If you’re like me and love a good bowl of homemade hummus, you’ve probably wondered what the best food processor for hummus is to get that smooth, creamy texture.
Or maybe you’ve even wondered if you really need a food processor: could a blender or even an immersion blender do the job just as well? You are in the right place.
Over the years, I’ve tried making hummus with just about every kitchen gadget you can imagine, from large food processors to compact blenders and even trusty handheld appliances. Let me tell you what I discovered, so you can find the perfect tool for making your own batch of delicious hummus.
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But first, should you make hummus in a blender or food processor?
You can make hummus in a blender or food processor – I’ve done it both ways. Back when I didn’t have a food processor, I relied on my blender. And while it got the job done, it wasn’t exactly the smoothest experience.
Sure, the hummus turned out creamy and it was quick to mix together, but there was one big problem: the blender was heating up during the process, leaving me with warm hummus at the end. Now, I don’t know if this happens with all blenders, but that’s what I experienced, and it was far from ideal.
Another challenge of using a blender is getting all the hummus out. Mixers are narrower and scraping each piece can be a real struggleespecially if the blade is not removable. Trust me, I’ve tried using a spoon, a spatula, and even my fingers, and it always ended up being a little messy.
So, if you’re hesitating between a blender and a food processor, I would definitely recommend the food processor. It’s wider, making it much easier to extract every bit of your delicious hummus, and the removable blade is a game-changer for hassle-free cleaning..
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s take a look at the best food processors for hummus and which ones really shine when it comes to achieving that perfect, creamy consistency.
The best tools for making hummus
1. Think beyond the traditional food processor
Let’s be honest: When it comes to making homemade hummus, you don’t necessarily need a standard food processor. In my case, the Cookworks hand blender turned out to be one of the best tools for making hummus. It comes with a 500ml beaker, making it very versatile for mixing everything from soups to fruit, and of course chickpeas for hummus.
I originally bought it for blending baby food (which it handled wonderfully), but it quickly became my favorite for making hummus. Admittedly, the beaker is a little small for large quantities, but you can still mix in two turns if necessary. For my usual servings, it was ideal, and I used it so much that it eventually gave up after a few years, but given its affordability, it wasn’t a big deal to replace.
2. Why a portable blender might be all you need
Before diving into the world of fancy, high-end food processors, consider giving an immersion blender a chance. Personally, I would recommend choosing one with a stainless steel construction rather than plastic. The plastic versions can feel flimsy and don’t blend as effectively, at least in my experience. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is more robust and more efficient.
I also recommend purchasing a hand blender delivered with a beaker or a narrow jug. This makes mixing much more efficient, especially when working with smaller batches like hummus. Mixing in a wide container just isn’t the same: it’s not as quick or as smooth, and you might find yourself constantly scraping the sides to get everything fully incorporated.
But what if you need something more versatile than a hand blender? This is where a full-size food processor comes in handy.
3. When a full-size food processor makes sense
If you’re looking for something that can do more than just make hummus (for example, chop onions or slice other vegetables), then investing in a full-size food processor might be the way to go.. They’re versatile, and if you want to tackle more kitchen tasks beyond making hummus, they’re worth considering.
However, in my personal experience, I’ve found that using a large food processor for a small batch of hummus doesn’t work very well. With larger bowls, it takes a larger amount of ingredients to get the right consistency, and most of the time I don’t want to make a huge batch of hummus.
This is why large or even compact food processors like the Kenwood Compact Food Processor, although labeled as “compact”, were still too big for my needs. For this reason, I gravitate towards the mini or smaller options, which handle small quantities much better and are more convenient for my daily hummus preparation.
My Top Picks for Food Processors
If you’ve decided you need more than an immersion blender to make hummus, here are my top picks:
1. Kenwood FP120 Compact Food Processor
You really can’t go wrong with this Kenwood FP120 compact food processor. This is a very affordable option and very easy to use, making it ideal for beginners or anyone who doesn’t want to bother with too many settings. Plus, it even comes with a blender attachment, so you can get a little more functionality out of it.
Although it’s a compact model, the 1.4 liter bowl is surprisingly spacious, making it perfect for making a good-sized batch of hummus, cementing its place as one of the best processors culinary compacts for hummus.
One thing to note though: it’s a little noisier, but it’s not unbearable, just something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to noise.
If you’re working on a budget but want something that offers a little more, the Kenwood Multipro Compact+ FDM312SS could be a step forward. It’s more advanced, has a built-in scale, and offers double the power, making it a fantastic investment if you’re serious about your kitchen gadgets.
BENEFITS :
- Excellent value for money
- Generous 1.4 liter capacity
- Includes blender attachment for added versatility
- Simple and easy to use
DISADVANTAGES:
- Can be a bit noisy when in use
- All the accessories can take up a lot of space, which can be a problem if you have limited storage space.
2. Russell Hobbs Desire Mini Electric Fruit and Vegetable Chopper
If you’re not a fan of food processors with unnecessary attachments, never use them. Russell Hobbs Desire Mini Electric Fruit and Vegetable Chopper might just be your best bet. It’s compact, ideal for small batches of hummus, and comes with a 1 liter glass bowl, a big plus if you prefer something sturdy to the usual plastic options.
Personally, I love the glass bowl; it’s more durable and better looking than the typical plastic bowls of most food processors. This mini chopper is not only great for hummus, but also works wonderfully for chopping vegetables. And when you’re done, just toss it in the dishwasher. Very easy!
BENEFITS :
- Durable glass bowl, a rare find in food processors
- No unnecessary blender
- Compact and does not take up much space
- Comes with a storage lid so you can easily store leftovers in the fridge
- Dishwasher safe
- Not noisy
DISADVANTAGES:
- Power limited to 200W, which might struggle with harder ingredients
- The glass bowl, while great, means you have to be very careful not to drop it
3. Cuisinart Mini Prep Pro Mini
THE Cuisinart Mini Prep Pro Mini is another fantastic option, especially if you’re working with a small kitchen space. It offers a capacity of 900ml, which is more than enough to whip up a batch of hummus that will keep you going for a while.
A unique feature is the built-in mist holes, which are incredibly handy when you want to add extra liquid to your mixture.
It also offers the ability to grind nuts or coffee beans, making it more versatile than your typical mini food processor.
BENEFITS :
- Compact size, perfect for small kitchens
- Built-in mist holes for easily adding liquids while blending
- Can grind nuts and coffee beans
- Easy to use and clean
- Quite powerful despite its size
DISADVANTAGES:
- You may need to stir halfway through to make sure everything mixes evenly.
- A little expensive for what it is
- Not suitable for manufacturing larger batches
Final Thoughts: Which Food Processor is Best for Hummus?
After years of experimenting with different gadgets, I’ve found that a compact or mini food processor is the best option for making hummus at home, especially if you’re not looking to make huge batches. Among my favorites, the Kenwood FP120 compact food processor stands out for its versatility and affordability, making it a versatile tool.
However, if you’re like me and prefer something even more manageable for smaller portions, a hand blender or mini chopper like this one. Russell Hobbs Desire Mini Electric Fruit and Vegetable Chopper is incredibly effective.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on the needs of your kitchen and the amount of hummus you plan to make. But whichever option you choose, these tools will help you create the smooth, creamy hummus you’ve been dreaming of.