Roasted red peppers add a soft smokiness to hummus that plain chickpea versions don’t have. The colour is deep orange-red, and the flavour sits somewhere between sweet and earthy.
Spelt bread gives these toasts a nutty base that holds up under a generous spread. The slightly open crumb soaks up just enough oil without going soggy.
This works as a quick lunch, a snack with drinks, or a starter before a bigger meal. The hummus can be made a day ahead, so the actual assembly takes under five minutes.
No special equipment is needed beyond a blender or food processor. The whole recipe stays straightforward from start to finish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Smoky, balanced hummus made from scratch in minutes
- Spelt bread adds a nutty crunch plain white toast lacks
- Hummus keeps three days, so prep ahead easily
- Plant-based, high-fibre, and genuinely filling

Ingredient Notes
- Spelt bread: Use a sturdy wholegrain spelt loaf sliced about 1.5 cm thick. Sourdough spelt works well too and adds a mild tang.
- Roasted red peppers: Jarred peppers in brine save time and work fine. If roasting your own, two medium peppers under a hot grill until blackened gives the best depth.
- Canned chickpeas: Drain and rinse well. For a smoother hummus, peel off the skins before blending, though it is not required.
- Tahini: Use a runny, well-stirred tahini. A thick or separated tahini makes the hummus dense rather than creamy.
- Smoked paprika: Sweet smoked paprika adds colour and reinforces the pepper flavour. Hot smoked paprika works if you want a mild heat.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice keeps the hummus bright. Bottled lemon juice is a workable substitute but the flavour is flatter.
- Garlic: One raw clove is enough. Two cloves will dominate the pepper flavour, so keep it restrained.
- Olive oil: Use extra-virgin for finishing. A lighter olive oil or neutral oil can be used inside the hummus blend if budget is a concern.

Spelt Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Toasts
Description
Spelt bread stays crisp at the edges and chewy in the centre, making it the right base for thick-spread roasted red pepper hummus. The smokiness from the peppers and a touch of cumin keep the flavour balanced without needing any extras.
Ingredients
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Toasts and Toppings
Instructions
Roast the Peppers (if using fresh)
- Heat your oven grill to 220 C / 430 F. Place fresh whole red peppers on a baking sheet and grill for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, until the skins are blackened and blistered all over.
- Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and leave for 10 minutes. Peel off the skins, remove the seeds, and pat the flesh dry with paper towel. Skip this step if using jarred peppers.
Make the Hummus
- Add the drained chickpeas to a small saucepan with just enough water to cover. Warm over medium heat for 5 minutes until steaming but not boiling, then drain.
- Place the warm chickpeas, roasted red peppers, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, olive oil, and salt into a food processor.
- Blend on high for 2 minutes until the mixture starts to look smooth, then add the ice-cold water one tablespoon at a time, blending between additions, until the hummus is creamy and spreadable.
- Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice. The hummus should taste smoky, slightly tangy, and balanced. Set aside.
Toast the Spelt Bread
- Brush each slice of spelt bread lightly on both sides with olive oil.
- Place slices on a baking sheet under the grill at 220 C / 430 F for 2 to 3 minutes per side, watching closely, until the surface is golden and crisp at the edges but still slightly chewy in the centre.
Assemble and Serve
- Spread 3 to 4 tablespoons of roasted red pepper hummus generously onto each warm toast, covering the surface to the edges.
- Dust lightly with smoked paprika, scatter over the flat-leaf parsley leaves, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of flaky salt.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 380kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 17g27%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Sodium 520mg22%
- Potassium 390mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 48g16%
- Dietary Fiber 9g36%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 14g29%
- Vitamin A 1100 IU
- Vitamin C 28 mg
- Calcium 90 mg
- Iron 4 mg
- Vitamin E 3 mg
- Vitamin K 40 mcg
- Thiamin 0.3 mg
- Riboflavin 0.2 mg
- Niacin 3 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.4 mg
- Folate 85 mcg
- Phosphorus 210 mg
- Magnesium 55 mg
- Zinc 2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Additional Notes
- Blend chickpeas while still warm for a noticeably smoother hummus.
- Dry roasted peppers thoroughly before blending to avoid a loose, watery spread.
- Toast spelt bread directly under a grill for even browning on both sides.
- Rest finished hummus for 10 minutes before spreading to let the flavours settle.
- Add ice-cold water one tablespoon at a time to loosen hummus without thinning the flavour.
