published Jun 23, 2023, updated Jan 28, 2024 When I was in Istanbul, and throughout Turkey, these were seen each morning stacked 20 high on top of street vendors heads. It was the first time I had eaten one and I was hooked after the first bite! First the aroma hits you, then the sweet crunch from the molasses and sesame seeds. Inside was a fluffy bread that had me wanting them every morning. Turkish simit can be enjoyed as a snack, for breakfast, as an appetizer, and more. Although sometimes described as “Turkish bagels,” simit is quite different. Bagels are boiled and end up with a dense consistency. Simit, on the other hand, is simply coated and baked, rendering it far airier and fluffier. You get everything you love about a classic bagel without so much dense breadiness. Make one batch of these sesame bread rings and you’ll never look back! For more bread recipes from the Silk Road, check out my Challah Bread, Pide Turkish Flatbread, and this Barbari Bread. This post, originally published on Silk Road Recipes February, 2021, was updated with new content, photos and/or video in June, 2023. Love this recipe? Share it with the world on Pinterest.
