Homemade Sesame Snaps

Have you ever had sesame snaps? They were one of my favourite childhood snacks! In today’s recipe, I show you how to make homemade sesame snaps that are just as good as the ones you get from the store but are healthier and aren’t wrapped in individual plastic wrappers. It’s a delicious snack or a mini treat that is gluten-free, nut-free, paleo and vegan-friendly. This recipe was originally created for my 8-week program and has since become popular with my readers. I hope you like it!


Sesame snaps recipe (gluten-free)
 

What Are Sesame Snaps?

Sesame snaps are thin crisps made from sesame seeds and sugar or honey, and sometimes other seeds or dried fruit. As a snack or a treat, sesame snaps or sesame candy are popular in the Middle East, Asia, Mediterranean and even Eastern European cultures. In Greece and Cypress, they are known as pasteli; in Poland, as sezamki, which is similar to the name I knew them back in my childhood

In Australia and the UK, they’re known simply as sesame snaps and they come as 4 thin crisps wrapped in that annoying single-used plastic packet. They taste nutty or seedy and have that lovely sweetness, often with a hint of honey.  Sesame snaps are great for lunchboxes, movie snack, hiking, road trips, and pre and post-workout. 

Sesame Snaps the original store-bought version
 

The commercially available version is made with sesame seeds, glucose syrup and sugar. Because I love them so much, I wanted to create a healthier version with more natural sweeteners. I used a little brown rice syrup and a touch of honey (you can use maple syrup) which hold the sesame seeds together. I also added a little shredded coconut, vanilla and pumpkin seeds.

These sesame snaps are a great source of fibre and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.

 

How To Make Sesame Snaps

You will find the full list of ingredients, instructions and nutritional breakdown in the recipe card below. Here are some step-by-step photos to guide you along. They will last for up to two weeks in an airtight container. 

You can add your personal twist to this recipe such a little cinnamon or nutmeg or maybe a few black sesame seeds. 

How to make sesame snaps step-by-step photos
Baked sesame snap sheet out of the oven
Sesame snaps squares stored in glass Tupperware
 

More Healthy Snacks & Treats

Low-Carb, Nut-Free Crackers

Pumpkin Tahini Cashew Dip

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Maple & Sesame Apple Crisps

Coconut Honey Joys

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Sesame snaps recipe

Homemade Sesame Snaps

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Author: Irena Macri
Servings: 12 pieces (6 serves)
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Greek
Print Pin Save
5 from 7 votes
Calories: 98kcal
This a healthier, homemade sesame snaps recipe that uses all natural ingredients. Enjoy as a snack or a little treat. These are gluten-free, nut-free, paleo and vegan-friendly (replace honey with maple syrup or extra rice syrup).

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup sesame seeds
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds pepitas
  • 1/4 cup desiccated coconut unsweetened
  • 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 tablespoon melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence/extract

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 150 C / 300 F.
  • Thoroughly combine all ingredients in a bowl with a spoon, pressing down the mixture against the sides.
  • Measure out a piece of parchment/baking paper to fit a medium flat baking tray (about 40-cm x 3-cm) and place it on a cutting board or flat surface. See step-by-step pics above.
  • Scoop the mixture into a ball and transfer to the middle of the sheet. Spread into an oval shaped pancake, pressing down with the back of the spoon. Make sure there are no visible holes. Then place another piece of parchment paper over the top and press down with your hands, until the pancake flattens. Make sure not to break it.
  • Using a rolling pin, flatten the mixture into a thin layer. Press and roll the pin over the top starting from the middle in different directions, making sure the mixture doesn’t spread beyond the parchment paper. We’re after 2-3-mm thickness - but don’t worry if it’s a little thicker.
  • Carefully slide the paper with the snap layer onto a baking tray. Peel off the top piece of paper very carefully, patching up any little holes that might appear.
  • Bake in the oven, middle shelf for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Keep an eye on it as the mixture does cook quickly and can burn easily. It should be golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and cool completely. If it’s cold outside, put the tray out in the cold air.
  • Once completely cooled, break into rectangular snap pieces. Keep in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Notes

  • Feel free to remove the coconut and add sunflower seeds instead.
  • If honey is a problem, use more rice malt syrup. Maple syrup can also be used.
  • Olive oil can be used instead of coconut oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 98kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords: Snacks, Gluten-Free, Sesame
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookedandloved or tag #cookedandloved

 

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Homemade Sesame Snaps (Gluten-Free, Nut-Free)
Irena Macri
By Irena Macri

About the author: Hi, I’m Irena Macri. I share delicious recipes that I have cooked and loved. I am a published cookbook author, have been food blogging for over 10 years and have a Diploma in Nutrition. You will find many healthy recipes as well as my favourite comfort food. More about me here | Subscribe to my newsletter and freebies

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Comments

16 Comments
  1. 5 stars
    Love this simple, fibre-rich treat. I’ll try it out at one of my healthy eating with cancer classes very soon 😊

  2. 5 stars
    Just made these and they were amazing!! Only used sesame seeds to make them like the sesame snaps we used to get as children and this was a spot on healthy version!

    Will be adding these to my weekly bake!!!!

  3. 5 stars
    This recipe sounds and looks very delicious! I haven’t been able to make it because i cant find the brown sugar syrup. Do you make it?

    1. Do you mean brown rice syrup? It’s sometimes just called rice syrup and you can get it from supermarkets, sometimes in the health section. Alternatively, use maple syrup or honey here.

    1. Good question, I am not sure as I haven’t heard of freezing sesame snaps. They will keep for a while in the fridge and even out of the pantry in an airtight jar.

  4. 5 stars
    10/10

    I absolutely love this sesame snap recipe. So simple and delicious. I make it regularly now, sometimes I add oats and a pinch of sea salt too.

  5. 5 stars
    these turned out so well and are almost identical to a nut and seed brittle that i loved to buy from costco but which is no longer available. i had looked everywhere for a recipe and tried so many, but failed! i had to turn up the heat on my particular oven to get them to brown and made a couple of the suggested substitutions, but once finished, i couldn’t stop at just two pieces as per the suggested serving! lol!

  6. 5 stars
    Should they or could they be kept in the refrigerator? They came out delicious! and perfect.

    1. Can be left out of the fridge but keep them in an airtight container so they stay crunchy.

    1. Hulled. I rarely see unhulled sesame seeds for purchase. I don’t see why you couldn’t use it though.

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