Does a blender need to have some special characteristic in order to pick it as the best blender for hummus?
Frankly, as long as you buy a very good, powerful blender, that model will work for making hummus without any problems.
Thus, when we’re researching the best blenders for making hummus, we’re actually looking for the best blenders in general.
Best Blender for Hummus Reviews
I’ve mentioned that a powerful blender will be capable of making smooth, creamy hummus without any problems. Just think of the ingredients for a traditional hummus recipe and you’ll see why using a powerful blender is an excellent option.
However, besides the traditional recipes, we can make so many other hummus recipes and variations. So, we might also need a blender that can handle ingredients like raw sesame seeds or fresh herbs (parsley, thyme), etc.
The alternative to using a blender is to make your hummus in a food processor. If you already own one, you might not need to buy another appliance just for making hummus.
Of course, if you want to make smoothies, smoothie bowls and a bunch of other recipes in the same appliance, then looking for the best blender for hummus and everything else is an excellent idea.
Moreover, if you have a smaller budget, I recommend getting an immersion blender set that also includes a small food processor. I’ll also recommend a model or two of those immersion blender sets so you can see what I’m talking about.
1. Ninja SS351 Foodi Power Blender & Processor: Overall the Best Blender for Hummus
We’ve got so many things that we can do with this wonderful system called Ninja SS351.
The Ninja SS351 is not a simple blender, it’s a set of components that are sold for an affordable price if we consider just how many pieces we get. At around $200 or maybe even less, depending on your luck, I believe that it’s totally worth it.
What makes this particular Ninja appliance so wonderful is that it has everything for everyone.
You’ll be able to make whatever you want, whether we’re talking about smoothies, smoothie bowls, grating cauliflower, making nut butters, dips, dressings, hummus, pureeing meat, making flour from grains and beans, grinding spices, chopping up nuts, making dough for bread, pizza and desserts, etc.
However, if that’s above your budget, you don’t have to worry. There are plenty more models to check out. If your budget is under $100, you can go for the Nutribullet Personal Blender 600, the Hamilton Beach Blender or an immersion blender set.
Components
Since I’ve mentioned that it’s a complex system, let’s see what we get:
- 1400-Watt unit
- 72-oz power blender & processor pitcher
- total crushing and chopping blade
- dough blade
- 24-oz nutrient extraction cup with spout lid
- 14-oz smoothie bowl maker with storage lid
The 1,400 watts motor base is really powerful. It absolutely means that we can make smooth, creamy hummus to match everyone’s tastes.
We have 3 containers that we can attach to this powerful motor base: the 72-oz power blender & processor pitcher, the 24-oz nutrient extraction cup, and the 14-oz smoothie bowl maker with storage lid.
And that’s why I mentioned that this is a complex system. Add to that the total crushing and chopping blade and the dough blade and we couldn’t ask for anything better.
I should also mention that these two awesome blades look like nothing you’ve ever seen on other countertop blenders.
There’s also a third blade system for the 24-oz nutrient extraction cup that is attached to the motor base when we want to use the 24-oz nutrient extraction cup to make smoothies that we want to take with us. This extraction cup comes with a spout lid.
The 14-oz smoothie bowl maker was a selling point when I recommended this Ninja as one of the best blenders for smoothie bowls. It turns out that it’s a selling point once again, for a completely different recipe.
Features
There are 6 preset Auto-IQ programs: extract, smoothie, bowl, spread, chop, dough.
You can use the spread program to make hummus in the 14 oz cup. It will do the job for you and stop automatically when it’s done. Besides pouring the ingredients into the cup and touching the spread program, you don’t have to do anything else.
However, we can do it manually by setting the speed from the knob. We start at the lowest speed and quickly make our way to the top, where we let the blender run until we get the smooth consistency we desire.
The pulse button is another very useful function to be aware of and this is included for all countertop blenders. It’s very helpful if you want to do things like shredding chicken in a blender or if you want to puree meat. When I’m saying that you can puree meat, I’m talking about raw meat that you can grind in a blender and then use it to make burgers, meatballs, lasagna, etc.
