To make dehydrated hummus at home, combine chickpeas, tahini, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and sea salt in a food processor. Blend the mixture until the desired consistency is achieved. Slather the hummus on dehydrator trays and dry it at 125°F for 4 to 6 hours or until it crumbles.
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How to Dehydrate Hummus in a Food Dehydrator
If you’re looking for a cool backpacking food idea, try this dehydrated hummus recipe. Made from blended chickpeas, it is a healthy spread that can be taken on the go and rehydrates easily!
- Combine one can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans with two tablespoons of tahini, three garlic cloves, 1/4 cup of bottled lemon juice, and one teaspoon of salt in a food processor.
- Pour ½ cup of water into the food processor.
- Blend the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency, adding more water as necessary.
- Prep your food dehydrator by lining the dehydrator trays with dehydrator sheets or baking paper.
- Spread the creamy hummus evenly on dehydrator trays, ensuring the hummus is 1/4-inch thick.
- Dehydrate humus at 125°F for 4-6 hours.
- Transfer the dehydrated hummus mix to a food processor and blend the mixture to make a more compact and lightweight hummus powder (optional).
- Let the dried hummus cool to room temperature.
- Store your dried hummus in zip-lock bags, Mylar bags, or other airtight containers. To rehydrate, simply add water and mix!

How to Dehydrate Hummus in an Oven
When creating your own dried hummus mix in an oven, consider customizing the flavor. Add red peppers, sesame seeds, smoked paprika, cumin, or sea salt to enhance the flavor and texture.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to dehydrating hummus in the oven:
- Combine one can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans with 1/4 cup of bottled lemon juice, one clove of garlic, one tablespoon of sesame oil, and three tablespoons of olive oil.
- Puree the ingredients in a food processor until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Spread the hummus mixture on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven at 175°F until dry and crumbly.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the dried hummus to cool to room temperature.
- Use a blender to pulse the dried hummus and turn it into a fine powder.
- Transfer the oven-dried hummus powder to an airtight container and store it at room temperature or in the freezer.
How to Rehydrate Dehydrated Hummus
To rehydrate dehydrated hummus, combine it with cold water and mix thoroughly to achieve the desired consistency.
- Add the dehydrated hummus mix to a zip-lock bag or container.
- Carefully add cold water until you achieve the desired consistency. Most lightweight backpacking meals require water in a 1:1 ratio.
- Serve the dip as is and eat right away with a spoon, or add some olive oil for extra healthy fat.
- Serve on flatbread, Pita bread, Lavash, and tortilla chips, or use it as a creamy dip with your favorite veggies.

Is Dehydrated Hummus Healthy?
Dehydrated hummus is a delicious and healthy snack and a great midday treat in the backcountry. Here are a few health benefits of dehydrated hummus:
- High in protein: Consuming dehydrated hummus can increase your protein intake compared with other vegan foods.
- Healthier blood sugar: Dehydrated hummus has a lower sugar content than many other snacks, and consuming foods rich in fiber, such as dried hummus, can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
- Rich in nutrients: Hummus is a good source of carbohydrates and provides fiber, potassium, iron, magnesium, and antioxidant vitamins.
- Wholesome ingredients: Dehydrated hummus uses gluten-free ingredients free of artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
How Do You Dehydrate Store-Bought Hummus?
It’s easy to dehydrate store-bought hummus and turn it into a hiker-friendly snack:
- Set the temperature of a food dehydrator to 125°F.
- Spread the hummus in a thin layer on dehydrator trays and dry the hummus for about 4-6 hours, or until the hummus crumbles nicely in your fingers.
- Let it cool, and store it in airtight containers.
- To rehydrate it, add a little cold water and some olive oil, and mix to combine.

Why Does My Dehydrated Homemade Hummus Taste Bad?
Using excess tahini, excess garlic powder, excess lemon juice, or stirring in olive oil before dehydrating hummus can make it taste bad. Using old olive oil can also cause an unpleasant taste. Follow a recipe with a proportion of ingredients that tastes good, and test the olive oil before using it to avoid off-putting flavors.
What are the Benefits of Dehydrating Hummus?
Dehydrating hummus is a great way to add some flavor to your backpacking lunch. Enjoy these benefits when you dehydrate hummus at home for your next backcountry trip:
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to prepare at home and on the trail
- Healthy dip for veggies
- It’s shelf-stable
- Nutrient-dense
- Rich spread for pita bread or sandwiches
- Super creamy and rich

What is the Shelf Life of Dehydrated Hummus?
Dehydrated hummus can last 4 to 6 weeks if stored in an airtight container, such as a sealed ziplock bag. However, if the dried hummus has excess oil or the humidity is high, its shelf life can be affected. To extend the shelf life of dried hummus, follow these guidelines:
- Do not expose the hummus to warm temperatures for an extended period.
- Make sure the hummus is completely dry before storing it.
- Store the dehydrated hummus in an airtight container to prevent moisture from reaching it.
- Store the hummus in a cool, dark place to make it last longer. Exposure to heat and light can reduce the longevity of dried hummus.