Pasteli: Greek Honey-Sesame Bars
These sesame bars known as pasteli in Greek are the original power bars. They actually go back to antiquity, the ancient Greeks had a similar recipe that included a variety of nuts and honey. Today you can pretty much find pasteli anywhere in Greece. When I’m out and am looking for something quick I’ll stop by a periptero (kiosks that are everywhere) and that is what I’ll get. It is basically honey and sesame seeds. You can also find other types of pasteli that include other nuts such as pistachios.
These bars are traditionally consumed during times of fasting, when animal products are prohibited. If you do not already know, Greeks used to fast from animal products for about 180 days a year so these little things were nice little desserts to have.
I’ve seen these bars, being called sesame candy, but they are far from it, from nutritional point of view at least. Sesame is an excellent source of protein, a good source of calcium and iron, contains the good fats and the most phytosterols among nuts and seeds. Phytosterols are substances that appear to lower cholesterol levels and may protect from cancer. In addition sesame seeds contain antioxidants and fiber. The honey acts as a binder and a sweetener. They are a great snack during the day and kids love them too.
These bars are a concentrated source of calories and they are rich and sweet so you only need small amount. And I’m not just saying that, you really will feel satisfied after eating a small thin bar.
I decided to make my own, as holiday treats this year. They only contain honey and sesame seeds, unfortunately nowadays a lot of the pasteli you buy at the store contains glucose syrup.
The steps are simple, you just want to make sure you do not overcook it. I like mine to be thin and crispy, but you can roll them out in the size you wish. There are different recipes out there, I used the most straightforward one with equal amounts of honey and sesame seeds (by weight).
Pasteli: Greek Honey-Sesame Bars
Ingredients
- 7 ounces about 1 ½ cup sesame seeds
- 7 ounces about ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Toast the sesame seeds. You can spread them in a pan and put them in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit or you can toast them in a pan. You want them to get a bit of color but not too brown.
- Pour the honey in medium sauce pan and heat the honey until it starts to bubble. Let it boil for 4-5 minutes. If you have a food thermometer, you boil until honey reaches a temperature of 250 F (125 C).
- Pour the toasted sesame seeds, lower the heat and stir. Making sure all ingredients are mixed well together. Heat the mixture for 2-3 minutes more (the more it cooks the crunchier it will be-but be careful of scorching). To check if it is ready, take a small amount and drop it in a glass with water, it should stay in a ball, if it spreads out it still needs to be heated.
- Line a pan with slightly greased (I spray or brush with olive oil) parchment paper and pour the sesame mixture, place another sheet of parchment paper on top (also greased) and spread out the sesame-honey mix with a rolling pin. I prefer to do this step directly on the table instead of using a pan, that way I can spread as thin as I like (mine are rolled out to ¼ inch thick).
- Remove the top sheet carefully and let it cool for about 15 minutes. Cut in small bars (I use a pizza cutter).
- Let them cool completely. Remove and store with parchment paper between them in airtight container.
Notes
Make sure you grease the parchment paper well.
Hello,
I love the recipe, but i tried it and after some hours it’s became de-crytillized and sticky
Do you think it will work if I use date syrup instead? I heard that honey can become toxic at high temperatures
Hi Elena, I have not used date syrup so I am not sure of the result. However, there is no valid evidence that shows that honey can become toxic at high temperatures.
I have tried your recipe it’s is to make but I have added my own twist, by adding almond, cashew and peanuts (crushed), it tastes very nice. Thank you for the recipe.
I am looking for ways to lose some weight and this is the first step as my snack.
Yummy! Thank you for sharing Claudia!
I had these when I lived in Israel. Fell in love with them as I walked to school munching on them. Just made a batch & they’re cooling down now. Very eager for the memory trip, lol! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Thank you for sharing Ariel!
Oh my goodness! I should have read these tips before making them. I ended up eating right off the wax paper – quite frustrated. It was worth it coz they’re so delicious. I will try parchment paper and oil spray next time.
Will maple syrup work in this recipe?Unfortunately my son is allergic to honey.
Hi Ann,
Maple syrup is thinner than honey, so I’m not sure if it will harden enough, it may have a softer consistency – so a more chewy rather than crunchy pasteli.
Parchment paper works far better than wax paper, but even better to avoid sticking is a silicon mat – no need for grease! Thanks for this awesome recipe.
Thanks for the tip Pippa!
After craving these I bought some at my local supposedly upscale grocery. Corn syrup, ugh! No more. I am so grateful for your authentic recipe.
Thanks for the recipe! easy to make with just 2 ingredients. I found it too sweet for my taste though, if I add more sesame or decrease the honey will it still bind properly?
I’m not sure if it will bind, it may be a bit too dry.
I lightly buttered parchment paper and rolled them there and had no sticking problems at all. Nice to find a healthier candy alternative to appease my sweet tooth.
Made these the other day. Heavenly.
Great recipe!
I made this twice in the last couple of days and wonder if anybody else had problems getting the bottom layer of waxed paper off after this set and cooled? I peeled off the top layer of waxed paper as soon as it would pull away without taking the mixture with it but the bottom layer would not budge. I did try to lightly oil it but with wax paper being what it is the oil beaded up and tried to run somewhere. I was finally able to get it off by heating it with a hair blow dryer,picking it with a sharp knife tip and peeling it bit by bit. Aside from that, it is delicious! I would love to make this again but would like to do so without extra steps.
Yes, it is a sticky process. You can grease your pan with a bit of oil. Or you can use an ice cube and slide it on the places where the wax paper has stuck, it loosens it and then you can remove any stuck paper fairly easy.
Thank you!
Is the wax in the wax paper melting just a bit perhaps and causing the sticking? Would parchment paper work better?
I remember my mother buying these for us occasionally as a treat, I never thought of making them but I will be buying some sesame seeds today to make these. I have recently been reading articles on PubMed about studies measuring the difference between honey and sugar. While nobody is saying to eat honey with abandon the studies are showing the body handles honey much better and there are positive results compared to sugar. When it was pointed out that honey is a whole food, it makes sense. Thanks for providing a recipe for a sweet treat that will satisfy.
This is great. I have been planning to buy these for an upcoming long-distance hike, but now I can just make my own!
Great! Just in time. These will be perfect, just make sure to wrap them as they can be sticky.
I used to love these when I was younger – so tasty!! I agree with you, they are very satisfying. Nothing like nuts/seeds in a snack to satisfy you!
Exactly! Love nuts and seeds!
I bought on of these and while eating it I searched online for a recipe. I’m munching away eating the bar and reading the article and the recipe. I’m so excited I can make these myself. And I’d like to try making some with black sesame seeds. Thank you Elena! The lemon chicken potato recipe looks great!
I made these just of the recipe indicated. They came out perfect. I have eaten half of them already. I love using a Bing pizza cutter to slice through treats. I also spread them out right on the counter over a piece of parchment paper sprayed with coconut oil. Put another piece on top, before putting the mixture, and transferred part of that coconut oil on to the other piece of paper first.
I don’t have a rolling pin so I used a straight edge glass. Thanks I needed a treat they did not include any sugar.
Thanks for sharing Jane!