Creamy & Healthy Avocado Hummus Snack Jars: Your Ultimate On-the-Go Meal Prep Solution
Discover the perfect blend of health and convenience with these delicious Avocado Hummus Snack Jars. Packed with fiber and healthy fats, they offer a nourishing, on-the-go snack option that pairs wonderfully with your favorite fresh veggies and crispy crackers. Ideal for busy lifestyles, these jars are a simple yet satisfying way to enjoy a nutritious boost anytime, anywhere.
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Crafting Your Creamy Avocado Hummus: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making homemade avocado hummus is incredibly simple and much more satisfying than store-bought versions. The rich, creamy texture and vibrant flavor come together in just a few minutes, making it an ideal choice for quick meal prep.
- Combine Ingredients: Add all primary hummus ingredients—chickpeas, tahini, avocado, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and water—to a high-speed blender or food processor. Ensure you leave out the antipasto, various veggies, and crackers for now, as these are for serving.
- Blend to Perfection: Begin blending on the lowest speed for about 30 seconds. If necessary, pause and remove the lid to stir down any ingredients clinging to the sides of the blender. This ensures all components are thoroughly incorporated. Continue blending on low speed until you achieve a wonderfully smooth and creamy consistency. The entire process typically takes about 5 minutes, yielding a perfectly uniform hummus.
- Portion into Jars: Once blended, carefully divide the freshly made avocado hummus equally among four small mason jars. Mason jars are excellent for individual portions and make for convenient grab-and-go snacks.
- Add Optional Toppings: Top each jar with a generous spoonful of antipasto or an alternative like sun-dried tomatoes. These toppings add an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful visual appeal to your snack jars.
- Serve and Savor: Your avocado hummus snack jars are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them alongside a colorful array of fresh veggie sticks and your favorite crackers for a complete, healthy, and utterly delicious snack.
Essential Ingredients & Smart Substitutions for Avocado Hummus
Creating delicious avocado hummus relies on a few key ingredients, but flexibility is built into this recipe! Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and how you can adapt it to your pantry or dietary preferences:
- Chickpeas: The foundation of any good hummus! For the easiest preparation, opt for canned chickpeas. Remember to rinse them thoroughly under cold water and drain them well before adding them to your blender. This helps remove excess sodium and improves the texture of your hummus. If you prefer to cook your own from dried, ensure they are cooked until very tender.
- Tahini: This sesame seed paste adds a distinct nutty flavor and creamy richness that is characteristic of traditional hummus. If you don’t have tahini or have a sesame allergy, don’t worry! You can successfully substitute it with other smooth nut or seed butters. Excellent alternatives include cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or even almond butter for a slightly different flavor profile. Just ensure they are unsweetened to maintain the savory balance.
- Avocado: The star ingredient that gives this hummus its unique twist and incredible creaminess. Choose a ripe avocado that yields slightly to gentle pressure. It adds a wonderful healthy fat content and a velvety texture.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, finely minced, provide the best pungent flavor. If fresh isn’t available, jarred minced garlic can be a convenient substitute. In a pinch, a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder can be used for every clove of fresh garlic, though the flavor will be less intense.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the flavors and helps prevent the avocado from browning. Bottled lemon juice also works well if fresh lemons aren’t on hand, but always aim for fresh for the most vibrant taste.
- Salt: Seasoning is crucial to enhance all the flavors. Start with the suggested amount and adjust to your personal taste. A pinch of black pepper or a dash of cumin can also be added for extra depth.
- Water: This helps achieve the perfect creamy consistency. You might need to add a little more or less depending on the ripeness of your avocado and the desired thickness of your hummus. Add it gradually while blending.
- Antipasto: Used as an optional garnish, antipasto adds a delightful tangy and savory kick. It usually contains marinated vegetables like artichoke hearts, olives, and roasted peppers. If you don’t have antipasto, sliced sun-dried tomatoes (either oil-packed or rehydrated) are a fantastic alternative, offering a concentrated sweet and savory flavor.
- Veggie Sticks: The ideal dippers for a healthy snack! Get creative with your selection: crunchy carrot sticks, crisp cucumber slices, refreshing celery sticks, vibrant bell pepper strips (any color!), or even jicama.
- Crackers: For those who love a satisfying crunch, a variety of crackers or even chips can be used for dipping. Whole-grain crackers provide added fiber, while pita chips or homemade baked tortilla chips offer a classic pairing.
