Hummus toast is one of those wonderfully simple meals that can be transformed with just a few flavorful ingredients. Creamy hummus is spread over crisp whole grain bread and topped with sweet, lightly caramelized cherry tomatoes and tender roasted red onion. The result is a satisfying combination of creamy, crunchy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors that comes together with very little effort.
This Hummus Toast makes an especially good breakfast, lunch, snack, or light dinner. While the roasted vegetables take about 20 to 25 minutes in the oven, they require very little hands-on preparation. You can also make a larger batch of the roasted cherry tomatoes and red onion ahead of time and keep them refrigerated for several days. Then, whenever you’re hungry, all you need to do is toast a slice of bread, spread it with hummus, and add the vegetables.
The roasted vegetables are really what make this toast special. Cherry tomatoes become soft and juicy as they roast, eventually bursting and developing caramelized edges. The red onion becomes tender and slightly charred, bringing a natural sweetness that balances the tangy tomatoes. Red pepper flakes add just a little heat, while extra virgin olive oil helps everything roast beautifully.
Hummus is a natural partner for these vegetables. Made primarily from chickpeas and traditionally combined with ingredients such as tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil, hummus adds creaminess and substance to the toast. Our recipe collection includes several chickpea- and hummus-based dishes, reflecting the important role that beans and legumes play in Mediterranean-style cooking.
How to make Hummus Toast
The first step is to roast the cherry tomatoes and red onion. Preheat your oven to 450°F and prepare a sheet pan. Add the cherry tomatoes and red onion wedges to the pan along with extra virgin olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Toss everything together so the vegetables are evenly coated with the olive oil and seasonings. Spread them out on the sheet pan as much as possible. Some space between the vegetables allows the moisture from the tomatoes to evaporate as they roast, helping them develop more concentrated flavor and some caramelization.
Roast the vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cherry tomatoes have burst and started to caramelize and the onions are tender with lightly charred edges. Don’t worry if some of the onions develop darker edges. Those browned pieces are full of flavor and provide a delicious contrast to the creamy hummus.
While the vegetables are roasting, toast one slice of whole grain bread. You want the bread to be crisp enough to hold the hummus and roasted vegetables without becoming soggy immediately.
Spread 3 tablespoons of hummus evenly over the toast. A generous layer of hummus provides the creamy base that brings all the other ingredients together.
Top the hummus with ¼ cup of the roasted cherry tomatoes and red onions. You can arrange the vegetables neatly over the toast or simply spoon them on top. Either way, try to get a mixture of tomatoes and onion in every bite.
Serve the Hummus Toast immediately while the bread is still crisp and the vegetables are slightly warm or at room temperature.
If you’re preparing the roasted vegetables for future meals, allow them to cool slightly and transfer them to a covered container. They can be refrigerated for up to four days, making it easy to assemble another serving of Hummus Toast whenever you need a quick meal.
Helpful tips and tricks
Use sturdy bread. Whole grain bread works particularly well because it has enough structure to support the hummus and vegetables. A hearty slice of sourdough will also work well.
Don’t skip the roasting. Fresh cherry tomatoes are delicious, but roasting concentrates their flavor and brings out their natural sweetness. The combination of caramelized tomatoes and red onion is what gives this toast so much character.
Give the vegetables room. Try not to crowd the sheet pan. If the vegetables are packed too closely together, they are more likely to steam than roast. A little space helps them brown and caramelize.
Let the onions get some color. You don’t need to pull the vegetables from the oven as soon as the tomatoes burst. Letting the onion edges become deeply browned or lightly charred adds a wonderful savory-sweet flavor.
Choose your hummus carefully. Since hummus is one of only a few ingredients on the toast, its flavor will be noticeable. Use your favorite hummus, whether homemade or store-bought. A smooth hummus spreads particularly easily over the toast.
Adjust the heat. The ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes adds a gentle amount of heat to the roasted vegetables. If you prefer a milder toast, reduce the amount.
Don’t overload the toast. It can be tempting to pile on the roasted vegetables, but keeping the proportions balanced makes the toast easier to eat. The goal is to get hummus, crisp bread, tomato, and onion in every bite.
Make extra roasted vegetables. This is one of the best reasons to prepare more than you need for a single serving. The roasted cherry tomatoes and onions can be used later on salads, pasta, grain bowls, or other toast.
Serve immediately. Hummus Toast is at its best when the bread is crisp and the vegetables are still slightly warm. If the assembled toast sits for too long, the moisture from the hummus and vegetables will soften the bread.
What to Serve with Hummus Toast
This Hummus Toast can easily stand on its own as a light meal, but there are plenty of ways to turn it into a more substantial breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
For breakfast, serve it with fresh fruit and a cup of coffee or tea. You could also add a hard-boiled or soft-boiled egg for additional protein.
For lunch, pair the toast with a simple green salad or a cucumber and tomato salad. A bowl of vegetable soup would also make a natural companion, especially on a cooler day.
If you’re serving Hummus Toast as part of a Mediterranean-style meal, consider adding olives, fresh vegetables, or a small salad. Whole grain bread, vegetables, hummus, and olive oil all fit naturally into the Mediterranean diet.
The toast could also be part of a larger mezze-style meal. Serve several pieces alongside roasted vegetables, olives, and other small dishes. This approach works particularly well when you’re feeding a group because everyone can enjoy a little of everything.
