Homemade Gevrek Recipe - How to Make Soft Sesame Bagels! (2024)

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Katerina

5 from 1 vote

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Sesame Bagels – Gevrek, similar to a bagel, or even a soft pretzel, is a chewy, yet softbread-snack, shaped into a ring, dipped in honey and water, topped with sesame seeds and baked.

Homemade Gevrek Recipe - How to Make Soft Sesame Bagels! (2)

Hey! Happy Monday!

Now, now… Friday will be here soon. Let’s enjoy the week, and start it with a Gevrek! I should probably teach you how to pronounce that. Okay… hmmmm… let’s try gjev-wreck. I think.

I run, what one might call, an eclectic kitchen. Multi-ethnic, if you will.

I serve Asian one day and show up with some Cashew Chicken Meatballs, thenItalian the next with some Baked Eggplant Penne Pasta, and other times I servemy own, Macedonian.

Now, before I go to claim Gevrek as solely Macedonian, allow me to tell you that it is not. It belongs to everyone on the Balkans, and beyond,but as far as I know, they belong mostly to the Turks. It’s their thing, but we all have our different spin on it.

Homemade Gevrek Recipe - How to Make Soft Sesame Bagels! (3)

The difference in a Macedonian Gevrek (Bagel) is that, unlike the others,we don’t dip it in molasses; we use honey. Also, our Gevrek is more like a softpretzel. It’s soft, and nowhere near asdense as the Turkish one, which might even be mistaken for a bagel. To add, Turks like to enjoy their Gevrek, or Simit, with jam and tea. Macedonians, on the other hand, reach forsome plainyogurt and dip it, just as you would dip a soft pretzel in cheese.

This little treat takes a bit of time to make. And it wants love. You can’t rush it. You need to love it, respect it,and take your time with it. I have made these on multiple occasions, and I’m still learning. I know, it’s in the technique. I get it.

Homemade Gevrek Recipe - How to Make Soft Sesame Bagels! (4)

I like our little bloggysystem here, don’t you? I get to cook for you, teach you a thing or two about different cuisines, take photos of it, and you get to read and drool! I really hope I’ve made you drool at least once during your stay(s) here. 😉

If you have a free moment, or an entire morning, make these. You’ll kiss yourself for it.

ENJOY!

Homemade Gevrek Recipe - How to Make Soft Sesame Bagels! (5)

Sesame Bagels {Gevrek}

Katerina | Diethood

Gevrek, similar to a soft pretzel, or even a sesame bagel, is a chewy yet soft bread-product. Shape it into a ring, dip it in honey and water, top with sesame seeds, and voila! You've got a homemade bagel-style snack.

5 from 1 vote

Rate this Recipe!

Servings : 16

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Prep Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs

Ingredients

Gevrek

  • teaspoons active dry yeast
  • Pinch of sugar
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup lukewarm water

Topping

  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups sesame seeds

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together yeast, sugar and warm water; let stand 10 minutes, or until frothy.

  • Add flour, salt, and 1 cup water to yeast mixture.

  • Mix until combined. You may need to mix with your hands.

  • Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 15 minutes by hand, or 10 minutes by heavy-duty mixer, until the dough is very smooth.

  • Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.

  • Cover with plastic wrap and kitchen towel; let stand for 2 hours.

  • Place dough on a lightly floured work surface and knead it for 5 minutes.

  • Roll the dough into a log and cut it into equal pieces.

  • Form each piece into a ball and let rest under a towel for 30 minutes.

  • Roll each ball into a 10-inch long rope.

  • Form the rope into a ring, pressing the overlapping ends together to seal.

  • Place on a greased baking sheet and let rest 1 hour.

  • Preheat oven to 450.

  • In a medium size mixing bowl whisk together honey and 1 cup of water.

  • Put the sesame seeds on a flat plate.

  • Dip each ring of Gevrek in honey-water first, then in the sesame seeds, completely coating the Gevrek with the sesame seeds on all sides.

  • Continue with the rest of the dough and transfer them all back to the baking sheet; let rest 30 minutes.

  • Take each ring and rotate it gently through your hands, enlarging it into about a 6-inch circle.

  • Place the rings back on the baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes.

  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

  • Let rest for 5 minutes.

  • Serve plain or with a side of yogurt.

Notes

Gevrek tastes best fresh out of the oven, but they are still good a couple of days later. Store covered.

