Caramel Apple Hummus
Smooth and crunchy, sweet and gooey, there’s so much to love about this Caramel Apple Hummus. It’s the dessert dip you never expected that actually tastes like cookie dough loaded with swirls of caramel, chunks of apples, white chocolate chips, and nutty pecans. Grab some fresh apple slices and graham crackers, and get ready to scoop up the fall goodness!
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
I know, I know, hummus is usually a savory dip, but I just love turning it into a sweet dessert dip, whether it’s Peanut Butter Hummus or Pumpkin Pie Hummus. Sweeten up those chickpeas, add some dessert-like flavors, and it’s like you’re scooping up cookie dough. Only this cookie dough doesn’t have any flour or eggs, so it’s safe to eat and naturally gluten free!
For this version of dessert hummus, I took a little inspiration from Caramel Apple Dip, and the balance of creamy and crunchy, but changed things up a bit. It has the flavor of caramel blended in and the gooey goodness drizzled on top, plus the crunch of apples, pecans, and white chocolate chips mixed in and loaded on top. Get your graham crackers and apple slices ready! Or keep reading for more dipping ideas.
Caramel Apple Hummus is an Unexpected Sweet Treat
Here’s why you’ll love it…
- Fully-loaded. While the apple hummus starts out nice and smooth, you get all kinds of great textures when you mix in the other ingredients and save some to sprinkle on top. It’s an explosion of crunchy goodness topped with sticky caramel.
- Fun for parties. Dessert dips are always great to put out with a spread of fruit, cookies, and crackers for scooping them up. Or you can add it to a kiddie-style charcuterie board like my Ants on a Log Snack Platter or a Christmas Cookie Charcuterie Board for the holidays.
- Allergy-friendly. Even though it tastes like cookie dough, there is no flour or eggs, so it’s safe for those who are gluten free or have an egg allergy. You can make it dairy free and even skip the nuts.
What You’ll Need
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, plus some helpful info and tips. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
- Canned chickpeas. Make sure you drain and rinse them, then spread them on a paper towel or kitchen towel to dry. For an even smoother apple hummus, you can slip the skins off of the chickpeas.
- Coconut oil or unsalted butter. Both work equally well, depending on your preference or if you need it dairy free.
- Caramel sauce. You can use a jar or make a batch of homemade caramel sauce. You can also buy or make vegan caramel sauce, if needed.
- Vanilla extract. Really gives it that cookie dough flavor.
- Salt. Don’t skip the salt – it balances the sweetness.
- Apple. Any kind you love will be fine, just make sure you wash and peel it before cutting it into small cubes.
- White chocolate chips. If you want to tone down the sweetness, you can skip the chips. Also, use vegan ones to make this a dairy free dip.
- Pecans. I recommend lightly toasting them in a skillet for the best flavor. Just toss them around in a skillet over medium-low heat until they start to smell nutty. Do not burn them. Walnuts can be substituted, or you can skip the nuts if you have an allergy.
What to Dip in Apple Hummus
You can double up on the apple goodness and dip apple slices into your apple hummus, but here are a few other ideas:
- Cookies. I especially like Gluten Free Graham Crackers or Gluten Free Vanilla Wafers.
- Pretzels. The salty-sweet combo is so delicious, whether you go with crunchy ones or even soft Gluten Free Pretzel Bites.
- Other fruits. Pear slices and strawberries are great options, too.
- Veggies. And why not try something like carrots or celery?!
- Pita. Yes, even classic Gluten Free Pita or something sweeter like Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Pita would be a great option.
Caramel Apple Hummus
Ingredients
- 15 oz canned chickpeas , rinsed, drained, and dried on a paper towel
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil or unsalted butter , softened
- 2 Tablespoons caramel sauce divided ( plus 1 Tbsp to drizzle on top)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 large apple , peeled and chopped, reserve 1 Tablespoon to sprinkle on top
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips , reserve 1 Tablespoon to sprinkle on top
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans , lightly toasted, reserve 1 Tablespoon to sprinkle on top
- apples, graham crackers, pretzels, etc. for dipping
Instructions
- Place 15 oz canned chickpeas that have been drained, rinsed, and dried, 2 Tablespoons coconut oil or unsalted butter, 2 Tablespoons caramel sauce, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt into a food processor or high-powered blender (I used my Blendtec), and process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
- Set aside one tablespoon of each of the chopped 1/2 large apple, 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, and 1/4 cup chopped pecans. Add the remaining chopped apple, white chocolate chips, and pecans to the hummus, and mix in completely.
- Leave the hummus in the bowl or spread on a dish, drizzle with an additional 1 Tablespoon of caramel (warmed slightly if needed to make it pourable), and sprinkle with the apple, chips, and pecans that were set aside.
- Serve with apples, graham crackers, pretzels, etc. for dipping.
Notes
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