Making hummus with Ninja SS351
While going through a lot of user reviews, I discovered that many people prefer using the 14-oz smoothie bowl maker to make hummus.
In the description for this particular accessory, Ninja tells us that their smoothie bowl maker with built-in tamper is capable of handling everything from frozen foods with less liquid to making nut butters and even making blender ice cream.
Thus, it’s pretty clear to see why some people might prefer using this 14 oz cup to make hummus.
If it’s capable of powering through frozen fruits and veggies, it’s definitely capable of powering through cooked chickpeas.
However, the important mention is that it makes smoothie bowls, which require less liquid than glass smoothies.
Thus, a dish like hummus, which is also made with just a bit of liquid from lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil, will be wonderfully made by the 14-oz smoothie bowl maker with its impressive set of blades.
Nevertheless, if you want to make a big quantity of hummus and the 14 oz cup is just too tiny, then you can use the 72-oz power blender & processor pitcher.
It combines the functions of both a processor and a blender due to its interestingly-shaped total crushing and chopping blade. You’ll be able to make the same smooth hummus, just in a bigger quantity.
2. Hamilton Beach Blender to Puree 58148A: Cheapest Blender for Hummus
While the above Ninja SS351 seems to be almost universally loved by everyone, that’s not a statement we can make about this Hamilton Beach countertop blender.
There are plenty of negative reviews to read about it but there are also a whole deal of positive ones. Just make sure to read a bit of both.
Another thing we must keep in mind is that this Hamilton Beach appliance is also 4-5 times cheaper than the Ninja SS351. There’s certainly a big price difference between the two. Plus, even Vitamix models get plenty of negative reviews.
What I want to say is that I really like this cheap countertop blender. I don’t think we can do better for such a cheap price.
Features
It has a 700 watts motor base. However, I believe that it’s powerful enough to make smooth, creamy hummus even if we’re talking about a dish that doesn’t have much liquid base.
It also has a 40 oz jar. It’s definitely on the smaller side among countertop blenders but it’s still big enough for a small family.
There are 12 blending functions and we have 5 buttons.
There’s no speed button to adjust the speed manually so everything we want to do is done from these 5 buttons. When I was little, I had a similar blender with buttons so it’s nostalgic to see a modern version in the form of this Hamilton Beach.
The first is the Off button.
Then we have: mix, milkshake, easyclean.
The third button is for puree, smoothie, icy drink. This is the one we should use for making hummus. I recommend making 1 cup at a time.
The fourth and the fifth buttons actually cover the pulse function. We can use the fourth for dice, chop, salsa. And the fifth for grind, crush ice, grate.
Frankly, I love that this appliance shows us just how versatile it is. We can easily tell by reading what’s written underneath each button.
Moreover, the fact that everything is grouped under only 5 buttons and we are instructed which one to use for whatever we’re making, makes it very easy to figure out. It’s a nice model for beginners.
3. Ninja BN401 Nutri Pro: Best Personal Blender for Hummus
Since we reviewed one of my favorite countertop blenders for making hummus and we also saw what a model that costs around $50 offers thanks to Hamilton Beach, I thought it was time to review a personal blender as the best blender for hummus.
Frankly, I also wanted to include the Nutribullet 600, too, but I decided that a more powerful model like the Ninja BN401 would be more appropriate.
This Ninja is a bit more expensive than the Nutribullet 600. Since the price difference is really not very big, I thought that it would be best if we were to choose to spend a bit more on something of awesome quality.
Features
There are a lot of things that I like about the BN401. However, the thing I like most is its powerful base motor.
There are a few awesome personal blenders from Ninja but this is the most powerful of them all and it’s the one that would work perfectly if we want to make a smooth hummus.
The 1,100 watts motor base is its main selling point. That’s why I like it so much.
