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You are here: Home / Recipes / Bread / Homemade Simit: Turkish Bagels (Authentic, Crispy & Delicious)

Homemade Simit: Turkish Bagels (Authentic, Crispy & Delicious)

May 30, 2018 by eeturner 6 Comments

Crispy on the outside, coated with toasted sesame seeds, but soft on the inside; there is nothing quite like a Simit (Turkish bagel).

There is nothing quite like a fresh-baked Simit (Turkish bagel). You can find them in most Turkish bakeries but also from street carts selling them from just 1 or 2 lira. It is a quick and simple breakfast or snack and one of my favorites.

The art of making a Simit is beautiful. The bread is rolled out into long thin ropes, twisted and then shaped into a circle. Then it is dipped in molasses water and toasted sesame seeds and baked to crispy perfection. Making Simit at home is so much fun and so rewarding especially when you take that first bite. Yum.

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Here’s the recipe:

For the dough:

  • 2 c flour (plus more for dusting & kneading)
  • 2 1/4 tsp dry yeast
  • 2/3 c warm water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp oil

For topping the simit:

  • 1 c sesame seeds (toasted)
  • 1 T molasses
  • 2 c warm water

Preparation:

To make the dough:

To make the dough, place the flour and salt in a bowl and stir. Then mix together the water and yeast in a separate bowl and add it to the flour mixture.

Stir until well incorporated and then pour onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel or piece of plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour in a warm place.

Meanwhile, place the sesame seeds onto a dry frying pan and toast until fragrant and lightly browned. Then pour them onto a plate and cool.

In a shallow bowl, mix together the molasses and the water.

To roll out the simit:

Method #1 The “Two Rope Method”:

Take 2 golf ball size pieces of dough and roll them out into a thin rope about 8 inches long. Then wrap them over each other and form into a circle.  Press the ends together (securing with a bit of water if needed) and then roll the circle against the palm of your hand.

Method # 2 “The One Rope Method”:

Take 1 piece of dough about twice the size of a golf ball and roll it into a long rope about 16 inches long. Holding it in the air, fold it over and then spin into a twist. Press the ends together (securing with a bit of water if needed) and then roll the circle against the palm of your hand.

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To top and bake the simit:

Pre-heat your oven for 200C/392F.

Take each simit and dip it on both sides into the molasses water and then dip into the toasted sesame seeds and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Continue until all of the simit have been coated.

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Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until the simit are nicely browned.

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Serve & Enjoy (preferably while they are still warm with a glass of Turkish cay).

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Afiyet Olsun!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Bread, Recipes, Street Food, Turkish Tagged With: bagel recipe, baking, baking basics, bread making, homemade, how to bake, Simit, simit recipe, Turkish bagels, Turkish Cuisine, Turkish food, vegetarian, What's Cooking

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. theflavorfulroad

    May 30, 2018 at 1:12 am

    Wow… These look really good! I’m going to have to try these out!

    Reply
    • eewinkler

      May 30, 2018 at 2:18 am

      @theflavorfulroad thanks! They are delicious!

      Reply
  2. theflavorfulroad

    May 30, 2018 at 4:32 pm

    Just an update. Made these this morning and they were delicious. I mixed 1 cup of white flour with 1 cup white whole wheat, skipped the molasses water step and just sprinkled sesame seeds on them. They were good. ?

    Reply
    • eewinkler

      May 30, 2018 at 8:41 pm

      That is great to hear that you made them and that you enjoyed them! Thank you for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Martina Korkmaz

    June 8, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    These look sooooo good 🙂 And you are right – there is nothing quite like a Simit. I remember eating them in Istanbul. Buying them warm from the simit seller in Karakoy.

    Reply
    • eewinkler

      June 8, 2018 at 10:08 pm

      @MartinaKorkmaz thanks so much for your comment and the follow! Yes, it is a special experience eating a fresh Simit in Turkey 🙂

      Reply

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Hello, I'm Erica! I am a professionally trained cook, on-air host, recipe writer with over 20 years of experience working in the food industry. I started cooking at the age of 5 and I specialize in Southern, German, Turkish and Middle Eastern cooking. I work full time as a Recipe Developer for a well known culinary media company and I started this food blog to as a place to further develop my skills and teach others. I attended culinary school in Gaziantep, Turkey and studied German cooking first hand in Germany. Read More…

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