Nutrition

Calories: 294 kcal | Carbohydrates: 46 g | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 9 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 187 mg | Potassium: 157 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 17 g | Vitamin C: 0.1 mg | Calcium: 190 mg | Iron: 4.3 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: Macedonian

Keyword: gevrek, how to make bagels, sesame bagel recipe, soft bagel recipe

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Categories:

  • Breakfast
  • Macedonian Cuisine
  • Recipes
  • Snacks
    Homemade Gevrek Recipe - How to Make Soft Sesame Bagels! (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you make sesame stick to bagels? ›

    In a small bowl, make an egg wash by whisking 1 egg with 1 tbsp (15ml) water. Brush bagels with egg wash, and spoon sesame seeds over each bagel.

    Are sesame seed bagels healthy? ›

    New Yorker Bagels Sesame Bagels can be part of a healthy diet — just don't overindulge! Split a warm Sesame Bagel and spread heavily with butter or olive oil. Sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon for a treat that is fast and easy.

    What is a Turkish bagel called? ›

    Simit is an easy-to-make Turkish bread coated in sesame seeds. Sometimes called a Turkish Bagel, this simit recipe is delicious on its own, or sliced in half to make a sandwich. Serve it as part of a breakfast, lunch or brunch spread.

    How to make simit recipe? ›

    Dip each ring in molasses and water mixture then in sesame seeds and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely and let it rise for another 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until the simits are brown and fully cooked.

    Why are my bagels not fluffy? ›

    6) For the bagel you want, tweak your boil time

    The shorter boil means the crust has less opportunity to preset, which allows more rising, and thus a “fluffier” bagel. If you want a chewier bagel, both internally and externally, boil the bagels a little longer (90 seconds each side).

    What is the healthiest bagel for weight loss? ›

    Bagels can be healthy if made with whole grains, contain minimal fat and sugar, and are an appropriate portion size for your health goals. For a healthier choice, look for whole wheat, whole grain, or rye bagels. While bagels with cream cheese are delicious, traditional cream cheese is not necessarily healthy.

    Is it okay to eat a bagel every day? ›

    "The portion size of most packaged bagels is equal to just over three slices of bread. Enjoying a bagel every morning is fine if you watch your portion size. Consider eating half a bagel one day and the other half the next day," says Laura M. Ali, M.S., RDN, a culinary nutritionist in Pittsburgh.

    Why are bagels more unhealthy than bread? ›

    Most bagels are made from refined flour, which has reduced fiber and vitamins. Flour is often enriched with additional vitamins, but not fiber.

    What do Jews put in bagels? ›

    Bagels and lox is one of the best Jewish deli favorites and usually consists of an open-faced or ring-shaped bread piece known as a bagel that is topped with thinly sliced red onions, cream cheese, briny capers, and lox.

    What do Jews eat bagels? ›

    Bagels have been widely associated with Ashkenazi Jews since the 17th century; they were first mentioned in 1610 in Jewish community ordinances in Kraków, Poland. Bagels are now a popular bread product in North America and Poland, especially in cities with a large Jewish population.

    What is a Bozo bagel? ›

    Three bagel twisted into one giant bagel make a Bozo. Sesame seeds on one side, poppy on the other. Perfect for sharing. (A bagel for lovers!)

    What is the difference between a bagel and a simit? ›

    The simit, for example, is sweeter than a classic New York-style bagel, and the texture couldn't be more opposite. While a New York-style bagel is known for its thick crust and dense, chewy interior, a simit is lighter and less doughy, though still crisp on the outside.

    What is a Turkish breakfast? ›

    The Turkish culture would agree, especially when it comes to a Turkish Breakfast. Traditionally, Turkish breakfast consists of cheese, olives, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, jam, honey, fruit, sausage, and Turkish tea. The first meal of the day is a breakfast fit for a king.

    What is typically included in a traditional Turkish breakfast? ›

    Accordingly, a classic Turkish breakfast is generally comprised of black and green olives, cucumbers, cured meats, dips and sauces, eggs, fresh cheeses, fresh tomatoes, fresh-baked bread, fruit preserves and jams, honey, pastries, and sweet butter.

    How do the seeds stick to everything bagel? ›

    Whisk the egg plus 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl and brush this over each bagel. Sprinkle on the seeds! The egg wash will help them stick as well as add a pretty brown sheen to your bagels.

    How do you get bagel toppings to stick? ›

    "Here's how to make the traditional "everything" mix for your bread or bagels. Use an egg white wash, Pam, or a spritz of water to help the topping stick."

    How do they get sesame seeds to stick to buns? ›

    To get the toasted seeds to adhere to the bread, a light brushing of oil may be the quickest and easiest method, but some opt for using butter instead of oil for additional flavor.

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