Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (2024)

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (1)
This spicy roasted carrot “hummus” isn’t actually hummus at all because it doesn’t contain chickpeas, but that doesn’t stop this from being one of the tastiest vegan & gluten free appetizers in your arsenal. It’s big on flavor, a nutritional heavy hitter, but light on calories. Since it’s vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-friendly, so make this veggie dip recipe and you’ll have something for everyone at the party! Jump Straight to the Recipe

I just dropped Joshua off at the airport. As I watched him walk away in his plaid button-down, pulling his grey suitcase, I got all kinds of mushy. Truth be told, it’s usually him watching me as I head off to conferences, retreats, or sponsored travel. There is something about airports that fills me with gentle melancholy- even when I’m looking forward to wherever I’m going. Airports are full of emotion, from excitement to trepidation and from joyous hellos to longing goodbyes.

This morning, about an hour after he left for work, Joshua texted me “I miss you already”. It’s no wonder I hardly let the guy out of my sight for the past 17 years. It feels so strange to say 17 years. Perhaps by the time I get used to hearing 17, it will be another year.

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (2)

While I’m missing him already, there are some things I love about being alone. The big one is sleeping alone in a king sized bed. Well, not really alone since I let all the animals sleep with me when he’s gone. I’m also planning to listen to all the music he hates on full blast. Mostly early girl-fronted R&B like Wynona Carr and corny rockabilly like Janis Martin.

Oh the other thing I always do when I’m flying solo is eat like a bachelorette. There will be salad, and eggs, tea and toast, maybe a mug cake and of course chocolate. Also, this roasted carrot dip = a meal.

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (3)

I love everything about this roasted carrot dip. It’s thick and creamy, a little spicy, a bit nutty, and super pretty. Think hummus without the beans or tahini. I brought this to my friend Papabear’s house last weekend and he was shocked to learn that there was no tahini and it was garbanzo-less too. “What the what?”

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (4)

My other favorite story about this carrot dip is that I was teaching some produce-focused cooking classes last fall. One of the programs was all about carrots. I made carrot mac and cheese, carrot top ranch dressing, and this carrot “hummus”. One day, I had two classes scheduled. I made huge batches of the mac and cheese, but made a smaller batch of the spicy carrot dip. Well, boy was I mistaken when I thought the kids wouldn’t be too into my veggie dip recipe. I had to use the entire batch I’d made for the kids + the stuff I was saving for the adult program. You can’t imagine how awesome it is to see kids dipping raw carrots into roasted carrot dip and asking for more. I completely ran out!

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (5)

This roasted carrot dip is vegan, gluten free, nut free, paleo, and even Whole30 compliant. It uses ingredients I always have on hand. You probably have most of them too- except maybe the pepitas. If you don’t know pepitas, they’re just hulled pumpkin seeds. You can find them at many grocery stores. I usually buy mine at Trader Joes or at the Mexican market down the road. They taste nutty and delicious. If you haven’t tried them, holy cow, get out and get some! They’re great on salads, as a crunchy topping for soup, or just eating out of hand.

I’ve been making this for a few years now, and this Mexican-inspired version is the one I knew I had to share with you. I mean, I’ll share the recipe, but don’t ask me to share the dip! Luckily, since I’m solo this weekend, I don’t actually have to share my roasted carrot dip with anyone at all.

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (6)

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe

Rating

Prep time:

Cook time:

Total time:

Serves:2 cups

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (7)

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs carrots, peeled
  • ½ large red onion thickly sliced
  • 1 jalapeno, thickly sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup raw green pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • ½ cup olive oil (divided)
  • 1 handful of fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375º and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On the baking sheet, toss carrots, onion slices, and jalapeño with one tablespoon of olive oil and spread out so that nothing is touching. Check the onions and jalapeños after 20 minutes and remove if they are cooked through and soft. Turn the carrots and cook for another 25-30 minutes. They are done when they’re caramelized and quite soft.
  2. In a food processor, pulse pumpkin seeds, olive oil, and fresh herbs (if using) until the mixture is creamy with a bit of texture- not unlike chunky peanut butter. Add the carrots, olive oil, onions, jalapeños (if using), cumin, lime juice, and salt and process until smooth and creamy. I stop just short of completely smooth as I love a bit of texture, but you can keep processing until completely smooth. Serve with crudités, chips, crackers, or spread on toast for a fabulous treat. If you like, you can add a little drizzle of herbed olive oil and some toasted pepitas on top!

Need More Delicious Carrot Recipes?

