Recipes, Guides, Lifestyles by GRATSI

Traditional Greek Pasteli with Pistachios
EAT

ALEXANDRA'S KITCHEN

Traditional Greek Pasteli with Pistachios

Made with just honey, sesame seeds, and nuts, it is a simple yet incredibly nutritious treat that has nourished generations since ancient times.

By Alexandra's Home

 |  

@home.alexandras

May 22, 2026

By Alexandra's Home

Ingredients

  • 2

    cups (350 g) sesame seeds 

  • 3/4

    cup (100 g) pistachios, lightly crushed

  • 1, 1/4

     cups (400 g) honey 

Instructions

SHOP GRATSI white wine

TOTAL TIME

2 hours

10 - 12 servings

SHOP GRATSI white wine

Pasteli is one of the oldest sweets in the world and has been enjoyed in Greece for thousands of years. Made with just honey, sesame seeds, and nuts, it is a simple yet incredibly nutritious treat that has nourished generations since ancient times. Naturally sweet, rich in protein, healthy fats, and minerals, this traditional Greek snack proves that the simplest ingredients often create the most delicious results. This version is cooked a little longer to create a firmer, crunchier texture, similar to the pasteli found in traditional Greek bakeries and village markets.

Four glass bowls on a wooden surface containing honey, pistachios, sesame seeds, and a small glass of clear golden liquid, possibly oil or syrup, arranged neatly. A glass bowl filled with shelled pistachios sits on a wooden cutting board, next to a glass of golden-colored liquid.

STEP 1

Place a large pan over medium heat and add the sesame seeds and crushed pistachios. Toast them for 7–10 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly golden and fragrant. Be careful not to let them burn, as sesame seeds can go from golden to burnt very quickly. You want them lightly toasted and golden, not dark brown. Transfer them to a bowl and set aside.

A glass bowl filled with finely chopped pistachios sits on a wooden surface. The nuts appear green with hints of purple and tan. A large, off-white ceramic pan filled with an even layer of uncooked sesame seeds. A woman with curly hair stirs a pan of grains or seeds on a stovetop in a modern kitchen. She is wearing a black tank top, white apron, and gold necklace, with a white bowl and kitchen tools nearby.

STEP 2

 In the same pan, add the honey and bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the honey reaches 257–266°F (125–130°C) on a candy thermometer (about 8–12 minutes, depending on the pan and heat).

A close-up of a white pot filled with a warm, golden-brown liquid, likely broth or stock, with small bubbles forming on the surface. A close-up of golden-brown bubbling caramel cooking in a white enamel pan on a stovetop.

STEP 3

If you don't have a thermometer, drop a small spoonful of honey into a glass of cold water. It should form a firm ball that holds its shape when removed from the water.
Immediately add the toasted sesame seeds and pistachios to the honey and stir quickly with a wooden spoon until evenly combined.

A person holds a glass of liquid and a spoonful of brown paste over a bubbling caramel mixture in a pan on the stove. A person pours a bowl of mixed seeds into a pan filled with bubbling caramel on a stovetop, preparing to make a sesame seed brittle or similar treat. A person stirs a mixture of seeds and nuts in a large pan with a wooden spoon. They are wearing a gray shirt and a white apron, standing at a stove in a bright kitchen.

STEP 4

Immediately pour the mixture into a baking tray or rectangular pan with parchment paper, while still very hot..
Cover with another sheet of parchment paper and press down firmly with a rolling pin, the bottom of a flat pan, or another heavy flat object until the surface is compact and even, about ¼–½ inch (0.5–1 cm) thick.

A woman with curly hair and a black tank top stirs a pot of grains or oatmeal in a modern kitchen, holding the pot with a cloth. Shelves with jars and kitchen utensils are visible in the background. A person wearing a white apron uses a wooden rolling pin to flatten dough on parchment paper, with flour scattered on the surface.

STEP 5

Remove the top parchment paper and score or cut into bars while still warm.

A person lifts parchment paper from a flat layer of sesame seed brittle on a baking tray, revealing the golden, crunchy surface underneath. A person in a white apron uses a large knife to cut a baked sheet of sesame and seed brittle into rectangular strips on a parchment-lined baking tray. A large, round sheet of sesame seed brittle cut into square pieces, resting on parchment paper. The brittle has a golden color with visible seeds and nuts throughout.

STEP 6

Allow the pasteli to cool completely at room temperature for 1–2 hours, or until fully set and crisp. Enjoy!
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to several weeks.

A glass bowl filled with rectangular sesame seed bars sits on a wooden surface. Nearby, there’s a glass of golden liquid and a tray with more sesame bars in the background.

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