If you’ve ever strolled through a gourmet sweet shop in the UAE, chances are you’ve been mesmerized by the Dubai knafeh chocolate bar. This creative blend of Middle Eastern tradition and modern indulgence turns a classic dessert into a handheld masterpiece. With its nutty pistachio center, crispy kataifi crunch, and velvety chocolate shell, it’s the kind of treat that surprises and delights all in one bite. In this article, I’ll share how I first discovered this dessert and why it’s become a personal favorite. We’ll also walk through how to make your own version that’ll make friends and family swoon.
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The Sweet Memory Behind Dubai Knafeh Chocolate Bar
A trip that turned into obsession
It started with a layover in Dubai. Wandering through a local artisan market near Al Seef, I found a sleek little chocolate bar stall where the vendor handed me a sample. That first bite—crispy, nutty, rich—stopped me in my tracks. I’d had knafeh before, but never like this. That was the first time I tried the now iconic Dubai knafeh chocolate bar, and let’s just say I didn’t stop at one. Since that trip, I’ve been recreating it at home and even tweaking the flavors for seasonal twists.
What makes it so special?
The bar brings together toasted kataifi pastry for crunch, pistachio paste and tahini for a silky filling, and a thick shell of rich chocolate. Then it’s topped with delicate splashes of colored chocolate that make it look like it came straight from a luxury boutique. You can even spot creative variations in dessert cafés—like pairing it with pumpkin flavors as seen in these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins or layering textures like in this oreo dump cake.
Even better? It’s surprisingly easy to make if you’ve got the right ingredients—and a little patience. In the next section, I’ll walk you through exactly how to do it step-by-step.
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Dubai Knafeh Chocolate Bar – Amazing 5-Step Dessert You’ll Love
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A luxurious Middle Eastern-inspired dessert, the Dubai knafeh chocolate bar combines toasted kataifi pastry, pistachio tahini filling, and a crisp chocolate shell with a beautiful colorful design.
Ingredients
- 150g kataifi pastry, chopped
- 60g butter
- 360g pistachio paste
- 20g tahini
- Fat pinch salt
- 15g pink chocolate (Wilton red candy melts)
- 1/2 tsp coconut oil
- 15g green chocolate (Wilton green candy melts)
- 1/2 tsp coconut oil
- 500g dark or milk chocolate
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pan, add kataifi pastry and toast for 10 minutes until golden.
- Mix pistachio paste, tahini, and salt in a large bowl. Add in toasted kataifi.
- Melt pink chocolate and mix with coconut oil. Splash over mold using spoon. Repeat with green chocolate.
- Melt dark or milk chocolate and coat mold sides. Allow to set in fridge.
- Spoon pistachio mixture into molds, smooth with spatula, and cover with remaining chocolate. Chill and unmold.
Notes
Best served chilled.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Use high-quality chocolate for best results.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Dubai knafeh chocolate bar, knafeh bar, chocolate pistachio dessert
Building the Layers of a Dubai Knafeh Chocolate Bar
Kataifi: The golden crunch that defines the bite
One of the defining elements of the Dubai knafeh chocolate bar is the kataifi pastry—those fine, shredded phyllo threads that toast up into crispy, golden goodness. Don’t confuse this with regular pastry; kataifi is delicate and needs a gentle hand. I recommend breaking it up thoroughly before toasting. Toasting properly brings out that irresistible crunch you want in every bite. Melt the butter, toss in your kataifi, and stir constantly for about 10 minutes. That golden color is your signal to move on.
When I made this bar for a fall dessert table, the crispy kataifi reminded guests of seasonal treats like 2-ingredient pumpkin brownies, adding that nostalgic element of warmth and texture.
Pistachio paste meets tahini: Nutty and smooth harmony
This isn’t just a bar with crunch—it has depth. The filling is where the flavor of the Dubai knafeh chocolate bar really shines. Pistachio paste provides that sweet nuttiness, while tahini introduces a subtle earthiness that keeps things from tipping into overly sugary territory. A generous pinch of salt balances it all.
Mix the pistachio paste, tahini, and salt in a bowl until smooth. Once your kataifi is toasted, fold it into this mixture while it’s still warm so everything binds together. It’s a filling that’s both creamy and textural, rich but not overpowering. Think of it like the refined cousin of layered desserts like biscoff banana pudding.
