Everyone loves hummus. It’s great as a dip or as a standalone dish by itself. However, there are some of us who are allergic to chickpeas – a major component of hummus. Does that mean you give up on this Levantine dish? Not really, because you can substitute white beans as a chickpea alternative! There are plenty of varieties of white beans and each one has it’s own health benefits. 

While chickpea is the ideal ingredient when making hummus, you can always pick other varieties of white beans as a substitute. You may use equal amounts like you would do with chickpeas and you’d still get a delicious tasting hummus.

Which Type Should You Pick?

When you shop for this type of bean, you will notice that there are more than one type – as a matter of fact, there are four kinds! These are the types of white beans and how to distinguish one from the other.

Navy Beans/ Pea Beans – these are small, oval-shaped beans that have the most fiber out of all the variants, with 19 grams per cup to be exact

Great Northern Beans – these are medium-sized beans popular for its firm flesh and nutty flavor

Cannellini Beans – also known as white kidney beans due to its shape, it is the largest of the bunch

Baby Lima Beans – these are known as small creamy beans with a buttery texture, thus the moniker “butterbeans”

The truth is, however, that you can use them interchangeably, so depending on your taste, you can choose one of them as a substitute for chickpeas.

Benefits of White Beans

White beans are bursting with fibre, and if you eat them, your bowels will thank you. You can check out our guide below which will help you choose the right bean for your next dip. With flavors ranging from nutty to meaty, white beans are useful in so many dishes, not just dips.

Just because you make your dip with other beans doesn’t mean its any less nutritious! Some of the health benefits of white beans include the following:

– They are high in plant-based protein, which is essential for muscle building

– It is great for bone development because of its high calcium content

– It promotes regular bowel because it is a natural source of fiber

– White beans can help regulate sugar levels while boosting energy

– It also has a decent amount of vitamin C, potassium, and folate

So you see, there are plenty of ways to enjoy hummus. Not a fan of chickpeas? Then white beans are your best bet.