Heat a large dry skillet over medium heat.

Add sesame seeds in an even layer.

Shake or stir occasionally for the first 4 minutes. You’ll start smelling their nuttiness around now, as they begin to heat up. They’ll start lightly changing color. At around 7 minutes, they’ll be a medium golden color and smell quite nutty. Shake regularly for the next 3-5 minutes, and turn the heat down slightly.

Continue toasting until golden and nutty, about 12 minutes total.

Remove the pan from the heat and immediately transfer the seeds to a plate so they don’t continue to cook. Skipping this step can cause them to burn in the residual heat.