This core gives every bite of your bar complexity—flavor that lingers without being too heavy.
Crafting the Chocolate Shell and Signature Look
Color-splashed molds: Where art meets flavor
What makes the Dubai knafeh chocolate bar stand out visually is its artistic finish. After assembling the base, it’s time to prepare the molds. You’ll need pink and green chocolate (candy melts work great) with a bit of coconut oil to get that silky consistency. Melt each color separately, then flick and drizzle them over the molds in a playful splash pattern. This step doesn’t just add color—it mirrors the vibrancy of Middle Eastern sweets.
I’ve seen similar decorative flair used in Swiss chocolate chalet cake presentations, and that same excitement transfers right into this bar. Once the colored layers are set, they’ll peek through the final chocolate coating like hidden gems.
Melting and molding the chocolate shell
Once your colored chocolate is firm, melt your main chocolate—milk or dark, depending on preference. Spoon it into the molds, ensuring the chocolate coats every side. Let any excess drip out, but keep the shell thick enough to hold its shape. Chill the molds to set.
The final step before sealing? Add the kataifi-pistachio mixture into the shell, spreading it evenly. Then top with more melted chocolate to close it off. Use a scraper or offset spatula to smooth everything flush with the mold edge. Pop it in the fridge until firm.
This process might remind you of shaping desserts like the crookie cookie croissant, where molding and layering make all the difference.
Once chilled, unmold your bars and admire the stunning results. With each piece, you’ll notice how the shell cracks gently, revealing the textured, rich filling inside—a symphony of crunch, cream, and color.
Serving, Storing, and Answering FAQs About Dubai Knafeh Chocolate Bar
Serving it right: The moment of truth
Once your Dubai knafeh chocolate bar is unmolded, it’s more than a dessert—it’s a showpiece. You can plate it in whole slabs or slice it into bite-sized portions for parties. The colorful splatter on top makes each piece look like edible art, almost too pretty to eat (but believe me, everyone will). I love serving it chilled with Arabic coffee or even a warm spiced tea.
If you’re planning a dessert board, pair it with rich, buttery treats like madeleine cookies or something bold and creamy like churro cheesecake. These contrasting textures and flavors highlight the knafeh bar’s nutty profile and satisfying crunch.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The chocolate shell protects the interior, keeping the kataifi filling fresh and crispy.
Conclusion: A Modern Classic Worth Making Again and Again
Bringing together the flavors of the Middle East and the elegance of fine chocolate, the Dubai knafeh chocolate bar proves that dessert can be both nostalgic and brand new. It’s a dessert that tells a story—of family kitchens, market stalls in Dubai, and the joy of experimenting at home.
Each layer—from the buttery kataifi crunch to the creamy pistachio-tahini core and rich chocolate shell—creates a bite that’s equal parts comforting and impressive. Whether you’re making it for a holiday table or just treating yourself, this bar invites you to slow down and enjoy something handmade, flavorful, and full of heart.
Pair it with spiced coffee, serve it beside other sweets like nut-studded pastries or creamy puddings, and don’t be surprised if it disappears first. Once you try it, the Dubai knafeh chocolate bar might just become your go-to homemade gift or dinner party centerpiece.
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FAQs: Your questions answered
What are the ingredients in knafeh chocolate bar Dubai?
The key components include kataifi pastry, butter, pistachio paste, tahini, salt, pink and green chocolate melts, coconut oil, and either dark or milk chocolate. The magic lies in combining traditional knafeh elements with a silky chocolate shell.
How to make kunafa Dubai chocolate?
Toast kataifi in butter, mix with pistachio paste and tahini, line molds with colorful chocolate splatters, coat with melted chocolate, fill with the nut mixture, and top with more chocolate before chilling.
What is the chocolate bar in Dubai made of?
This bar blends Middle Eastern and modern elements: crispy pastry, creamy nut filling, and smooth chocolate, presented in a boutique-style molded form.
What is kunafa Dubai chocolate made of?
It’s made with shredded kataifi, nutty pistachio-tahini filling, and a hardened chocolate shell, often finished with decorative touches like colored cocoa butter or candy melts.