Understanding Hummus: The Foundation of This Delightful Dip
Traditional hummus, a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, is a creamy dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini (ground sesame paste), olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. It’s renowned for its rich flavor, versatile uses, and impressive nutritional profile.
This particular recipe takes the classic hummus and elevates it with the addition of ripe avocado. The avocado not only imparts a beautiful green hue but also introduces an extra layer of buttery creaminess and a boost of healthy monounsaturated fats. This makes for an exceptionally smooth and luscious dip that stands out from your average hummus, offering a fresher, richer experience without compromising on the health benefits of the original.
Nutritional Snapshot: Calories in Avocado Hummus
Each serving of this avocado hummus recipe (based on 4 jars) contains approximately 259 calories. This makes it a surprisingly filling and energy-dense snack option, perfect for curbing hunger between meals or fueling your body post-workout. What truly makes this snack outstanding is its nutritional composition: it’s incredibly high in dietary fiber, thanks to the chickpeas, and rich in good fats provided by both the avocado and tahini. These components contribute to a sustained feeling of fullness and provide essential nutrients, making it a smart choice for anyone seeking a wholesome, satisfying snack.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Avocado Hummus
While these avocado hummus snack jars are undeniably delicious on their own or with simple dippers, their versatility allows them to elevate a wide array of meals and snacks. If you’re looking to explore beyond the basic dip, here are several creative and mouth-watering ways to incorporate this fiber-rich, creamy hummus into your diet:
- Classic Dip with Fresh Veggies: The quintessential pairing! Serve your hummus with a vibrant assortment of fresh, crisp vegetables like cucumber slices, carrot sticks, celery stalks, bell pepper strips (red, yellow, orange!), cherry tomatoes, or even blanched broccoli florets. It’s a refreshing and healthy option for any time of day.
- Savory Dippers: Beyond veggies, hummus is a perfect match for various savory bites. Enjoy it with warm pita bread, crunchy pita chips, a selection of your favorite crackers, or crispy naan crisps. The texture contrast is simply delightful.
- Elevate Your Sandwiches & Wraps: Ditch the mayo and use avocado hummus as a flavorful, nutritious spread for your sandwiches, wraps, or even as a base for open-faced toasts. It adds creaminess and a boost of protein and healthy fats, making your lunch more satisfying.
- Plant-Based Pasta Sauce: Looking for a dairy-free, creamy pasta sauce? Thin out your avocado hummus with a little extra water or vegetable broth, warm it gently, and toss it with your favorite cooked pasta. Add some cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for a quick and easy vegan meal.
- A Topping for Grain Bowls and Salads: Transform your Buddha bowls, nourish bowls, or any meal prep bowls into a vibrant, flavor-packed dish by adding a dollop of avocado hummus on top. It acts as a rich dressing, binding all the components together beautifully. You can also thin it down slightly to use as a creamy salad dressing.
- Homemade Pizza Base: For a unique twist on pizza, spread a thin layer of avocado hummus on a pita or flatbread instead of traditional tomato sauce. Top with your favorite veggies and a sprinkle of vegan cheese (or regular cheese), then bake until golden.
- Flavorful Tostadas or Lettuce Cups: Spread hummus on crispy corn tostadas or fresh lettuce cups for a light and refreshing meal. Add black beans, corn salsa, and a squeeze of lime for a Mexican-inspired treat.
Storing Instructions: Keeping Your Hummus Fresh and Green
Proper storage is key to extending the life of your homemade avocado hummus and preserving its vibrant green color. Here’s how to best store any leftovers:
Transfer your avocado hummus to an airtight container immediately after blending. I highly recommend using individual mason jars, as seen in the images, not just for convenience but also because they help keep the avocado fresh longer by minimizing air exposure. The less air your hummus is exposed to, the slower the oxidation process, which causes browning.
When storing, you have a couple of options for toppings: you can either include the antipasto or sun-dried tomatoes on top when you first store it, or you can add them fresh just before you’re ready to enjoy. To combat avocado browning, a common issue, squeeze a thin layer of extra fresh lemon juice directly over the surface of the hummus. Alternatively, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the hummus, ensuring there are no air bubbles between the wrap and the dip, before sealing the container lid. Both methods create a barrier against oxygen.
