Sandstone Canyon Appetizer (Printable)

Layered creamy hummus and crunchy crackers create a visually stunning appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Hummus Layers

01 - 1 cup classic hummus (store-bought or homemade)
02 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
03 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Crackers

06 - 7 ounces beige crackers (whole wheat, sesame, or water crackers)

→ Garnish

07 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
08 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 small lemon, cut into wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine hummus with smoked paprika, olive oil, cumin, and cayenne pepper in a bowl, stirring until smooth and evenly seasoned.
02 - Spread a thin, wavy layer of hummus on a large serving platter using a spatula to form ridges and valleys resembling a canyon landscape.
03 - Stand crackers upright into the hummus along the wavy contours to simulate canyon walls, slightly overlapping them for texture and depth.
04 - Alternate layers of hummus and crackers in gentle waves, repeating 3 to 4 times to create maximum visual effect.
05 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped parsley evenly over the top layers.
06 - Present immediately with lemon wedges on the side to add a zesty finish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-quality but comes together in fifteen minutes flat, making you look far more talented than you actually are.
  • Everything is raw and undressed, so you can prep it hours ahead and it'll hold up beautifully until guests arrive.
  • The seasoned hummus is so good that people keep dipping long after the crackers are gone.
02 -
  • The hummus will start to soften the crackers after about forty minutes, so assemble this closer to serving time if you want maximum crunch.
  • Don't skip seasoning the hummus—store-bought hummus often tastes flat on its own, but the paprika, cumin, and olive oil wake it up completely.
  • If your crackers are too thin or delicate, they'll snap when you try to stand them up; choose ones with some structure.
03 -
  • If you're short on time, prepare the seasoned hummus and have crackers ready, then assemble just before guests arrive for optimal crispness.
  • Use an offset spatula instead of a regular knife to spread hummus smoothly and create cleaner wavy lines.
  • Make extra seasoned hummus on the side in case people want to dip additional crackers—they almost always do.
Go Back