20 Unexpected Ways To Use Tahini

Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds, and is a bit like natural peanut butter — only with a sesame twist. Its most common use is in hummus, where it adds an earthy richness to this much-loved dip. Maybe you bought a jar to make hummus and you're wondering what to do with the rest. Or maybe you love it so much that you want some fresh ideas about how to use it. Either way, we've compiled some unexpected ways for you to use tahini.

From baked goods, such as cookies and cinnamon rolls, to creamy pasta dishes and soups, there are plenty of ways to use this delicious paste that you might not have thought about. So, prepare to enter your tahini era as we give you some of the tastiest ways to use up your jar — and you'll soon be going to the store for your next.

Tahini is a superstar ingredient in the world of cookies. Its nutty, complex flavor takes cookies to a whole new level. It gives your cookies this unique, irresistible taste that you won't find in run-of-the-mill cookie recipes. Now, you might be wondering if tahini will make your cookies taste strange. While tahini has an earthiness and mild bitterness, that's actually a great thing in the context of cookies. It adds this interesting depth of flavor that balances out the sweetness, finding perfect harmony.

But tahini doesn't just bring fantastic flavor — it's also a texture game-changer. You see, tahini has this creamy, smooth texture that works wonders in cookie dough. It gives your cookies a moist, tender crumb that's absolutely drool-worthy. Don't forget that tahini plays well with others. You can pair it with chocolate, cinnamon, or even citrus fruits — your imagination is the limit.

Tahini is the perfect partner for baked sweet potato. Make a tahini dressing by thinning it out slightly with water and adding your choice of seasonings, such as salt, garlic, and lemon juice. Then cut your baked sweet potato in half and drizzle that goodness all over it.

The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes contrasts wonderfully with the slight bitterness of tahini. This contrast adds complexity to the dish and prevents it from becoming overly sweet or bland. What's more, it makes for a nutritious meal. Tahini provides essential fats, protein, calcium, and iron. Combined with the vitamins and minerals found in sweet potatoes, you have a meal that packs a nutritional punch.

The combination of tahini and sweet potatoes evokes a sense of comfort and warmth in dishes. It's the kind of food that makes you feel good and satisfied, making it perfect for cozy meals.

If you're sick of the same old bog-standard hot chocolate, we have a flavor upgrade that's really going to change things for you. Tahini brings a fresh wave of creaminess to your hot chocolate. It blends perfectly with the warm liquid, creating this luxurious creaminess that you won't be able to resist.

But, here's the real kicker — the flavor. Tahini has this deliciously rich, nutty, slightly earthy taste that levels up your hot chocolate experience. It's like sipping on a cozy mug of chocolate goodness with a hint of sophistication. You'll wonder why you never tried this heavenly combination before. It might sound like an unconventional pairing, but it's the unexpectedness of it all that makes it so exciting. The nutty notes of tahini complement the rich chocolate flavor, a culinary match made in heaven.

Creamy soups are delicious, from cream of mushroom to celery soup packed with heavy cream. But not everyone's stomach is happy when dairy gets added to the mix. Using tahini is a great way to add that rich creaminess to soup, while still making it suitable for vegans and anyone who's lactose intolerant.

All you need to do is replace the heavy cream in your favorite soup recipe with broth and a big dollop of tahini. There's no need to be extremely precise, just keep adding it until you have the level of creaminess that you desire. It blends in beautifully, creating this silky and smooth consistency that will have you craving another spoonful. You don't need to worry about tahini muscling in and overpowering other ingredients. It enhances the overall flavor profile without stealing the show. 

Freshly baked bread is a delight, but maybe you're growing weary of the same old recipes. Why not experiment with tahini? It brings this delightful earthy, nutty flavor to bread. When you take that first bite, you'll be greeted with a rich, slightly toasty taste that's absolutely irresistible. If you like to put toppings on your bread, add some sesame seeds for texture and an extra hit of nuttiness.

