• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Give Recipe logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Most Popular Turkish Recipes » Turkish Simit Recipe

    Published: Mar 28, 2021 by Zerrin & Yusuf

    Turkish Simit Recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    Simit, also known as Turkish bagel, is the most famous street food in Turkey. It is crunchy and nutty on the outside and soft and a little chewy on the inside. Freshly baked simits make the best breakfast bread in this world!

    Close shot of a simit bread with a golden color coated with sesame seeds on a dark background.

    Simit is one of our favorite Turkish bread recipes. We’ve shared several other breads so far. If you love baking breads, check out our pide bread recipe, lavash recipe and flatbread bazlama!

    Jump to:
    • What Is Simit?
    • More Turkish Savory Pastries
    • Ingredients
    • What Type of Molasses?
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing & Reheating
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Bread Recipes
    • More Turkish Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    What Is Simit?

    Simit is a very popular Turkish food mostly eaten as a breakfast food. It is known as the meal of the busy people or poor people because it is the cheapest street food in Turkey. We pair it with a glass of Turkish tea for breakfast and with yogurt drink ayran for lunch.

    As for the meaning; the Turkish word simit got an entry in Oxford dictionary in 2019 and is described as follows: A type of ring-shaped bread roll originating in Turkey, typically coated with molasses and encrusted with sesame seeds before baking. 

    It's often described as Turkish bagel due to its circular shape and sesame seed coating. However, the comparison mostly ends there. 

    Simit has a unique taste and texture that distinguishes it from a bagel. It is generally lighter, crispier, and flakier on the outside, while remaining soft on the inside. The dough is sweetened with grape molasses and coated in toasted sesame seeds, giving it a distinctly sweet and nutty flavor.

    Oh and if you don't have time to learn how to make simit, look for a store called Simit Sarayı around you. It is a chain store selling various types of simit all around the world. If you can't find it, then you have to give this simit recipe a try at home!

    Bread For Breakfast

    Simit bread is the best grab-and-go breakfast for many working people and students during weekdays in Turkey. They mostly buy simit and cheese together either on the way to work/school or at their workplace/school.

    There is always a simit vendor you can find nearby. They sell fresh sesame simits and small packages of cream cheese together in their small carts. And you buy a simit and a cheese together for the quickest breakfast ever. 

    Simits are also a staple for a traditional Turkish breakfast. Make the world-famous menemen or Turkish eggs çilbir and serve with some crispy simits. You will feel in heaven!

    More Turkish Savory Pastries

    • Biberli Ekmek (Pepper Bread)
    • Cheese Borek
    • Pogacha Recipe
    • Sigara Borek Recipe
    • Kusbasili Pide Recipe Homemade

    Ingredients

    You need a simple dough and a sweet nutty coating for a tasty simit recipe. Here is a breakdown of the ingredients needed:

    Sesame seeds, flour, grape molasses, instant yeast, water and salt all in separate bowls on a grey background.

    For the Dough:

    1. Flour: The type of flour you choose can affect the texture of your simit. All-purpose flour is commonly used in this recipe, but you could also use bread flour for a chewier texture. The amount of protein in flour is important to have the right flavor in simit, it should be 13 or more. 
    2. Dry Instant Yeast: It's designed to be mixed directly into dry ingredients without needing to be dissolved in water first. This yeast becomes active more quickly, and it allows dough to rise faster compared to other yeast types. If you prefer using active dry yeast, on the other hand, you should dissolve it in warm water (usually about 110-115°F or 43-46°C) before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. 
    3. Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the simit and strengthens the gluten structure of the dough, leading to a better texture. 
    4. Lukewarm Water: Water is needed to combine the dry ingredients into a dough, and the warmth helps to activate the yeast. 

    For the Coating:

    1. Molasses: This is used to stick the sesame seeds onto the simit. It also imparts a slightly sweet, complex flavor. Try to find grape or date molasses. Read our note below to learn more about the molasses used in simit recipes.
    2. Water: This is used to thin the molasses a bit, making it easier to coat the simit.
    3. Flour: A little flour is added to the molasses mixture to create a thicker coating that adheres better to the dough. There isn't really a good substitute for this.
    4. Toasted Sesame Seeds: These are what give the simit its distinctive appearance and flavor. Toasting the seeds beforehand enhances their flavor. If you can't find them toasted, you can toast sesame seeds in a large non-stick pan over medium heat until golden. Make sure to stir constantly. It should take about 20 minutes.

