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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Modified: Mar 20, 2025 · Published: Mar 13, 2019 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Sesame Crunch Bars

    Jump to Recipe Pin Video

    These Sesame Crunch Bars are a healthy grain free snack. Made with maple syrup, they are sweet and crunchy.

    Sesame Crunch Bars on parchment paper on a cutting board.

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    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "I made these bars using the stove top method, and I split the maple syrup half and half with light agave syrup. Absolutely yummy ! - Gail"

    I have been sesame seed obsessed lately. Not only do I love the taste, but when I found out how much calcium and magnesium they have, I started to include them in my diet daily.

    I started eating them more after I fractured my ankle. Mainly, I include them in my morning smoothie, but these Sesame Crunch Bars are another way that I like to have them.

    I first tried sesame seed candy and sesame crunch bars (Pasteli) many years ago, what feels like a lifetime ago, when I worked at a health food store. The bars were thin, and just like the name describes; crunchy.

    Made with only a couple of ingredients, I was impressed at how good and how simple they were. I forgot about them until recently when I saw my 2 lb. bag of sesame seeds that I got from the bulk section of my local grocery store. It was such a big bag of sesame seeds that I figured I should include them in a recipe.

    The most difficult thing about these sesame bars is waiting for them to cool off before diving into them.

    If you're like me and go on road trips during the summer, this sesame brittle is the perfect snack to take along. It stays crunchy and it doesn't need to be packed in the cooler. If you're more of a travel by plane kind of person, it is great for that too!

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love Them
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • Other Vegan Snack Recipes
    • 🎥  Video
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love Them

    • They're sweet and crunchy.
    • They travel well.
    • They make a great snack.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Sesame crunch bar ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • Sesame seeds: I used raw sesame seeds that I toasted. You could also use toasted sesame seeds.
    • Maple syrup: I like the flavor of maple syrup, but agave syrup would also work.
    • Salt: Brings out the sweetness. I like to use sea salt.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Collage photo of sesame seeds being toasted in a pan, then maple syrup added, and cooked down.

    Step 1: Toast sesame seeds until golden and fragrant.

    Step 2: Stovetop method: Add maple syrup and salt.

    Step 3: Cook until maple syrup cooks down, stirring constantly.

    Oven method: Mix ingredients and pour on a baking sheet with double-lined parchment paper, or aluminum foil with parchment paper over the top, making sure the bottom layer has a lip.

    Two layers are necessary because the mixture will leak under the first layer and this will protect your baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Cut when the mixture hardens slightly but is still somewhat soft.

    Collage photo of sesame mixture being poured on parchment paper, then rolled out, then sliced.

    Step 4: Pour the mixture on a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Place another piece of parchment paper on top, that has also been sprayed with cooking spray.

    Step 5: Use a rolling pin to roll out evenly.

    Step 6: Cut when the mixture hardens slightly but is still somewhat soft.

    💭 Tips

    • If you're making your sesame crunch in the oven, I recommend a double layer of parchment paper or aluminum foil under the first layer of parchment. Otherwise, the mixture leaks under it and leaves a sticky mess on your baking sheet.
    • If you do find yourself with a sticky baking sheet, or pan from the stovetop method for that matter, soak it for a while and it will come clean easily. (It doesn't seem like it will when you first see the sticky mixture stuck on, but don't freak out.)
    • If you prefer the stovetop method, which comes together quite quickly, you'll need to watch over it. It literally takes only a few minutes.
    • Cut the mixture after it's set a little while, but still soft. That way you'll get nice straight edges.
    Sesame Crunch Bars on a cutting board.
    Sesame Crunch Bars on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

    Other Vegan Snack Recipes

    • Cashew Cranberry Bars
      Cashew Cranberry Bars
    • Maple Chipotle Cashews on parchment paper.
      Maple Chipotle Cashews
    • Apple Nachos
      Healthy Apple Nachos
    • Carrot Cake Energy Bites stacked on a plate.
      Carrot Cake Energy Bites

    🎥  Video

    If you tried this Sesame Crunch Bars Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    These sesame bars are perfect for on the go!

    📋 Recipe

    Sesame Crunch Bars on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
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    4.86 from 7 votes

    Sesame Crunch Bars

    These Sesame Crunch Bars are a healthy grain free snack. Made with maple syrup, they are sweet and crunchy.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Greek inspired
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
    If baking 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 small bars (or 8 large)
    Calories 134kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup raw sesame seeds
    • ½ cup maple syrup
    • Pinch salt
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • If doing oven method, preheat oven to 325°F.
    • Toast sesame seeds in a pan on the stovetop for about 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
    • Stovetop method: Add maple syrup and salt. Cook down about 3-5 minutes until maple syrup cooks down, stirring constantly. 
    • Pour mixture on a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Place a parchment paper on top (that has also been sprayed with cooking spray) and use a rolling pin to roll out evenly and flatten. Cut when mixture hardens slightly, but is still somewhat soft.
    • Oven method: Mix ingredients and pour on a baking sheet with double lined parchment paper, or aluminum foil with parchment paper over the top, making sure the bottom layer has a lip. Two layers are necessary because the mixture will leak under the first layer and this will protect your baking sheet. Bake at 325°F for 30 minutes*. Cut when the mixture hardens slightly but is still somewhat soft.

    Notes

    *For the oven method: Cooking time will depend on thickness of bars. Mine were about ¼" thick.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 2.1mg
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    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.86 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cindy mays says

      March 19, 2025 at 4:58 pm

      I made two trays of these …my child self use to buy these like at age 8 at a health food store nearby we use to frequent. One batch without any spray oil and one tray with melted coconut oil. The non oil tray was crunchy. I prefer using no oils. The other tray ended up sticking to my teeth. Not pleasant. Also no rolling pin method needed. I spread the batter out into a square shape with a rubber scraper. Was a perfect 1/4” I will make these daily5 stars

      Reply
    2. Kathryn Gannon says

      August 08, 2024 at 3:11 am

      Talking of sticky messes, I have found if you soak your pans etc; in hot water and baking powder it comes off really easily not bi-carb baking powder.It seems to work on anything.

      Reply
    3. tammy says

      December 16, 2022 at 5:36 pm

      I am about to make these bars tonight .
      I just failed with a different recipe that had coconut oil... they didn't harden at all! How are these for holding up as a gift in a bag?
      thanks for your input 🙂

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        December 17, 2022 at 8:29 am

        These hold up nicely. The maple syrup hardens making hard bars. If you’re putting them in a gift bag you may want to protect them with cushioning so they don’t crack.

        Reply
    4. Tarryn says

      August 29, 2022 at 8:00 am

      Could this recipe be done with honey instead of maple syrup?

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        August 29, 2022 at 11:36 am

        Yes, that's actually the way it's traditionally made.

        Reply
    5. Gail Whitney says

      April 10, 2022 at 8:32 am

      I made these bars using the stove top method, and I split the maple syrup half and half with light agave syrup. Absolutely yummy !5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        April 11, 2022 at 7:53 am

        Thanks Gail, I’m so glad you liked them!

        Reply
    6. Lisa says

      December 13, 2021 at 6:01 am

      Just made it and it's delicious!! Thank you for the recipe.... will definitely make them again😊

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        December 13, 2021 at 10:21 am

        Thanks Lisa, I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    7. Robert Nissenbaum says

      October 17, 2020 at 8:17 pm

      Great recipe......simple to make, very healthy, wonderful snack. I successfully used less sweetener. Just a matter of taste.5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        October 19, 2020 at 9:15 am

        Thanks Robert, I'm so glad you liked it! Less sweetener is always a good thing!

        Reply

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