Toasting sesame seeds enhances their nutty aroma, deepens their flavor, and adds a delicious crunch to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re using them for garnishing, baking, or seasoning, learning how to toast sesame seeds properly will elevate your cooking.
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What are sesame seeds?
Sesame seeds are tiny seeds from the Sesamum indicum plant.
They come in a number of varieties, including white, black and golden.
Commonly used in Asian, Middle Eastern, and African cuisines, sesame seeds add crunch, flavor, and aroma to both sweet and savory dishes.
The seeds can be eaten as a whole, ground into a powder, or turned into a savory sesame paste, which is used as a creamy sauce for Japanese spinach salad (goma-ae), Chinese dan dan noodles, or a sweet sesame paste used in dessert soups or fillings for mochi.
Why toast sesame seeds?
Boosts flavor: toasting sesame seeds brings out its natural oils, making them more fragrant and flavorful.
Adds texture: lightly crisp and crunchy, perfect for sprinkling over dishes, or adding a crust to fried eggs.
Versatile: use the toasted seeds as a garnish for rice, noodles, protein, or baked goods such as Chinese bbq pork buns.
Equipment you'll need
- dry frying pan or large baking sheet
- spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients you'll need
- raw sesame seeds: white or black: you can find raw sesame seeds at bulk food stores or Asian supermarkets.
Did you know
Chinese sesame paste (zhi ma jiang) is made from heavily toasted sesame seeds, whereas Middle Eastern tahini paste is made from raw or lightly toasted sesame seeds.
How to toast sesame seeds
Stovetop: (Best for small batches)
Heat a dry skillet or pan over medium-low heat.
Add the sesame seeds in a single layer, ensuring they’re evenly spread.
Stir frequently with a spatula or wooden spoon for 3-5 minutes, until they turn golden brown and fragrant.
Once toasted, immediately transfer the seeds to a bowl and let completely cool before storing.
Oven: (Best for larger batches)
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
Spread the sesame seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for 5-10 minutes, keeping an eye on it and shaking the tray halfway through for even toasting.
Remove from oven once golden brown and aromatic.
Let cool before storing.
How to use
Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over steamed rice or fried rice, spinach salad, spicy pork bulgogi, sushi rolls, noodles, or buns and various Asian baked goods.
Take the toasted seeds and turn it into sesame paste, creamy tahini, or add to various condiments such as chili oil, furikake, shichimi togarashi, or even matcha salt.
How to store
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
Expert tips
Don't walk away! Sesame seeds toast quickly and can burn very quickly.
Stir frequently when using the stovetop method to prevent uneven toasting.
You can easily scale up or scale down for larger or smaller batches.
Note: If toasting only black sesame seeds, add a little white sesame seeds to the mix. Since the seeds are black, it's hard to know when they turn golden. When the white sesame seeds turn golden in color, you'll know the black sesame seeds are ready.
Other recipes you may like using sesame seeds
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How to Toast Sesame Seeds
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- ½ C raw sesame seeds white or black
Instructions
Stovetop: (Best for small batches)
- Heat a dry skillet or pan over medium-low heat.
- Add the sesame seeds in a single layer, ensuring they’re evenly spread.
- Stir frequently with a spatula or wooden spoon for 3-5 minutes, until they turn golden brown and fragrant.
- Once toasted, immediately transfer the seeds to a bowl and let completely cool before storing in a clean jar or container.
Oven: (Best for larger batches)
- Preheat oven to 325°F/163°C.
- Spread the sesame seeds in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
- Bake for 5-10 minutes, keeping an eye on it and shaking the tray halfway through for even toasting.
- Remove from oven once golden brown and aromatic.
- Let cool before storing.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
David @ Spiced
Great guide! I use a dry skillet to toast nuts, too. Back in the day, I used to pay more to buy toasted sesame seeds, but toasting them at home is easy!
Michelle
Thanks David! Yes, it's much more economical to buy the large bulk bags of raw sesame seeds and toast them up yourself 🙂