The Best Baba Ganoush Recipe (Eggplant Dip)

This Baba Ganoush recipe isn’t just a dip — it’s a versatile culinary masterpiece! Creamy, savory, and crowned with the crunchy goodness of spiced air fryer chickpeas, it’s a dip that’s destined to be your new favorite. Serve it as an appetizer with pita and veggies or spread it on chicken, sandwiches, and more for a savory upgrade. The possibilities are as endless as your creativity in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love this Baba Ganoush Recipe

A popular Mediterranean dip, baba ganoush is often served as a side or appetizer alongside hummus. It’s easy to create, boasts bold flavors, and can be made with a wide variety of spices for a truly unique flavor. However, we took our classic baba ganoush recipe and made it even better! This version is: 

• Made with just 7 base ingredients 

• Full of vitamins, nutrients, fiber, healthy fats, and even a bit of plant-based protein

• Topped with crispy air fried chickpeas for more flavor and a crunchy texture

• Made extra smooth and creamy for the ultimate crowd-pleasing recipe

What’s the Difference Between Baba Ganoush and Hummus? 

This is one of the most common questions we get! If you’ve never had baba ganoush (otherwise known as eggplant dip), you might be wondering why you would take the time to make it when you can just opt for a quick hummus instead. However, the two are not the same! They might look similar in appearance, but their flavors could not be any more different. 

You see, unlike hummus which is made with a base of chickpeas, baba ganoush has a base of roasted eggplant. As a result, baba ganoush has a more earthy taste whereas hummus can be described as having a slightly more nutty flavor. 

Trust us, if you’re a fan of eggplant, you’re not going to want to miss out on this baba ganoush recipe! 

Roasted Eggplant Dip Ingredients

For this recipe, we went a little above and beyond making not only a baba ganoush eggplant dip but also crispy chickpeas to go on top! Don’t worry, though. We kept the ingredient list to a minimum. Here’s what you’ll need: 

Baba Ganoush Recipe

• Eggplant – For the best taste, look for an eggplant that’s dark and solid in color, shiny, and slightly firm to the touch. What you don’t want is an eggplant that’s super mushy, wrinkly, or speckled with brown spots. 
• Bell Pepper – For a slightly sweeter flavor, we used a red bell pepper, but yellow or orange would work, too! 
• Yogurt – For the absolute creamiest texture, opt for a full-fat yogurt, if you can. If not, whatever you have on hand is fine. We just recommend sticking with an unflavored version. 
• Tahini – Similarly to yogurt, tahini helps create a smooth, creamy texture. However, it also adds a slightly nutty taste and a good dose of healthy fats to keep you full. 
• Lemon Juice – Due to its acidity, lemon juice is a great way to cut through the heaviness of the other high-fat ingredients, effectively lightening up this baba ganoush recipe for a refreshing dip. 
• Garlic Cloves – Everything is better with garlic, right? For the best taste, use freshly minced cloves. 
• Cilantro – This adds a nice herbaceous flavor but can easily be swapped out with another herb you prefer such as mint or parsley. 

Chickpea Topping 

• Chickpeas – Canned chickpeas work great as a quick option as long as they are rinsed and drained before using them. 
• Olive Oil – This is used to enhance the flavor while also helping to form a crisp, slightly crunchy exterior on the chickpeas.
• Seasonings – We included salt, pepper, and cumin for just a hint of spice. However, you could also add chili powder or even cinnamon if you prefer.

How to Make Baba Ganoush

The hardest part about making this baba ganoush recipe is simply waiting for it to be finished before you dive in! Here’s what you’ll need to do: 

To Make the Eggplant Dip

1. Preheat the oven. 
2. Pierce the eggplant all around with a knife, and chop the pepper. 
3. Bake the veggies, and set them aside to cool.
4. Remove the skin from the eggplant. Then, add all of the eggplant dip ingredients to a food processor, and pulse until a smooth texture is formed. 

For the Air Fryer Chickpeas

1. Preheat your air fryer. 
2. Rinse and drain the chickpeas before patting them dry. 
3. Toss them with the oil and spices. 
4. Air fry until the chickpeas are golden and crispy but not brown. 

