A popular candy recipe with many variations throughout Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, and Asian cuisines. This 3-Ingredient Sesame Seed Crunch Candy is perfectly sweet, nutty, gluten-free, paleo, optionally vegan, and top-8 allergy-free! Just toasted sesame seeds, honey, and sugar! Easy to gift or munch!
I know there’s going to be a few of you out there who still need to pick-up some Christmas gifts and with just a few days left, you’re sweatin’, aren’t you? Have to fear! I have a super simple, last minute, edible gift idea that will be just perfect for you! You know I’d never leave you hanging and one can never have too many edible gift ideas to choose from! Since you may have already overdosed on cookies, Christmas candy is the next best thing and this sesame seed crunch candy is good ALL year-round!
You may have heard of sesame candy before. The most well known is the Greek version, Pasteli, which is just sesame seeds and honey cut into chewy bars. Other versions around Asia and the Middle East come in crunchy forms, similar to brittle. My version is the crunchy kind. Still just sesame seeds and honey (or bee-free honey for the vegans), and some sugar (or my favorite). The sugar is what makes it crunchy and no longer chewy; so it’s like a nutty hard candy!
It’s super easy to make (I made it in my dorm last year as the edible gift I gave to my dad for Christmas). He told me how obsessed he was with this sesame candy he had gotten from an Asian market and wanted to me somehow make it myself. I did some Googling research and then just kind of winged it myself, without ever actually tasting the candy. Surprisingly, not difficult, but o so addicting!
Obviously I love all things sesame. They “nuttiest” seed and glorious ingredient of tahini. By toasting the raw sesame seeds first for this candy recipe, you get a super deep and rich sesame flavor with that subtle sweetness of the honey. It’s a beautiful earthy combination of flavors that’s hard to describe. I’m so glad my dad introduced me to the combination as it is totally a winner! And don’t worry, since I lean toward all things vegan, we can whip this up with some vegan honey and it works just as well!
Homemade candy always sounds intimidating to people. Thinking they’ll need to get out some hefty candy thermometer or do some intricate calculations. Not here, not with this sesame seed candy! You’re just toasting some sesame seeds, boiling some honey on the stove, mixing them together, adding some sugar, and then pouring into a pan to cool off and harden. Then you get to go crazy and break (or cut) pieces off, just like the peppermint bark!
3-Ingredient Sesame Seed Crunch Candy
3-Ingredient Sesame Seed Crunch Candy (Gluten-Free)
A popular candy recipe with many variations throughout Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, and Asian cuisines. This 3-Ingredient Sesame Seed Crunch Candy is perfectly sweet, nutty, gluten-free, paleo, optionally vegan, and top-8 allergy-free! Just toasted sesame seeds, honey, and sugar! Easy to gift or munch!
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: Varies
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Cuisine: Asian, Middle Eastern
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Raw White Sesame Seeds (or pre-toasted)
- 1 Cup Honey (or Bee-Free Honey)
- 1/2 Cup Erythritol
Instructions
- In a large greased pot, bring the honey (or vegan honey) and erythritol to a boil for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, toast the raw sesame seeds in a saute pan for a few minutes until golden brown, if using raw seeds (otherwise, skip this step).
- Once the honey pot is bubbling and the seeds are toasted, add the seeds to the honey mixture and boil again to thicken, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Carefully pour the hot candy mixture into a greased parchment paper lined baking dish or cookie sheet in a thin layer.
- Allow to cool at room temperature before cutting into squares, bars, or broken off pieces.
Let me tell you, this sesame seed crunch candy smells delicious! When I made this ahead of time for the holidays and had to store it in my dorm bedroom, I had to (got to) breath in this lovely nutty sweetness all day. No complaints though, that was a smell I was glad to have around! So if you have 15 minutes to spare and you still have a few “surprise” people on your list to find a gift for, I think this sesame candy could be just the thing you need!
So tell me:
+ Have you ever had any version of sesame seed candy/brittle before? If not, now is the time! It’s one of those delicacies that is perfect to just suck on and beat that sweet craving with!
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Diana Hicks says
Why do you have to use the sweetener erythritol doesn’t honey act enough as a sweetener?
Thank you.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Cooking and baking are sciences. Ingredients are for more than just taste.
The granulated sugar is what makes the candy crunchy. Without it would be a chewy, free form candy.
Nicole says
I love how simple these ingredients are, especially great for a friend with a chocolate allergy (heartbreaking, that). Sesame is on our “no” list again (off, then on, then off for another family member…), but sunflower seeds are safe for us all around. It’s not a Mediterranean classic that way, but I might try it anyway. Thanks for the fun recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That would be…gross and not this candy, haha!
Roseann Hampton says
This looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Alice | Letters to my Daughter says
Ooh, I love these, it hadn’t occurred to me to make my own! Thanks for the recipe, must give it a go!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
So easy to make right at home!
Bonnie V says
I made something similar to this in culinary school. It’s surprisingly addicting.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is a delicious treat!
Julie K says
Could you substitute coconut sugar for the erythritol?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes.
Julie K says
Thank you
Starr says
I used to buy this all the time, before going vegan. I haven’t seen Bee-Free Honey in my area yet. Maybe I’ll give it a try will agave.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The only way to get specialty goods is online, dear!
Laura Salter says
This looks so yummy…can’t wait to try this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Great! Enjoy!
Katie Braswell says
One of my favorite treats, healthified!! Thank you for sharing!!! <3 Pinned for later!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This isn’t health-ified? The candy is always made with sesame seeds and honey…
Amy says
What a great post! These remind me of one of my favorite candies my aunt used to have around her house when I was little. It was a long time ago and I haven’t been able to find them anywhere! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well no more looking! Making them at home is the way to go!
Jessica says
This looks so yummy. I love crunchy treats. Plus it’s exciting to try something from inspired by other countries.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Exactly! Always fun to experience new tastes at home!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy says
This sounds so tasty (even though I’m a huge chocolate fan)! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
There is always room for ALL kinds of candy 😉
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
I’ve had this when I lived in Europe, but never tried to recreate the recipe myself. YUMMY!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is fantastic! America never knew what it was missing!
Felicia @ The Starving Chef says
I’m not gluten free but these sound heavenly!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Regardless, this is a naturally gluten-free candy.
Rebecca Wenzel says
My son has peanut, egg and dairy allergies so I’m always excited to find a recipe he can eat! Thank you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think he’ll love this nut free “nutty” candy!
Jen says
Ah! The texture of this must be so amazing! I want to try making this…and devouring it too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Crunchy brittle goodness!
Jenn says
Yum this looks so good. I love sesame.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Me too! So much flavor and great with the sweetness!
Ayanna @ 21FlavorsofSplendor says
Homemade gifts always add something special to gift giving. THis cany looks delicious and easy to make. Win-Win!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! They really show the love!
Sarah Althouse says
I’m sure I would eat all of this in one sitting. Looks so good
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, you might have a very tired jaw then!
Chelsea says
I LOVE this idea and recipe!! I never would’ve imagined to put those ingredients together, but it looks amazing!! Your recipes are so awesome girl!! Keep em’ coming! 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Such a classic outside of America!
Renee says
Beautiful as always! What a creative idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
candy says
Never heard of this sesame seed type of treat. Sounds easy enough to make. Interested in seeing how it taste now. Will have to give this a go in the kitchen.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Sweet and nutty!
Nancy says
This reminds me of a snack I used to have as a kid!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Need to make some then!
Nadene says
I Eat the store version of this and I love them. Can’t imagine how good fresh made would be
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Fresh and delicious 😉 Haha!
Paula @ I'm Busy Being Awesome says
I’ve never heard of this recipe . before, but I am so intrigued! I’m always looking for a treat to calm the sweet tooth craving 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is a fantastic homemade candy!