Hummus Made With Walnuts – 2 Ways!
Remember when I went to Northern California to learn about California Walnuts? Well, during one of the beautiful lunches they prepared for us, we started with a walnut hummus that I went NUTS for (Get it?! ?). I literally told EVERYONE that they needed to try it, and then we all sat around the table trying to figure out what was in it. Hey, if Gaby from What’s Gaby Cooking wants to help me recreate a recipe, I’m not going to say no!
Turns out we were pretty spot on with ingredients because California Walnuts gave me their recipe after our trip. But in my opinion, beige isn’t really a color that gets people excited… so I drew some inspiration from the holidays and decided to try a red (sun-dried tomato) and green (spinach and basil) version! Both turned out so delicious, I’m not sure which one I like better!
Hummus Made With Walnuts Recipe
Ingredients
1/2 cup California walnuts
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 (15oz) can of chickpeas, drained
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp orange zest (only add if you are making this plain version!)
How To Prepare Hummus Made With Walnuts
Step One
Toast walnuts in 350 F oven for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool to room temperature.
Step Two
Combine toasted walnuts with oil and garlic and puree in food processor or blender until smooth.
Step Three
Add chickpeas, orange zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper and continue to blend or process until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. (Don’t skimp on the salt!)
Step Four
Store in the refrigerator if not serving immediately!
Green Spinach Walnut Hummus
Ingredients
1/2 cup California walnuts
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1.5 cups spinach
1/4 cup basil
1 (15oz) can of chickpeas, drained
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1. Follow the directions above, but add 1.5 cups of spinach and 1/4 cup basil with the walnuts, oil, and garlic.
2. Add chickpeas, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Continue to blend to an even smooth consistency.
Red Sun-dried Tomato Walnut Hummus
Ingredients
1/2 cup California walnuts
3 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 tbsp tomato paste
1 (15oz) can of chickpeas, drained
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1. Follow the directions above, but add 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes instead of regular olive oil to your food processor with the walnuts and garlic.
2. Add chickpeas, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Continue to blend to an even smooth consistency.
What To Serve With Walnut Hummus
When serving this at a party, I always think it’s best to offer variety and color! Instead of just pita bread or pita chips, add cucumbers, peppers, carrots, and whatever other veggies you like best. I think it’s pretty on a board like this, but you could also put it in a serving bowl to make it easier on yourself, too!

Hummus Made With Walnuts
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup California walnuts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 (15oz) can of chickpeas, drained
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Toast walnuts in 350 degree oven for 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
- Add walnuts, oil, and garlic in a food processor.
- Add chickpeas, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Serve with pita chips, carrots, cucumber, and red peppers.
Notes
Green Spinach Walnut Hummus
Additional ingredients: 1.5 cups spinach and 1/4 cup basil
Directions: Follow the directions above, but add 1.5 cups of spinach and 1/4 cup basil with the walnuts, oil, and garlic. Follow steps 3-5 as they are after that.
Red Sun-dried Tomato Walnut Hummus
Additional Ingredients: 3 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes (instead of regular olive oil!), 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
Directions: Follow the directions above, but add 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes instead of regular olive oil to your food processor with the walnuts and garlic. Then follow steps 3-5 as they are after that.
Want to remember these recipes later? Pin the image below:
PS. You might also like Honey Mustard Walnut Crusted Salmon and Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms.
*This post was sponsored by California Walnuts, but (as always!) all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that make Lake Shore Lady possible!