I ate a lot of hummus during my time away. I packed lunch every day to take to work, and while sometimes I was prepared enough to make grain/bean/veggie salads to-go, I often resorted to the lazy option and ate hummus/salad sandwiches for several days straight.
I’m sure I’ve already mentioned how much I dislike eating the same thing over and over again, but even worse was that I had no food processor in Geneva so had to rely on supermarket hummus most of the time. I don’t know how it’s possible to make hummus bad but this really was terrible! Fortunately, the good farmers’ market seedy spelt bread almost made up for it.
That said, it’s nice to return home to my kitchen ingredients and equipment (I especially missed my food processor, blender and decent knives!) and the first thing I made was hummus. Well, sort of.
I’m sure I’m not alone in eating hummus with a spoon sometimes…please tell me I’m not! But it’s not exactly something you can do at a table/in public. So these bites were devised as a more acceptable way of getting hummus to mouth efficiently, without crackers, bread or anything else getting in the way.
A simple, light version of our beloved chickpea dip, with green onions, herbs and carrot folded in for extra flavour and texture, shaped into bite-size balls and rolled in toasted sesame seeds. Perfect for popping into your mouth. No spoon necessary!
They’d be a fun alternative to your classic hummus & crudités platter appetizer. Kick them up a notch and serve them alongside my Mango-Tahini Sauce for dipping.
Tahini on tahini? Yes please!
My favourite way to serve them is over a giant rainbow salad. Great for clearing out all the odds and ends in your fridge and getting lots of colour and variety into your diet. I just fill a bowl with whatever veggies I have on hand, top with several of the Sesame Hummus Bites and drizzle generously with Mango-Tahini Sauce. Much more fun than a dollop of hummus.

- 1-1/2 C Cooked chickpeas (1 can)
- 2 Tbsp Tahini
- 3 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp Water
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- Pepper
- 1 Medium carrot, grated
- 2 Green onions, finely chopped
- Handful of fresh coriander, chopped
- 1/2 C Sesame seeds (white, black or a mixture)
- 1 Mango, cubed (approx 2 C)
- 1/4 C Lime juice
- 1/4 C Tahini
- 2 Green onions, chopped (white part only)
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- A few pinches of cayenne pepper (optional)
- For the hummus bites, in a food processor blend the chickpeas, tahini, lemon, water, paprika, salt and pepper until you have a smooth, thick hummus-like consistency. Transfer to a large bowl, add the carrot, green onion and coriander and mix well to incorporate.
- Roll mixture into small balls, using slightly moistened hands. The mixture shouldn't be particularly sticky.
- Meanwhile, toast sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for approx 5 minutes, or until fragrant.
- Pour the sesame seeds into a wide dish and gently roll the hummus bites in them to coat.
- Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until smooth.
- You will have extra sesame seeds but I find it's easier to coat the bites if you're rolling them in a larger amount.

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That’s very creative! I’ve seen nut-butter based balls and even tahini, but hummus bites are new… they look lovely, especially all rolled in sesame seeds like that. I’ve never eaten hummus with a spoon, but I do sometimes coat whatever I’m eating in so it’s less of a hummus-dipped carrot and more of a hummus (may contain carrot).
I’ve made my own multiple times, and other people always seem to like it, but for some reason, for ME, store-bought hummus always tastes way better. I reckon its probably because when I can SEE how much oil/tahini I’m putting into it, I automatically pull back slightly:/ Bad habit really XD
That mango sauce looks just amazing too. I was so annoyed that they’ve decided to ban exports on Alphonsos!
I know those hummus carrots well 😉 Interesting that you prefer store-bought hummus. I actually don’t mind the stuff you can buy here but still prefer to make my own. The hummus I found in Switzerland was terrible though- it almost tasted plasticky?!
Just heard about the Indian mangoes….hoping the ban gets lifted soon.
this salad just looks so perfect! i’m glad you are home and can finally make your own food again. i know what you mean about store bought hummus- i wonder how it got approved to be on the shelf in the first place! i’ve had some really chalky ones. they’re gross.
Very glad to be back 😀 The hummus I found was almost plasticky/jelly-like. Not pleasant.
Yum! I love this idea - such a great way to enjoy hummus! The sauce sounds delicious too! Did you read about the import ban of mangoes from India? Guess they’ll go up in price soon!
I know! Horrifying! Fingers crossed they manage to lift the ban asap.
Glad you like the look of the recipes.
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love that there’s no oil and I love the bright colors!
Thanks Shannon. Yup, no oil- tahini brings plenty of richness and it’s so full of flavour anyway.
Yum! These look delicious. I love the idea of serving them with a mango sauce!
Thanks Meredith. The sauce really makes it. Another thing I could eat with a spoon…;)
This looks so beautiful and delicious Emma! I love love hummus and love the idea of rolling it in seeds, I love the texture of that. I don’t like mangos, but for some reason it sounds like it’d be really good in a tahini sauce. Super simple too!
You don’t like mango or banana?! Well, I didn’t like ANY fruit until I was about 13 so I guess I’m making up for it now 😀
No, you’re not alone at all! Homous and a spoon works for me
and you poor thing having to eat supermarket homous…ugh…this is a lovely recipe xx
Haha, you understand my woes then! I actually don’t mind supermarket hummus here but the Swiss stuff was something else!
Yum! It’s like a different twist on falafel.
Yes, I guess so! These are speedier as they’re no bake. I love falafel too 😀
Cuteness! I kinda want to juggle those little bites ;-). However, I’m really diggin’ that mango-tahini sauce! Yum!
