The lead-up to Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of year. As a kid, I would spend hours sketching various possible designs for my Jack-o’-lantern, my mom would help brainstorm and create my costume, and my friends and I would swap tips on the best trick-or-treating routes. As I’ve gotten older, my love for Halloween remains, but mostly in a nostalgic sort of way, since my actual motivation to do things relating to Halloween has dropped off precipitously.
I have never created a Halloween dessert or snack for this blog.
Although I have had costume ideas and even bought various items to complete them in recent years, I have not dressed up for Halloween since college.
Three years ago (i.e. the last time Halloween fell on a Friday), the fiancé and I were invited to three different Halloween parties. Too tired to go out, we opted to stay at home, sit on the couch, and watch TV. It occurred to me that Halloween won’t fall on a Friday again until 2025, at which time I’ll be in my mid to late thirties, and I’m projecting (based on current trends) that my desire to go out on a Friday night by then will be, well, zilch.
Basically, what I’m saying is that it’s kind of a big deal that I even got my act together enough to create an orange-colored dish to post in October, so here you have it: roasted sweet potato hummus! Like most hummus (hummuses?), this one is quite easy to make, as long as you have a food processor or even a blender. It’s got a zippy sweet/smoky flavor going on, thanks to a hefty pinch of smoked paprika (my new favorite spice, ever since I “discovered” it this past spring), and it’s a perfectly festive shade for any parties you may be hosting or attending this weekend—paired, of course, with some blue corn chips to maximize Halloween colors while minimizing effort. I very much appreciate and admire all the oh-so-creative spooky recipes out there, but I want to reassure that if you’re feeling tired like me, this roasted sweet potato hummus is your friend!
On an unrelated note, I have a dissertation chapter draft due later this week, so I’m hoping to be able to crank it out in time to spend Halloween…too tired to go out, at home, and on the couch, once again. Everyone has his or her own traditions, right? 😉 I hope you all have a happy and safe Halloween!
- 1 medium (8-ounce) sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup water
- chopped cilantro (optional)
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned in places and easily pierced with a fork. Set aside to cool.
- While the sweet potatoes are cooling, place the garbanzo beans, paprika, salt, and cumin in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles a grainy paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Add the tahini, lime juice, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and pulse until combined, about 15-20 seconds.
- Add the sweet potatoes and garlic and process until smooth.
- With the food processor running, add 1/2 cup water or as much as you need until the hummus reaches your preferred consistency.
- Optional: top with an extra drizzle of olive oil, extra garbanzo beans, and/or chopped cilantro.
What a wonderful fall dish!
Thanks! Let me know what you think if you make it 🙂
This is beautiful. Halloween related or not! I love that you roasted the sweet potato. I’ve done that with carrots and pumpkin. But, Whole Foods does sell a wonderful organic sweet potato purée.You can always throw the extra in to pancakes or a meatloaf. Way easier, although I, too, typically make everything from scratch.
I had no idea that Whole Foods sells that – how convenient! Especially now that the weather is turning chilly, though, I’m looking for any excuse to turn on the oven 😉
I’m so impressed that you actually sketched out your pumpkin design as a kid. For me, it was always all about the costume. Like you, I will probably be on the couch every Halloween until I have kids 😀
I discovered smoked paprika not too long ago also…it’s AMAZING! Genius of you for incorporating it into this sweet potato hummus 🙂
Oh yeah, I made TONS of designs…it was tough to narrow it down! I’m very much hoping that if/when I have kids, my energy levels will rise to the occasion 😛 I’m glad that you’ve been enjoying smoked paprika as well. I seriously cannot get over how flavorful it is!
This hummus looks and sounds wonderful and healthy! I love hummus and want to try this version with the sweet potatoes!
Thanks, Jenny! I had it at a restaurant a while back and have been meaning to recreate it ever since. I hope you get a chance to try this!
Perfect for fall! Thanks for sharing, Mara!
Thanks, Debbie! I hope you’ve been enjoying fall so far 🙂
I’ve never tried sweet potato hummus before, so I’m really curious to see what it tastes like. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoy this as much as I do 🙂
I’ve never thought of sweet potato hummus, what a great idea! Your photos are beautiful!
Thank you so much 🙂 I got the idea from a restaurant in Seattle that serves a whole rainbow of hummus varieties – so fun!
What a perfect fall recipe. I love hummus and this looks so good! Thanks for sharing it with us at FF
Thanks, Sandhya, and thank you for hosting this week! Hummus is pretty much a staple in my household, so it’s always fun to make new varieties.
You gave me an idea on what to do with my sweet potatoes! Thank you, Mara. I am sure this tastes fab! Belated happy Fiesta Friday! I hope you have a lovely week!
I’m glad to hear it – let me know what you think if you try it! I hope you have a good week too 🙂
Sure, I will. Thanks, Mara.
I love hummus and this version sounds delicious!
Thanks! I’m glad this caught your eye!
All the flavours in your dip are delicious, this hummus must be bursting with flavour:)
Thanks, Monika! And thank you for hosting this week 🙂
I really need to make my own hummus soon! this looks amazing and perfect for all holiday gatherings.
Thanks, and yes, this would make a great holiday party appetizer! I can’t believe the holidays are only a few weeks away…
Oh that’s such a great idea, adding sweet potatoes! You’re so smart! 😀
Haha thanks, Angie! I was inspired by a hummus sampler I enjoyed in Seattle last summer 🙂
Somehow I missed this post when it came out, but I’m glad I found it this morning! I do get into the Halloween spirit, but I also totally understand just chilling out and spending the evening watching tv. We took Robbie out trick-or-treating this year, but we were home by 6:30 and he was in bed by 7:00. That’s my kind of night! 🙂 Also, I’m kinda thinking I need to try this sweet potato hummus out. A bowl of this plus some pita chips plus Netflix would be my kind of night, too!