How To Toast Sesame Seeds In Oven And On Stovetop

Do you want to make toasted sesame seeds but don’t know how? Maybe you have heard you can toast your seeds in the oven and want to know if it is true?

How To Toast Sesame Seeds In Oven And On Stovetop

Or are you curious and want to know more? No matter the reason that brought you here today, we have the answers for you! 

Toasted sesame seeds are delicious. They are crunchy, with a distinct nutty flavor, and are far easier to chew than raw sesame seeds!

They make a wonderful addition to salads, hummus, crackers, and even bread. They are full of fiber, and vitamin B12, and are the perfect alternative for anyone with a nut allergy. 

But knowing how to toast your sesame seeds can be tricky. There are so many recipes online that you can quickly find yourself confused and overwhelmed, scrolling for hours and never finding the answers you need! 

Well, no more! Today, we are here with two super easy methods that will allow you to toast your sesame seeds in just minutes!

Keep reading to learn how to toast sesame seeds in the oven and on the stovetop, and get all your related questions answered below! 

What Are Sesame Seeds?

Before we dive in, let’s have a quick recap for those that need it! Sesame seeds are small, off-white seeds packed full of nutrients!

They contain healthy fats, antioxidants, B vitamins, fiber, and protein! They are a wonderful addition to most diets and can be incorporated easily. 

Typically, these seeds are purchased raw and are an off-white color. While these seeds can be eaten raw, they don’t have a lot of flavors and tend to be difficult to chew.

However, if you toast them, you can release their nutty flavor and will find them far easier to chew!

Now that we have established what sesame seeds are, let’s move on to see how you can toast them at home today! 

How To Toast Sesame Seeds In Oven

Let’s start by looking at toasting your sesame seeds in the oven! This is widely considered to be the easiest way to toast your seeds.

You can also toast large quantities with this method, and quickly too! If you are looking for a way to toast all your sesame seeds quickly, then this is the method for you! 

Simply follow our step-by-step guide below to see how you can toast your sesame seeds in the oven! 

Step 1 – Preheat Your Oven 

To start, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, take a clean baking sheet. Ideally, you want the largest one you have!

If you want to, you can place a layer of tin foil on the sheet, but as your seeds won’t often stick, this isn’t necessary. 

Step 2 – Add Your Seeds 

Next, add your sesame seeds. Sprinkle the seeds and take a fork to spread them out. You don’t need to add anything to your seeds!

Just run your fork through the seeds, pushing the dome forward as you go. 

Tap your pan on the counter lightly and it should help to spread the seeds out evenly. Here it doesn’t need to be perfect, you just don’t want large clumps of seeds as they won’t toast evenly! 

Step 3 – Toast Your Seeds 

Once the seeds are spread out, put the tray into your heated oven. They should stay in the oven for four minutes. Check on them as you get close to the four minutes as you don’t want to over toast or burn them! 

You can remove the tray halfway through and mix your seeds to help them cook evenly if you want, but it isn’t essential. 

Step 4 – Leave To Cool 

Once your seeds are golden brown, turn off the oven and carefully remove the tray. Leave the seeds to cool before you enjoy them!

You can sprinkle them straight onto your food, or store them in an airtight container for future use. We keep ours in a shaker, so we can sprinkle them on top of our food easily! 

How To Toast Sesame Seeds In Oven And On Stovetop

How To Toast Sesame Seeds On Stove 

Now let’s look at how you can toast your sesame seeds on the stove! You can follow the steps below to toast your sesame seeds on the stove. 

  1. Place a pan on your stove and heat with medium heat. 
  2. Once heated, add in the required amount of sesame seeds. Take care here that they aren’t overlapping. 
  3. Shake the pan occasionally to toast the seeds evenly. You can also toss them to flip the seeds and toast the other side if you wish. 
  4. Continue until the seeds are golden brown. How long this takes depends on how hot the pan is before you add your seeds, but you can expect it to take between 7 and 10 minutes. 
  5. Once your seeds start to pop, they are toasted and can be removed from the heat. Add to a container for storage or serve immediately. 

Toasting your sesame seeds this way can take longer than in the oven, but you won’t have to wait for the oven to preheat!

Plus, you don’t have to worry about any seeds sticking to the baking tray. They can be tough to remove at times! With this method, you can simply pour them from your pan onto your plate or container with ease! 

Final Thoughts 

And there you have it, two different ways that you can toast your sesame seeds at home± whether you want to toast them in the oven or on your stovetop, there is sure to be a method that suits you!

Both ways are excellent options that allow you to release the flavor of sesame seeds and add some extra nutrients to any meal! 

No matter the method you choose, make sure the pan or oven is properly heated before you add your seeds, and check on them frequently to avoid them burning.

Each method allows you to enjoy your seeds in less than ten minutes, what more could you want?

Frequently Asked Questions 

Before you leave us today, check out our brief FAQ section below to get your last-minute questions answered!

Do I Need To Toast Sesame Seeds?

No, you don’t need to toast sesame seeds if you don’t want to! These seeds can be safely eaten raw if you wish!

Untoasted sesame seeds are often used in sushi rolls to prevent their nutty taste from overwhelming the dish. 

Toasted sesame seeds are easier to chew through, and will have a good crunchy and nutty flavor.

They work well in crackers, toast, and hummus, but whether you want to toast your sesame seeds is down to your personal preference!

Do I Need To Wash Sesame Seeds?

No, you don’t need to wash your sesame seeds before you toast or eat them. However, some people wash their sesame seeds before cooking, as they are less likely to burn. 

If you want to wash your sesame seeds, pop them in a mesh strainer and run water over them.

Do this until the water runs clear before patting dry and cooking. You might need to toast the sesame seeds a little longer if you have washed them, don’t panic, this is normal! 

How Do I Store Toasted Sesame Seeds?

It’s best to store your toasted sesame seeds in an airtight container. You will want to keep the container in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight.

We love keeping our toasted sesame seeds in a shaker. This way, you can easily sprinkle them on your food! 

How Long Do Toasted Sesame Seeds Last?

Unopened containers of sesame seeds can last for five years, providing they are stored in a dry and cool place.

Every time you open the container, though, the seeds are exposed to moisture and contaminants in the air. This reduces their lifespan! 

Opened containers of sesame seeds will last for about six months in a cupboard or up to twelve months in the refrigerator or freezer.

Toasted sesame seeds will have the same lifespan as an opened container of seeds, so six to twelve months. 

Don’t forget to check the expiration date on your sesame seeds package! Smell the seeds before using too. If sesame seeds have gone off, they will have a distinct smell, like other spoiled foods.

If there is a smell, throw them away and purchase new seeds to use! 

Eve Mason
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