Another feature I like a lot is the fact that we get 2 single-serve cups, each measuring 24 oz.
Thus, even if someone from our household makes a smoothie to go, we’re still left with a cup to make smoothies, hummus, salsa, dips, creamy soups or whatever else we want to make.
Both cups have spouted lids.
The Pro Extractor Blades are another feature to get excited about. They can easily crush ice, break down whole fruits and veggies to create the most delicious dishes and drinks.
Last but not least, there are 2 Auto-IQ programs: crush and smoothie.
Besides those, we also get the pulse feature.
We can also use the START/STOP button if we don’t want to use any of the 2 programs. This is the button that Ninja instructs us to use if we’re making hummus. 30 seconds should be all it takes.
How to make hummus with the Ninja BN401
In the Quick Start Guide that comes with the Ninja BN401, we’ll also find a recipe for classic hummus.
The prep takes 5 minutes. The container used is the 24 oz cup that comes with this personal blender. We’ll make 1 ¼ cups if we follow their recipe.
The ingredients we need are:
- 1 can (14 oz) garbanzo beans drained, liquid reserved – however, if you want to put in the time, I recommend soaking garbanzo beans overnight and cooking them the next day for a truly excellent tasting hummus
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons garbanzo bean liquid
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ tsp kosher salt
As you can see, this hummus recipe is made with a lot more liquid than a traditional recipe.
You can definitely try their recipe ones and see if you like it. Otherwise, the Internet is full of hummus recipes, including those who are made with other vegetables and beans instead of garbanzo beans.
Instructions:
Place all ingredients into one of the 24 oz cups that comes with the Ninja BN401.
Make sure to place the ingredients in the order listed by the recipe.
Select START/STOP and blend for 30 seconds. Or until the desired smoothness is achieved.
And that’s how easy it is to make hummus in this personal blender from Ninja. Make sure to clean it immediately after using it.
4. Breville BSB510XL Control Grip: Best Immersion Blender for Hummus
I wanted to recommend a cheaper hand blender as the best blender for hummus but it turns out that I didn’t manage to do that.
The Breville BSB510XL, with its price around $100 is certainly not the cheapest. But it’s one of the most loved hand blenders. I think the price is worth it.
I love immersion blenders but I love them the most when they come with a tiny food processor accessory.
However, I’m not a big fan of making smoothies with an immersion blender because they don’t turn out as smooth as when we’re using a countertop blender or a personal blender. It can totally be done but it’s just not my preference because the texture is not the smoothest.
However, if we compare food processors and immersion blenders in terms of making a smooth hummus, I believe that hand blenders win.
Nevertheless, if you want the creamiest texture, you’ll need a pretty expensive, very powerful countertop blender, like the ones from Ninja, Vitamix or Breville. A couple of personal blenders are also capable of it.
Components
Given its 250 watts motor, you might think that the Breville BSB510XL is not all that powerful but it certainly is. I think it’s a powerful hand blender with amazing components.
We get a 42 oz jug. This is great if you want to make smoothies, if you want to make whipped cream, if you want to whip egg whites or for making hummus.
I love that we also get a 25 oz chopper bowl that has its own blades set. I use the chopper that comes with my hand blender more than I use my food processor because it’s quicker to grab and easy to rinse off.
Last but not least, we also get a whisk attachment. This will be a great addition for those who don’t own a mixer or for those who don’t want to clean up their big stand mixer for a quick job.
The whisk is not the sturdiest and it’s maybe the weak link to an otherwise excellent appliance. It will certainly do its job while it lasts.
Features
Breville always likes coming up with some interesting technology for their appliances. Even when we’re talking about Breville juicers or countertop blenders or toasters, you’ll notice the same inclusion of a variety of interesting technologies.
This time, for the Breville Control Grip, we have an unique anti-suction technology. Its intent is for less liquid spilling out of the bowl. I haven’t had any troubles with spilling when using my hand blenders but, who knows, maybe some people will be excited about this feature.
