Can you heat hummus in the microwave? (And how to do it)
Hummus is a fantastic spread or dip that is universally enjoyed around the world. It’s very customizable, has amazing texture, and goes well with a lot of different things.
Some people cannot go a day without eating hummus. The best thing is that it is very healthy.
Can hummus be heated in the microwave? Yes, but you can also heat it on the fire in a saucepan; both processes are simple. However, if you want to get the best consistency and flavor, these methods have more details than you might think.
If you love hummus as much as we do, you surely want it to keep its incredible flavor. You don’t have to prepare a new batch every time. You can always reheat your hummus, and we’re here to teach you how!
Essential guide to heating hummus in the microwave
Hummus is one of those things that everyone enjoys in their own way. Some like to serve it warm, others prefer it warm or even hot.
Not many people opt for cold hummus straight out of the fridge. This is where overheating comes into play.
When we say that not many people choose to eat cold hummus, we really mean something close to almost none.
In fact, many people would consider it a culinary crime. Eating hummus cold deprives you of the incredible flavor and texture that you feel when it is at least warm.
If you don’t like hummus hot, you can always eat it at room temperature, just taking it out of the fridge in advance. However, many people swear by reheating their hummus at least a little.
Reheating allows the hummus to soften perfectly and be easy to spread without losing any of its delicious flavor. It also allows you to combine hummus with more dishes.
If you’re adding hummus as a garnish to a hot meal, in many cases you’ll want the hummus to be at a similar temperature to the rest of the dish.
If you have decided to heat the hummus, you will need to consider a few factors before you begin:
- What do you plan to eat it with? Depending on this, you can choose different heating methods or even let the hummus sit out of the fridge for a while.
- When do you need it to be hot?
- What kind of texture do you want to achieve?
The texture of your hummus is something you might not think about when you put it in the fridge, but you probably should. When you try to reheat it, the hummus may not have the same kind of texture that it did before you put it in the fridge.
The way to remedy this is to add some hot water before beginning the reheating process. Instead of being chunky, your hummus will be soft and smooth.
With that being said, how do you reheat hummus the right way? We do not recommend using the oven, unless the hummus is an essential part of another dish.
The two best ways to heat hummus are
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- Using the microwave: Add one to two teaspoons of water and reheat in 10 second intervals until you are satisfied with the texture and heat.
- In the kitchen: heat it in a saucepan or skillet. Add a little water and keep stirring until you reach the right consistency.
While this covers the basics, we want to make sure you’re fully prepared to heat up the best hummus you’ve ever tasted. For this reason, we have prepared a step-by-step guide with tips that will guide you through the process.
An example of other things to learn is how to treat hummus that has been frozen. Can you just pop it in the microwave? We explain it in our guide.
Read on to prepare your perfect hummus.
Step-by-step guide to reheating hummus
You already know the basics and you may have already chosen your favorite method for heating hummus, but there is more to it than meets the eye. Therefore, we will talk about the different methods in more detail.
We will also talk about frozen hummus. You may not be aware of this, but if you’ve stored your hummus in the freezer, it will require a different series of steps to reheat to perfection.
Read on to find out how to reheat your hummus.
How to heat hummus in the microwave
Microwaving hummus is one of two ways to heat it up. Although heating on the stovetop may give slightly better flavor and consistency, the microwave will work just fine. Just remember to be careful not to overheat.
- Place the hummus on a microwave-safe plate.
- Add one to two teaspoons of lukewarm or lukewarm water.
- remove it
- Microwave the hummus.
- Put it in the microwave on medium heat for 15 seconds, and take it out.
- Remove it and put it back in for another 15 seconds.
- Repeat the operation until you are satisfied with the consistency and the heat. Make sure the center of the plate is just as hot as the outside.
How to heat hummus on the stove
Using the stove to heat or reheat your hummus may be slightly superior for one reason: texture. Because you can keep stirring constantly, the hummus may turn out a little softer than when you microwave it.
- Transfer all of your hummus to a small saucepan or skillet.
- Add a little warm or hot water.
- Stir it lightly.
- Heat the hummus over medium heat.
- Stir it constantly to get the best texture.
- Add more water if necessary.
- When you’re happy with the texture, you’re done!
How to reheat frozen hummus
Although you can microwave your frozen hummus, doing so compromises the texture of your sauce.
Some parts may get hot during the thawing process, so the texture will vary throughout. Therefore, we recommend a different approach.
- The day before you want to eat your hummus, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge.
- It will take at least a few hours to be ready to eat. If you have kept it for a long time in the freezer, it may take a whole day.
- Once defrosted, stir it before heating it and add a little water.
- Reheat it using your preferred method, or let it sit out of the fridge for an hour or two to get to a lukewarm temperature.
Here are the main methods for reheating hummus. You may be wondering if you could reheat hummus in the oven or in a skillet, and the answer is: no.
Although we are sure that you could get some degree of heat, the consistency will not be good. You could even accidentally burn your hummus, making it completely inedible.
Therefore, we recommend that you use the stove or, if you are in a hurry, the microwave.
Now that you know how to reheat hummus, you may be tempted to make a big batch and freeze it for later. But do you know how to freeze it right?
How to freeze hummus
If it freezes well, you can keep your hummus for up to 4 months. It is a great alternative for those who do not want to make hummus very often.
Many of us spend some time on the weekends preparing the week’s meals. There’s no reason not to do it with hummus, too.
- Place any leftover hummus in a freezer-safe container. It has to be airtight.
- Leave some space at the top; do not fill the container with humus. Hummus expands when frozen, so it needs a little extra space.
- We recommend freezing small batches at a time. For example, freeze five small containers instead of one large one.
- Pour a little olive oil on top of your hummus. This will prevent it from losing moisture.
- Once the container is sealed, you can freeze the hummus for up to 4 months, but for optimal flavor, we recommend less.
Related questions
Hopefully by now you know all about heating and freezing hummus, but in this section we’ll address any remaining questions.
Can frozen hummus be thawed in the microwave?
You can, but it is not the most optimal method. You can do this by putting the microwave on defrost and checking the hummus every 10-20 seconds to make sure the consistency is right.
Can frozen hummus be thawed in the oven?
Theoretically, you can thaw hummus on the stove by soaking it in hot water, but we don’t recommend doing so. You run the risk of water destroying the consistency of your hummus.
On the other hand, if you don’t use water, the spread will become lumpy and taste much worse than if you thawed it properly. We recommend that you defrost it by moving it from the freezer to the refrigerator in advance.