Snacks, sesame sticks, wheat-based, unsalted
Whole food · Snacks
These are crunchy, golden-brown sticks made from wheat flour and sesame seeds, baked or fried until deeply nutty and savory. Their texture is a satisfying snap, giving way to a slightly crumbly, wheaty interior. Nutritionally, they are a dense source of energy, primarily from fats and carbohydrates, with a moderate protein boost from the sesame and wheat.
Calorie split: 8% protein · 33% carbs · 59% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore the addictive, savory crunch and the deep, toasty flavor of sesame that intensifies with each bite. They are a versatile snack, perfect on their own, as a salad topper, or alongside dips and cheese boards.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high calorie density (541 kcal/100g) and refined carbs can lead to overconsumption and blood-sugar spikes if eaten mindlessly. Being wheat-based, they contain gluten, a common allergen. To enjoy, practice strict portion control (e.g., a single handful) and pair them with a protein or healthy fat like hummus or cheese to slow digestion and increase satiety.
Key benefits
- Provides quick, sustained energy from complex carbs and fats
- Offers plant-based protein from wheat and sesame
- Contains minerals like magnesium and phosphorus from sesame seeds
- Shelf-stable and portable for convenient snacking
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The sesame seed, a key ingredient, is one of the oldest oilseed crops known to humanity, with domestication records dating back over 4,000 years.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.0 g |
| Energy | 541 kcal |
| Energy | 2264 kj |
| Protein | 10.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 36.7 g |
| Ash | 3.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 46.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 170 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.74 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 45.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 138 mg |
| Potassium, K | 177 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 29.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.41 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.90 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 17.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.12 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 1.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.23 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.09 mg |
| Folate, total | 22.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 22.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 22.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 4.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 88.0 iu |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.5 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 5.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.4 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 10.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 10.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 17.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 16.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.97 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.14 g |
| Threonine | 0.33 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.42 g |
| Leucine | 0.77 g |
| Lysine | 0.36 g |
| Methionine | 0.19 g |
| Cystine | 0.20 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.55 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.35 g |
| Valine | 0.47 g |
| Arginine | 0.65 g |
| Histidine | 0.26 g |
| Alanine | 0.39 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.72 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.44 g |
| Proline | 0.99 g |
| Serine | 0.55 g |
FAQ
Are sesame sticks the same as grissini (breadsticks)?
No. Grissini are typically long, thin, and airy Italian breadsticks made primarily from wheat flour. Sesame sticks are shorter, denser, and have a significant proportion of sesame seeds, giving them a nuttier flavor and higher fat content.
Why are they so high in fat?
The high fat content comes from two main sources: the oil used in the dough and for frying (if applicable), and the natural oils within the sesame seeds themselves, which are about 50% fat by weight.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes. You can bake them instead of frying to reduce added oil. Use whole wheat flour for more fiber, and control the amount of added salt. Baking at a lower temperature for a longer time can achieve crispness with less fat.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.41 kcal/g · 8% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.16 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.