But it's not just standard loaves that can benefit from tahini. Tahini also works beautifully in brioche, adding richness and moisture to the recipe. You can try it in other breads, too, such as focaccia or as a topping for a flatbread. What's more, it adds a delectable twist to quick breads and sweet breads made with pumpkin, banana, or zucchini. Is there anything you can't do with tahini?

For the gooiest, richest cinnamon roll filling, you need a surprise ingredient — tahini. It's an unexpected twist that takes your classic cinnamon rolls to a new plane of deliciousness. Imagine that warm, comforting taste of cinnamon mingling with the rich, slightly earthy notes of tahini. It's a flavor combination that's both familiar and exciting at the same time. The sweetness of the cinnamon rolls beautifully balances out the subtle bitterness of tahini.

So how do you incorporate tahini into your cinnamon rolls? It's all about the filling. Mix together your usual combination of butter, cinnamon, and sugar, but add a generous glug of tahini paste. To balance out the earthiness of the tahini, you may want to experiment with even more spices, such as cardamom, nutmeg, and a small hint of ginger.

It's the 21st century and there's no reason why creamy popsicles need to be dairy-based anymore. There are so many options for creating rich, plant-based popsicles and tahini is one of the more out-there options, but it's certainly worth a try, especially for big tahini fans.

Of course, there's a creaminess to tahini but it also has that signature earthiness and that's what makes tahini popsicles so interesting. They're a grown-up alternative to other creamy popsicles. Since you're making them at home, you can pair them with whatever flavors you like. Sweet spices such as cinnamon and cardamom are delicious with tahini, as is dark chocolate, which adds a complementary sweet bitterness.

You can even try dipping your popsicles in melted dark chocolate before coating them with extras, such as sesame seeds, chopped nuts, or fruits, and putting them back into the freezer to solidify.

Normally, you'd make truffles by melting chocolate into heavy cream. However, you can make tahini chocolate truffles by melting together tahini and chocolate before letting the mixture set and rolling it into balls.

Tahini brings a nutty undertone that complements the decadent sweetness of chocolate. The beauty of adding tahini to chocolate truffles lies in its ability to balance out the sweetness. Chocolate can sometimes be intense, but tahini swoops in to save the day with its slightly savory notes. It's like a flavor tag team, with chocolate's sweetness and tahini's nuttiness creating a perfectly harmonious duo.

Once you've made your truffles, you can roll them in a coating of cocoa powder, sesame seeds, chopped nuts, or anything else that suits your fancy. The sophisticated addition of tahini means these truffles are great gifts, leaving anyone lucky enough to receive them in awe of your culinary prowess.

Salad is often seen as boring, but with the right mix of ingredients, it's anything but. One way to liven up a salad is with a delicious dressing, and tahini dressing makes a change from vinaigrette or honey-mustard dressings. Tahini adds both creaminess and flavor to dressings. The earthy notes of tahini harmonize beautifully with the fresh and crisp elements of your salad. But tahini isn't just taste, let's not forget that it adds a nutritional boost. Salads are often packed with nutrients from veggies and protein and tahini just makes it even better for you.

Another reason tahini shines in salad dressings is its versatility. You can play around with different ingredients to create tasty flavor combinations. From zesty lemon juice to aromatic garlic, you can mix and match to suit your taste preferences. Add a pinch of cumin or a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and tahini will gladly blend in.

Pancakes are great, but if you eat them most weekends or even once every month or two, you're probably running out of unique topping ideas by now. Perhaps you're bored of maple syrup or you're looking for something to cut through the sweetness a little.

Well, say hello to your old friend tahini. You can use it to make a sweet sauce to drizzle over your pancakes. The earthy taste keeps pancakes from tasting overly sweet, while the creamy texture really elevates the pancake experience. It's great paired with chocolate or you can mix in syrup or honey along with sweet spices, like cinnamon and ginger. It's not your everyday pancake sauce, but that's what makes it so great.