Moreover, the ergonomic trigger grip gives the hand a natural position.
We also get 15 speed settings, which is a lot. It will offer us control for precise blending and processing.
How to make hummus with Breville BSB510XL
You can drop your ingredients in the 42 oz jug that comes with this Breville or you can blend them until smooth in a bowl.
Other people use the 25 oz chopper bowl to make it.
If you want to add some fresh herbs to your hummus, I recommend chopping them in the chopper and then adding them to the rest of your ingredients.
Unlike a countertop or personal blender, a hand blender doesn’t chop. For that, we get a separate chopper, which I love. You can even chop vegetables, which makes food preparation so fast and easy.
5. Vitamix E310 Explorian
There are a few things people automatically think of when Vitamix is mentioned: powerful blenders, great reputation, and high prices. This is the brand that has some of the most expensive models.
Are they worth it? Many fans and users will say that the high prices are absolutely worth it.
I would frame my answer in a bit of a different manner: Vitamix has excellent blenders, very well-known for their power and versatility but it’s only worth buying one if you can easily afford it.
Plus, even Vitamix appliances receive their fair share of negative reviews. It’s not like they’re perfect. It’s not guaranteed that you’re going to love a blender or even a juicer just because you spend $300-$600 on it.
Thus, if you have that kind of money to spend and you’re curious to see what the deal with Vitamix is, then you can check out a few of their machines.
However, if your budget is more in the $200 range or even a lot lower, then check out the other blenders that I recommended above.
Features
I chose to review the Vitamix E310 Explorian because we can go as far as to say that it’s affordable by Vitamix’s standards. It’s a model that will cost around $350.
However, if you have a budget in the $500 range, I recommend checking out the Vitamix 5200. It’s slightly more powerful than the Explorian and it has a bigger pitcher but you won’t see other noticeable differences at first glance.
We get a 1,200-1,400 watts motor base, which is very powerful. The manufacturer informs us that the powerful 2 HP motor can handle even tough ingredients to create high-quality blend.
This one has a 48 oz container. It’s not the biggest but it’s big enough for blending medium batches.
This blender is incredibly easy to use. If you don’t care about functions and having a blender with many buttons, then Vitamix is the perfect manufacturer.
We get 10 variable speeds and that’s it. These 10 speeds will help us to achieve whatever texture we need, from the smoothest, silkiest purees to the heartiest soups.
Of course, we have a pulse feature.
How to make hummus with Vitamix E310 Explorian
The Vitamix cookbook has a few interesting hummus recipes: classic hummus, black bean hummus, cannellini bean hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, edamame chickpea dip as a tasty spin on hummus.
Since I love black beans, let’s see how a black bean hummus is done.
The ingredients we need are:
- 2 15oz black beans cans
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup tahini
- ½ tsp grated lemon zest
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Directions:
Rinse and drain one can of black beans and leave the second one untouched.
Pour the 2 cans of black beans together with the rest of the ingredients in the container. Add them in the order listed.
Start on speed 1 and increase the speed slowly until you reach maximum speed. In 30 seconds you should be done.
6. Breville Super Q Blender: Most Powerful Blender for Hummus
We really can’t talk about finding the best blender for hummus without mentioning one of the most powerful models on the market.
Components
It’s not as complex as the Ninja SS351 in terms of how many components it comes with but it’s still a pretty awesome set.
The Breville Super Q comes with:
- 1,800 watts motor base – this is an outstandingly powerful countertop blender, I love that
- 68 oz jug, which is a great size even for bigger families
- 24 oz cup that transforms this blender into a personal blender – you can make smoothie in this cup to take away because it includes a travel lid
The motor base automatically recognizes the vessel and optimizes performance.
It also includes a recipe book that has a lot of recipe to experiment with: green smoothies, smoother smoothies, super hot, magical milling (making flour, gluten-free flour mixes, and a variety of doughs), sweet sensations, nutty butters & milks, get saucy, exotic spices and pastes (grinding spices), double dipping, and dangerously healthy cocktails.
