Simit (Turkish Sesame Bread Rings)
In short: Chewy, crisp-crusted rings of yeasted dough dipped in grape molasses, rolled in sesame seeds and baked until deep golden. It takes about 48 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Resting
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 48 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 345 kcal
Simit are the bread rings sold from street carts and bakeries across Türkiye, eaten at any hour and often with tea. The dough is firm and plain, and the character comes from the coating: a quick dip in grape molasses thinned with water, then a thick roll in sesame seeds. In a hot oven the molasses caramelizes and gives the crust its color and a faint sweetness. Make them small enough to eat with one hand.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the water and oil and knead for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough will be fairly firm.
- Cover and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, until nearly doubled.
- Heat the oven to 230°C (450°F) with a rack in the middle, and line two baking trays with baking paper.
- Whisk the grape molasses with the warm water in a wide bowl. Tip the sesame seeds into a second shallow dish.
- Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a rope about 60 cm (24 inches) long, fold it in half, twist the two strands together and pinch the ends to close the ring.
- Dip each ring in the molasses mixture and let the excess drip off, then roll it in the sesame seeds until fully coated. Place on the trays, well apart.
- Let the rings rest for 15 minutes, then bake for 15 to 18 minutes, swapping the trays halfway, until deep golden brown with a crisp crust.
- Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Simit are best the same day, while still warm.
Tips
- No grape molasses? Thin date syrup or carob syrup with warm water instead. The crust will be a little sweeter but still brown nicely.
- Put a baking pan of hot water on the oven floor while the rings bake. The steam helps the crust turn glossy and crisp.
Questions and answers
How do I keep simit crisp?
Eat them fresh. If you must store them, keep them uncovered in a paper bag for a day, then refresh in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 5 minutes.
Can I freeze simit?
Yes. Freeze fully cooled rings in a bag for up to 2 months, then warm them straight from frozen in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
What do you eat simit with?
On the street people eat them plain with tea. At breakfast they come with tomatoes, cucumbers and olives, and some bakeries split them and fill them with a spread.
How long does it take to make Simit (Turkish Sesame Bread Rings)?
About 48 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 18 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Simit (Turkish Sesame Bread Rings)?
About 345 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 56 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 345 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