    What Type of Molasses?

    Traditional Turkish simit uses grape molasses (üzüm pekmezi), which is a thick, sweet syrup. This gives the simit its unique flavor and helps sesame seeds adhere to the dough.

    Alternatives:

    If grape molasses isn't available, date molasses can serve as a good substitute, providing a slightly different but still enjoyable flavor.

    Outside Turkey, regular molasses, made typically from sugar cane or sugar beet, is more common and can be used as an alternative, although it will alter the traditional taste of your simit.

    Avoid using pomegranate molasses, as its sour taste doesn't suit this recipe. It is a sour condiment used in salad dressings. 

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Here's a step-by-step guide to making traditional Turkish simit:

    Making the Dough:

    1. Start by whisking together the flour, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
    2. Gradually add in the warm water, mixing with your hand as you go. Continue to knead the mixture for about 5 minutes, until it forms a smooth, elastic, and non-sticky dough.
    3. If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook, you can also use it for this step to save some effort.
    4. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and leave the dough to rise in a warm place. This should take about 1 hour, and the dough should roughly double in size.

    Preparing the Coating:

    1. While the dough is rising, prepare the coating. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the molasses, water, and flour until well combined. Set this aside for later use.
    2. Put the sesame seeds in another separate bowl. If the sesame seeds are raw, make sure to toast them lightly in a dry pan beforehand to bring out their flavor. Set this bowl aside as well.

    Shaping the Simit Dough:

    1. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the gas. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface.
    2. Shape the dough into a log and cut it into 6 equal pieces. Then cut each of these pieces in half, giving you a total of 12 pieces.
    3. Take two pieces of dough and roll them out into ropes, each about 20 inches (50 cm) long.
    4. Lay these two ropes side by side, and pinch the ends together to secure them.
    5. Twist the two ropes in opposite directions to create a braided effect.
    6. Once the ropes are fully twisted, connect the two ends by pinching them together to form a ring shape. This is your basic simit shape.
    7. Repeat this process with the remaining dough pieces.

    Coating the Simit Dough and Baking:

    1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. One by one, soak each simit ring in the molasses mixture, making sure it's fully coated. Then, transfer it to the bowl of sesame seeds and turn it to cover all sides.
    3. After coating, place each simit on the lined baking sheet.
    4. Bake the simits in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-browning.
    Braided ring shaped simit dough on brown baking sheet from front view, more on the back.
    Simit dough coated with molasses and sesame seeds on a baking paper lined baking sheet from front view and more simits behind it.
    Whole wheat simits on a wooden board from front view, a glass of Turkish tea, tomatoes and cucumbers beking them.

    Note: You can use whole wheat flour in this simit recipe as we have done before. Please see the images below. They turn out a bit harder and crunchier but still tastes good.

    Tips & Tricks

    • Use toasted sesame seeds for a good simit taste. If you can’t find them toasted at the market, toast them yourself beforehand. To do this, heat a non-stick pan and toast the sesame seeds by stirring occasionally until light brown and you feel that nutty flavor.
    • In the coating mixture, don’t leave the flour out. It gives a consistency and helps the mixture stick on the dough ring.
    • For a crunchier result, just like we do when baking bread, spray some water into the oven right after you put the prepared dough rings in the oven.
    Turkish style bagels coated with sesame seeds called simit on a wire rack on a dark background.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can eat simits in several ways:

    1. Eat them as they are, just pairing with a drink like tea or ayran.
    2. You can prepare a sandwich. Cut it into two lengthwise. Place cheese, tomatoes and lettuce leaves in between. Or you can even make a chocolate sandwich with it. Just spread some nutella between two halves and enjoy!
    3. You can use chopped simit as a topping on your soups like Turkish lentil soup. You can even make croutons. Just heat simit pieces in a pan over the stove or in a baking sheet in the oven until crunchy. Sprinkle some on your soup, you will love it.
    4. Just like crackers or tortilla chips, you can eat simit with your dips. Get a piece and dip it into spicy acuka sauce, hummus or haydari meze! YUM!

    Storing & Reheating

    Storing:

    Freshly baked simit can be kept at room temperature for up to two days. Wrap them in a clean cloth or store them in a bread box to keep them from drying out.

