Can You Freeze Hummus?

5 minutes

Whether you’ve made your own, bought some from the shop or have been gifted some – there’s only so much hummus you can eat so what do you do with the leftovers? Are they destined for the bin, or can you freeze hummus successfully?

How to Freeze Hummus

So you’ve got your hummus made? Now it’s time to freeze it!

How to Freeze Different Types of Hummus

Fortunately, gone are the days when hummus is solely made from chickpeas. These days, you can make or buy various hummus varieties. But, can they all be frozen?

Butterbean Hummus

With butterbean hummus, it’s super creamy – even more so than the usual chickpea hummus. When you freeze and thaw it, you might find it’s not as silky smooth as before.

No stress, though – a quick mix or even blitzing it with a blender or food processor will bring it back to its creamy self.

Beetroot Hummus

Freezing beetroot hummus is a bit of a different story.

Beets give it that amazing vibrant colour that might fade a bit once you freeze and thaw it. While it might not look as Instagram-worthy, the flavour should still be spot on.

Roasted Pepper Hummus

When it comes to roasted red pepper hummus, the roasted peppers could cause a bit more water to separate out once you thaw it. You might see a watery layer on top, or it might seem a bit split.

But hey, don’t worry! Give it a good stir, and it should go back to its original delicious self.

How Long Can You Freeze Hummus?

Hummus can be frozen for about 4 to 6 months.

But keep in mind, once you hit the 4-month mark, you might start to notice a change. The hummus could begin to develop a bit of a bitter taste, and the oils may start to separate.

So, it’s not a great idea to let it sit in the freezer for too long.

The freezing process might affect the texture of the hummus as well. It could lose some of its smooth, creamy goodness and become slightly grainy.

Also, here’s a valuable tip: Always remember to label your container. Note down what’s inside and the date it should ideally be consumed. This simple step can help you avoid any confusion down the line and prevent unnecessary wastage.

How Do You Defrost Hummus?

It is best to thaw your hummus in the fridge and leave it overnight before using it. Once your hummus is thawed, it can be left in the fridge for another three or four days.

When thawing your hummus, there is quite a high chance that some of the oil will separate from the rest of the hummus. This is not a cause of concern so don’t throw it in the bin. Instead, just give it a good stir to incorporate the oil back into the body of the hummus.

Can You Refreeze Hummus?

Over time, hummus will become separated and can dry out when frozen. If you refreeze hummus, you can actually speed up the rate at which it dries out. That is why it’s a good idea to avoid refreezing it if possible.

Although it is safe to refreeze hummus, it’s not something I would recommend.

Does Hummus Freeze Well?

Initially, there will be no difference between fresh and frozen hummus, but as time goes on even frozen hummus starts to slightly separate and dry out. Most of the time, this process is very slow and gradual during the initial four months.

But then it rapidly goes downhill. After one or two further months in the freezer, your hummus will go rancid and you will need to throw it out.

Hummus frozen in larger batches has an even shorter lifespan – two to four months. Thus, for the best flavour and texture – defrost and use your hummus within the first two or three months after freezing it.