This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.
Learn How to Toast Sesame Seeds three ways: in the oven, on the stove, or in the microwave. You’ll love the nutty flavor and golden brown color. Add them to stir-frys, rice, salads, meat, fish, chicken, and even cookies.
Toasting sesame seeds is usually “optional but recommended” depending on your particular recipe. Like trussing a chicken or browning a roast before tucking it into the oven, taking the time to toast sesame seeds pays off later.
Toasting sesame seeds adds a little something for all your senses: A more enticing golden color, nutty aroma, richer taste, depth of flavor and pleasant crunch for all your dishes.
It doesn’t take too much time and you can get the job done on the stove, in the oven or even in the microwave. Sprinkle toasted seeds over many Asian recipes including sushi rolls and salmon, on salads, noodles, roasted vegetables, homemade bagels, or use them in homemade tahini.
Table of Contents
Ingredient notes
- Sesame seeds: Sesame seeds come from the sesame plant which is native to Africa and India. There are several varieties of sesame seeds including white, yellow, red, and black sesame seeds. White sesame seeds are the most common and turn golden brown and nutty when toasted. Many sesame seeds are sold hulled (with the shell removed) although unhulled sesame seeds are also available for purchase.
Step-by-step instructions
To toast sesame seeds in the oven:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange raw sesame seeds in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Toast until golden brown and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and immediately transfer to a plate to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for 6 months or freezer storage bag in the freezer for up to 1 year.
To toast sesame seeds on the stovetop:
- In a dry skillet or frying pan over medium heat, heat raw sesame seeds until golden brown and fragrant, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and immediately transfer to a plate to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for 6 months or freezer storage bag in the freezer for up to 1 year.
To toast sesame seeds in the microwave:
- In a microwave safe 9 inch pie plate, arrange up to ½ cup raw sesame seeds in one single layer. Microwave on HIGH until golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, stopping every 30 seconds to stir. Continue with a second batch of sesame seeds, if desired.
- Store in an airtight container in the pantry for 6 months or freezer storage bag for up to 1 year.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: 1 cup of sesame seeds contains 16 servings, 1 tablespoon per serving.
- Storage: Store sesame seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard for up to 3 months (less than regular spices). They will last about 6 months in the fridge due to reduce moisture in the air.
- Freezer: Store raw or toasted sesame seeds in the freezer for at least one year. The cold temperature prevents the natural oils in the seeds from spoiling.
- Grinding: Grind sesame seeds in a spice grinder or by hand with a mortar and pestle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although sesame seeds are safe to eat raw, toasting the seeds enhances their nutty flavor and crunchy texture, giving these little guys a big bite!
Yes, sesame seeds are available in the store already toasted, but the flavor is better when you toast them yourself.
There are some methods out there that tell you to either soak the seeds overnight or rinse the sesame seeds in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear before toasting.
The soaking and rinsing removes some of the anti-nutrient phytic acid, which prevents your body from absorbing certain nutrients. This step isn’t necessary, but if you do decide to soak or rinse the seeds, they will need another minute or two to become golden brown.
Put your sesame seeds to work
Salad Recipes
Baby Bok Choy Salad with Sesame Dressing
30 Minute Meals
Korean Barbecue Meatballs
Nut and Seed Recipes
Dukkah Recipe
Fish and Seafood Recipes
Ahi Tuna with Ponzu Sauce
Join Us
How to Toast Sesame Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 cup sesame seeds (or more)
Instructions
To toast sesame seeds in the oven:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange raw sesame seeds in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Toast until golden brown and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and immediately transfer to a plate to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for 6 months or freezer storage bag in the freezer for up to 1 year.
To toast sesame seeds on the stove:
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, heat raw sesame seeds until golden brown and fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and immediately transfer to a plate to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for 6 months or freezer storage bag in the freezer for up to 1 year.
To toast sesame seeds in the microwave:
- In a microwave safe 9 inch pie plate, arrange up to ½ cup raw sesame seeds in one single layer. Microwave on HIGH until golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, stopping every 30 seconds to stir. Continue with a second batch of sesame seeds, if desired.
- Store in an airtight container in the pantry for 6 months or freezer storage bag for up to 1 year.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Sesame seeds: There are several varieties of sesame seeds including white, black, yellow, red, and brown. White sesame seeds are the most common and turn golden brown and nutty when toasted.
- Yield: 1 cup of sesame seeds contains 16 servings, 1 tablespoon per serving.
- Storage: Store sesame seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months. They will last about 6 months in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
how to toast in an air fryer?
Hi Jae! In my mind, I see the sesame seeds flying around everywhere in the air fryer. It would probably still work, I haven’t tested it, and I’m not sure. I would personally set the temp to 350 degrees, add the seeds, and then just check them every 5 minutes or so. See what happens. This probably sounds obvious, but be sure to pause the machine before you open it to check (sometimes I just pull the drawer open with the machine still running, that would be a recipe for disaster with sesame seeds, ha ha). Thank you for the question! Take care. -Meggan
And excellent easy recipe, keep it up Miss Meggan Hill
I never knew how easy this could be!
The directions at top make no sense. It says:
“How do you toast sesame seeds in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and arrange sesame seeds in one single layer in an oven proof skillet.”
Which is it? Is is supposed to say “or arrange sesame seeds in one single layer in an oven proof skillet”? A baking sheet OR an oven proof skillet. It can’t be both…well I guess it could but it would be kinda silly.
Hi John, yeah that’s silly to say the least. That’s just bad writing is what that is, and clearly no one proofread. You can use either one as I’m sure you know, but that is just horribly written. I’m really sorry about that. Thank you for pointing it out! -Meggan