Baked Pita Chips with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Baked Pita Chips is one of the healthiest snacks you can think of. I like pita chips but the ones you get in the stores are so salty. Moreover, you don't get whole wheat pita chips.... just the regular ones. You can try out different spices and herbs and make your own kind of pita chips. You can use regular pita, if you don't like the whole wheat pita. 

The best pairing for pita chips is hummus, without a doubt. Hummus is a dip which has garbanzo beans, tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, garlic and salt as a base. It is a popular dish in the middle-east which is sometimes served with falafels (fried ball/patty made from ground chickpeas or fava beans).

Ingredients:

For baked pita chips:

4 large whole wheat pita chips, cut into small triangles/pieces
Olive oil, to coat the pita chips
Salt, to taste
1/2 tbsp red chili flakes (you can adjust spice according to your taste)
 3/4 tbsp garlic powder

For roasted red pepper hummus:

1 (15.5oz) can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 large roasted red pepper (1/2 cup equivalent), chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp red chili flakes
Salt, to taste
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil

Method:

For baked pita chips:

Cut the whole wheat pita into small triangles or pieces (I usually cut one whole pita into 8 triangles and then cut each one into half and separate the front and back, but if you want it thick, you can leave them without separating it).

Now, either prepare a mix of olive oil, salt, red chili flakes and garlic powder and brush them on each piece of pita or you can just add each ingredient on the pita pieces and toss well to coat each one of them.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the pita pieces on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake them for 10-12 minutes depending on how crispy you want them.

For roasted red pepper hummus:

Before we even get started, you're probably wondering where is the tahini in the ingredients list. Honestly, I can never tell the difference with or without tahini. So, I make my hummus without  tahini but if you wish, you can add it.

In a blender or food processor, add the chopped garlic, garbanzo beans, cumin powder, paprika, red chili flakes, and salt. Blend to a smooth paste.

Now, add the roasted red pepper (I used store-bought but you can make your own too) and lemon juice. Blend well and slowly start adding olive oil till it starts to look creamy and smooth. Garnish with finely chopped roasted red pepper. Serve with pita chips and snack away!!

Makes 5-6 servings.