Carrot Cake Dip from Food, Faith, Fitness

Carrot Ginger Dressing from The Tomato Tart

Carrot Top Pesto from Healthy Nibbles & Bits

Lightened Up Carrot Cake from Ambitious Kitchen

Vegan Carrot Soup with Caramelized Onion The #1 Recipe on The Tomato Tart

Spicy Roasted Carrot “Hummus”: Veggie Dip Recipe - The Tomato Tart (2024)

FAQs

How healthy are hummus and carrots? ›

Traditional hummus is made from ground chickpeas, sesame seed paste, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. It has protein and healthy fat and heart-healthy soluble fiber. Four tablespoons of hummus, is only about 140 calories. If you add eight baby carrots that is only about 30 calories and adds beta-carotene and potassium.

What vegetables are good to dip in hummus? ›

Carrot sticks and hummus are a staple for a reason – it's tasty! Cucumbers: These veggies don't get much credit, but they benefit the body in a variety of ways, including helping you stay hydrated, and strengthening your hair and nails! Broccoli: This green vegetable is a powerhouse of nutrients.

What can I add to plain hummus to make it taste better? ›

Next, enhance the blank slate of flavor with a few squeezes of lemon juice, a sprinkling of garlic salt, a turn of freshly cracked pepper, a heavy-handed sprinkle of paprika, and a generous drizzle of your nicest olive oil. Bonus points if you have an herby olive oil on hand with a little color to it.

Why do you put ice cubes in hummus? ›

The ice cubes help in whipping the hummus into a creamier texture--kinda like freshly churned ice-cream.

Is it okay to eat hummus every day? ›

While hummus is a very healthy snack option, it should not be consumed in large quantities.

Is hummus healthy for weight loss? ›

In answer to your question, “is hummus good for a diet?” the answer is a resounding, yes! Eat it for a snack with celery, carrots, or peppers, spread it over your whole wheat bread instead of mayo, or top your soups with a dollop. This tasty, healthy dip is good for losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle!

What is the healthiest thing to eat with hummus? ›

Hummus pairs perfectly with fresh veggies and crispy salads. This crunchy cucumber and tomato salad is a refreshing side dish with a bowl of hummus, but it also works beautifully as a topping for a loaded and colorful hummus.

What is the healthiest thing to dip in hummus? ›

Vegetables. Carrots, celery, green and red bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, you name it – can be dipped. It's a great way to add veggies to your diet without getting bored.

What do you eat spicy hummus with? ›

What to eat with hummus
  1. Sandwiches/wraps. The creamy nature of hummus means that it is an excellent spread for most sandwiches and wraps. ...
  2. Dip for veggies. ...
  3. Pita bread. ...
  4. Chips. ...
  5. Creamy hummus pasta. ...
  6. Mix into mashed potatoes. ...
  7. Falafel. ...
  8. On pizza.

How to spice up your hummus? ›

Just a sprinkle of fresh herbs can add brightness to a savory spread and the grassy notes pair well with earthy chickpeas and tahini. Our favorites are parsley, cilantro, mint, and basil. Everything Bagel Seasoning tastes great on almost anything, including hummus. Making your own takes less than five minutes.

How to spice up hummus dip? ›

Add Some Nice Spice

Spices like paprika, cayenne pepper and sumac all lend a marvelous layer of nuance to a classic hummus dip. Seasoning your hummus with spices is perfect when you want to supercharge your hummus dishes with flavor. This trick also works with making canned soup taste better.

Why does hummus need lemon? ›

Adding water to homemade hummus instead of using lemon juice can help achieve a smoother texture and milder flavor. Restaurants often use lemon juice for both flavor and preservation.

What does baking soda do in hummus? ›

Baking soda: Adding baking soda to the chickpeas helps make the legume easier to digest, softer, and makes them easy to peel. Don't skip this ingredient! Lemon juice: I never suggest using pre-bottled lemon juice, but I especially urge you not to in homemade hummus.

Why can't you freeze shop bought hummus? ›

You sure can! Freezing works for both homemade and store-bought hummus. The store-bought ones often freeze better because they have extra preservatives. But remember, freezing may change the hummus's taste and feel a bit.

What are the benefits of eating carrots with hummus? ›

Carrots are a good source of vitamin A and potassium, so the pairing makes a balanced and nutritious snack. 1 As far as calories go, one-half cup of hummus has about 200-300 calories,2 while eight baby carrots have only about 30 calories. Hummus is also good with baked pita chips or pieces of pita bread.

What is the number one healthiest snack? ›

1. Mixed nuts. Nuts are an ideal nutritious snack, providing the perfect balance of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. They're linked to numerous health benefits and are very filling.

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