What brands of hummus do not use seed oil?

November 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to reports, many popular store-bought hummus brands use cheaper, refined seed oils like canola or sunflower oil, even when extra virgin olive oil is also listed. This makes finding truly clean and healthy hummus a challenge, which is why it's essential to know what brands of hummus do not use seed oil and how to read the labels carefully.

Quick Summary

A comprehensive guide identifying store-bought hummus brands made without cheap, inflammatory seed oils. Includes details on reading ingredient labels, a comparison of popular options, and instructions for making a simple homemade version.

Key Points

Check the Ingredients: Most store-bought hummus brands use cheap, refined seed oils like canola or sunflower oil, even if olive oil is listed.
Trustworthy Brands: CAVA, Engine 2 (Whole Foods), Oasis, Cedar's Reserve, and Habiza offer reliable seed oil-free options.
The DIY Route: The simplest way to guarantee no seed oils is to make hummus at home, which requires only a few basic ingredients.
Look Beyond Marketing: Don't be fooled by labels that claim 'made with olive oil'; always read the full ingredient list to check for cheaper seed oils.
Tahini is Fine: The oil in tahini (sesame seed paste) is a natural component and not a refined seed oil like canola, so it's generally not a concern for those avoiding seed oils.

Why Most Hummus Brands Use Seed Oils

Most consumers assume their store-bought hummus is made with just chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil. However, to cut costs, many manufacturers use refined seed oils, such as sunflower, canola, or soybean oil, as a cheaper alternative or in addition to a small amount of olive oil. These highly processed oils are generally considered less healthy and more inflammatory than high-quality olive oil. For those following a clean-eating diet, avoiding these additives is a priority, making the search for seed oil-free options crucial. Additionally, some brands labeled as 'organic' may still contain organic seed oils, so checking the ingredient list is always the most reliable method.

Top Hummus Brands Without Added Seed Oil

Finding brands that prioritize quality over cost requires some research. The following brands are known for their commitment to using traditional, minimally processed ingredients and excluding added seed oils, often confirmed through industry certification or clear ingredient lists.

CAVA Traditional Hummus

Known for its high-quality, flavorful Mediterranean food, CAVA offers a traditional hummus that is a strong contender. Their organic traditional variety is explicitly noted for its exclusion of added seed oils, relying on the natural oils from tahini and healthy fats like olive oil. This results in a bright, citrusy, and well-balanced flavor profile that has earned positive reviews from health-conscious consumers.

Engine 2 Hummus

This brand, founded by Rip Esselstyn and exclusive to Whole Foods, focuses on a whole-food, plant-based diet. Engine 2's traditional hummus is made without any added oils whatsoever, appealing to those seeking the absolute lowest fat content in their dip. Its texture is often described as thick and a bit drier than other brands, with a notable lemon flavor. While oil-free, it still contains the natural oils found in its tahini component.

Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine Hommus

Oasis offers a budget-friendly and flavorful option that stands out for its taste and ingredient transparency. Like the other top contenders, it is free of added seed oils and offers a wetter, smoother consistency. It provides a great balance of flavor, price, and nutrition, making it a reliable choice for daily consumption.

Cedar's Reserve Hommus

Cedar's has made a strong public commitment to producing seed-oil-free products. As the first nationally available seed-oil-free hummus line in the United States, Cedar's Reserve offers a variety of flavors, including Roasted Red Pepper and Harissa, for those who want pure ingredients without sacrificing bold taste.

Habiza Hummus

Included in the Seed Oil Free Certified inaugural class of 2025, Habiza is a newer brand focusing on rich, creamy hummus with high-quality, minimally processed ingredients. Its certification makes it a trustworthy choice for consumers specifically avoiding seed oils.

