A 12‑minute tofu pesto sandwich – crispy pan‑fried tofu, basil pesto and sweet sun‑dried tomatoes piled on a toasted bagel or roll for 19 g protein per serve.
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Tofu Pesto Sandwich
Ready in 12 minutes – perfect under 15‑minute lunch fix.
High protein: 19 g per bagel thanks to firm tofu and cheese.
Ever since I first tried it, I’ve loved tofu. I’ve found it can be pretty hit or miss when ordering out, but this recipe works every single time.
If you’ve been around my recipes before, you’ll also know I loooove sandwiches, so combining the two had to happen and I am spectacularly pleased with the results, and I’m sure you will be, too.
It’s also a fantastic vegetarian protein boost!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Firm tofu: Press 5 min, then slice. Swap with smoked tofu for deeper flavour.
Bagels or soft rolls: Gluten‑free rolls work fine.
Basil pesto: Vegan pesto if dairy‑free.
Sun‑dried tomatoes in oil: Roasted red peppers as alternative.
Cheddar cheese: Vegan mozzarella shreds for plant‑based version.
Olive oil: For frying tofu.
Smoked paprika: Season tofu.
How to Make Tofu Pesto Sandwich
Season tofu
Dust slices with paprika and salt.
Fry
Heat oil, cook tofu 3 min each side until golden.
Toast bread
Halve bagels – toast cut sides until crisp.
Assemble
Spread pesto, layer tofu, add sun‑dried tomatoes, top with cheese.
Melt
Press in panini press 1 min until cheese oozes.
Pro Tips
Pat tofu dry – moisture stops browning.
Two‑step toast: Toast bagel first, then press assembled sandwich for crunch outside, gooey inside.
15‑minute tofu recipe (or less): Prep pesto and tomatoes while tofu fries to save time.
Variations
Vegan tofu pesto roll: Use vegan pesto and plant cheese.
Tofu pesto panini: Assemble in ciabatta, press 2 min.
Mediterranean bowl: Serve fillings over quinoa for a tofu pesto bowl.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with rocket side salad drizzled with balsamic glaze.
Grill in the oven for 3-5 minutes so it’s crispy and warm.
Enjoy.
Notes
Make it vegan
Nowadays you can find various vegan cheese options (even cheddar flavour) in bigger supermarkets. Alternatively, skip the cheese completely and use chargrilled red peppers from a jar as the topping.
Jansen’s pro tip
Make your own pesto: Simply blend together 2 cups rocket, ⅓ cup olive oil, 2 tbsp almonds, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt and pepper. Done!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Tofu Pesto Bagels (Rolls) with Sun‑dried Tomatoes
Amount per Serving
Calories
366
% Daily Value*
Fat
19
g
29
%
Saturated Fat
5
g
31
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
1
g
Cholesterol
19
mg
6
%
Sodium
686
mg
30
%
Potassium
83
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
37
g
12
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
6
g
7
%
Protein
11
g
22
%
Vitamin A
810
IU
16
%
Vitamin C
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
180
mg
18
%
Iron
11
mg
61
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This tangy Dill Pickle Hummus is easy to make and great to have on hand during the summer for a refreshing and healthy snack. The food processor does most of the work and this unique hummus can be used in so many different ways. Mix it into pasta salad, spread it on sandwiches, or enjoy it in a salad. If you love dill pickles, you’ve got to make this delicious hummus recipe.
I tried some store-bought dill pickle hummus a few weeks ago, and I’ve been addicted ever since. I decided it was time to make my own version, and it did not disappoint. I’ve been eating it with crackers and veggies, but also adding it to pretty much every other meal I eat for some extra flavor, protein, and fiber. This Dill Pickle Hummus is refreshing, perfect for summer, and a great way to use up any dill you have in your garden.
Why You’ll Love This Tangy Dill Pickle Hummus
Refreshing – Pickles are a refreshing snack, and making hummus with them creates a creamy, tangy dip that’s perfect for summer. I like to serve this pickle-flavored hummus chilled with a side of veggies for a light and filling afternoon snack.
Flavorful – If you love dill pickles, you’ll enjoy this uniquely flavored hummus. It is flavored with fresh dill, dill pickles, and pickle juice. I also add a little bit of lemon juice and a few cloves of garlic. You can also make it spicy by adding some pickled jalapenos.
Versatile – I love having hummus on hand because it’s healthy, protein-packed, and can be used in many different ways. Hummus is always great with veggies and pita bread, but it can also be added to salad, pasta, toast, sandwiches, and more.
Benefits
Chickpeas – A high-fiber diet is imperative for good digestive health, and chickpeas contain 35 grams of fiber per cup of cooked beans. Beans have a mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber, which greatly benefits the digestive process. Soluble fiber absorbs water in the digestive tract, helping regulate the absorption of nutrients. It also binds to bile in the digestive tract, removing toxins that would otherwise recirculate throughout the body. Insoluble fiber helps bulk up our stool, ensuring that things run smoothly.
