Fun hummus dips that will make you the MVP of your Super Bowl party

If there's one thing we've learned over the years running a website devoted to Israeli and Mediterranean food, it's that you can't go wrong with hummus. You can stick to the classics or dress it up into something quite inventive and refreshing. You can turn it into dessert, add a splash of creaminess or make it a full, hearty meal.

And the best part? They're all serious crowd-pleasers. What better way to highlight the brilliance and versatility of hummus than at your Big Game bash?

We've culled our most creative original hummus recipes to cap off your Super Bowl Sunday menu. Don't forget your homemade pita on the side!

Tangy hummus yogurt dip

Add a little yogurt to your hummus for a tangy twist on snacking. (Photo: Jerry James Stone)

Part hummus and part yogurt dip, this tangy dip is everything you want in a hummus. It's super smooth and creamy, great as a spread!

Tip: For an adorable presentation, pipe this hummus into some celery ribs for a vegetarian appetizer.

Recipe: Find it here.

Peanut butter hummus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZB9zoInAvM&feature=youtu.be

One of the reasons we love hummus, in all its forms, so much is that it's healthy and fairly easy to make – if you have everything on hand. Tahini is probably the most pesky of all its ingredients when it comes to finding all the ingredients. Well, guess what? Natural peanut butter is a great substitution for tahini. Honestly, no one will know otherwise. The peanut butter makes the hummus just as creamy.

Tip: Use unsalted peanut butter to keep that traditional Mediterranean flavor.

Recipe: Find it here.

Dessert hummus

This sweet hummus puts a fun spin on snacking. (Photo: Sarah F. Berkowitz)

With a culinary world that loves to mix things up, this one takes this creamy dip to the dessert course, using our favorite ingredient – chocolate – along with wholesome, natural ingredients that taste great and have loads of nutrition so you can indulge with peace of mind.

Tip: Serve with chocolate biscotti or crisp ladyfingers.

Recipe: Find it here.

Hummus malei

This shawarma-spiced meat turns hummus into a filling and hearty meal. (Photo: Davida Graber)

The Hebrew word malei means “full” – which is exactly how you’ll feel after partaking of this hummus dish. Here, it's used as a vessel to perfectly seasoned ground meat, topped with caramelized shawarma-flavored onions.

Tip: If you’ve got a group of friends ready to share this with you, definitely double up on the ingredients.

Recipe: Find it here.

Beet hummus

Beet hummus adds pizzazz to the average Mediterranean spread. (Photo: Elena M. Tarasova / Shutterstock)

For a splash of fuchsia and an earthy flavor, consider adding roasted red beets to the equation. Bonus: Keep the greens and saute them in olive oil for an extra dose of fiber and vitamin C. Our favorite recipe comes from beet-crazy chef Jerry James Stone – check it out here.

Classic hummus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPIaFxzHBNY&feature=youtu.be

C'mon, you didn't really think we'd go through an entire hummus list without going back to the classics, did you? The creamy purée, perfumed with garlic and lemon, satisfies hunger for something with a little heft, but which isn't heavy. It's packed with good-for-you protein and calcium, and it's delicious.

Tip: Our recipe offers a convenient way to make hummus with canned chickpeas, but you might try making it with dried chickpeas, in which case you'll need to soak 2/3 cup dried chickpeas in plenty of water, overnight, and proceed from the beginning of this recipe.

Recipe: Find it here.