DIY Sesame Sticks Recipe (2024)

A one-bowl recipe with endless possibilities.

Molly Sheridan

Molly Sheridan began chronicling her cooking adventures on Wonderland Kitchen in 2011. Her writing has appeared in publications such as TimeOut and The Washington Post.

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Updated June 06, 2023

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Why It Works

The ingredients can be tossed into a bowl and mixed until a dough comes together. No fancy equipment required.
With homemade sesame sticks, you can customize the finished product by controlling the type and amount of fats and seasonings used.

In DIY attempts to mimic packaged goods, it often comes down to the shape of things. Cookie cutter defines mass production. When a homemade version of this sort of food is even a bit off visually, it can ruin the illusion—no matter how good it is, the look may beat out the taste in the rush to judgment.

Maybe it's just me, but that's where I sometimes find myself getting frustrated in the kitchen. I feel an imaginary Tim Gunn peering over my shoulder, his exasperated voice urging me to pull it together, make it work, and get it in the oven already, even though my efforts have only produced a cheap imitation. And that's where I stood with these sesame sticks. Thosetraditional snakes of seed-flecked doughconfounded me. Could I use a dough thin enough to push through a wide pastry tip and still get the taste I wanted? I could not. Could I use the dough I preferred for taste and just cut it into small rectangles? I could, but something was missing. It felt more like eating very small crackers than the customary bulk-bin treat.

So I picked up a small piece of dough and rolled it briskly between my palms a couple times.Et, voila!A small snake of a sesame stick. That said, by the end of rolling the batch, I was seriously questioning this added-labor decision just to get the visual. Next time, I might just roll the dough out a little thicker, cut the strips narrow, and call that shape...well, close enough for homemade.

Requiring no fancy equipment, this recipe couldn't be easier—just toss the ingredients into a bowl and stir up the dough. In this way, the cook also controls the type and amount of fats and seasonings that end up in the finished product, so you can really have some fun with it. Still, in my house, sesame sticks are an occasional snacking treat, not a weekly staple, and simply pulling down the bar on the bulk bin of Cajun Hot Sticks—even if I have no idea how long they have been sitting in there—will remain a tempting option.

October 2012

This recipe was cross-tested in 2023 and updated to guarantee best results. Instead of baking the sesame sticks, we now recommend frying them for crisper, lighter sesame sticks that more closely resemble the store-bought version.

Recipe Details

DIY Sesame Sticks Recipe

Prep5 mins

Cook20 mins

Active45 mins

Resting Time45 mins

Total70 mins

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour (about 5 ounces; 142g)
1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds (about 2 ounces; 57g)
1/4 cup fine cracked wheat (about 1.5 ounces; 43g)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon beet rootpowder (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder,or to taste
2 1/2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt
1/4 cup (60ml) sesame oil (plain, not toasted finishing oil)
1/4 cup (60ml) plus 2 tablespoons water
Canola oil, for frying

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sesame seeds, cracked wheat, turmeric, beet powder (if using), garlic powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
In a small bowl, whisk together oil and water. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Combine thoroughly, kneading any remaining bits into the dough by hand.
Divide dough in half and wrap each in plastic, flattening into 3/4-inch-thick disks. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow dough to firm up before rolling.
Pour canola oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches in a large pot or a large deep-sided skillet; heat oil over medium to 350°F (177°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness and, using a knife or pizza wheel, cut into small rectangles (approximately 1/4-inch by 3/4-inch). Alternatively, roll and cut dough to your desired shape, reworking the scraps until all the dough is used. (Uniformity is more important than size to assure even cooking.) Leave the pieces as they are or roll each one quickly between your palms to form thin rods.
Working in 3 batches, carefully add shaped dough to hot oil and fry, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden brown, about 90 seconds. Using a slotted spoon or spider, transfer fried sesame sticks to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, allowing the hot oil to return to 350°F in between batches. Let cool completely, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

Special Equipment

Whisk, large pot or large deep-sided skillet, thermometer, rimmed baking sheet, slotted spoon

I used beet powder because it is an ingredient listed in most commercial versions of the sticks. However, it seems to be more for color than for taste, so you may eliminate it if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
122	Calories
8g	Fat
11g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories	122
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g	11%
Saturated Fat 1g	6%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 442mg	19%
Total Carbohydrate 11g	4%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 52mg	4%
Iron 1mg	7%
Potassium 74mg	2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

FAQs

How to make sesame o? ›

Use a ratio of one part sesame seeds to two parts oil — i.e., if you're using a quarter cup of seeds, use half a cup of oil. You'll only need to cook for a few minutes. Strain the seeds out, leaving the tasty oil behind. For toasted sesame oil, cook the seeds in the pan until they're aromatic, then add the oil.

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Are sesame sticks good for constipation? ›

Sesame seeds have a higher content of fibre that may be beneficial for good digestion. It may also help with symptoms like constipation and diarrhoea while also protecting the colon and lowering the risk of gastrointestinal disorders.

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Are everything sesame sticks healthy? ›

Sesame sticks are an excellent source of calcium, with 48 percent of the daily value in 1 oz. They also contain small amounts of other nutrients, such as potassium, vitamin B-6 and zinc. Watch out for the sodium found in this snack; 1 oz. contains 18 percent of the daily value.

Is sesame sticks good for weight loss? ›

Sesame seeds or til are known to be an excellent source of protein, which helps increase your metabolic rate and curbs hunger, thereby avoiding excessive calorie consumption and aiding weight loss. In fact, fibre-rich foods can help you lose fat but maintain muscles.

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Are sesame sticks better than chips? ›

A one-ounce serving of sesame sticks contains around 130 calories, while the same serving size of crisps contains around 155 calories. This makes sesame sticks a better option if you're watching your weight or trying to make healthier choices.

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What in sesame causes allergy? ›

When someone has a sesame allergy, the body's immune system, which normally fights infections, overreacts to proteins in the sesame. If the person eats something that contains sesame, the body thinks these proteins are harmful invaders and responds by working very hard to fight off the invader.

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Are sesame sticks high in histamine? ›

Sesame seeds do not contain high amounts of histamine, but their consumption may indirectly affect histamine levels in some individuals. Certain factors, such as stress, hormonal imbalances, and poor gut health, can impact histamine metabolism and tolerance.

Get More Info Here ›

What is sesame seed candy made of? ›

Sesame seed candy is a confection of sesame seeds and sugar or honey pressed into a bar or ball.

Discover More Details ›