Can you freeze hummus?

What freezing does to hummus

Freezing causes the water and oil in hummus to separate, breaking the creamy emulsion. Upon thawing, the chickpeas lose their smooth structure, resulting in a grainy or watery consistency that is difficult to restore completely.

How to freeze it

1. Stir the hummus thoroughly before freezing to redistribute oil.
2. Place the hummus in an airtight container, leaving about half an inch of headspace for expansion.
3. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the hummus before sealing the lid to prevent freezer burn.
4. Label the container with the date and place it in the freezer.
5. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before attempting to re-blend.

Thawing and using it

The hummus will likely be watery and grainy after thawing. The best way to use it is to transfer it to a bowl and blend it with a splash of fresh olive oil, lemon juice, or water to restore creaminess, though it may still be slightly less smooth than fresh.

Depends on the form

• Hummus with fresh garlic or herbs may develop stronger, off-flavors after freezing.
• Store-bought hummus with stabilizers may hold its texture better than homemade versions.
• Opened containers should be used sooner or frozen immediately to prevent quality loss.