    For longer storage, they can be stored in the refrigerator. Place them in a plastic bag or wrap them in plastic wrap to prevent them from absorbing other flavors in the fridge. They can last for about a week this way.

    For the longest shelf life, simits can be frozen. Wrap each individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer.

    Reheating:

    When you're ready to eat your stored simit, it's best to reheat them to recreate the fresh-out-of-the-oven experience. Here's how:

    Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F). Place the simit directly on the oven rack and heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until warm and slightly crispy.

    If the simit is frozen, there's no need to thaw it first. Just extend the reheating time to about 15-20 minutes.

    Alternatively, you can reheat them in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How does a simit taste?

    It tastes nutty with a subtle sweetness, so it is considered as a savory food and mostly paired with other savory foods.

    Are simits vegan?

    Yes they are. No eggs or dairy products are used in the recipe. Never.

    Is simit a bagel?

    No it isn’t. Although they look similar in shape, the taste is different because of two reasons. 1)Simits are not boiled like bagels, they are only baked in a very hot oven. 2)Unlike bagels, simits are coated with a generous amount of toasted sesame seeds. This is what makes them unique.

    How do you reheat simits?

    You can reheat them either in the oven or in a pan over medium low heat. 

    Can I freeze them?

    Yes, you can freeze simits for several months and reheat them whenever you want to eat.

    1 Simit 1 Cheese Please | giverecipe.com

    More Bread Recipes

    • Homemade Yeast Rolls
    • Bread Without Yeast

    More Turkish Recipes

    • Chicken Doner Kebab
    • Imambayildi Recipe
    • Kumpir

    As always: If you make this recipe, let us know what you think by rating it and leaving a comment below. And post a pic on Instagram too—tag @give_recipe so we can see!

    Sign up for the FREE GiveRecipe Newsletter to get the new recipes into your inbox! And stay in touch with us on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram for all the latest updates.

    📖 Recipe

    Simits on a cooling rack on a dark background.
    4.91 from 11 votes

    Turkish Simit Recipe

    By Zerrin & Yusuf
    Simit is a crunchy, ring shaped, braided street bread with an amazing nutty flavor of toasted sesame seeds.
    Yields: 6 pieces
    PRINT PIN
    PREP 45 minutes mins
    COOK 20 minutes mins
    TOTAL 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

    INGREDIENTS
      

    For the Dough:

    • 500 g flour
    • 2 teaspoons dry instant yeast
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 300 ml water lukewarm

    For The Coating:

    • ½ cup molasses grape or date
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon flour
    • 300 g sesame seeds toasted

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    Make the dough:

    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast and salt.
    • Gradually pour in the water and mix it with your hand. Knead it for 5 minutes or until you get a smooth and non-sticky, elastic dough.
    • Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
    • Cover it and let it rise for about 1 hour, until it doubles in size.

    Prepare the coating:

    • In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the molasses, water and flour. Set it aside.
    • Put the sesame seeds in another bowl. Put it aside. If the sesame seeds are raw, toast them in a pan beforehand.

    Shape the simit dough:

    • When the dough doubles in size after 1 hour, punch it down and transfer on a floured surface. Shape it into a log and cut it into 6 equal pieces. And then cut each piece into two. You will have 12 pieces in total.
    • Grab two pieces and roll them into a rope, 20 inches/50cm in length.
    • Put these side by side and stick the ends by pinching.
    • Twist in opposite directions to make a braid.
    • Combine the two ends by pinching them together and make a ring.
    • Repeat this for the remaining dough balls.

    Coat the simit dough and bake:

    • Preheat the oven at 425C/220C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and put it aside.
    • Soak the simit ring into the molasses mixture first and then put it into the sesame seed bowl. Transfer onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden. 

    Video

    NOTES

    1. The amount of protein in flour is important to have the right flavor in simit, it must be 13 or more. We searched for the right flour at the market, but it wasn’t very easy, so we had to visit a few markets and finally found one with 14. Check out its label before buying!
    2. Use toasted sesame seeds for a good simit taste. If you can’t find them toasted at the market, toast them yourself beforehand. To do this, heat a non-stick pan and toast the sesame seeds by stirring occasionally until light brown and you feel that nutty flavor.
    3. In the coating mixture, don’t leave the flour out. It gives a consistency and helps the mixture stick on the dough ring.For a crunchier result, just like we do when baking bread, spray some water into the oven right after you put the prepared dough rings in the oven.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 689kcalCarbohydrates: 99gProtein: 19gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 410mgPotassium: 773mgFiber: 9gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 561mgIron: 13mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    ADDITIONAL INFO

    Course Bread
    Cuisine Turkish
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below!

