White Bean Hummus with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Basil

by Shelley · May contain affiliate links

Published • Updated July 31, 2021

~ This White Bean Hummus recipe is ready in just 5 minutes – totally perfect for spur-of-the-moment get-togethers! With just a handful of ingredients that are easy to keep on hand, this unique hummus will save the day anytime the munchies strike! (Originally published as Italian Cannellini Hummus with Basil and Sun-Dried Tomatoes.) ~

This Recipe Is:   •  Ready in 30 Minutes or Less    Make Ahead  •  Vegan (and Vegetarian)  •  Gluten Free 

So, you’re having a party … maybe a dinner party with those friends you’ve been dying to catch up with. Or, maybe you’ve got a small army coming over for a backyard barbecue.

We all know how hosting a party goes — somehow the food is always ready later than expected. *SIGH* And everybody’s getting hungry.

That’s where our white bean hummus comes in to save the day!

Table cloth set with a bowl full of white bean hummus and basil leaves.

This quick hummus recipe will keep those hungry revelers happily munching until mealtime! Booyah … the party is saved! (Whew!)

Why You’ll Love This White Bean Hummus

• The savory sun-dried tomatoes and bright pop of fresh basil are a uniquely wonderful spin on traditional hummus. Along with the cannellini beans, they sort of give it a classed-up, Italian vibe.

• And, the creamy white beans create such a lovely texture!

• Ooooooh … and it’s literally ready in 5 minutes flat! When you need an appetizer idea in a hurry, this will be your saving grace.

• Plus, it’s super versatile! This extra-quick hummus is the perfect bet for every party, from casual backyard shindigs when neighbors happen to wander over … to fancier appetizer bars and dinner parties. Trust me – you’ll even be whipping it up for afternoon snacks and late-night noshing.

Ok ok … but I know what you really want to know ….

How Do You Make This Sun Dried Tomato Hummus?

Alrighty, have I got you all stoked about the idea of a 5-minute appetizer?

Well, buckle up, because this is going to blow you away. This hummus is truly so, sooooo easy to make:

Step #1

Gather up all your ingredients: the white beans, sun dried tomatoes, basil, and so forth.

White beans, sun dried tomatoes, and basil in a white bowl.

Step #2

Put ’em all in the food processor.

Step #3

Whir it up until you get to the ideal, hummus-y, consistency (you can scrape down the sides of the food processor to make sure it all gets blended smoothly).

Step #4

Then, serve!

Or, congrats, you’re prepared ahead of time … cover your yummy creation and pop it in the fridge to chill until it’s party time!

What Are White Beans?

As Healthline explains, there are a variety of types of white beans (the cannellini beans we use here being the most popular).

White beans have a nutty, earthy, umami flavor and are a nutritional powerhouse that boasts:

  • High Fiber
  • Packed with protein
  • Lots of micronutrients

We love the twist of swapping out “typical” chickpeas, and instead using cannellini beans as the base of this fresh, flavorful, white bean hummus.

They’re a clever, Italian-inspired alternative to the usual chickpeas. And they work like a charm!

But Wait … Hummus Without Tahini?

Yep, in strictest definition, hummus is made with:

  • Chickpeas
  • Usually tahini

… Neither of which we’ve used in this recipe.

BUT we excluded chickpeas and tahini from this recipe for a lot of reasons.

And while it’s not exactly traditional, we’re in good company. In recent years, the foodie world has taken it upon itself to bestow the name “hummus” upon pretty much any pureed, bean-based cold dip. (Even our Edamame Hummus and Mexican Fiesta Black Bean Hummus bear the name!)

Lots of fun flavor riffs are possible when you step a little outside the box!

Dark red party tray laid out with hummus appetizer and pita for dipping.

We also wanted to capitalize on the unique, umami flavor of cannellini beans. Plus, won’t you feel so much classier telling your friends this isn’t an average hummus recipe, it’s “a white bean hummus with sun dried tomatoes and fresh basil” recipe. Uh-huh … cue the ooooooohs and aaaaaaaahs!

So what about the tahini? Tahini adds smoothness and flavor to “normal” hummus, but we felt the white beans already checked that box.

We also know that tahini isn’t a very common ingredient in a lot of households … and including specialty ingredients wouldn’t be very “5-minute appetizer” of us, would it?!?

Trust our esteemed taste testers (who totally LOOOOVED this) — this hummus is beyond perfect. Super unique and really delicious!

The Beauty of a 5-Minute Appetizer

At THK, we know the importance of having a go-to appetizer you can whip up in an instant, totally spur-of-the-moment.

Everybody needs a recipe or two they can count on in a pinch.

You know the ones: those gems that keep the party on track when your guests’ pleasantries can hardly be heard over their rumbling tummies. Or that you can magically make happen, when you get a last-minute invite and simply can’t show up empty-handed.

Keep the ingredients on hand, and when a party needs saving, you can call on your superhero recipe to save the day!

If you love this idea as much as we do, you should also check out our:

Zoomed-in shot of square, burgundy bowl filled with sun dried tomato and white bean hummus.

Now, go forth without fear …

  Invite friends over at a moment’s notice.

  Say yes when you get that last-minute invite!

  Don’t even break a sweat when your carefully planned dinner party gets off to a late start.

No worries … you know exactly which recipe to make!

Love the Recipe? • Were My Tips Helpful?

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Please leave a star-rating in the recipe card below – I truly appreciate all your wonderful feedback!

Table cloth set with a bowl full of white bean hummus and basil leaves.

White Bean Hummus with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Basil

Yield: 1 1/2 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Whip up this delicious White Bean Hummus in moments – just throw everything in the food processor! A real crowd-pleaser!

  Ready in 30 Minutes or Less    Make Ahead    Vegan (and Vegetarian)    Gluten Free  

Ingredients

  • 1 (15.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
  • 5 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 small- or medium-sized cloves of garlic (or 1 really big clove)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon Sriracha hot chili sauce (or similar hot sauce)
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mini food processor.
  2. Process until desired consistency, scraping down the sides as needed.
  3. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 servings Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 70Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 144mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g

Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.

Did You Make This Recipe?

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36 thoughts on “White Bean Hummus with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Basil”

    • I’m so happy you love this hummus recipe, Jasmine. That’s a really good question about freezing. I’ve honestly never tried it, but I did a little quick research for you and found a great article from Eating Well that says you can, indeed, freeze hummus (some freezes better than others, though), and also gives 3 methods for freezing and also thawing tips. I hope that helps you out! ~Shelley

      Reply
    • Hi Veena! It’s so nice to hear from you! You’re reminding me that I haven’t made this Cannellini Hummus in waaaaaay too long! It’s so delicious and easy – and (you’re absolutely right) awesome for parties! I think I just might have all the ingredients I need, though. Mmmmmmmm … maybe we can have a long-distance hummus happy hour and each make this for a little pre-dinner snack today LOL! 😉 ~Shelley

      Reply
  1. Love this, Shelley! I love finding new variations on hummus and that this recipe has basil in it which I have a TON of right now. This is going to be perfect for our get-together this weekend! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • I have a big, happy planter FULL of basil on my back deck right now – this unique hummus recipe is definitely a delicious way to use some of it! Hope it was a hit at your get-together, and you loved it as much as I do, Carol! 😀 ~Shelley

      Reply

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