When you think about all the things you can add tahini to, you'll realize that making it at home is completely worth it. Essentially a sesame paste hailing from the Middle East, it blends nicely into salad dressings, shakes, dips, and even desserts. Not to mention, it's truly easy to perfect homemade tahini—all you need are sesame seeds, olive oil, and a food processor.
Tahini is often used in keto, paleo, and vegan diets as a way to add healthy, unprocessed, plant-based fat to food. It's especially popular in keto desserts for its nutty aroma and high-fat content.
You can store your homemade tahini in a clean glass jar at room temperature. Tahini will harden in the fridge just like any other oil, so leaving it outside will make it easier to use. The oil will usually separate from the paste and sit on top, so make sure you stir it well before using.
Makes about 2 cups
Ingredients
4 cups hulled sesame seeds
1/4 cup olive oil
How to Make It
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spread sesame seeds in a single layer on a sheet pan. Toast until lightly golden and aromatic, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Add the seeds to a food processor and blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes, until they become a paste. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend another few minutes, until you achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from heat sources.