    You might also like:

    • A close shot of Turkish baklava with ground pistachios piled on a plate and a glass of Turkish tea behind these.
      Best Turkish Desserts
    • Menemen in a pan and a piece of bread in it.
      Menemen Recipe
    • Golden brown pogaca with sesame seeds, one cut open showing a feta and herb filling, served with tea, olives, and cheese.
      Pogaca (Turkish Rolls) with Two Fillings
    • Spinach and cheese filled gozleme served in a stack on a white plate and a half of a cherry tomato on the side.
      Gozleme (Stuffed Turkish Flatbread)
    « Turkish Manti Dumplings (Turkish Ravioli)
    Vegetarian Cheese and Leek Quiche »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.91 from 11 votes

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

      Recipe Rating




    1. Kim says

      June 22, 2024 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      I am making these for the third time. They are so delicious, we like the crunchy outside and chewy inside. I had to use regular molasses as I could not find the pomegranate or date in our grocery store but the flavor is so good. They don't last long in our house!

      Reply
      • Zerrin & Yusuf says

        June 22, 2024 at 10:49 pm

        Hi Kim,

        We are so happy to that you're enjoying our simit recipe! When you mention 'regular molasses,' we're not entirely sure what type you mean, but we usually recommend grape molasses or date molasses for the best results. Just a note, pomegranate molasses is quite different; it's sour and typically used in salad dressings rather than for baking.

        Reply
    2. Meredith says

      January 08, 2024 at 3:04 am

      Has anyone ever tried with gluten free flour?

      Reply
    3. AK says

      December 29, 2023 at 11:45 am

      The recipe has some ingredients' units of measurements in grams and ml, which is great (a whole lot easier to measure everything), but others are cups, teaspoons, and tablespoons - I tried converting the grams and ml to US and also Imp cups so I could equate them, but they don't match - 3 + 1/4 US cups of flour is about 400g (you need 4 US cups to be 500g of flour), and the same with the sesame seeds. So, how do I get the correct ratio for the dry instant yeast and the salt in the dough, and for everything else in the coating?

      Reply
    4. Kathy Kostuk says

      August 07, 2023 at 1:35 am

      5 stars
      First time trying these. Challenging but I baked on a gas bbq grill. Turned out good

      Reply
      • Zerrin & Yusuf says

        August 09, 2023 at 1:02 am

        Sooo happy to hear this! Thank you Kathy for letting us know 🙂

        Reply
    5. Susanne says

      November 13, 2022 at 8:41 pm

      5 stars
      Do you completely soak the dough in the molasses before baking?

      Reply
      • Zerrin & Yusuf says

        November 13, 2022 at 11:20 pm

        Hi Susanne,

        After giving the dough a simit shape, dip it into the molasses. Make sure it is fully coated with the molasses. Then put it into a bowl of sesame seeds. And then place it onto the baking sheet. You might find the video in the recipe card helpful.

        Reply
    6. Tara says

      April 29, 2022 at 12:54 pm

      Are you suppose to use bread flour or all purpose? If you say either do you have to adjust the amount of salt?

      Reply
      • Zerrin & Yusuf says

        April 29, 2022 at 1:26 pm

        Hi Tara,

        You can use either but bread flour is much better as the amount of protein in it is higher than all purpose flour. No need to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    7. Andrew says

      February 08, 2022 at 10:56 pm

      Hello! I am new to baking and I am a bit confused on what you mean by "at least 13 flour". Does this mean 13%, 13 grams per serving, or something else? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Zerrin & Yusuf says

        February 09, 2022 at 1:56 am

        Hi Andrew, it is the amount of protein in flour. You can read the label on the package and see the amount of protein in the flour brand you are using.
        It is recommended that the protein is 13 or above for the best texture. But if you can't find a high protein flour, use any bread flour or all purpose flour you find. Your simit will still taste so good. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    8. Grace says

      December 10, 2021 at 11:39 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out delicious! Recipe was so easy and straightforward. I had to use pomegranate molasses as I couldn't get date or grape molasses but nevertheless it turned out delicious! I can't post photos here but they look stunning too! Thank you for this fantastic recipe!

