These sesame tahini cookies are simple to make with just a handful of ingredients. They deliver a delightful, nutty flavor that’s both rich and satisfying, perfect for any occasion.
Craving something sweet, nutty, and oh-so-satisfying? These sesame tahini cookies are your next go-to treat. Not only are they incredibly easy cookies to make, but they also cater to various dietary preferences.
Inspired by my love for tahini and these easy peanut butter cookies, the result is sheer perfection and decadence.
Whether vegan, gluten-free, eating whole foods, or simply looking to indulge in a healthy snack, these cookies are the perfect answer to your cravings.
With a delightful blend of almond flour, tahini, and sesame seeds, each bite offers a unique combination of flavors and textures. Let's dive into the recipe and discover why these cookies are a must-try.
Ingredients you’ll need
With only a handful of ingredients, these sesame tahini cookies are a breeze to make and offer a perfect balance of nutty and sweet flavors.
- almond flour or almond meal
- baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- pure maple syrup
- Seeds of Collaboration tahini (or one of your favorite brands of tahini)
- vanilla extract
- sesame seeds (black or white sesame seeds)
How to make sesame tahini cookies
A few steps are all it takes to create these easy and delicious sesame tahini cookies.
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet or baking tray with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to ensure all dry ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, tahini, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This mixture will have a nutty flavor similar to peanut butter cookies but with a unique sesame paste taste.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: In a large bowl, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a thick, smooth dough forms. If the dough seems too sticky, add a bit more almond flour.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop out the dough using a tablespoon cookie scoop or heaping tablespoons of dough and roll it into small balls. Dip tops of balls into sesame seeds in a shallow bowl and roll until the balls are completely covered in sesame seeds. The sesame seeds add a beautiful contrast and a crunchy texture to the cookies.
- Bake Cookies: Place the cookie dough balls on the lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Press down gently on each ball using the flat bottom of a glass to flatten slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
What’s the best way to store sesame tahini cookies
- To keep these delicious vegan tahini cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator or freezer.
- If you plan to store a whole batch, use a cookie jar or any container with a secure lid to maintain their crunchy texture. This makes them the perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of coffee after a long week.
Tips & Variations
- Sweetness Level: If you prefer your cookies to be sweeter, you can increase the amount of maple syrup or substitute it with coconut sugar for a different flavor profile.
- Texture Variation: Reduce the baking time by a minute or two for a chewier cookie. For a crispier texture, bake for a couple of minutes longer. This is one of the best ways to customize your cookie recipes to your liking.
- Sweeteners: Date paste or date syrup can be used instead of maple syrup. Dry sweeteners like organic cane sugar, dark brown sugar, coconut sugar, or date sugar may also be used.
- Add-ins: For extra flavor and texture, you can add chopped nuts, dark chocolate chips, or dried fruits to the dough.
- Tahini Substitution: If you don't have Seeds of Collaboration tahini, any brand of tahini paste will work, but try to use one that is smooth and not too thick. You can find quality tahini paste in health food stores, online, and most local grocery stores.
- Flavor Boost: Adding a touch of lemon juice or almond extract to the dough can enhance the cookies’ sesame flavor and nutty flavor.
- Nut Butter Alternative: If you don’t like tahini, replace it with cashew butter, almond butter, or any of your other favorite nut butters for a different yet equally delicious taste.
- Sesame Seeds: I like rolling the cookie dough balls in a mixture of white and black sesame seeds for a cool look. But that’s just me ✌🏻
Frequently asked questions
Tahini is a creamy paste made from toasted and ground sesame seeds and is most commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. Tahini is rich in healthy fats, protein, calcium, iron, and essential vitamins, making it a nutritious addition to any diet. It can be found in most grocery and health food stores and should be refrigerated after opening to maintain freshness.
Tahini is characterized by a deep, earthy taste and a subtle bitterness, but it’s not overpowering. While it looks like peanut butter or other nut butters, it lacks their sweetness. The flavor of toasted sesame seeds is the most prominent, providing a creamy and rich ingredient to recipes.