Once stored correctly, your avocado hummus will maintain its quality and taste in the refrigerator for up to one week. While it might lose some of its initial vibrant green color due to the avocado naturally oxidizing over time, rest assured it is still perfectly safe and delicious to eat throughout the week. Don’t let a slight color change deter you from enjoying this wholesome snack!
Can You Freeze Avocado Hummus? Absolutely!
Yes, you can absolutely freeze avocado hummus, making it an excellent option for long-term meal prep and ensuring you always have a healthy snack on hand! Freezing is a fantastic way to extend the shelf life of your hummus without compromising on flavor.
To freeze, transfer your freshly made Avocado Hummus to an airtight container. It’s crucial to leave about an inch of room at the top of the container to allow for expansion as the hummus freezes. Using multiple smaller mason jars, as I’ve shown, is highly recommended over one large container. This allows for convenient single servings and faster thawing. Before sealing, place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the hummus, pressing it down so it touches the surface. This creates an additional barrier against freezer burn and helps prevent discoloration. The hummus can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Important Note for Freezing: If you plan to freeze your hummus, do NOT top it with antipasto or sun-dried tomatoes beforehand. These ingredients might become watery or lose their ideal texture upon thawing. It’s best to add these garnishes fresh after the hummus has thawed.
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen avocado hummus, simply transfer the container from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Make sure it has thawed completely before serving – patience is key here, as thawing can take several hours depending on the size of your container. Once fully thawed, give it a quick stir, add your desired fresh toppings like antipasto or sun-dried tomatoes, and serve with your favorite veggie sticks or crackers. Enjoy this convenient and healthy frozen-then-thawed treat!
Discover More Healthy Snack Recipes
If you loved the ease and nutrition of these Avocado Hummus Snack Jars, you’re in for a treat! We believe that healthy eating should be both delicious and accessible. Explore these other fantastic snack recipes designed to keep you energized and satisfied throughout your day. From crunchy to savory, there’s something for every craving:
- Healthy Baked Kale Chips – 3 Ways: Crispy, savory, and incredibly addictive, these kale chips are a fantastic alternative to traditional potato chips. Learn three different seasoning variations to keep things exciting!
- Homemade Beef Jerky: A protein-packed snack perfect for on-the-go fuel. Making your own jerky allows you to control the ingredients and flavors for a truly wholesome treat.
- Easy Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip: While traditionally a party dip, this flavorful and protein-rich dip can easily be portioned into snack-sized servings for a hearty and satisfying treat.
These recipes are designed to fit into a healthy lifestyle, providing the nutrients you need without compromising on taste. Happy snacking!
Your Essential Meal Prep Tools
Efficiency in the kitchen is key, especially when it comes to healthy meal prep. Having the right tools can make all the difference, simplifying the process and ensuring your delicious creations are stored perfectly. Here are some of my go-to recommendations for preparing and organizing your avocado hummus snack jars and other meal prep favorites:
- These are themason jars I used in this recipe. Their size is ideal for individual servings of hummus, dips, or even overnight oats, making them perfect for grab-and-go convenience.
- For larger batches or bigger appetites, you can also get larger 32oz mason jars. These are great for storing bigger portions of hummus, soups, or salads, ensuring you have enough for multiple servings or a larger family.
- These colorful mason jar lids are not only fun and aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly practical. They’re perfect if you tend to misplace your original metal lids or just want to add a pop of color to your kitchen storage.
- To save time on clean-up and for efficient blending of smaller quantities, I like to use a Magic Bullet blender. Its compact size is perfect for whipping up dips like this hummus without the hassle of cleaning a large blender.
Investing in good meal prep tools can transform your cooking experience, making healthy eating more manageable and enjoyable. Happy prepping!
Healthy Avocado Hummus Snack Jars
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Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1 avocado, diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Antipasto or sliced sundried tomatoes (optional topping)
- Carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber cut into wedges
- Assorted crackers, chips, etc.
Instructions
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Add all ingredients with the exception of antipasto/veggies/crackers to a high speed blender. Blend on the lowest speed for 30 seconds, removing lid as necessary to stir. Continue blending on low speed until fully mixed together – the whole process should take about 5 minutes.
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Scoop out into jam jars, and top with antipasto or sundried tomatoes. Serve alongside cut up veggies, crackers, chips or whatever other snacks you’re craving. Enjoy within the first 2-3 days of serving.