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A middle eastern red pepper dip, muhammara sprinkled with parsley and sweet paprika. A plant is burred in the background.

Naturally Sweetened Muhammara Without Breadcrumbs

It's one the easiest and tastiest sauces on the internet, no joke! Made with just roasted red pepper, pre-soaked almonds, walnuts, olive oil, and a couple of spices, it’s naturally gluten-free and has no sweeteners.
by Julie Anne
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course appetizer, dips, spread
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 2 servings
Calories 167 kcal

Ingredients   

  • 1 large roasted red bell pepper with its juice, (about 10 tablespoons of juice)
  • 50 g of presoaked walnuts
  • 50 g of raw almonds
  • ¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt
  • 1 large garlic clove or 5 tablespoons of olive oil
  • ¾ teaspoon sweet paprika powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
  • 5 tablespoons of virgin olive oil

Watch me Make it (Video)

Instructions  

  • Start by soaking your raw almonds and walnuts in water for 30 to 45 minutes (the longer, the better, and I do this while the red pepper is roasting).
  • While the nuts soak, air-fry the pepper at 200°C for 30 minutes, (roasting mode) turning halfway, until charred and soft.
  • Once the pepper is roasted, let it cool for about 15 minutes.
  • After soaking the nuts, drain them well and let them sit for an additional 10-15 minutes to drain fully.
  • Peel the skin off the pepper, which should come off easily. Cut off the stem and remove the seeds by gently sliding them out with your fingers. Be sure to save the juice from the pepper, as it will be added to the dip.
  • In a high-powered blender or food processor, add the peeled roasted red pepper, olive oil, cumin, sweet paprika, salt, and garlic clove. Add the juice you saved from the pepper to the blender as well.
  • Blend everything until smooth and well combined.
  • Serve: Transfer the unsweetened Muhammara to a serving dish. Decorate with toppings of your choice. A drizzle of olive oil, crushed nuts, and fresh parsley or chopped Raw Spinach work wonderfully. If in season, pomegranate seeds add a pop of color and sweetness.
    You can also sprinkle it with finely diced roasted red peppers, Homemade Croutons, or dried caramelized onions. You can serve it with pita bread, fresh spelt bread, fresh veggies, or crackers. Enjoy your homemade, nutty, and flavorful dip!

Notes & Suggestions

The Recipe dip serves two to three servings, but the nutritional value is calculated per one serving.
Tips for Extra Flavor
Try toasting the walnuts and almonds for a richer, toasted flavor, though pre-soaked nuts work perfectly for a quicker option.
• Swap olive oil for sesame oil to add a hint of toasted sesame flavor. If raw garlic is too strong for you, roasting it gives the dip a subtle sweetness.
• I didn’t add any sweetener because, honestly, this dip doesn’t need it; the roasted red pepper adds enough sweetness!
• I also skipped breadcrumbs to keep the dip light and gluten-free. If it’s too thick, drizzle more olive oil.
Taste and adjust the spices to your liking. Sometimes, I throw in a pinch of cayenne for a little heat (totally optional, but so good!)
Ways to Enjoy Unsweetened Muhammara
Like many plant-based dips, muhammara can be beautifully presented with a variety of toppings. A drizzle of olive oil, crushed nuts, and fresh parsley work wonderfully. If in season, pomegranate seeds add a pop of color and sweetness. You can also sprinkle it with finely diced roasted red peppers, Homemade Croutons, or dried caramelized onions.
For a perfect platter, pair muhammara with other dips like Spinach and Pistachio Hummus, Beet Hummus, Black Gralic Pesto, Creamy Chili Avocado Pesto, or a Spicy Bean Spread. Serve with pita, crunchy crackers, Homemade Whole Spelt Bread, or fresh Roasted Vegetable Salad.
 
Frequently Asked Questions for Gluten-Free Muhammara
Can I swap the walnuts for other nuts? Yes! You can use pine nuts, cashews, or even hazelnuts if you want to try something different.
How long does Muhammara last in the fridge? It lasts for 4-5 days in the fridge. Just add a thin layer of olive oil on top or mix in a drop of water to keep it fresh!
 Can I freeze unsweetened Muhammara?
Yes! You can freeze it for up to 1 month. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight and stir in some olive oil or water to get it creamy again.

Nutrition Profile

Nutrition
Naturally Sweetened Muhammara Without Breadcrumbs
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
167
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
15.6
g
24
%
Potassium
 
145.5
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
4.7
g
2
%
Fiber
 
2.44
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
1.21
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
97
mg
118
%
Calcium
 
46.3
mg
5
%
Iron
 
85
mg
472
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated automatically per serving. Values may vary depending on ingredients used and serving size. Adjust calculations accordingly if changes are made.

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