🍎 Snacks

Rainbow Hummus with Soft Veggie Dippers

Updated · How we write our recipes

Dipping makes everything more fun. This creamy homemade hummus is lower in salt than store-bought and can be tinted pink or orange with roasted veggies. Soft-cooked dippers keep it safe for new eaters.

  • Prep15 min
  • Cook8 min
  • Total23 min
  • Makesabout 1 1/2 cups hummus
  • Age12 months+
Rainbow Hummus with Soft Veggie Dippers served on a toddler plate
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Ingredients

Makes about 1 1/2 cups hummus. Tap to check off as you go.

Contains: sesame, wheat (pita dippers).

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Chickpeas, tahini, lemon and olive oil in a food processor ready to blend

    1Blend the base

    Blend the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and olive oil with 3–4 tbsp of the chickpea liquid until very smooth.

  2. Step 2: Creamy plain hummus divided into three small pastel bowls

    2Divide into three

    Divide the hummus into three bowls.

  3. Step 3: A food processor blending vibrant pink beet hummus next to bowls of plain and orange hummus

    3Make pink and orange

    Blend the beet into one portion and the carrot into another for bright pink and orange hummus.

  1. Step 4: Carrot sticks and zucchini sticks in a steamer basket, steaming until tender

    4Soften the dippers

    Steam carrot and zucchini sticks for 4–6 minutes until they're soft enough to squish between your fingers.

  2. Step 5: Long strips of peeled cucumber, red and yellow bell pepper and soft pita triangles on a cutting board

    5Prep soft dippers

    Cut cucumber (peeled) and bell pepper into long strips, and warm pita into soft triangles.

  3. Step 6: A rainbow snack board with bowls of pink beet hummus, orange carrot hummus and classic hummus, surrounded only by soft steamed carrot sticks, steamed zucchini sticks, thin red and yellow bell pepper strips, peeled cucumber sticks and soft pita triangles; no broccoli, no cauliflower, no peas, no tomatoes, no other vegetables

    6Make a rainbow board

    Arrange the three hummus colors with the dippers in rainbow order and let your toddler dip away.

How to serve by age

9–12 months

Spread hummus thinly on soft steamed veggie sticks, or offer it on a preloaded spoon. Use soft-steamed dippers only.

12–24 months

Serve with soft-steamed carrot and zucchini sticks, peeled cucumber strips and soft pita strips.

2–3 years

Add bell pepper and cucumber strips if your toddler chews well, and let them dip away.

Allergy & diet swaps

Gluten-free
Skip the pita and serve extra veggie dippers or crackers labeled gluten-free.
Sesame-free
Leave out the tahini and add 1 extra tbsp olive oil and a squeeze more lemon.
Milder flavor
Use canned white beans instead of chickpeas for a softer, milder dip.

Tips

  • Soft-cook hard raw veggies (carrots, peppers) for toddlers under 2 or new eaters.
  • Freeze hummus in small portions for up to 2 months.
  • Spread hummus on toast or wraps for an easy lunch.

Storage & safety

Storage: Fridge: 5 days in an airtight container.

Suggested age: 12 months+. Every child is different — serve textures and sizes that match your toddler's chewing skills.

Always seat your toddler upright and stay close while they eat. Cut round foods into small pieces and spread nut butters thinly. Read our toddler food safety guide for more.

Questions parents ask

Is hummus good for toddlers?

Yes. Chickpeas give protein, fiber and iron, and homemade hummus has much less salt than most store-bought tubs.

Can babies eat hummus?

Yes, from around 9 months, spread thinly or on a preloaded spoon, once sesame (in the tahini) has been safely introduced.

Will the beet hummus stain?

It can stain clothes and little hands for a while, so use a bib. Beet colors wash off skin easily.

How long does homemade hummus keep?

Up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge, or 2 months in the freezer.

Want more ideas like this? We add new toddler recipes every morning. Follow Fun Toddler Recipes on Pinterest.

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