Putting It All Together

1. Pour the eggplant dip into a serving dish or airtight container. 
2. Top with the chickpeas. 
3. Serve warm, or store in the fridge to cool! 

Serving Suggestions

Always a crowd-pleasing recipe, baba ganoush is the perfect sidekick for veggies like celery, carrot, or bell pepper slices. However, it also pairs perfectly with freshly baked naan or pita bread. You could even use it as a spread or dressing on your favorite recipes like Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, One Pot Mediterranean Orzo, or Easy Chicken Kofta! 

How to Store

Some people claim that baba ganoush tastes even better the next day. Honestly, we have trouble waiting that long, but if you’ve got the willpower, it can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

Can I Freeze Leftovers? 

Technically, you can freeze baba ganoush for up to 3 months. However, the taste and consistency of your dip may change if you do. 

Common Questions about Baba Ganoush

What’s the difference between baba ganoush and hummus?

Great question! While both are creamy dips loaded with tahini and garlic, hummus is made with chickpeas, and baba ganoush starts with roasted eggplant. Baba ganoush has a naturally smoky flavor that makes it feel a little more savory and rich—perfect when you want something a little different.

Do you need to peel the eggplant for baba ganoush?

Yep! After roasting the eggplant until it’s soft and charred on the outside, you’ll want to scoop out the flesh and get rid of the skin. The inside is where all that tender, smoky goodness lives!

Is baba ganoush healthy?

Absolutely! It’s packed with fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats. Plus, it’s naturally low-carb, vegan, and gluten-free, so it checks a lot of boxes for different eating styles.

What should I serve with baba ganoush?

So many options! Warm pita bread, pita chips, sliced cucumbers, carrots, or even spread it on a sandwich or wrap. It also plays well with other dips on a mezze platter.

More Great Dips for Every Occasion

If you’re on a mission to elevate every meal, our collection of the best dips is your culinary treasure trove. Dive into these delightful creations and turn every bite into an explosion of flavor: 

• A healthy recipe, this White Bean Dip with Roasted Tomatoes requires just one piece of equipment to make. 
• The perfect combination of sweet and salty, this Whipped Feta Recipe with Roasted Olives is a show-stopping appetizer that can’t be beat! 
• This Moroccan Zaalouk Recipe is full of vegetables, fresh herbs, and spices for a flavorful plant-based dish that’s full of nutrients, too. 
• This Chicken Spinach and Artichoke Dip takes traditional recipes to the next level for a recipe you’ll adore! 

The Best Baba Ganoush Recipe (Eggplant Dip)

4.72 from 7 votes

Author: Food Dolls

Servings: 8 servings

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

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This baba ganoush recipe is made with simple ingredients and ready in minutes for an easy appetizer or healthy snack everyone will love! Serve it with pita, crackers, veggies, and more.

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

For the Baba Ganoush

• ▢ 1 eggplant
• ▢ 1 red pepper
• ▢ 1/2 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt or 2%
• ▢ 1/4 cup tahini
• ▢ 1/2 juice of 1/2 a lemon
• ▢ 3 garlic cloves
• ▢ 1 cup cilantro

For the Air Fryer Chickpeas

• ▢ 1 can chickpeas drained
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, to taste
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon cumin

Instructions 

For the Baba Ganoush Recipe

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Gently pierce the whole eggplant with a knife all around.
  1 eggplant
• Chop the red pepper.
  1 red pepper
• Arrange the eggplant and red pepper on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Once cooled, use a spoon to scrape out the “meat” of the eggplant, discarding the skin.
• In the bowl of a food processor, add the meat of the eggplant along with the rest of the ingredients.
  1/2 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup tahini, 1/2 juice of 1/2 a lemon, 3 garlic cloves, 1 cup cilantro
• Pulse until smooth.

For the Air Fryer Chickpeas

• Rinse and drain the chickpeas. Pat dry with a paper towel.
  1 can chickpeas
• In a large bowl add the chickpeas, olive oil, cayenne pepper (if using) salt, pepper, and cumin. Toss to combine.
  1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• Arrange the chickpeas in a single layer in the basket of an air fryer. Cook for 5 minutes at 380° F or until crispy.
• Transfer the baba ganoush from the food processor into a large bowl, and top with chickpeas. Serve immediately, or store in the fridge to cool.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 636IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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