Backpacker’s Hummus Bowl

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Quick, easy, and super versatile, this Hummus Bowl is a perfect no-cook backpacking lunch.

Hummus in a green backpacking bowl on a rock

A backpacker’s lunch can be a somewhat hurried affair. Most seasoned hikers prefer to prepare something fast and move along as quickly as possible. Sort of like stopping at a gas station: the primary goal of lunch on the trail is to refuel your body.

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So the last thing we want to do is pull out our entire kitchen setup and start cooking something. After prep time, cooking, cleaning, and repacking, we could easily waste over an hour of prime hiking time just having lunch. Not that we wouldn’t appreciate a hot cooked lunch (and the rest!), but when time is a factor, speed and efficiency are key. It’s better to keep things simple if possible.

Ingredients for backpacking hummus in ziplock bags on a forest floor.

For us, the ideal backpacking lunch is “no cook”, which is why we were so excited to find out about the wonders of powdered hummus mix! We found this in our grocery’s bulk bin (at Food 4 Less!), and you can also find it on Amazon.
Woman adding olive oil into a bowl of hummus.
Hummus and crackers are something we frequently enjoy at home, but never thought we could pull off while backpacking. Hummus from the store is too heavy (a lot of water weight) plus it needs to be refrigerated. But with powdered hummus mix, all we need to do is add cold water and a little bit of oil to the dry mix and we’re in business! For us, it’s a miracle.

It’s also easy to gussy up with some lightweight toppings like sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and a blend of spices (we used Everything But the Bagel blend from Trader Joe’s). These additions aren’t strictly necessary but really add to the overall presentation of the bowl.

Hummus in a green backpacking bowl on a rock

For dipping, there are a couple of options. Pretzel sticks and sturdy crackers are usually tough enough hold up inside a bear canister or pack. So are dehydrated veggie chips, which can often be found in the bulk section of your local grocery store.

So the next time you find yourself stumped on what to eat for lunch on the trail, try picking up some powdered hummus and give this recipe a try.

Hummus in a green backpacking bowl on a rock

Backpacker's Hummus Bowl

This hummus bowl is a great no-cook backpacking lunch option. Feel free to get creative with the toppings and dippers - this is a loose recipe that can be endlessly customized.
Author: Fresh Off The Grid
5 from 1 rating
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Print Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered hummus
  • 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  • Spices of choice, we love red pepper flakes & Trader Joe's Everything Bagel seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Dippers: Pretzel sticks, sturdy crackers, dried veggie chips, etc.

Instructions

  • At home: measure and pack the powdered hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and spices in a sealable bag. In a separate bag, pack your dippers. In a small, sealable container, pack the olive oil (or, use single serve packets).
  • On the trail: mix the hummus mix with about 1 ½ cup water and the oil, and stir to blend. Enjoy with your dippers, or by the spoonful!

Notes

Nutrition estimate is based on hummus only and does not include any "dippers"

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 23g | Fiber: 7g

*Nutrition is an estimate based on information provided by a third-party nutrition calculator

Lunch, Snack
Backpacking
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2 Comments

  1. Rachel Fried says:

    Hi,
    Thanks for this recipe–can’t wait to try it! Those bread-like seedy crackers in the photos look delicious. Did you make those, and if so, would you mind posting the recipe? I’m looking for a recipe for a vegan/vegetarian bread/cracker hybrid good for a weeks-long backpacking trip.
    Thanks,
    Rachel

    1. Fresh Off the Grid says:

      Those are Mary’s Gone Crackers! They’re pretty good and (for crackers) pretty sturdy. They probably need a little TLC in a backpacking situation, but I doubt they will turn into dust 🙂