Over the holiday season, enjoy this velvety festive hummus that is prepared with chestnuts instead of chickpeas! This easy dip is made with chestnuts, tahini, garlic and lemon juice. It is super quick to prepare, naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Included is a recipe for Instant Pot Chestnuts.
Table of contents
If you love chestnuts or have some leftover, try this Cream of Chestnut Soup - perfect as a Christmas starter!
What is Chestnut Hummus?
Chestnut Hummus is a twist on the classic Middle-Eastern hummus. Hummus is made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic and lemon juice.
In this recipe, I have replaced chickpeas with cooked chestnuts for a delicious and easy dip! Cooked chestnuts have a wonderfully sweet and nutty flavour and buttery texture which is perfect to blend.
Other hummus recipes we love are:
Ingredients
Cooked chestnuts - I used chestnuts that were boiled in my Instant Pot
You can also use air fryer chestnuts or roasted chestnuts. It is possible to buy cooked and peeled chestnuts in packets in supermarkets for ease.
Tahini - also known as liquid gold. It is a paste of sesame seeds and adds smoothness and texture. Tahini also boasts a high nutritional profile.
Easily available in most of the major supermarkets and middle eastern grocery stores.
Garlic - use fresh cloves of garlic.
Lemon Juice - use either bottled or fresh.
Olive oil - I use extra virgin olive oil.
The tahini is optional but definitely adds creaminess and a Middle Eastern flavour to the hummus so do not skip it if you can help it!
Optional addition is ground cumin which gives a wonderful flavour
How to boil chestnuts in the Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is a quick way to boil chestnuts in only a fraction of the time.
First, you will need to soak the chestnuts in hot water for around 10 minutes. This technique makes peeling easier later.
Discard any chestnuts that either float or have noticeable holes in them - these are rotten
Score an "X" using a sharp knife on the round side of the chestnut. Try to avoid going too deep to the inner flesh.
Place the chestnuts in the inner liner of the instant pot. For 1 cup of chestnuts, add 2 cups of water
Close the lid, select Pressure Cook on High for 4 minutes.
Then, you want to allow for NPR for 10 minutes
After this point, you can release any remaining steam
One by one, peel the outer layer and inner skin whilst the chestnuts are still warm. If the chestnuts cool, the skin may stick and become too difficult to remove. In this case, warm the chestnuts again.
You can now eat them as they are or add into recipes.
Store Instant Pot chestnuts in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Method
Blend all the ingredients together in a food processor or blender.
Add a little warm water if the hummus is too thick
Once served, top with an extra drizzle of olive oil. Optionally, sprinkle over some fresh herbs.
Tips:
You want the hummus to be silky smooth so persevere with the blending. You can always add a tablespoon of warm water to the blender to help things along.
Serving Suggestion
Chestnut Hummus is best enjoyed in the same way as regular hummus. You can use it as a dip for pitta or vegetable/salad crudites.
I like to top my chestnut hummus with a little extra grated chestnut, pomegranate arils and roasted beetroot and carrot.
Why not spread it in a Christmas sandwich for a unique treat!
Storage
Chestnut Hummus stays fresh for up to 2-3 days if kept in the fridge in an airtight container.
If you wish to freeze this hummus, store in a suitable airtight container and freeze up to 3 months.
Let it thaw at room temperature before consuming.
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
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📖 Recipe
Chestnut hummus (Instant Pot)
Equipment
- 1 Instant pot
- 1 blender/food processor
Ingredients
Instant Pot Chestnuts
- 1 cup chestnuts
- 2 cup water
Chestnut Hummus
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup water hot
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoon tahini
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon cumin ground
- salt
Garnish
- 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablsepoon pomegranate optional
- 1 teaspoon thyme optional
- ½ cup air fried/roasted carrots and radishes
- 1 teaspoon grated chestnut
Instructions
- Place scored chestnuts and water in the liner of the instant pot.1 cup chestnuts, 2 cup water
- Close the lid, make sure valve is pointed to the sealing point.
- Select HIGH PRESSURE and cook the chestnuts for 4 minutes.
- 10 minutes NPR then release the remaining pressure manually.
- Remove the chestnuts from the pot.
- Peel quickly whilst they are warm.
- Place peeled chestnuts, olive oil, garlic, tahini, cumin, water and salt in the blender jug or food processor.¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup water, 2 cloves garlic, 3 tablespoon tahini, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon cumin, salt
- Process until smooth in consistancy.
- To serve, spoon into a serving plate or bowl, drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, black pepper.2 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablsepoon pomegranate , 1 teaspoon thyme , ½ cup air fried/roasted carrots and radishes, 1 teaspoon grated chestnut
- Serve with vegetable crudités, toasted pitta bread or roasted carrots and radishes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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Evi says
wow! I never thought to add chestnuts to hummus! What a great idea!
LaKita says
This chestnut hummus is so creamy, flavorful, and delicious! Such a creative way to use seasonal chestnuts.
Amy says
So yummy! The chestnuts were so simple to make in my Instant Pot and had such a lovely buttery texture.
Veronika says
This is such a fun idea for Christmas! I've never thought to make hummus with chestnuts. Can't wait to make it for an appetizer for the holidays!
Loreto and Nicoletta says
Honestly. Being Italian we love our chestnuts. Never thought of using them in a hummus. Great idea and the flavor would be spectacular and exsquisite. Your presentation is so lovely. I can see this dip for sure on the Christmas 🎄 table! Thank you for sharing!
Lauren Michael Harris says
My family absolutely loves hummus but we've never had anything like this before! It looks and sounds amazing and I will definitely be making a batch for our Christmas spread this year - such pretty pictures too!!
Amanda says
I'm a huge fan of making different variations of hummus and this one did not disappoint! I love chestnuts! Really great recipe!
Linda says
This recipe is a definite winner! What a great appetizer to have for the Christmas holidays. I tried it out, purchasing already-cooked chestnuts, and the flavors were amazing. I've never cooked with chestnuts but know I'll be making this again for all my holiday parties.
Hayley says
@Linda, Thanks so much for trying our recipe, so happy to know that you enjoyed it.
V&B says
Absolutely brilliant recipe..very well explained.
Hayley says
@V&B, Thank you for your lovely comment:) Loved creating this recipe that is packed with deliciousness!
Naina says
Very creative and looks like made by a professional Cook! Well done Hayley!
Hayley says
@Naina, Thank you so much 🙂 It's simple and so easy to make recipe that is so delicious too!
Nipy says
Great recipe! 👌
Hayley says
@Nipy, thank you! Hope you have a go at making this recipe :)x
Dan says
What a brilliant and creative Idea. 5 stars for creativity
Hayley says
@Dan, thanks a lot for your encouraging words 🙂 x