There’s no denying the awesomeness of hummus and dessert. But adding the two together? Well, you might have some questions about the savory-sweet combo.
Believe it or not, dessert hummus has been growing in popularity recently and was even named a food trend to watch in 2019. But before you dip your spoon into a bowl of dessert hummus, you might want to hear what a dietitian has to say, including whether or not it’s healthy.
What is dessert hummus?
Dessert hummus is made from a base of chickpeas, much like regular hummus, but also features sweeter, dessert-like ingredients (cocoa powder, peppermint oil, vanilla extract, and honey) instead of things like garlic and olive oil. You can find packaged versions at most grocery stores these days.
And dessert hummus isn’t just for eating plain with a spoon—it’s a pretty versatile spread. “You can use it as frosting on top of cupcakes, dip fruit and vegetables into it, top pancakes and toast with it, and more,” says Maggie Michalczyk, R.D..
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Chocolate Covered Katie (@chocolatecoveredkatie) on
But is dessert hummus good for you?
Hummus is generally considered a healthy snack, especially when paired with whole wheat pita or veggie crudité. It also makes a great spread in a veggie sandwich or wrap. But how does it stack up once you add sugar and chocolate to the mix?
Regular hummus often has one gram of fiber and around one to two grams of protein per serving, and the same goes for the sweeter variety. But “most dessert hummuses have about 60 calories and five grams of sugar per two-tablespoon serving,” says Michalczyk. Standard hummus generally doesn’t have any sugar, though the calories are about the same.
So while the calories and nutrition in dessert hummus aren’t that different from its classic counterpart, there’s no denying the extra sugar boost. That said, Michalczyk explains that it’s still much better than, say, a traditional frosting. With some fiber and protein in the mix, it’s easier to feel more satisfied with less.
“Dessert hummus is a sensible way to satisfy that after-dinner dessert craving by using it as a dip for fruit,” says Michalczyk.
Yet, as you would with any dessert, stick to the serving size to avoid going overboard, which can be extra difficult with dips that you just keep dipping into. “Portion out two tablespoons in a bowl, so you don’t end up eating half of the container by accident,” she says. Oops.
Which brands are best?
Dessert hummus is still fairly new, so there aren’t too many different brand options yet, but there are several different flavors. Michalczyk likes Delighted By Dessert Hummus because flavors like brownie batter and red velvet are a fun way to dress up fruits and veggies. You can also try Lantana, which comes in strawberry and a dark chocolate.
How do you make healthy dessert hummus?
To guarantee a great nutrition label and the flavors you’re craving, you can easily make your own dessert hummus at home (recipes below!). “Try adding your own vanilla extract, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and maple syrup to a food processor,” says Michalczyk. “Making it at home definitely allows you to control how much extra sugar you add.”
Source: Read Full Article