• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Unicorns in the Kitchen

Easy family approved recipes from our Kitchen to yours. Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes made easy with fresh ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
  • ×

    Home » Turkish Recipes

    Turkish Simit Recipe (Step-by-Step tutorial)

    Published: Feb 15, 2019 · Modified: Jan 12, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    8512 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Turkish simit is a delicious sesame crusted bread that' you can have for breakfast's perfect for any time of the day. Learn how to make traditional simit recipe at home with this step-by-step tutorial. 

    Turkish simit is a delicious sesame crusted bread that you can have for breakfast. Learn how to make traditional simit recipe at home with this step-by-step tutorial. 

    We love all kinds of Turkish recipes and you guys have been raving about them too! We've shown you how to make Turkish eggs (cilbir), Turkish pide bread and of course, lahmacun. Now it's time for one of the most iconic Turkish breads out there: Simit, a beautiful bread shapes like a ring, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.

    Table Of Contents:
    • What Is Simit?
    • How is Turkish simit different from bagels?
    • What Are Simit Ingredients?
    • How to make simit at home
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Turkish Recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    What Is Simit?

    Simit is a sesame crusted, circular bread from Turkey. Also known as Turkish bagel, Gevrek or Koulouri, this crusty bread is probably the most common bread in Turkey. It's usually served for breakfast and it always has a ring shape.

    Simit is usually sold in carts in Istanbul and the people who sell them are called simitci. They sometimes slice the simit in half and spread cheese to make it into a complete breakfast.

    As you probably know by now, I lived in Istanbul for a few years and it's my second home. Once we moved to the US, one thing that I was missing the most was simit. We could barely find it in some Turkish and Mediterranean shops but they were usually frozen which were nowhere close to the freshly baked ones we used to get. That's why we now make our own Turkish simit at home. 

    Place the leftover simits in a plastic bag and tie a knot to make sure it's not in contact with air. You can also wrap them in a cloth and place them in a bread box.

    How is Turkish simit different from bagels?

    Probably the only similarity between simit and bagels is that they're both circular. Simit is not as thick and it's crustier than bagel. The texture of simit is lighter compared to bagels and traditionally, they're fully coated in sesame seeds. 

    What makes this Turkish bread different than any other bread out there is that it's dipped in a molasses and water mixture before being rolled in a pool of sesame seeds.

    What Are Simit Ingredients?

    To make simit you need flour, yeast, sugar, salt, olive oil and sesame seeds.

    There are so many recipes for this transitional Turkish bread out there and some have ingredients as simple as flour, water and yeast. It took us a few tries to perfect this recipe for simit and get it as close to the ones you would find in a Turkish bakery. 

    Like many other bread recipes out there, a classic simit recipe calls for the following ingredients:

    • Flour: You can use all purpose flour or bread flour. Whole wheat flour would make the simit a bit tough therefore I don't recommend using it.
    • Yeast: If using instant yeast, simply add it to the dry ingredients. However, if using active dry yeast, you need to activate it in warm water (between 105 and 110 degrees F).
    • Salt and sugar: Use kosher salt or table salt and granulated sugar.
    • Vegetable oil: You can use canola oil or olive oil as well.
    • Molasses and sesame seeds: These are used to coat the simit before baking. You can use classic molasses, grape or mulberry molasses that you can find in Mediterranean or middle eastern shops. The molasses and water combination gives this circular bread that unique brown color complimented by a very slight sweetness. 

