Backpacker’s Hummus Bowl
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Quick, easy, and super versatile, this Hummus Bowl is a perfect no-cook backpacking lunch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Backpacker's Hummus Bowl
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!