Koulouri Recipe

Koulouri is Athens in bread form: chewy rings rolled in toasted sesame seeds, sold from street carts and eaten on the go. Crisp outside, soft inside and endlessly dunkable, they are Greece's favourite morning bite.

Prep time

30 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

50 mins

Servings

4 servings

Calories

380

Ingredients

• 500 g strong white bread flour
• 7 g instant yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 300 ml warm water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 150 g sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons honey or grape molasses, diluted in 100 ml water
• Flour, for dusting

Instructions

1. Mix the flour, yeast and sugar, then add the warm water, salt and olive oil, kneading for 10 minutes until smooth.
2. Cover and rise for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Divide the dough into 8 pieces, roll each into a long rope and join the ends into rings.
4. Dip each ring in the diluted honey water, then roll generously in sesame seeds.
5. Place on lined trays, cover and prove for 20 minutes.
6. Bake at 200°C for 18 to 20 minutes until deep golden.
7. Cool briefly and serve warm with coffee, cheese or tomatoes.

Pro tips

• Roll the ropes evenly so the rings bake at the same rate.
• Do not skimp on sesame seeds; a thick coating gives the classic crunch.
• Koulouri are best eaten the day they are baked.
• Split and fill them with feta, tomato and olives for a Greek sandwich.

Frequently asked questions