Tahini Cookies
Let’s talk about a cookie that’s anything but ordinary Tahini Cookies. They have the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a unique richness that comes from the tahini (think: creamy, nutty, sesame goodness). Each bite is chewy, soft, and deeply satisfying, with a light crunch on the outside that’ll make you crave more. Trust me, these cookies are an absolute treat for anyone who loves a twist on classic desserts. They’re a little unexpected, but once you try them, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make them sooner. You’ve just found your new favorite cookie recipe.
Why You’ll Love Tahini Cookies
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy afternoon snack, a dessert to impress guests, or simply indulging in something sweet for yourself, this dish is versatile enough to fit the occasion. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Versatile: Perfect for any time of day serve them at a party, with your afternoon tea, or as an after-dinner treat.
Budget-Friendly: Tahini is an affordable pantry staple, and the rest of the ingredients are common household items.
Quick and Easy: They come together in no time and require minimal effort.
Customizable: Feel free to add in chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts for a fun twist.
Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you’re a tahini fan or just looking for something new, these cookies are sure to please everyone with their unique flavor profile.
Ingredients in Tahini Cookies
This cookie dough is simple, but the tahini really brings something special. Here’s what you’ll need to create these cookies:
Tahini: The creamy, nutty base of the cookie that gives it a rich, savory flavor.
Butter: Adds a nice richness and helps the cookies stay soft and chewy.
Sugar: We use both brown sugar and granulated sugar to create the perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
Flour: All-purpose flour forms the structure of the cookie.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise a little and gives them the perfect texture.
Eggs: These hold everything together and provide that chewy, soft texture.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of sweetness and enhances the flavors.
Salt: A pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and bring out the tahini flavor.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create these flavor-packed cookies:
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the tahini, butter, and both sugars. Beat until smooth and well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat again until everything is incorporated.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Bring It Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. You’ll have a thick, slightly sticky dough.
Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they’re a little soft when you take them out of the oven.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 180
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
How to Serve Tahini Cookies
These cookies are perfect on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate the experience:
Serve with a cup of tea, coffee, or milk for the ultimate treat.
Pair with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Dust with powdered sugar for a little extra sweetness, or drizzle with honey for a sweet and savory combo.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
If you like your cookies extra chewy, slightly underbake them take them out of the oven when they’re just golden around the edges.
For a fun twist, add in some chocolate chips or chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds.
If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute with more granulated sugar, but the flavor won’t be as deep.
These cookies store wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
For extra flavor, toast the tahini in a pan for a minute or two before adding it to the dough to bring out its nuttiness.
FAQ’s
1. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, and the cookies will still turn out delicious.
2. Can I make these cookies vegan?
Yes! Use vegan butter and an egg substitute like a flax egg, and these cookies will be totally plant-based.
3. What if I don’t have tahini?
You can substitute tahini with almond butter or peanut butter, but the flavor will be slightly different.
4. How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be golden brown, and the center should be set but slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool.
5. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough! Roll it into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag and bake from frozen just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
6. Can I add chocolate chips to these cookies?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips or chunks would pair beautifully with the tahini flavor.
7. Can I use almond butter instead of tahini?
Yes! While almond butter will give the cookies a slightly different flavor, it will still make for a rich, nutty treat.
8. How do I store these cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months.
9. Can I make these cookies smaller?
Yes! Just reduce the baking time slightly if you make smaller dough balls.
10. Can I make these cookies without an egg?
Yes! You can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) as a substitute for the egg.
Conclusion
Tahini Cookies are a delicious twist on your typical cookie recipe rich, nutty, and irresistibly chewy. With their unique flavor and simple ingredients, they’re the perfect treat for anyone who loves experimenting with new ingredients. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of tea or share them with friends, these cookies will surely become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. So go ahead give them a try and treat yourself to something a little different!
Print
Tahini Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Tahini Cookies are soft, nutty, and slightly sweet with a rich, sesame flavor. These easy-to-make cookies are perfect for snacking or serving with tea, offering a unique twist on traditional cookies.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds (for rolling, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine tahini, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and roll them in sesame seeds if desired.
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a chewier texture, underbake the cookies slightly.
- If you don’t have sesame seeds, you can skip the rolling step or substitute with chopped nuts.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: tahini cookies, sesame cookies, vegan-friendly cookies, Middle Eastern cookies, nutty cookies, easy cookie recipe