The DIY Advantage: Making Homemade Hummus

For those who want complete control over their ingredients and texture, making hummus at home is the best solution. It's simple, cost-effective, and guarantees no hidden additives. A basic recipe includes:

Cooked or canned chickpeas (reserving the liquid, or aquafaba)
Tahini
Fresh lemon juice
Garlic
Olive oil (optional, but a good-quality extra virgin olive oil is recommended)
Spices like cumin and salt

One can easily find countless recipes online, including oil-free versions that use aquafaba or water for a creamy texture.

How to Read Hummus Ingredient Labels

Navigating grocery store aisles requires vigilance, as many brands employ clever marketing. Here is a simple guide:

Read the full list: Look beyond claims like 'made with extra virgin olive oil.' Often, these are a small percentage, and cheaper seed oils are the primary fat source.
Scan for keywords: Actively search for 'sunflower oil,' 'canola oil,' 'soybean oil,' or 'vegetable oil' in the ingredients. These are the red flags for seed oils.
Check for certification: Look for explicit 'seed oil free' or 'no added oil' certifications on the packaging.
Confirm the oil type: Some traditional brands use only olive oil. Look for labels that clearly specify 'extra virgin olive oil' and no other oils.

Comparing Seed Oil-Free Hummus Brands


Brand	Key Ingredients (No Seed Oil)	Flavor Profile	Texture	Availability	Notes
CAVA Traditional	Chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil	Bright, citrusy, well-balanced	Creamy, smooth	Whole Foods, some supermarkets	Organic option available; reliable flavor.
Engine 2 Traditional	Chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice	Strong lemon, plain	Thick, slightly dry	Exclusive to Whole Foods	No added oil whatsoever; lowest calorie option.
Oasis Original	Chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, spices	Punchy, traditional	Wetter, smooth	Natural grocers, Whole Foods	Good price-to-flavor ratio.
Cedar's Reserve	Chickpeas, tahini, lemon, spices, olive oil	Bold flavors (e.g., Harissa)	Smooth, but varies by flavor	National distribution	First seed-oil-free national line.
Habiza Hummus	Chickpeas, tahini, quality fats	Rich, creamy	Creamy	Certified 2025, regional	Focus on minimal processing and high-quality ingredients.

Conclusion

Finding hummus without seed oil is achievable with careful label reading and a knowledge of which brands to trust. While many commercial varieties rely on cheaper ingredients, brands like CAVA, Engine 2, Oasis, Cedar's Reserve, and Habiza offer high-quality alternatives that stick closer to traditional methods. For ultimate control and freshness, making homemade hummus is a simple and rewarding option. By choosing brands that prioritize healthy, traditional ingredients, you can enjoy this delicious dip without compromising your health goals.

Shop CAVA Hummus Online

Frequently Asked Questions

Seed oils like canola, sunflower, and soybean are used by manufacturers because they are cheaper to produce and help reduce overall costs for mass production.

Yes, but you must read the labels carefully. Some organic hummus brands still use organic seed oils, so check the ingredient list for specifics.

Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds and contains natural oils. When people refer to avoiding 'seed oils,' they typically mean refined vegetable oils like canola or sunflower oil, not the naturally occurring oils in whole sesame seeds.

Hummus made with high-quality extra virgin olive oil generally has a richer, fruitier, and more complex flavor. Hummus made with cheaper seed oils often has a blander flavor profile.

You can make creamy hummus without oil by using aquafaba, the liquid from the can of chickpeas, as a substitute. Blending the chickpeas with tahini, lemon juice, and aquafaba can achieve a smooth texture.

Choosing hummus made with healthy fats like olive oil or with no added oil can help reduce your intake of processed, potentially inflammatory fats. Extra virgin olive oil, in particular, is linked to heart health benefits.

They can be less common than mainstream brands, but options are available at many grocery stores, particularly natural and organic food retailers like Whole Foods. Newer certified brands like Habiza are also emerging.

A 'no added oil' label means the manufacturer did not add extra oil, but the product will still contain the natural oil from the tahini. For most people avoiding refined oils, this is a sufficient and trustworthy distinction.