Skip to content
Open menu Close menu

Feed your appetite for cooking with Penguin’s expert authors

10 sweet and savoury ways to use tahini

by David Tran

published on 21 August 2025, last updated on 22 August 2025

Originating from Middle Eastern cuisine, tahini has gone global as a versatile ingredient that can elevate a variety of dishes thanks to its creamy and nutty flavour.

Ideal for those looking to use up their jar of the popular sesame seed paste, this collection features an array of sweet and savoury tahini recipes – from Ottolenghi’s grilled banana bread drizzled with tahini to creamy tahini tantanmen ramen.

Jump straight to:

Click here to discover more tahini recipe inspiration

Savoury tahini recipes

Dr Rupy’s Tahini and Gochujang Noodle Broth with Turkey

by Dr Rupy Aujla

Gochujang and tahini makes for a spicy yet subtly nutty and creamy Korean-inspired hearty noodle soup. 

Slow Cooker Butter Beans in Harissa and Tahini Sauce with Dill and Preserved Lemon

by Heather Whinney

This aromatic and colourful stew features butter beans, tomatoes, sumac, harissa and of course, tahini.

Tacos de Coliflor Rostizada con Adobo Verde (Adobo Verde Roasted Cauliflower Tacos)

by Susana Villasuso

These cauliflower tacos pack a punch with thanks to the spicy and tangy adobo verde and tahini drizzle.

Courgettes with Chickpeas, Green Tahini and Za’atar

by Claire Thomson

A medley of crispy courgettes and chickpeas tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt tahini sauce makes for a quick and scrumptious dinner.

Tahini Tantanmen Ramen with Crispy Shiitakes

by Alexina Anatole
from Bitter

Spice lovers will love this creamy spin on tantanmen ramen, a broth inspired by Sichuan cuisine, that is also vegan-friendly.

Sweet tahini recipes

tim spector carrot cake recipe

Carrot Cake with Tahini Orange Frosting

by Tim Spector

Ideal for those looking to cut down on ultra-processed foods, this carrot cake is topped with a Greek yoghurt frosting with a hint of tahini and orange zest.

Tahini Halva Brownies

by Claire Ptak

Tahini paste and halva pieces are incorporated into the batter of these brownies for a sophisticated sweet treat

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Grilled Banana Bread with Tahini and Honeycomb

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Grilled Banana Bread with Tahini and Honeycomb

Level up your banana bread by recreating Ottolenghi’s banana bread recipe that is topped off with tahini drizzle for a sprinkle of nuttiness. Discover more Ottolenghi tahini recipes here.

Nigella Lawson’s Warm Chocolate Tahini and Banana Pudding

Nigella Lawson’s Warm Chocolate Tahini and Banana Pudding

A riff on her chocolate and tahini banana bread, Nigella Lawson’s banana pudding recipe is loaded with richness and earthiness in the form of a delicate, spongy cake.

Melissa Hemsley’s Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

Melissa Hemsley’s Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

For a spin on a baking classic, make these nutty, cake-like chocolate chip cookies.

Share

You might also like


View all

Recipe Collections

8 must-try Ottolenghi pasta recipes

9 simple and delicious pasta recipes from Ottolenghi for week-day suppers and weekend entertaining.

Recipe Collections

New and classic Mary Berry recipes you’ll love from Mary 90

It would be an understatement to say that Dame Mary Berry has influenced the way we cook. With a career spanning decades, dozens of books, and countless TV appearances, the...

Recipe Collections

10 recipes you’ll love from Vegetables: The Indian Way by Camellia Panjabi

As the bestselling author of 50 Great Curries, and culinary director of restaurants including Amaya, Chutney Mary, Masala Zone, and Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant Veeraswamy, Camellia Panjabi is one of...

newsletter

Subscribe to The Happy Foodie email newsletter

Get our latest recipes, features, book news and ebook deals straight to your inbox every week