Chickpea Dip

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to sour cream-based dips, give this chickpea dip a try. Made with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme, it pairs wonderfully with pita chips or crudité.

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Who doesn’t love a good dip? If you’re like me, you love the sour cream-based ones, with maybe some mayo and cream cheese blended in for good measure. My only criticism — and it really is my only one — is that I sometimes feel guilty eating them because, well, they’re obviously not the healthiest snack around. Side note: I know the word should be “healthful,” not “healthiest,” but that usage is about as prolific nowadays as the Dodo bird.

Anyway, I’ll never turn my back on a sour cream dip — EVER — but bean dips are a nice health-conscious alternative that can be delicious and addictive in their own right. They may not receive the same universal acclaim as their rival, but I think they deserve more attention from dip lovers everywhere.

Now that you’re aware of my advocacy for bean dip, I hope it inspired you to make this chickpea one. Bonus: It requires only a few minutes of your time — and little effort!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chickpeas
• Granulated Garlic
• Smoked Paprika
• Fresh Lemon
• Fresh Thyme
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Why You’ll Love This Chickpea Dip

It’s a healthy option over traditional dip: Enjoy the satisfaction of dip and chips with less guilt!

This dip is quick and easy to prepare: It’s perfect if you need something simple to put together at the last minute.

It’s inexpensive: You’ll likely already have the ingredients on hand, and beans are still among the most economical foods.

You can easily double it: If you want to make this for a party, double it up (just don’t double dip!).

Pro Tips

Use water to thin out the dip: If it seems too thick, add about one teaspoon of water, or more, at a time. You could also pour in more olive oil, but because you’re going to drizzle more oil on top after transferring it to a bowl, using water in this instance is a better alternative.

Suggestions for Variations and Substitutions

• Use fresh garlic instead of granulated, about one clove.
• Use any herbs you like.
• Add about 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for some heat.
• Omit the smoked paprika for a milder flavor.
• Substitute the chickpeas with another creamy white bean, like cannellini.
• Serve with pita chips, crackers, crusty bread, or cut veggies.

Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. I don’t recommend freezing it.