Turkish Simit (twisted sesame seed rings) – an easy Mediterranean recipe for Turkish street food bread – twisted rings coated with sesame seeds and sweetened by carob molasses. Sometimes called Turkish bagels, these simple bread rings are ideal for breakfast, brunch or as a snack on the go.
Today we’re baking up a real treat: Turkish simit, those golden, twisted bread rings you can spot in bakeries and street stalls from Istanbul to Athens, Cyprus to Sofia. No butter, no milk – just beautifully simple dough that bakes into something soft, delicate, and downright delicious.
I’ve seen simit bread rings (or if you prefer bagels) everywhere growing up, even sold from trolleys on the streets. What makes them special is their flavor: a gentle sweetness from molasses paired with the nutty crunch of toasted sesame seeds. Absolute magic, if you ask me.
Traditionally, simit is a breakfast or brunch favorite, but truthfully, it goes with just about anything – cheese, yoghurt, a glass of milk, even bacon if you fancy a twist. However you have it, it’s a bite of the Mediterranean morning right at your table.
Also check out my recipe for these super easy Polish Cinnamon Twists that are pretty much addictive.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Simit Bread Twisted Buns
- While unbleached flour – all purpose flour or I like to use type 00 Italian flour.
- Water (or low fat cow’s milk)
- Olive oil
- Fresh yeast (2 tsp dried yeast)
- pinch of brown sugar
- pinch of salt (sea salt)
Topping
- liquid carob molasses (can use fig molasses too) – gives the buns that sweet crunch
- water (for mixing with molasses if too thick)
- wholesome sesame seeds (fresh) – for topping
HOW TO MAKE Turkish SIMIT?
1st: mix all ingredients for the dough. The dough should be soft and not sticky. Let it sit to double its size. Then, divide the dough in six equal parts. Each part should be subsequently divided in two. Make long sticks, equal in length. Twist them around each other. Then let the two ends meet.
2nd: Next, place on parchment paper until the dough is used. In two separate bowl add the molasses & water mix, and sesame seeds. Dip first in molasses, then in sesame seeds to cover all parts of the buns.
3rd: Finally, place on parchment paper and bake in preheated oven. Watch how to make them below recipe card.
Simit (Turkish Sesame Seed Twisted Bread)
Equipment
- robot mixer optional
Ingredients
Simit Bread Twisted Buns
- 500 g while unbleached flour
- 300 ml lukewarm water (or low fat cow's milk)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 10 g fresh yeast (2 tsp dried yeast)
- pinch of brown sugar
- pinch of salt (Himalayan pink)
Topping
- 1/2 cup liquid carob molasses (can use fig too)
- 1/2 cup water (for mixing with molasses if too thick
- 1 cup wholesome sesame seeds (fresh)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl add crumbled fresh yeast, pinch of brown sugar and 4 tbsp. of the lukewarm water. Cover for 10-15 min and let yeast activate (until it gets bubbly).
- In a large mixing bowl add flour, remaining water, pinch of salt and olive oil. When yeast activates add to the mix as well. Using hands/ kitchen robot form a soft non-sticky dough. Let the dough sit for an hour ( more or less until it doubles in size).
- Divide the dough in six (6) parts. Then additionally divide each piece in two. Make two long (equal in length) dough sticks.
- Then swirl around each other (see photos above) and form a ring. Press sides to avoid breakage during baking. Repeat until dough is used up.
- In a large bowl add molasses and water and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl add sesame seeds. Dip each simit ring in molasses, then in sesame seeds (cover both sides).
- Place on baking paper and let rise for 20-30 minutes. Then bake in preheated oven (360F/180C) for about 15-20 minutes or until golden. Let cool and enjoy with some milk, butter or even jam.
Nutrition
WATCH HOW TO MAKE TURKISH SIMIT – Video
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