How to Toast Sesame Seeds

Toast on the stove. If you don't find any dirt or small pebbles mixed with the sesame seeds, you can directly place them in the pan. Toast the sesame seeds over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally; toast for about two to three minutes or until the seeds turn brown, shiny, and you may hear a popping sound or see some seeds jump up.

• Do not add oil to the pan.
• If you want the seeds to have a richer flavor, consider toasting them for a longer time until they're well-roasted.

Roasting sesame seeds. Another method is to preheat the oven to 175ºC and spread the sesame seeds evenly on a baking sheet without any oil. Roast until the seeds turn light brown, shaking the pan gently every few minutes to ensure even heat distribution. This process typically takes between 8 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sesame layer.

• Use a baking sheet with raised edges to prevent spillage.
• Sesame seeds can burn very quickly if the temperature is too high. Stay in the kitchen and check them frequently to avoid burning.

Cooling the sesame seeds. Once the sesame seeds are roasted using one of the methods above, transfer them to a cold baking sheet and let them cool down to room temperature. Seeds placed on a metal surface will cool faster compared to those on plastic or glass surfaces.

Choosing between shelled or unshelled sesame seeds. Unshelled sesame seeds have a hard, opaque outer shell and range in color from white to black. Shelled seeds consist only of the inner part and are always white, almost translucent and shiny. You can roast either type of seed, but unshelled ones will be crunchier and have a slightly different flavor. Seeds with their shells contain more calcium but are harder to digest unless ground, and this method preserves their nutritional value.

• Although you can soak unshelled sesame seeds overnight and then remove the shells by hand, this process requires considerable effort and is rarely done at home. Both types of seeds are available in markets and supermarkets.

Washing sesame seeds. Rinse the sesame seeds using a fine-mesh strainer under running water until the water runs clear. If the seeds are freshly harvested or the rinse water looks particularly dirty, you should stir the seeds in a bowl for a few minutes and then let them settle. Discard the floating dirt and allow the impurities to sink to the bottom.

• Washing will not affect the nutritional content of the sesame seeds. Some people prefer soaking sesame seeds overnight to allow them to sprout, improving the digestion of certain nutrients. However, sprouted seeds are typically eaten raw rather than roasted.

Toast the sesame seeds over high heat until they are dry. Place the cleaned sesame seeds in a dry pan on high heat. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon but keep a close watch, as they can easily burn when roasted at high temperatures. This process usually takes around 10 minutes. Once the seeds are dry, you will notice a different sound while stirring, and there will be no moisture left in the pan.

Turn the heat down to medium. Continue stirring the sesame seeds for another 7 to 8 minutes. When they are done, the seeds will turn a light brown color, become shiny, and some may pop or bounce in the pan.

• Take a few sesame seeds with a spoon and squeeze them between your fingers. The toasted seeds can easily be crushed into powder and will taste richer than raw sesame seeds.

Allow the sesame seeds to cool and store them. Spread the roasted seeds on a metal baking sheet and let them cool to room temperature. Immediately store any unused seeds in a sealed jar or container and keep them in the refrigerator or freezer.

• Sesame seeds stored in the fridge or freezer can last up to a year, although their flavor will gradually diminish over time. Toasting the seeds briefly before using them can help preserve their aroma.

Sprinkle them on finished dishes. Sesame seeds are a key ingredient in many global cuisines, from Korea to Lebanon. You can sprinkle roasted sesame seeds on almost any dish, including vegetables, salads, rice, or desserts.

• Another option is to grind the sesame seeds using a food processor, blender, or mortar and pestle if you prefer a finer powder, or if you want to blend more seeds into smoothies.
• Quickly add flavor by mixing the sesame seeds with sugar, salt, or black pepper.

Prepare tahini sauce. To make tahini sauce, you only need to add one more ingredient: vegetable oil. Olive oil is a common choice due to its inherent richness, but you can substitute it with sesame oil or canola oil for a more intense sesame flavor. Simply add toasted sesame seeds to a food processor and blend, adding a tablespoon of oil at a time until the mixture reaches a smooth, thick consistency without being runny.

• Take an additional step to transform the tahini sauce into hummus sauce.

Use it in desserts. Toasted sesame seeds enhance the flavor of cookies and can safely be used in gluten-free recipes. In many parts of the world, toasted sesame seeds are combined with butter and sugar or honey to create sweets like sesame brittle.

Incorporate sesame seeds into other recipes. Try adding a pinch of sesame seeds to fried meat dishes, mixing in a tablespoon of sesame seeds into stir-fries a few minutes before finishing, or stir them into a salad dressing.

• Even pre-roasted sesame seeds (such as bokkeun-khae or bokkeum-khae available in Korean stores) should be toasted for a few minutes to enhance their natural flavor. This is particularly helpful if the seeds have become damp during storage.

• Ensure that the temperature isn't too high when roasting sesame seeds, as they may burn and become scorched.

• Frying Pan
• Sealed Container/Box
• Funnel (optional, only to make pouring sesame seeds easier)