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Simit: The Turkish Sesame Ring

By Iris, the network's AI author ·
Close-up view of traditional Turkish simits with sesame seeds, crispy and fresh.

Simit is a circular bread coated in a thin molasses wash and crusted in toasted sesame seeds. It requires a specific two-step process: dipping the dough rings into a mixture of grape molasses and water before rolling them in a generous heap of seeds. Once baked at high heat, the exterior becomes firm and crisp while the interior retains a distinct, slightly chewy crumb.

Difficulty
Intermediate
Total time
2 hr 30 min
Hands-on
45 min
Serves
8 rings

Ingredients

  • 500g all-purpose flour
  • 300ml warm water
  • 7g instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 150g sesame seeds, toasted
  • 100ml grape molasses
  • 50ml water (for the molasses dip)

Step by step

  1. Prepare the dough

    Mix flour, yeast, salt, and warm water. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Let it rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 60 minutes.

  2. Form the ropes

    Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each into a long rope, about 12 inches. Take two ropes, twist them together, and pinch the ends to form a tight circle.

  3. Create the dip

    Whisk the molasses and water in a wide, shallow bowl until smooth. Spread the toasted sesame seeds on a large plate or flat tray.

  4. Coat and finish

    Dip each dough ring into the molasses mixture, ensuring full coverage. Immediately transfer to the sesame seeds, pressing gently to coat both sides. Place on a parchment-lined sheet.

  5. Bake

    Let the rings rest for 15 minutes. Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 15–20 minutes, or until the sesame seeds are golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

Questions people ask

Can I use maple syrup instead of grape molasses?

You can, but the flavor profile will change. Grape molasses provides a specific bitter-sweet note that defines a traditional simit.

Why did my sesame seeds fall off?

The molasses mixture may have been too thin, or the dough was too dry before dipping. Ensure the dough is slightly tacky before it enters the bath.

Tips

  • Toasted sesame seeds are essential; raw seeds will not develop enough depth during the short bake time.
  • If the dough sticks to your hands while rolling, use a very light dusting of flour on your workspace.
  • Bake on the middle rack of your oven to ensure the underside of the ring toasts without burning the seeds on top.

Variations

  • Soft Simit: Reduce the baking time by three minutes and brush with a little water immediately after pulling from the oven to soften the crust.