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Home » Desserts » Candies

Sesame Seed Bars Recipe

Published: Oct 23, 2020 · Modified: Oct 28, 2022 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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A delicious crunchy treat for sesame lovers made with few ingredients. Sesame candy bars is very popular across many Mediterranean countries
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Chewy sesame seeds bars are pretty much common in many Mediterranean countries with variety of names. From Pasteli in Greece to Semsemeyah in Egypt, this sesame honey candy is a great gluten free snack that can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

These sesame bars along with Turkish delights are so common in Egypt during religious celebrations.

A stack of sesame cany bars arranged on a white plate.

Why This Recipe Works

This is a foolproof recipe for sesame candy, no weird ingredients and no special equipment needed. So simple and requires only a handful of ingredients that are likely there in your pantry.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

  • Sesame seeds because this is a sesame candy, but let me expand here and say this recipe is made with almost any nut of your choice. I've seen this made with pistachios, almonds, cashews, peanuts, hazelnuts or a combination of nuts.
  • Sugar and honey are the main sweeteners here and make the glue to hold all the seeds together.
  • A little bit of water to help sugar dissolve in honey and the lime juice to help prevent crystallization.
  • Vanilla extract is optional, I just love vanilla and I add a little bit not to overwhelm the sesame flavor.

Recipe Instructions

A collage of three images for toasting sesame seeds.
  1. In a skillet over medium heat add sesame seeds.
  2. Toast until golden brown will take about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Pour the sesame seeds immediately in a well oiled bowl and set aside to cool down.
A collage of three images of making the honey syrup to make sesame bars.
  1. In saucepan over medium heat mix in sugar, honey, water, lime juice and vanilla if using.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 5minutes.
  3. Pour the honey mixture over the sesame and mix well to combine.
A collage of two images showing how to make sesame candy.
  1. Pour the mixture over the parchment paper.
  2. Wet your hands with water and shape the sesame mixture into a square with the thickness you prefer. Let it cool completely then cut into bars

Expert Tips

  • If you do not have sesame oil you can use vegetable oil.
  • You can toast the sesame seeds in the oven but I prefer the skillet method to keep them from browning too much.
  • You can actually use this recipe for a variety of nuts and seeds. Examples are pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds...etc.

Recipe FAQs

Are sesame seeds nuts?

If you are asking because of health issues, read this. Although I have a kid who is allergic to sesame, sesame seeds are not considered tree nuts.

Do sesame seeds need to be washed?

I actually never washed my sesame seeds before and I was so surprised that some people do. If you are afraid that you might burn the seeds though, you might want to wash them to reduce the likelihood of burning them.

Sesame bars on a parchment paper placed on a wooden board.
A stack of sesame cany bars arranged on a white plate.

Sesame Candy

A delicious crunchy treat for sesame lovers made with few ingredients. Sesame candy bars is very popular across many Mediterranean countries
4.77 from 17 votes
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Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Gluten Free, Halal
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 16
Calories: 138kcal
Author: Amira

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup sesame seeds (200g )
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g )
  • ½ cup honey (180g)
  • ½ teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
  • Sesame oil for brushing

Instructions

  • Generously brush a bowl with sesame oil.
  • Brush an 11”X17” parchment paper with sesame oil as well.
  • In a skillet or pan, over medium heat, add sesame seeds and toast until golden brown will take about 4-6 minutes. Stir with a spatula so the seeds will not burn.
  • Pour the sesame seeds immediately in the oiled bowl and set aside to cool down.
  • In saucepan over medium heat mix in sugar, honey, water, lime juice and vanilla if using.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 5minutes.
  • Pour the honey mixture over the sesame and mix well to combine.
  • Pour the mixture over the parchment paper. Wet your hands with water and shape the sesame mixture into a square with the thickness you prefer.
  • Let it cool completely then cut into bars with a sharp knife.
  • Store in an air tight container at room temperature and separated by well oiled parchment paper.

Notes

  • If you do not have sesame oil you can use vegetable oil.
  • You can toast the sesame seeds in the oven but I prefer the skillet method to keep them from browning too much.
  • You can actually use this recipe for a variety of nuts and seeds. Examples are pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds...etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 2mg
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First published Jan 5, 2014. Last updated October 23, 2020 with new recipe, images, step by step instructions and readability.

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About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jane Badr

    February 27, 2021 at 5:54 pm

    5 stars
    These sesame bars are to die for. Made them as a treat for my family and since then we cannot stop nibbling on them.

    Reply
    • Amira

      March 01, 2021 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks Jane, glad you liked it.

      Reply
  2. Marie

    February 20, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is one of my favorite, it is easy to make and is delicious. I like my bars thin to bite It reminds me of my childhood candy.

    Reply
    • Amira

      February 23, 2021 at 9:00 am

      Thank you so much Marie for your feedback, happy you liked it.

      Reply
  3. Peggy

    December 20, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    Can you make these into cookies?

    Reply
    • Amira

      December 22, 2020 at 11:33 am

      Peggy, you can spread them thin using a rolling pin and cut them with round cookie cutter if you would like.

      Reply
  4. Mrs B

    October 30, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    5 stars
    We made this yesterday to celebrate and it was so delicious. I made them thinner so I had like 20 pieces. My whole family enjoyed this. Thank you so much Amira.

    Reply
    • Amira

      October 30, 2020 at 10:58 pm

      Oh, this is awesome happy you liked them dear.

      Reply
  5. Angela Gagauf

    October 24, 2020 at 12:54 pm

    I would love to make the sesame candy but I want to cut back on sugar. Do you know if this can be made without sugar and only honey? I know that honey is a sweetener but adding an additional 1/2 cup of sugar is too much for me. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • Amira

      October 30, 2020 at 9:59 am

      Angela, I haven't tried that but here is what I have found after extensive search. Some say it does not work as it will not harden enough, others say you will need to boil the honey with a little lime juice until it reached the state of soft crack stage then add the sesame seeds. You might want to experiment with half or quarter the recipe first so you will not waste ingredients if you did not like it. I hope this helps.

      Reply
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I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
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