      Reply
    9. Grace Choi says

      December 10, 2021 at 9:43 am

      5 stars
      Merhaba Zerrin and Yusuf. Thanks for this amazing recipe . I am actually waiting for my dough to rise as I write this. As I don't have grape or date molasses (not as easily found dough in general gocery stores in Australia)I am using pomegranate. I will let you know how it turns out. Love that this is oil free and dairy free! Will update very soon.

      Reply
      • Zerrin & Yusuf says

        December 10, 2021 at 1:19 pm

        Hi Grace,

        So happy to hear that you are making simit, our favorite snack! Never used pomegranate molasses for simit. Is it sweet or sour? What we call pomegranate molasses is sour, that's why we are asking. As long as it gives a nice color and subtle sweetness, it must be okay. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the result!

        Reply
        • Grace Choi says

          December 10, 2021 at 11:36 pm

          5 stars
          Hello again!

          So I made it with the pomegranate molasses and it is slightly Sour but overall sweet so I'm very happy with the result.
          The simit is so soft inside inside nutty on the outside. They also look so beautiful!
          I love your recipe and I'll be sure to make it again as it was so easy.
          Thank you for sharing the recipe.

        • Zerrin & Yusuf says

          December 11, 2021 at 2:24 am

          Hi Grace,
          Glad you are happy with the result. So pomegranate molasses worked for you. Great! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Enjoy your simits!

    10. Ruby says

      September 16, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      Hello can we use pomegranate molasses? Thank you

      Reply
      • Yusuf says

        September 17, 2021 at 7:04 pm

        Hi Ruby,
        The pomegranate molasses we use in Turkish cuisine is quite tangy unlike date molasses or grape molasses. So we never use it when making simit. It is a salad dressing for us. However, if the one you have is as sweet as date/grape molasses, you can use it. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    Zerrin & Yusuf

    Meet Zerrin and Yusuf Gunaydin: The couple behind this blog. We bring Turkish food into your kitchen! From kebabs to desserts, everything you crave is here.

    More about us→

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • Chicken seasoning in a glass jar and a small spoon in it.
      Dry Rub For Chicken - Chicken Seasoning
    • Turkish bean stew in a dark colored bowl and a spoon inside it.
      Kuru Fasulye Recipe (Turkish Beans)
    • Roasted tomato soup topped with feta cheese and basil leaves in a white bowl, grilled cheese sandwich dipped into it and more grilled cheese sandwiches behind it.
      Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup
    • Turkish chicken dish with a tomato sauce served in a bowl and a fork inside it.
      Tavuk Sote - Turkish Chicken Sauté
    • Chicken doner wraps on a wooden board, pickled, French fries, tomato and onion slices on the side.
      Chicken Doner Kebab (Tavuk Döner)
    • Baked chicken wings on a rack.
      Baking Powder Chicken Wings Baked In The Oven

    Zerrin & Yusuf

    Meet Zerrin and Yusuf Gunaydin: The couple behind this blog. We bring Turkish food into your kitchen! From kebabs to desserts, everything you crave is here.

    More about us→

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • Chicken seasoning in a glass jar and a small spoon in it.
      Dry Rub For Chicken - Chicken Seasoning
    • Turkish bean stew in a dark colored bowl and a spoon inside it.
      Kuru Fasulye Recipe (Turkish Beans)
    • Roasted tomato soup topped with feta cheese and basil leaves in a white bowl, grilled cheese sandwich dipped into it and more grilled cheese sandwiches behind it.
      Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup
    • Turkish chicken dish with a tomato sauce served in a bowl and a fork inside it.
      Tavuk Sote - Turkish Chicken Sauté
    • Chicken doner wraps on a wooden board, pickled, French fries, tomato and onion slices on the side.
      Chicken Doner Kebab (Tavuk Döner)
    • Baked chicken wings on a rack.
      Baking Powder Chicken Wings Baked In The Oven

    Footer

    ABOUT

    • About Us

    POLICIES

    • Privacy Policy

    LET'S CONNECT!

    • Contact
    • Subscribe

    All content, recipes and photographs are copyrighted and the property of Give Recipe. They may not be republished in part or whole without proper credit and permission.

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2025 GIVE RECIPE

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Privacy PolicyACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    Close shot of a simit bread with a golden color coated with sesame seeds on a dark background.
    Simits on a cooling rack on a dark background.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.