    How to make simit at home

    • Start by placing the flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Add in warm water and vegetable oil. Make sure the water is not too hot or too cold. The water you use to make bread should be warm to touch. 
    • Mix using the dough hook until the dough comes together and is a little sticky. If the dough is too sticky and sticks to the bowl, start adding the 5th cup of flour one tablespoon at a time. You will probably need only 2 or 3 tablespoons of flour. 
    • Once the dough has come together and is a little sticky, it's time to knead the dough. Knead the simit dough using a dough hook for about 8 minutes until it's not sticky anymore. Cover the bowl and let it rise for 1.5 hours until it doubles in size. 
    Start by placing 4 cups of flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a stand mixer bowl. Add in warm water and vegetable oil.
    • Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds and in a shallow and wide dish (like a pie dish) whisk together the molasses and water. 
    • After 1.5 hours, check on the simit dough which must have doubled by now. Carefully punch in down and knead it for a few seconds. Divide the dough into 16 pieces.
    • Roll out two of the dough pieces into 25 inch tubes each. Place them parallel to each other and roll in opposite directions to make a twist (check out the step-by-step photos). Meet and pinch the ends on both sides together to form a circle. Repeat with the remaining 14 pieces to make 7 more simits. An alternative method would be to divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll out to have a 40-45 inch tube, then fold it and twist it. 
    Roll out two of the dough pieces into 25 inch tubes each. Place them parallel to each other and roll in opposite directions to make a twist
    • Dip each twisted dough in the molasses and water combination and make sure it's covered on both sides. Then dip them in toasted sesame seeds and ensure they are fully coated. 
    • Let the dough circles rest for another 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake the simits in the oven for 12-15 minutes until they are brown and fully baked. 
    Dip each twisted dough in the molasses and water combination and make sure it's covered on both sides. Then dip them in toasted sesame seeds and ensure they are fully coated. 

    Serving Suggestions

    Simit is traditionally served for breakfast with white (feta) cheese or labneh, cucumbers and tomatoes as well as menemen, shakshuka and cilbir (Turkish eggs in garlic yogurt sauce).

    Sometimes, you can find simit sandwiches made with cheese such as kaşar or mozzarella plus some tomatoes. It's also common to have simit on its own as a snack or with a glass of cold Ayran (Turkish yogurt drink).

    That being said, you can serve this round sesame bread with almost any kind of cheese you like. We also love having it with jam or chocolate spreads, needless to say that tahini and molasses is another favorite spread that compliments this Turkish bread very nicely. 

    We also love having it with jam or chocolate spreads, needless to say that tahini and molasses is another favorite spread that compliments this Turkish bread very nicely. 

    Storage

    Storing bread is very important especially when it comes to homemade bread. Because they don't contain any preservatives, homemade bread can go bad easily if you don't store it properly. You can use a plastic bag to store simits.
    Place the leftover simits in a plastic bag and tie a knot to make sure it's not in contact with air. You can also wrap them in a cloth and place them in a bread box. Simit usually lasts for about 2-3 days, however I prefer to have it fresh. You can also reheat leftover simit in the oven or toaster right before serving.

    You can also freeze simit. To do so, place the simit in a freezer safe bag and seal it tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, defrost in the fridge overnight and the reheat in the oven or toaster.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make this recipe without a stand mixer?

    If you own a stand mixer, definitely use it for this recipe. However, if you don't own one, simply use a large bowl and a wooden spoon (and later your hands) to make simit. Both approaches work for this traditional Turkish bread recipe. 

    Can I make this bread without sesame seeds?

    Sesame is the main flavor of this bread so use it generously. You can always store and use the leftover sesame seeds. These days you can also find simits coated with sunflower seeds or oatmeal, but the classic version always has sesame seeds.

    My simit turned out tough and not soft on the inside, what went wrong?

    The main reason could be that you've added more flour than you need. Start with 4 cups of all purpose flour and add more flour (1 cup maximum) one tablespoon at a time. 

    Sesame is the main flavor of this bread so use it generously. You can always store and use the leftover sesame seeds.

    More Turkish Recipes

    • Turkish Borek Recipe (Sigara Borek)
    • Turkish Bulgur Pilaf Recipe
    • Gozleme Recipe (Turkish Stuffed Flatbread)
    • Turkish Pide Bread (Ramazan Pidesi)

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Turkish Simit Recipe

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    Turkish simit is a delicious sesame crusted bread that you can have for breakfast. Learn how to make traditional simit recipe at home with this step-by-step tutorial. 
    4.70 from 102 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 45 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Resting time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine Mediterranean, Turkish
    Servings 8
    Calories 464 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 teaspoon instant yeast
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 4 cups all purpose flour plus 2-3 tablespoon more if needed
    • 1 ½ cup warm water
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • ¼ cup grape molasses
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 ½ cup sesame seeds toasted

