Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Wreath
This festive party appetizer features ultra-creamy roasted red pepper hummus arranged in a beautiful wreath shape and topped with colorful veggies, olives, herbs, and nuts. It’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to impress at any holiday gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 1 can, 15 oz)
- 1/3 cup tahini (well-stirred)
- 2 large roasted red peppers (from a jar, drained, or roast your own)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 2–3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- 2–4 tablespoons ice water (start with 2, add more for creaminess)
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata or green olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup roasted red pepper strips
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- Fresh parsley, dill, or cilantro leaves
- 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds
- Pita chips, crostini, or sliced baguette
- Fresh veggie sticks (carrots, celery, bell pepper strips)
Instructions
- Drain and rinse chickpeas. For extra-smooth hummus, rub chickpeas in a clean kitchen towel to remove skins.
- In a food processor, combine chickpeas, tahini, roasted red peppers, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt. Process on high for 1 minute.
- With the machine running, drizzle in 2-4 tablespoons ice water (start with 2). Scrape down sides and blend for another 1-2 minutes until creamy and pale orange. Add more ice water if needed.
- Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice as needed. Blend again if necessary.
- Spoon hummus onto a large round platter. Spread into a thick ring, leaving a hole in the middle to mimic a wreath.
- Arrange sliced olives, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, roasted red pepper strips, and crumbled feta in a circle around the hummus. Scatter fresh herbs and sprinkle toasted pine nuts or almonds on top.
- Drizzle with extra olive oil and add lemon zest curls if desired.
- Place pita chips, veggie sticks, or crostini around the wreath. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
- If hummus separates or looks grainy, blend again with another tablespoon of ice water. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Notes
For vegan, omit feta cheese. For extra flavor, roast your own peppers. Use ice water for creamier texture. Prep toppings while blending hummus for efficiency. Serve fresh for best taste; stir before serving if made ahead. For gluten-free, serve with gluten-free chips or veggies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 cup hummus
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: hummus, roasted red pepper, wreath, party appetizer, holiday, vegetarian, gluten-free, Mediterranean, creamy, festive