Hummus is one of those picnic essentials that you can’t beat. Its nutty flavour and delectable creamy texture are like no other dip, unless you’re willing to get creative with different legumes like butter beans. Store-bought hummus often contains additives like preservatives, artificial flavours, and thickeners, which are used to improve shelf life and consistency. But making the dip from scratch yourself negates the need for any of these chemical additions.

The core ingredients remain the same in all hummus recipes: chickpeas, salt, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, olive oil, and tahini. However, one added extra can transform a dry texture into something impressively smooth and creamy. Recipe experts note that the “secret ingredient is sitting in your freezer right now.”

Simply Recipes shared the hack on their TikTok account, explaining that adding ice cubes makes hummus “fluffy, smooth, creamy”, adding that “everything you want in hummus ice will do for you”.

According to Food Republic, it is a widely used restaurant tip that is very easy to execute. The ice cubes essentially replace any water you would normally use to thin out a basic hummus recipe when blending it.

Two ice cubes are really all you need, but before adding them, ensure your blender can handle solids like this.

Food Republic explained the rationale: “Because ice cubes contain little pockets of air, the air gets injected into the hummus as it blends, whipping it up and giving it a lighter, smoother texture.”

Food Republic explains that the ice’s cold temperature also aids in emulsifying all the ingredients, resulting in a super creamy hummus with a rich, glossy mouthfeel.

Hummus can be enhanced by incorporating other ingredients you may have at home, one of which is the chickpea can.

Aquafaba is the thick, starchy liquid we often strain away before pouring chickpeas into the blender, but it can also be added as a natural thickener and emulsifier—it functions similarly to an ice cube.

There’s no need to add the entire can of aquafaba; simply drain the chickpeas less thoroughly to retain some of the glossy liquid. The creamier results will speak for themselves.

Hummus recipe

Ingredients

Two cans of chickpeas, drained

Half tsp Kosher salt

One-quarter cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Two garlic cloves, mashed and chopped

Half a cup of tahini

One-quarter cup of olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Two or three ice cubes

A pinch of cumin

How to make hummus

First, Simply Recipes recommends processing the tahini and olive oil in a blender. Pulse the ingredients until smooth, then add the garlic, chickpeas, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and ice cubes.

Blend into a smooth paste—the longer you blend, the smoother it will be. Add more salt and lemon juice to taste. Spoon the finished hummus into a bowl and swirl a little olive oil over the top.

Garnish with paprika, toasted pine nuts, or chopped fresh parsley. Serve the hummus immediately with your favourite crudités.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for five days, or freeze for up to one month.