What Is Simit? The Turkish Sesame Bread, Explained
What Is Simit? The Turkish Sesame Bread, Explained
Simit is a circular Turkish bread coated in toasted sesame seeds, with a crisp, deep-golden crust and a soft, chewy interior. Often called a "Turkish bagel," it's dipped in molasses before baking, which gives the crust its color and a subtle sweetness. It's a staple street food and breakfast bread across Turkey.
Part of our Turkish Breakfast Guide.
Key takeaways
- Simit is a sesame-crusted ring bread — crisp outside, chewy inside.
- It's brushed with grape or pomegranate molasses before sesame coating, which deepens color and flavor.
- Eaten plain, with cheese and olives, or with jam and tea — it's central to Turkish breakfast.
- Unlike a bagel, simit is not boiled; it's thinner, crispier, and entirely sesame-coated.
What does simit taste like?
Simit delivers a satisfying contrast: a shatteringly crisp, nutty sesame crust giving way to a tender, lightly chewy crumb. The molasses wash adds a faint caramel note and that signature mahogany color. Toasted sesame is the dominant flavor — warm, earthy, and aromatic. Eaten fresh, it's one of the most comforting breads in Turkish cuisine.
Is simit the same as a bagel?
They look similar, but they're different breads. A bagel is boiled then baked, producing a dense, glossy chew. Simit is dipped in molasses and rolled fully in sesame, then baked — making it thinner, crispier, and far more sesame-forward.
| Feature | Simit | Bagel |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-bake step | Molasses dip + sesame roll | Boiled in water |
| Texture | Crisp, light chew | Dense, hearty chew |
| Coating | Fully coated in sesame | Optional toppings |
| Shape | Thin ring, often twisted | Thick ring |
How do you eat simit?
The most traditional way is simply with a glass of Turkish tea. For a fuller breakfast, pair it with:
- White cheese and a handful of Turkish olives.
- A spread of tahini and grape molasses or honey.
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, and a soft-boiled egg for a classic spread.
Explore more breakfast and bakery staples in our savory bakery & pastry and bakery collections to recreate a Turkish breakfast table at home.
Can you make simit at home?
Yes. Shape a stiff dough into ropes, twist two together into a ring, dip in a thin grape-molasses-and-water mixture, then press into toasted sesame seeds. Bake hot until deep golden. The molasses dip is the step most home bakers skip — and it's what makes simit taste like simit.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is simit called a Turkish bagel?
Because of its ring shape and chewy bite. But it's made differently — dipped in molasses and fully coated in sesame rather than boiled — so it's crispier and nuttier than a bagel.
Is simit healthy?
Simit is a bread, so it's mostly carbohydrate, but sesame adds some protein, healthy fats, and minerals. Paired with cheese, eggs, and vegetables, it's part of a balanced Turkish breakfast.
What molasses is used for simit?
Grape molasses (üzüm pekmezi) is traditional. It gives the crust its color and gentle sweetness without making the bread taste sugary.
How do you store simit?
Simit is best eaten the day it's baked. To revive day-old simit, warm it briefly in the oven to restore the crisp crust.
Can I freeze simit?
Yes. Freeze fully cooled, then reheat from frozen in a hot oven for a few minutes to bring back the crunch.