Tahini – Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds, perfect for dressings and sauce recipes. It’s a great source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Although tahini contains a small amount of saturated fat, most of its fats are polyunsaturated (omega-6 fatty acids) and monounsaturated, which are great for overall health.
Dill Pickle Hummus Recipe Ingredients
Chickpeas – I used two cans of chickpeas for this hummus recipe. You can easily adjust the amount if you want more or less hummus, though. I like to boil my chickpeas with a bit of baking soda for 20 minutes beforehand, as it helps soften them, but that isn’t necessary.
Tahini – You should be able to find tahini at most grocery stores, in the same section as the peanut butter. Tahini is a paste made with sesame seeds and has a nice toasty flavor. I use it often in recipes, and it’s a staple ingredient for traditional hummus.
Pickles – Both the pickle juice and the pickles are used in this hummus recipe, so make sure to use a brand of pickles you know you enjoy. I find that the pickles sold in the refrigerated section at the grocery store tend to have better flavor than the jarred pickles, but either will work.
Dill – The pickles add a nice dill flavor to the hummus, but I also like adding some fresh dill. Dry dill has a much stronger flavor than fresh dill, so I usually stick to mostly fresh and just a pinch of dried dill.
Lemon Juice – Lemon juice is commonly used in most hummus recipes, so although we already have acid from the pickle juice, I wanted to add a little lemon flavor. You can leave it out if you prefer.
Garlic – One or two cloves of fresh garlic add so much flavor, but garlic powder can be used if you prefer a milder garlic flavor.
How To Make Refreshing Dill Pickle Hummus
Optional: For creamier hummus, you can boil the chickpeas with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda for 20 minutes. Drain and then rinse with cold water and let cool for a few minutes before making the hummus.
To a food processor or blender, add in the tahini, pickle juice, lemon juice, garlic, and 1/2 cup of chopped pickles. Blend until combined and slightly creamy. It may be challenging to achieve a completely creamy texture in the food processor, but aim for as much blending as possible.
Next, add in the chickpeas, fresh dill, dried dill, and salt. Turn the food processor on and blend until the desired texture is achieved. If your hummus looks too thick, you can drizzle in extra pickle juice or olive oil until it reaches the desired consistency. If your hummus is not thick enough, add in extra chickpeas.
Once the hummus reaches your desired texture, add the remaining 1/2 cup of chopped pickles and pickled jalapenos, if you want some extra heat. Give the hummus a few pulses so that the pickles are mixed in, but not completely blended up. Add any additional salt or cayenne pepper needed and enjoy.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
Can hummus be frozen? Yes, you can freeze hummus, although it may not retain the same creamy texture after thawing. I recommend freezing for up to 3 months in an air-tight container.
How long does leftover hummus last? Leftover hummus should last for about 4-5 days when stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.
What can be used in place of the chickpeas? Chickpeas are a traditional ingredient in hummus, but white beans can be easily substituted.
Can dry dill be used? I prefer using fresh dill because it has a milder flavor, allowing you to add more without it becoming too overpowering. It also has a nice fresh taste. Dry dill can be used if needed, though. I recommend adding 1 teaspoon and then adjusting as needed.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP!
This tangy Dill Pickle Hummus is easy to make and great to have on hand during the summer, for a refreshing and healthy snack. The food processor does most of the work and this unique hummus can be used in so many different ways. Mix it into pasta salad, spread it on sandwiches or enjoy it in salads. If you love dill pickles, you’ve got to make this delicious hummus recipe.
Ingredients
2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup tahini
2 cups diced pickles, divided
1–2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2–4 tablespoons pickle juice, depending on what consistency you want your hummus
Optional: pickled jalapenos, to taste if you want heat
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
Serve with: fresh veggies, pita bread or crackers.
Instructions
Optional: for creamier hummus, you can boil the chickpeas with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda for 20 minutes. Drain and then rinse with cold water and let cool a few minutes before making the hummus.
To a food processor, or blender, add in the tahini, pickle juice, lemon juice, garlic and 1/2 cup of chopped pickles. Blend until combined and slightly creamy, it many be hard to get completely creamy in the food processor but you want it as blended up as you can get it.
Next, add in the chickpeas, fresh dill, dried dill and salt. Turn food processor on and blend until desired texture is achieved. If your hummus is looking too thick, you can drizzle in extra pickle juice, or olive oil, until it thins out. If your hummus is not thick enough, add in extra chickpeas.
Once the hummus is to your desired texture, add in the remaining 1/2 cup chopped pickles, and pickled jalapenos if you want some extra heat. Just give the hummus a few pulses so that the pickles are mixed in, but not completely blended up. Add any extra salt, or cayenne pepper, if needed and enjoy.
Notes
This hummus recipe makes about 2 cups of hummus. Each serving is 1/4 cup.
Prep Time: 15 mins
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