Haha, now I want to do that! Unfortunately there aren’t any left to give it a go.
The mango tahini sauce is rather special 😀
Emma, you are too cute. I love our hummus ball idea! I too eat hummus with a spoon. I don’t like store bought hummus very much, because it tastes like 50% olive oil, 50% chickpeas.
Glad you’re in your own kitchen know with all of your favorite tools! I know what it’s like to go without-such a 1st world problem, but a problem nonetheless!
ox
I think that’s often my problem with store-bought hummus….so oily. I cook with oil but in moderation!
I do feel a little ridiculous complaining about being without a blender and good knives. But I can’t deny I’m happier with them 😉
Mmmm, the mango sauce….very creative! Tempted to give it a go
Thanks Jo. Hope you get to try the sauce/dip/dressing. It’s multipurpose!
Tahini on tahini with mango? Oh yes! These sound fantastic…and I love the socially acceptable twist on hummus off a spoon 😉
Thank you Kari. I know you’re a fellow tahini fan 😉
hmm these look great - and I am already thinking school lunchbox snacks - we only eat bought hummus because I can’t convince sylvia to eat home made - don’t ask but shop hummus is better than none! (and to be honest I don’t make it all the time - and I have discovered some shop hummus is better than others) I wonder if she would eat these balls though as they would be better than the dollop of hummus I sometimes put in her lunchbox - and if she doesn’t eat them I definitely would
These would be great for lunchbox snacks! Coating them in sesame seeds (or you could try another seed if preferred) means they’re not sticky or messy at all. Let me know how it works out
What a great idea to make hummus balls…I’ll take hummus in any form (or from a spoon here too)! Love tahini-based dressings, maybe thawed frozen mango could be used if there is a ban on importing them. I never have good luck with buying them fresh anyway, usually rock hard and unripe or mushy.
Thanks for making me feel less odd on the hummus with a spoon front! Thawed frozen mango would definitely be fine. Fortunately, the ban is only on Indian mangoes so we should still be able to get them fresh imported from other countries.
A lovely colourful snack with a refreshing sauce to keep company with, thanks!
Thank you! I certainly thought they were great. They’ve all vanished 😉
This looks sooooo good
I was trying to come up with a recipe to finish all the leftover bits of veg in my fridge, this might be just what I needed.
Thanks Clem. Those clean out the fridge meals don’t have to be boring 😀
Welcome back, Emma. Your kitchen must be happy to see you, too, and us readers as well because this is GORGEOUS! I think these would be fabulous for an upcoming potluck.
Hehe, maybe my kitchen was glad for some peace and quiet but it’s certainly not going to get that now!
Hope you try this one out
You are a genius. Tahini on tahini…definitely not complaining. And I guarantee you’re not alone in your hummus obsession. By the way, I’m so glad I found your blog! It’s become one of my faves. I kind of want to drink this mango tahini sauce.
Thank you Jenni! That’s so sweet of you to say that
Hope you like the recipe if you get to try it. Both the bites and sauce disappeared very quickly here…
These hummus bites look droolworthy…but that mango tahini sauce is the star!
Thank you Angie! I could have drunk the sauce! 😉
Tahini on tahini- yes. Also mango and tahini-yes 😀
That mango tahini sauce sounds just lovely!! I’m a real mango fan, so I’ll be trying that soon.
Thank you Celeste. The mango-tahini sauce had me ooohing and aahing at every mouthful!
Girl, these little bites have my name written all over them! Love everything about them.
Thanks m’dear. They were super fun to eat! Wish they weren’t all gone. But at least they’re so easy to make more of!
This is adorable my dear! Love the idea of bites of hummus unobstructed by crackers
Hehe, glad you approve. Sometimes you just want hummus right?!
These look utterly scrumptious! All my family are huge hummus / chickpea / tahini fans so this dish is right up our street. And since it doesn’t contain nuts, I’ll be able to make it for school lunch boxes. Yay! 😀
Fab! Must be such a pain not being able to take anything with nuts in to school. I use nuts in so much!
I’m sure it wasn’t like that back when I was in school…
These look “amazeballs” -literally! What a fun new way to eat hummus. And this sauce would be incredible. I really just love everything about this recipe! PS. I would definitely miss my beloved food processor if we had to part!
Haha, nice pun 😀
The balls were definitely fun to eat. And what gets more fun than hummus anyway?
It was a sad time indeed being without my dear food processor!
What an incredibly creative and beautiful recipe! pinned :).
Thanks so much Kelly! Hope you get to try it
These look so yummy! Genius.
Thanks Rebecca. Hope you get to try them!
Do you think these would hold up overnight? I’m having guests over tomorrow and would love to get some preparing out of the way.
Sure thing Kim. Just handle them with care so they don’t get squished 😉 Hope you enjoy!
I finally made these Emma today. One word: DELICIOUS!! I had to stop eating the hummus out the food processor so I could roll the balls. The only difference I did was use Smoked paprika instead of regular and added some garlic, just because I love garlic in my hummus. Emma, these are a fantastic idea and EASY recipe, which you know I’m all about! I’ll be making double this week. After I take some photos, I’ll share on Instagram and Facebook, Twitter etc
Thanks girl!! Excited to try more of your yumminess on here!
So glad you made and liked them Brandi! They’re fun aren’t they?
I think your chocolate crepes are the next Vegan 8 recipe on my agenda..but there are lots on the list!
Hi there
How long in advance could you make them? And how long would they store in the fridge for.
Thanks
Natasha
Hi Natasha, they should be fine for 2-3 days. Enjoy!