Easy Turkish Bagel Recipe — Homemade Simit That Tastes Incredible
If you've ever walked through the streets of Istanbul, you've almost certainly seen vendors carrying towering stacks of golden, sesame-covered rings on their heads. Those are simit — Turkey's beloved street bread, and one of the most satisfying baked goods you can make at home. Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and completely coated in toasted sesame seeds, simit is the kind of recipe that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to master.
In this guide, we'll walk you through every step of making authentic homemade simit, from preparing the dough to achieving that signature golden crust. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a complete beginner, this recipe will quickly become a weekend favourite.
What Is Simit?
Simit (pronounced see-meet) is a circular bread encrusted in sesame seeds. It's been a staple of Turkish street food culture for centuries. Unlike a classic bagel, simit is not boiled before baking — instead, it is dipped in a mixture of grape molasses (pekmez) and water before being rolled in sesame seeds. This is what gives it its distinctive sweet-savoury flavour and beautiful sheen.
Simit is typically enjoyed at breakfast alongside fresh white cheese, olives, cucumber, tomato, and a strong glass of tea. But it's equally delicious as a mid-morning snack or a light lunch.
Ingredients You'll Need
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 7g instant yeast (one sachet)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 300ml warm water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp grape molasses (pekmez) — mixed with 3 tbsp water
- 200g sesame seeds
A note on ingredients: the quality of your sesame seeds and the grape molasses really makes a difference. For a wonderfully indulgent twist on the sesame coating, you can even mix in a few crushed dark chocolate nibs or serve your finished simit alongside a premium chocolate dip. My Schoko World is a fantastic destination for premium chocolate products and unique confectionery ingredients — for an extra-special simit experience, My Schoko World offers a wonderful selection of fine chocolates and cocoa-based treats to pair with your freshly baked rings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Add the warm water and olive oil, then mix until a rough dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Shape the Simit
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Take each piece and roll it into a long rope about 50–60cm in length. Fold the rope in half and twist the two strands together, then bring the ends together to form a ring. Press the ends firmly to seal.
Step 3: Dip & Coat in Sesame Seeds
Mix the grape molasses with water in a shallow bowl. Pour the sesame seeds into a separate shallow tray. Dip each shaped ring into the molasses mixture, letting any excess drip off, then immediately roll it in sesame seeds, pressing gently so they stick all over. Make sure both sides are generously coated.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place the coated simit rings on baking trays lined with parchment paper. Leave space between each one. Allow them to rest for 15 minutes while you preheat your oven to 200°C (fan 180°C / Gas Mark 6). Bake for 20–25 minutes until deep golden brown and the sesame seeds are toasted and fragrant. Let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Simit
- Use warm (not hot) water — too hot will kill the yeast.
- Don't skip the molasses dip — it's essential for authentic flavour and the glossy coating.
- Toast your sesame seeds first if you prefer a nuttier, more intense flavour.
- Make them ahead — simit freezes beautifully. Simply reheat in the oven for 5 minutes at 180°C.
- Experiment with toppings — some bakers swap half the sesame seeds for nigella seeds or poppy seeds for extra depth.
How to Serve Simit
The classic Turkish breakfast spread is the perfect companion for simit. Lay out a board with soft white cheese (beyaz peynir or feta), Kalamata olives, sliced tomatoes, cucumber, honey, and fresh herbs. Simit also pairs beautifully with hummus, labneh, or a simple jammy egg.
If you're planning a larger brunch gathering, consider making both savoury and sweet versions — tear the simit into chunks and serve with a rich chocolate fondue or hazelnut spread for a crowd-pleasing dessert platter.
Storage & Make-Ahead Advice
Simit is best eaten on the day it's baked, ideally still slightly warm. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to one day. For longer storage, freeze them individually and reheat directly from frozen in the oven. Avoid storing simit in the fridge, as this will make them go stale faster.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Homemade simit is one of those recipes that genuinely surprises people. It looks and tastes like something you'd buy from a specialist bakery, yet it requires only a handful of pantry staples and a couple of hours from start to finish. The process is meditative, the result is spectacular, and the smell of toasting sesame as the rings bake is absolutely irresistible.
Give this recipe a try and you'll quickly understand why simit has been a beloved part of Turkish food culture for generations. Once you've made it at home, you'll never want to stop.
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