Hosting a party and looking for a healthy, budget-friendly appetizer idea? A DIY hummus bar is a great solution. With multiple flavors of hummus, fresh veggies, and crunchy dippers like crackers and crostini, this Mediterranean-inspired spread is easy to prep ahead of time and guaranteed to please a crowd.

Set up a (cheap) DIY hummus bar for your next get-together! Click through for details.

How To Assemble A DIY Hummus Bar

Looking for an easy, make-ahead idea for your next get-together? Why not put together a DIY hummus bar? It’s low effort, inexpensive, and crowd-pleasing. Here’s how to do it:

  • Choose several flavors of hummus: Most grocery stores have several hummus flavors, from everything bagel to chipotle to garlic and more. You can purchase them from the grocery store or make them yourself.
  • Choose your serving vessels: Choose pretty serving dishes to display multiple kinds of hummus. You can use individual decorative serving bowls or find a dish that has several individual compartments (like the one pictured in this post).
  • Arrange fresh veggies/crudites. There are so many great vegetable dipping options that will work well on your DIY hummus bar. Consider asparagus, carrots, celery, cucumber, radishes, cherry tomatoes, jicama – or anything that is fresh and pretty at the farmer’s market or grocery store.
  • Include a variety of dippers: In addition to fresh vegetables, be sure to include a variety of crackers like pita chips, crostini, crackers (homemade crackers or store-bought), etc. Be sure to include some gluten-free options if your guest list includes those on a GF diet.
  • Include garnishes: To make your hummus bar even prettier and more appealing, include some simple garnishes like sesame seeds, fresh parsley, paprika, a drizzle of flavored olive oil, etc.

Vegetables for a DIY hummus bar. Click through for details!

Hummus Options

You can buy hummus from the grocery store or make your own at home using one of these recipes:

How To Keep The Hummus Fresh

If you’re setting up a hummus bar for a party that lasts several hours, you’ll want to make sure your hummus is kept fresh:

  • Assemble your serving vessels with hummus before guests arrive – and keep it fresh in your fridge until ready to serve.
  • Choose several small bowls with hummus instead of a large bowl. During the party, if one of the hummus bowls starts to empty, you can replace it with a fresh bowl that has been kept cool in the fridge.
  • Cover with plastic wrap, a damp paper towel or lids. This helps keep the hummus from drying out.
  • Drizzle with flavored olive oil: This also helps the hummus from drying out and adds extra flavor.
  • Keep it cool: Nestle serving bowls in a tray of ice, or use a chilled serving platter if the party is outdoors or in hot weather.

I recently put together this hummus spread for a friend’s bridal shower. I made three different kinds of hummus: Plain hummus, carrot-sesame hummus, and beet hummus.

Set up a DIY Hummus Bar for a baby shower, open house, graduation, or other party.

When To Set Up a Hummus Bar

A DIY hummus bar is great for any get-together in your home:

  • Graduation parties
  • Baby showers
  • Bridal showers
  • Open houses
  • Wine tastings
  • Holiday parties
  • Birthday parties
  • Anniversary parties

This DIY hummus bar idea is cheap, easy, and a breeze to pull off. You can buy everything you need in one grocery trip, and you don’t have to make anything from scratch if you don’t want to.

Like this idea? Try this similar idea when you’re planning breakfast or brunch for a group: European-style breakfast bar.