You can also serve the roasted vegetables in other ways. Spoon them over a grain bowl, toss them with pasta, or add them to a salad. Because the vegetables keep for several days, making a larger batch gives you a useful component for several meals.
Storage and Leftovers
The assembled Hummus Toast is best eaten immediately. Once the hummus and roasted vegetables are placed on the bread, moisture will gradually soften the toast.
The roasted cherry tomatoes and red onions, however, are excellent for making ahead. Allow them to cool slightly, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days.
For the best results, toast fresh bread whenever you’re ready to make another serving. Spread the hummus over the toast and add the refrigerated roasted vegetables. You can let the vegetables come closer to room temperature first, or warm them gently if you prefer them hot.
Hummus should be stored separately according to the package instructions if you’re using store-bought hummus. If you’re using homemade hummus, keep it refrigerated in an airtight container.
This make-ahead approach makes Hummus Toast particularly useful for busy mornings or quick lunches. Having roasted vegetables ready in the refrigerator means the main preparation is simply toasting bread and assembling the ingredients.
Health Benefits
Hummus Toast brings together several nutrient-rich foods in one simple meal. The combination of whole grain bread, hummus, tomatoes, red onion, and extra virgin olive oil makes this a vegetable-forward dish with fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy fats.
Chickpeas in hummus provide plant-based protein and dietary fiber. Beans and legumes are an important part of Mediterranean-style eating.
Whole grain bread provides carbohydrates along with fiber and other nutrients. Choosing whole grain bread makes the toast more substantial.
Cherry tomatoes provide vitamin C, potassium, and carotenoids such as lycopene. Roasting tomatoes changes their texture and concentrates their flavor, making it easy to enjoy a generous serving of vegetables.
Red onion adds another vegetable along with naturally occurring plant compounds. Roasting mellows the onion’s sharpness and brings out its natural sweetness.
Extra virgin olive oil is used to roast the vegetables and is a traditional source of fat in Mediterranean-style cooking.
The combination is a good example of how a meal doesn’t need to be complicated to be satisfying. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes vegetables, legumes, whole grains, olive oil, and other minimally processed foods. This toast brings several of those foods together in a convenient format.
FAQs
What is Hummus Toast?
Hummus Toast is simply toasted bread topped with hummus and additional ingredients. In this version, whole grain bread is spread with hummus and topped with roasted cherry tomatoes and red onion.
Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes. Whole grain bread is recommended because it provides a sturdy base and fits well with a Mediterranean-style meal. Sourdough or another hearty bread can also work.
Can I make the roasted vegetables ahead?
Absolutely. The roasted cherry tomatoes and red onions can be refrigerated for up to four days. Making them ahead is a great way to make Hummus Toast even faster.
Can I use other vegetables?
Yes. The roasted tomato and onion combination is particularly good, but roasted peppers, zucchini, eggplant, or other vegetables could also work. Keep in mind that different vegetables may require different roasting times.
Can I use store-bought hummus?
Yes. Store-bought hummus makes this recipe especially quick and convenient. Choose a hummus you enjoy, preferably one with a texture that spreads easily.
Is Hummus Toast good for breakfast?
Yes. Hummus Toast is a satisfying breakfast option, especially when paired with fresh fruit or an egg. Our recipe collection includes savory toast with vegetables as a breakfast option, including avocado toast with spinach and cherry tomatoes.
Is this recipe vegan?
The ingredients listed for the toast and roasted vegetables are vegan as long as the hummus and bread you choose are vegan. Always check the labels if you’re following a strict vegan diet.
How can I make this toast more filling?
Add an egg, or a few slices of avocado. You could also serve two pieces of toast with a salad or soup for a more substantial meal.
Can I add cheese?
You can, although the toast is flavorful without it. A little crumbled feta would provide a salty, tangy contrast to the sweet roasted tomatoes and creamy hummus.
Can I use the roasted vegetables for other recipes?
Definitely. The roasted cherry tomatoes and red onions are very versatile. Add them to salads, pasta, grain bowls, wraps, or sandwiches. They’re also delicious served alongside simply prepared chicken or fish.
Does Hummus Toast fit the Mediterranean diet?
Yes, this recipe can fit naturally into the Mediterranean diet. It combines whole grain bread, hummus made from chickpeas, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil, foods that are consistent with the plant-forward, minimally processed approach of the Mediterranean diet.
Hummus Toast with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Red Onion is a simple, flavorful way to turn a few everyday ingredients into a satisfying meal. Creamy hummus provides a savory base for crisp whole grain toast, while roasted cherry tomatoes and red onion add sweetness, acidity, caramelized flavor, and a little heat from red pepper flakes. The roasted vegetables can be prepared ahead and kept in the refrigerator for up to four days, making this Hummus Toast an especially convenient option for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner. With whole grains, chickpeas, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil, it also fits naturally into the Mediterranean diet while showing just how delicious simple, plant-forward cooking can be.
Hummus Toast with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Red Onion
Ingredients
- 2 sliced whole grain bread
- 6 tablespoons hummus
- 1/2 cup Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Red Onions
Instructions
- Toast the Bread: Toast the bread using your preferred method.
- Assemble the Toast: Spread 3 tablespoons hummus evenly over each slice of toasted bread. Top with ¼ cup of roasted cherry tomatoes and red onions.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately while the toast is crisp.
Nutrition
About the Author: Jess Haines-Stephan