Look for a product made from 100% sesame seeds with a smooth, creamy texture and a light beige to golden brown color. Opt for tahini with a nutty, slightly bitter flavor, preferably stone-ground, and from reputable brands like Seeds of Collaboration. Consider factors like organic certification, packaging quality, and price, but remember that the most important aspects are the ingredient quality and overall taste profile.
Why you’ll love these sesame tahini cookies
These sesame tahini cookies are delicious and packed with nutritional benefits. Tahini, made from ground sesame seeds or sesame seed paste, is a great source of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Almond flour adds a boost of protein and fiber, making these cookies a healthier alternative to traditional cookies made with all purpose flour. Plus, they’re naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup as opposed to regular table sugar. So they’re a little less laden with guilt.
Whether you're enjoying them as an afternoon snack or a post-dinner treat, these cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your health goals on track. So why not whip up a batch today and experience the perfect blend of flavor and nutrition?
Want more vegan cookie recipes?
Check out this delicious list of healthy vegan cookies you must try:
- One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Gluten-free Chai-Spiced Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Vegan No-Bake Cookies
FYI, these Gluten-free Breakfast Cookies are some of my faves 😉
Enjoy the rich, nutty taste and the delightful crunch of toasted sesame seeds in every bite. Happy baking!
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Sesame Tahini Cookies (Vegan, GF)
These sesame tahini cookies are simple to make with just a handful of ingredients. They deliver a delightful, nutty flavor that’s both rich and satisfying, perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 9–10 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Middle Easter
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup of tahini (I use Seeds of Collaboration)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet or baking tray with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to ensure all dry ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, tahini, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This mixture will have a nutty flavor similar to peanut butter cookies but with a unique sesame paste taste.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: In a large bowl, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a thick, smooth dough forms. If the dough seems too sticky, add a bit more almond flour.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop out the dough using a tablespoon cookie scoop or heaping tablespoons of dough and roll it into small balls. Dip tops of balls into sesame seeds in a shallow bowl and roll until the balls are completely covered in sesame seeds. The sesame seeds add a beautiful contrast and a crunchy texture to the cookies.
- Bake Cookies: Place the cookie dough balls on the lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Gently press down on each ball using the flat bottom of a glass to flatten slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
To keep these delicious vegan tahini cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator or freezer. If you plan to store a whole batch, use a cookie jar or any container with a secure lid to maintain their crunchy texture. This makes them the perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of coffee after a long week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 7.8 g
- Sodium: 104.9 mg
- Fat: 5.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.1 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Delicious cookies. I loved the tahini flavour and the great texture. I toasted the sesame seeds first, only because I love toasted sesame seeds. Thank you for this beautiful recipe
Another winner, Shane! These are so good and I appreciate that they are made with wholesome ingredients!!
Thank you, Nicole!
Excellent tasting cookie. Very easy to make with few ingredients. These cookies are soft, but the bite is chewy and very satisfying. Not a super sweet cookie, but balances well with the tahini. I will surely make these over and over again.
When trying something new I usually don’t double a recipe but for some reason I made an exception here and not doubled but tripled and these are OH SO GOOD!
I baked a few mins longer to get a more crispier cookie and wow!
This is another keeper!!
Wow, Vivian! Thank so much – we love them as well. The are so unique and addictive:)
These are delicious and so fast and easy to make. Especially good when eaten warm from the oven. Thanks for a great recipe.
I made these today. They are SO good. I think even SAD eaters would like these. With the cookie scoop I have, I got 13 cookies. This is a keeper of a recipe!
These sesame tahini cookies are simple to make with just a handful of ingredients. They deliver a delightful, nutty flavor that’s both rich and satisfying, perfect for any occasion.
These are so good! I used date syrup and added a little almond extract and it worked really well. I love pignoli nut cookies and had the sense these would have a similar texture/flavor. I like them chewy! Superb. I think these will be a regular treat, chez moi!
Shane, there is no other recipe for baked beans anyone needs. Shane’s Baked beans are it! Made them again today superb! and your recipe for the cookies is primo primo primo! So easy kids should love making these. Really glad I had all ingredients on hand for both recipes today but that’s not unusual if you follow Shane and Simple recipes. Thanks Shane just for the health of it.
Oh yum!! I didn’t even let them get cool before eating the first one.