How to Toast Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are frequently used in many Asian cuisines. They are a major staple throughout Korean foods and can add a distinctive taste to any meal, whether it’s stir-fries or salads.

Sesame seeds are enjoyed in a variety of ways, including being ground to make tahini, thrown into salads for an added crunch or incorporated into many Asian snacks.

However you enjoy your sesame, most people will agree that toasting them is key to unlocking their full flavour. Thankfully, it’s really simple – here are multiple ways you can toast sesame seeds at home quickly and easily.

Do You Need to Toast Sesame Seeds Before Eating?

It is perfectly safe to eat raw sesame seeds, and they make a popular topping this way on American staples such as burgers and bagels. However, toasting is what unlocks the nutty flavours of sesame seeds, as well as adding more crunch to their texture.

Many Asian recipes will involve using toasted sesame seeds as their nutty flavour adds extra umami to dishes.

Toasted Sesame Seed Uses

Many popular Asian dishes use toasted sesame seeds as a topping to add more crunch and a hint of sweetness, particularly in savoury meals.

Here are some popular ways to use your toasted sesame seeds in Asian cuisine:

• Topping for meats, such as teriyaki salmon or Chinese ribs.
• Garnish for multi-ingredient meals, such as stir-fry, ramen or bibimbap.
• A finishing touch to sushi for additional crunch.

Should Sesame Seeds Be Soaked or Rinsed Before Cooking?

Before you start toasting your sesame seeds, it is recommended that the seeds are either soaked overnight or rinsed in a sieve until the water runs clear.

By soaking or rinsing the seeds you are removing some of the anti-nutrient phytic acids, which will prevent your body from being able to absorb certain nutrients.

If you choose to soak or rinse the seeds you will need to allow for a few extra minutes when cooking to ensure that the seeds turn golden brown.

What’s the Best Way to Evenly Toast Sesame Seeds?

There are many ways to toast sesame seeds and what’s best for you might come down to how much you need.

Generally speaking, the easiest and best way to ensure evenly toasted sesame seeds is in a frying pan or skillet.

Sesame seeds can go from undercooked to burned in rapid time if you’re not careful. By toasting sesame seeds in a pan, you’re able to keep turning them over, constantly watch their progress, and remove them from the heat as soon as they’re completed.

If you need to make a batch full of toasted sesame seeds, options like the oven or air fryer are still good enough for the job. However, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the heat and regularly take them out to check and turn them over.

How to Toast Sesame Seeds in the Oven

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/160 fan.
2. Spread the sesame seeds out in a single layer on a greaseproof baking sheet.
3. Occasionally stir the seeds and bake until they are golden brown and fragrant, this should take around 8-10 minutes.
4. Once cooked, transfer to a cold plate immediately.

How to Toast Sesame Seeds in a Pan

1. Over medium heat and in a medium-sized pan or skillet, heat the sesame seeds until golden brown and fragrant, stirring occasionally. This should take around 3-5 minutes.
2. Once golden brown, immediately transfer the seeds to a plate to cool.

How to Toast Sesame Seeds in an Air Fryer

1. Preheat your air fryer to 160C.
2. Spread the seeds evenly in a single layer on either a tray or piece of foil that fits inside your air fryer baskets.
3. Toast the seeds for around 3-5 minutes, checking them regularly to ensure they don’t burn.
4. Once cooked, transfer immediately to a cool plate to stop the cooking process.

How to Toast Sesame Seeds in a Microwave

Although you can toast sesame seeds in the microwave, using an oven or toasting them over the stove are generally the preferred methods.

1. Spread ½ cup of sesame seeds over a microwave-safe plate.
2. Cook on high for 2-3 minutes, stopping the microwave and stirring the seeds every 30 seconds to check for a golden brown and toasted appearance.

How to Store Toasted Sesame Seeds.

Toasted sesame seeds should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. In this particular environment, the seeds can be kept for up to 6 months.

You can freeze sesame seeds for a much longer period of time. The cold temperature will prevent the natural oil in the seeds from spoiling. You can keep frozen sesame seeds for up to 1 year.

Make sure your toasted sesame seeds have cooled completely before storing.

To fill your kitchen with more inspiration, you can browse through our blog here, at Oriental Mart, where we post various Asian recipes and informational articles! You can also find a great selection of sesame seeds in our online Asian supermarket as well as other oriental products!