Ethiopian-Style Atayef with Honey and Toasted Sesame

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Light, thin pancakes inspired by Ethiopian flavors, drizzled with honey and garnished with toasted sesame seeds for a sweet finish. This ethiopian-inspired desserts ready in about 35 minutes layers all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 1 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water; let sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1/4 tsp salt. Slowly pour in the yeast mixture, stirring until smooth and thin batter forms. Let rest for 30 minutes to ferment slightly.
  3. Step 3: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly brush with 1 tbsp vegetable oil.
  4. Step 4: Pour 1/4 cup batter into the skillet, spreading gently to form a 5-inch diameter circle. Cook for 2 minutes until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look dry. Do not flip; the pancake should be soft and cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Remove and repeat with remaining batter, brushing skillet with remaining 1 tbsp oil as needed.
  6. Step 6: Drizzle each pancake with 1 tbsp honey and sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ethiopian-Style Atayef with Honey and Toasted Sesame take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Ethiopian-Style Atayef with Honey and Toasted Sesame?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Ethiopian-Style Atayef with Honey and Toasted Sesame?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Ethiopian-Style Atayef with Honey and Toasted Sesame for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Ethiopian-Style Atayef with Honey and Toasted Sesame?

Ethiopian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes