Carla Hall’s Pea and Fava Bean Hummus Recipe Is the Protein Snack of the Season

Hummus is a staple party dip that Carla Hall gives a spring-inspired twist. How? The chef and media personality ditches chickpeas for in-season fava beans and spring peas. It’s a unique spin that creates a buttery and creamy hummus with a vibrant green hue. You can make this hummus in under 30 minutes to serve right away or later with pita wedges and crudités. (This may just become your new favorite hummus recipe!) Read on for the tasty homemade dip recipe.

The basics of hummus

Hummus is traditionally made by blending or mashing chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil, tahini and garlic into a solid mixture. The dip is then served with pita or sliced veggies. There are many variations of hummus, using spices, herbs and other ingredients. But, Hall makes her hummus extra special by using a combination of fava beans and spring peas.

Which has more protein, fava beans or chickpeas?

Fava beans are a type of green legume that comes in a long pod and has a buttery, nutty taste. These beans have a rich protein content, which research suggests is higher than many other legumes including chickpeas.

A study published in the journal Nutrients found that fava beans contain nearly 20 percent more protein than chickpeas—good news if you’re wanting to add more of this essential nutrient into your diet. Coupled with peas (which contain about four grams of protein per ½ cup serving), these legumes create a healthy and flavorful hummus that rivals the plain kind.

Chef’s trick to the perfect hummus texture

What’s great about making hummus from scratch is customizing the texture to your liking. To do this, add more or less oil to the base until it reaches your desired consistency. Hall loves a slightly chunky texture in hummus, so that involves using a moderate amount of oil.

How to make Hall’s spring pea and fava bean hummus

Try Hall’s fava bean and spring pea hummus simple recipe, which uses ground sumac, cumin, garlic and fresh mint for the tastiest spread. Yum!

Fava Bean and Spring Pea Hummus

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh shelled fava beans
• 1 cup English peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp ground sumac
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp minced fresh mint
• Pita wedges and crudités, for serving

Directions:

• Active: 15 mins
• Total time: 25 mins
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings

1. Place fava beans in small saucepan and cover with water. Simmer over medium-low heat about 10 minutes, until beans are tender, adding peas about halfway through cooking time. Remove from heat; transfer beans and peas to food processor. Add garlic, lemon juice and zest, cumin and sumac; pulse until finely chopped.
2. Add oil in stream while processor is running until mixture comes together in slightly smooth paste. Stir in mint and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with pita bread and vegetables for dipping. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

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This story was originally published April 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM.