Greek Sesame Candy with Honey (Pasteli)

Made with just sesame seeds, honey, and no specialty equipment, Pasteli is an easy, gluten and dairy-free dessert you will make on repeat! Sweet, toasty, and satisfyingly chewy, this Greek sesame candy is perfect for snacks, holiday gifts, crumbling on yogurt, serving on cheese platters, and beyond.

Pasteli is a two-ingredient sesame candy that’s sweet, nutty, and buttery (but completely dairy-free). It’s often sold in little kiosks on the streets of Athens but is beloved all throughout the country.

There are many versions of Pasteli throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. In Egypt, we call it semsemeyah, which essentially means “made of sesame.” It’s such a special little treat, especially when you make it with good-quality honey at home!

Sesame seeds are a staple of the Mediterranean Diet. We add them to our Breadsticks for an irresistible toasty quality and grind them into a paste to make Hummus. In fact, if you look closely at so many classic dishes from around the Mediterranean Sea you will find these tiny-but-mighty powerhouses at the foundation of the flavor.

With honey’s antioxidant-rich properties and sesame seeds’ concentration of vitamins and minerals, you may just say pasteli is less of a homemade candy and more of the power bar that’s withstood the test of time. Make as a healthy dessert, afternoon pick-me-up, or wrap-up as gifts during the holiday season. 

Table of Contents

1. Greek Sesame Candy Ingredients
2. Ingredient Spotlight 
3. How to Make Sesame Candy
4. What to Serve with Sesame Candy
5. More Greek Dessert Recipes
6. Greek Sesame Candy (Pasteli) Recipe
7. Greek Honey – Thyme, Forest & Wild Herbs

Greek Sesame Candy Ingredients

There are many varieties of Pasteli. Some are made with sugar, nuts, and other spices. I like the simple version made with just honey and sesame seeds, which has a satisfyingly tender, chewy texture (rather than the crunch of the sugar version). To make it, you’ll need:

• Sesame seeds: You can use all white, black, or a combination. You’ll freshly toast them, so they should be untoasted. 
• Honey: This is the primary flavor, so a delicate, high-quality honey is essential (more on this in the Ingredient Spotlight section below). 

Ingredient Spotlight 

You may be aware that Greece is known for its honey, but what makes Greek honey so special? High-quality Greek honey is unique for the same reason the cuisine itself is so vibrant and delicious: the herbs! 

Greek bees are also fans of bold Mediterranean flavor. They spend their time on the sunny hillsides feasting on wild thyme, pine, fir, chestnut, and wildflowers. 

This gives the honey a complex depth of flavor, with herbal and slightly savory tasting notes that balance its delicate sweetness. It’s also typically minimally processed, which retains its natural aromatic compounds. 

• TRY IT: Greek Alfa Honey from Crete

How to Make Sesame Candy

Your biggest tool for this Pasteli recipe is your nose, particularly if you’re using black sesame seeds. As soon as the seeds smell toasty and look golden, take them off the heat before they burn. Here are the steps to make sesame candy:

• Get ready. Line a small sheet pan with parchment paper. Brush the parchment with a thin layer of olive oil and set aside. 
• Toast the sesame seeds. Add 1 1/2 cups untoasted sesame seeds to a nonstick pan and set over medium heat. Toast, stirring with a wooden spoon until they turn golden brown, then transfer to a plate.  
• Warm the honey. Set the pan back on medium heat and add 3/4 cup honey. Stir regularly as the honey comes to a boil (about 250°F, if you have a thermometer), then allow to boil and foam for 3 to 4 minutes. 
• Combine the sesame and honey. Add the sesame seeds back to the pan with the boiling honey. Stir constantly for about 5 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent burning. 
• Assemble. Pour the honey and sesame mixture onto the prepared sheet pan. Spread it with a spoon as evenly as you can. Grease another sheet of parchment paper and cover the top (this is so it’s easy to remove.) Use your hands or a small rolling pin to spread the mixture evenly. Remove and discard the top piece of parchment.
• Cool and slice. Cool for about 20 minutes or so (it should not fully harden). Use a sharp knife to slice into small rectangular bars or squares. 

What to Serve with Sesame Candy

Pasteli is most often purchased at a kiosk as a pick-me-up when you need an energy boost. That said, the sweet and nutty flavor pairs very well as a little snack spread with salty feta cheese and coffee or antioxidant-rich Greek Mountain Tea to sip between bites. 

You can also crumble the bars over Greek yogurt like granola, or serve as a part of a mezze platter along with other Greek treats.

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