Easy Koulouri or Simit Recipe (Sesame Bread Rings)
This easy Koulouri Thessalonikis, also known as just koulouri in Greece or Simit in Turkey is a ring shaped bread that is crispy and golden brown on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
I love the koulouri. For Greeks, the koulouri is a snack that’s as much a part of daily life in Greece as coffee! Known as simit in Turkey, the koulouri is the ultimate go-to snack (and sometimes breakfast) for Greeks. Golden bread rings that are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. You can find them everywhere in Greece: from street vendors and bakeries to large supermarkets and school canteens. Now you can create this wonderful street food with this very easy recipe.
What is the Koulouri or Simit?
It is a delicious type of bread that has a crunchy texture on the outside. Although it may look like a bagel sometimes, it is called a Greek bagel or a Turkish bagel. However, the koulouri or simit is very different from the bagel. The texture of the bagel is dense, whereas the koulouri soft and chewy. The koulouri is only baked not boiled. But the secret is that it is dipped in water that has added sugar or molasses, this will cause a sort of caramelization on the outside giving it that crunchy texture.
Is Koulouri or Simit Greek or Turkish?
The koulouri is believed to have existed in a different form since antiquity, known as kollyra an ancient type of circular bread consumed by slaves. Generally, though the history of koulοuri begins during the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The streets of Istanbul (Constantinople) were filled with koulouri vendors selling this street-food. The koulouri was introduced to Greece via the Greek refugees from Asia Minor. Its production and sale began in Thessaloniki and later spread throughout Greece, which is why in Greece it is often known as Koulouri Thessalonikis. To this day it is very r popular in both Greece and Turkey.
Nutrition Benefits of the Koulouri or Simit: The Dietitian’s Take
For starters this homemade bread is free from artificial preservatives and additives, making it a healthier alternative to commercial breads. Olive oil provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, while the sesame seeds are also a good source of minerals and antioxidants. To improve its nutritional profile, I would pair the bread with protein sources like cheese or tahini or hummus and add some vegetables like tomatoes.
Ingredients of the Koulouri Thessalonikis or Simit
- Flour: All-purpose flour here is fine
- Yeast: For this recipe as we want to make it fool-proof and easy so I have used instant dry yeast. This eliminates a few steps.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: You may have seen in other recipes that use a “vegetable” oil, however those oils are highly processed and promote inflammation in the body. Olive oil is anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants.
- Sesame seeds: Plain white sesame seeds are typically used. However, for an interesting alternative you can also use black sesame seeds.
- Sweetener: Typically, petimezi is used, petimezi is grape molasses. But you also can use honey or sugar. Do not omit the sweetener as this is what produces the cause the caramelization on the outside of the bread.
How To make Koulouri Thessalonikis or Simit
1. Start by preparing the dough. For this step I used a mixer with a dough hook. All you need to do is add the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in the mixer bowl. Mix with a spoon. Add the olive oil and the lukewarm water. Using the dough hook mix at low speed for about 10 minutes until the dough is elastic.
2. Once it is mixed. Remove it from the bowl and place the dough on a lightly greased working surface (with olive oil). Separate in 6 equal pieces.
3. Roll pieces into long logs about 9-10 inches, if you make them shorter, they will produce a thicker shape, typically koulouria found at street vendors are thinner making for a larger ring. Take both ends of dough and connect together forming a ring.
4. Set on pan lined with parchment paper. Place pan in a warm area and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
5. Start making your coating in another bowl, mix 2/3 cup of warm water and add the sugar, honey or molasses. Place the sesame seeds on another plate.
6. Dip each ring into the water, and then roll each into the sesame seeds, patting any area with seeds that is not covered.
7. Preheat oven at 400° F (200° C) using a convection oven (preferable). For a conventional oven preheat at 425 °F (220° C).
8. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Let them cool for 5 minutes and remove from the pan.
9. Enjoy right away. I like to make smaller batches as a koulouri thessalonikis is best enjoyed fresh.
Tips to make the best Koulouri-Simit
- Make sure you dip them in the sweetened water, this is what gives the crunchiness and the golden color, as the sweetener caramelizes while it is baking.
- Make sure the water is at the right temperature. It should not be higher than 95 °F (35° C), otherwise it will destroy the yeast cells.
- Make sure that the koulouri is well coated with the sesame seeds, this is what makes them taste so good.
Storage
I’ll be honest here, the Koulouri Thessalonikis or Simit is best enjoyed fresh. So, I generally make a small batch to be consumed within a day. However, if you want to store it, you can place it an airtight container. It can last 1-2 days without losing its texture. You can also store them in the refrigerator for about 5 days and reheat in the oven or toaster (if it is wide enough).
What to serve with a Koulouri Thessalonikis or Simit
The koulouri is usually enjoyed on its own as a quick snack or a breakfast, however as I noted above if you want to balance it nutritionally, you can enjoy with some cheese such as feta or graviera (as in the photo) or cut it in half and spread some tahini or hummus or a creamier cheese. You can have some olives or tomatoes or some dried fruit.
More Mediterranean Bread Recipes You May Like
- Best Homemade Pita Bread
- Olive Oil Biscuits
- Greek Flatbread-Lagana
- Greek Carrot & Parsley Breadsticks
- Easy Focaccia Bread with Cherry Tomatoes
Easy Koulouri or Simit (Sesame Bread Rings)
Ingredients
For Sesame Coating
- ⅔ cup warm water
- 1 ½ tsp honey or sugar or petimezi (grape molasses)
- ½ cup sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a mixer bowl, add the flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Mix with a spoon. Add the olive oil and the lukewarm water. Using the dough hook and mix at low speed for about 10 minutes until the dough is elastic.
- Lightly grease your working surface. Place the dough on the surface and separate in 6 equal pieces.
- Roll pieces into long logs about 9-10 inches. Take both ends of dough and connect together to form a ring.
- Set on pan lined with parchment paper. Place pan in a warm area and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
- In another bowl, mix ⅔ cup of warm water with the honey. Place the sesame seeds on another plate.
- After dough has rested dip each ring into the water, and then roll each into the sesame seeds, patting any area with seeds that is not covered.
- Preheat oven at 400° F (200° C) using a convection oven (preferable). For a conventional oven preheat at 425 °F (220° C).
- Bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Let them cool for 5 minutes and remove from the pan.
- Enjoy right away.
Was a bit afraid to try these, but this recipe was very easy! Great texture too!
So easy! Made these last night and so doable! We had them with soup and salad.
Ohhhh these are beautiful! I saw them all around Istanbul on carts as well.