I like their recipe book almost as much as I enjoy the power of this appliance.
Features
It takes a while until you get acquainted with the Super Q, all its functions and everything that it’s capable of doing. I highly recommend reading the user manual and keeping it close by in case you don’t know which function you should use.
We get 5 one-touch buttons that basically do the blending for us: green smoothie, smoothies, soup, pulse|ice crush, frozen dessert.
There’s also the usual pulse feature.
Besides these easy to use functions, we get 12 speeds and that’s where the fun really is. These are the speeds we rely on to make a wide variety of things with the Super Q.
In order to select one of the 12 speeds, we need to use the Speed Control Dial clockwise.
We can select: mill, puree, blend, chop, mix, and stir. Most recipes are made with a combination of these speeds.
How to make hummus with Breville Super Q
In their recipe book, you’ll find a recipe for roasted red pepper hummus. This is certainly going to be interesting.
Prep time takes 15 minutes, 20 minutes to cook and it makes 4 cups (1kg). If you need to make less, slash the quantities in 2.
You’ll actually find the quantities divided by 2 for the recipe that is made in the personal blender attachment. Thus, you won’t have to make any calculations. And you can use either the 68 oz jug or the 24 oz cup.
The ingredients are:
- 2 red bell peppers
- olive oil, 2 tbsp
- 2 cans chickpeas (880g), drained, rinsed
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ cup tahini
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Toasted cumin seeds, pita bread to serve.
Directions:
Rub peppers with ½ tablespoon olive oil and cook on a barbecue or under a broiler. Turn frequently until they’re charred all over, about 20 minutes. That’s basically the most cooking you’re going to do.
Let the roasted peppers cool down into a bowl and then peel the skin and remove the seeds.
Place all the ingredients into the jug and secure lid.
Chop for 15 seconds.
Puree for 15 seconds or until we get the desired consistency.
However, if you don’t like canned chickpeas, you’ll need to soak dry garbanzo beans overnight and then cook them the next day. It depends which option you prefer.
Getting a powerful blender is essential when making hummus
Let me tell you why, in theory, any powerful blender can work if we want to blend out ingredients for hummus in it.
I want to stress out the need for a powerful machine. Even if we’re making only smoothies, we still need a powerful appliance because that’s what ensures that we get a very smooth, silky texture.
Besides tasting good, an excellent hummus needs to be smooth and creamy. If it doesn’t have a silky texture, I’m not satisfied. And that’s what using a powerful motor will achieve.
In order to understand why all powerful blenders should work for making hummus, we need to start with the recipe.
The traditional recipe calls for:
- cooked chickpeas (or canned chickpeas if you don’t want to spend time soaking and cooking the chickpeas)
- garlic
- tahini
- lemon juice
- salt
- extra virgin olive oil
And the additional garnish but the garnish doesn’t go into blenders.
Thus, the traditional recipe is easy to make in a blender because the chickpeas are soft, you can pre-mince the garlic clove if you don’t think the blender’s blades will do a thorough job, and the liquid base is ensured by the extra virgin olive oil and the lemon juice.
An interesting info I found is that this website advises us to add an ice cube while blending in order to whip the hummus into a creamier texture. I’m glad that I came across this tip.
How to clean a blender after making hummus
Making hummus in a blender is very easy and a wonderful experience if you have the right appliance but it can also be a sticky mess.
The first step of cleaning the pitcher is to make sure that you’re doing it right after you’re done.
Add a few drops of dish soap, add some warm water because olive oil was used, and blend the water with soap on high speed for a few seconds.
After that, you can quickly wash it a second time by hand with a sponge or stick it in the dishwasher. I prefer doing it by hand because it’s very fast and then I can quickly move on to making other things in the blender.
If you clean it like that, making hummus won’t turn out to be a sticky mess and you’ll absolutely love your newly purchased best blender for hummus.