    Instructions
     

    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix sugar, yeast, 4 cups flour and salt. 
    • Add in warm water and vegetable oil. Mix using the dough hook until the dough comes together and is a bit sticky. If the dough is not coming together, add 2-3 tablespoons all purpose flour. 
    • Knead the dough using the dough hook for about 8 minutes until it's no longer sticky. Cover and let it rise for 1.5 hours until it doubles in size. 
    • Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a pan. And mix the molasses with ½ cup water. 
    • After 1.5 hours, punch the dough down and divide it into 16 pieces. Roll out 2 pieces into 25 inch tubes each and lay them parallel to each other.  
    • Roll the tubes in opposite directions to make a twist. Meet the ends and pinch them together to make a ring. Repeat with the remaining 14 pieces to make 7 more rings. 
    • Dip each ring in molasses and water mixture then in sesame seeds and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 
    • Cover loosely and let it rise for another 20 minutes. 
    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 
    • Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until the simits are brown and fully cooked. 

    Video

    Notes

    • Storage: Place the leftover simits in a plastic bag and tie a knot to make sure it's not in contact with air. You can also wrap them in a cloth and place them in a bread box. Simit usually lasts for about 2-3 days, however I prefer to have it fresh. You can also reheat leftover simit in the oven right before serving. You can also freeze them for several months. 
    • If molasses is not available, use honey instead. 
    • If you own a stand mixer, definitely use it for this recipe. However, if you don't own one, simply use a large bowl and a wooden spoon (and later your hands) to make simit. Both approaches work for this traditional Turkish bread recipe. 
    • You can use olive oil instead of vegetable oil for this recipe if preferred. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 13gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 297mgPotassium: 227mgFiber: 6gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 285mgIron: 7mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
    « Cinnamon Apple Monkey Bread From Scratch
    Pecan and Brie Phyllo Cups »
    8512 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Garcea

      February 20, 2023 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      This Simit bread turned out AMAZING! Beautiful crispy crust and nutty sesame flavoured with just a hint of sweetness from the carmelized molasses. I love working with yeast breads and this is such a simple straight forward recipe. Can’t wait to do another batch. My Italian husband loved them!

      Reply
    2. Trish

      February 09, 2023 at 11:19 pm

      5 stars
      I followed this recipe exactly and the result was sensational. I made the simit for my Kurdish friends (very brave of me) and they lost their minds. Even insisted on taking some home for their Mum to try. Next day they reported that Mum refused to believe that an Anglo-Australian had made them they were so good and authentic. This is a GREAT recipe.

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        February 11, 2023 at 11:54 pm

        Thank you Trish for your comment! I'm so happy to know everyone loved it!

        Reply
    3. Phoebe

      November 03, 2022 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      I love making different kinds of homemade bread for my family. I can’t wait to try this one!

      Reply
    4. Katie

      November 03, 2022 at 11:13 am

      5 stars
      I love the nuttiness that the seeds on top add! Delicious every time.

      Reply
    5. Gina Abernathy

      August 29, 2022 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      I've never heard of this bread before but it sounds wonderful and it's made with simple ingredients.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Unicorns in the Kitchen, where we share delicious recipes from our kitchen to yours. You’re in for a delicious adventure and collection of unique and tasty recipes.

    Read more...

    Readers Favorites!

    • Turkish Bulgur Pilaf Recipe
    • Easy Lavash Bread Recipe
    • Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip)
    • Greek Eggplant Moussaka Recipe

    Latest Recipes

    • Harissa grilled chicken thighs
      Harissa Grilled Chicken Thighs
    • Mediterranean grilled pizza recipe.
      Mediterranean Grilled Pizza Recipe
    • Our best chickpea recipes.
      Our Best Chickpea Recipes
    • Harissa is a classic Tunisian paste that's very spicy.
      Homemade Harissa Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • About US

    All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or recipes without prior permission. Read about privacy policy and copyright Here. Our site contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting.

    Copyright 2019, All rights reserved.
    Read about privacy policy and copyright Here.