Kunafa Chocolates in Dubai

As a city, Dubai celebrates varied culinary delights, and among its most popular desserts is Kunafa—an ethnic Middle Eastern sweet that seamlessly blends creamy cheese or nuts with crispy pastry, soaked in a delicious and fragrant sugar syrup. It continues to enamour locals and tourists alike, with countless speciality shops and restaurants providing their unique takes on this iconic sweet.

In this all-inclusive guide, we will explore the journey of Kunafa in Dubai, as we highlight the best locations, signature styles, history, origin, and preparation method, along with tips to enjoy the ultimate Kunafa experience across the emirate.

What is Kunafa Chocolate in Dubai?

Kunafa (also spelt Knafeh or Knafe) is a delicious, rich, syrup-soaked sweet made from shredded phyllo dough or semolina pastry, layered with cream or cheese, and topped with crushed nuts and pistachios. Originating from the Levant region, it is a staple during various festivities, especially Ramadan, even though it is enjoyed year-round in Dubai.

Some of the most sought-after variants of Kunafa chocolates in the city are as follows.

Nabulsi Kunafa

This style originated from Nablus, Palestine, and uses fine semolina dough and a special white cheese. This variant is known for its creamy and soft texture.

Pistachio Topped Kunafa

This variant is generously garnished with crushed pistachios for added flavour and crunch.

Turkish Kunafa

Turkish Kunafa is usually made with a coarser and thicker pastry and includes variations such as Kadayif and cheese-filled options.

Cream Kunafa

Evident by its name, cream Kunafa is filled with rich cream in place of cheese, which helps offer an airy, lighter and sweeter taste.

Nutella or Chocolate Kunafa

This is a modern twist on Kunafa and features Nutella or chocolate spread, and is extremely popular among the younger generation.

What is Kunafa Made of?

Kunafa is a Middle Eastern sweet generally made with Kataifi, which is basically shredded phyllo dough, and a sweet cheese filling. This dessert is known for its golden-brown, crispy exterior and cheesy and gooey interior. The dessert is then soaked in a sweet sugar-based syrup before being garnished with crushed nuts and pistachios.

It can be made in multiple ways, with various types of cheese and variations in the dough preparation. But the core elements of cheese filling, shredded phyllo dough, and sweet syrup remain the same.

The sweet syrup, also called Attar, is made from water, sugar, and sometimes flavoured with lemon juice or rose water. This syrup is drizzled over the baked dessert to add moisture and sweetness. 

The most common filling is a sweet cheese, which is often a blend of ricotta and mozzarella or other regional cheeses like Nabulsi cheese. Few variations also involve a cream-based filling like Ashta, which is a thickened cream mixture. 

Crushed pistachios are the most common garnish, adding a pop of a nutty flavour and green colour. Few other garnishes, such as rose petals, are also used from time to time. 

Here's a detailed breakdown of the sweet.

Contrast

The most distinctive feature of Kunafa is the contrast between the soft, creamy, or cheesy filling and the crispy, crunchy Kunafa dough.

Sweetness

The sweet syrup and toppings, often nuts and pistachios, contribute a layer of sweetness that complements the other flavours.

Variety

While conventional Kunafa features cheese or cream, new-age variations include Nutella, chocolate, and other alluring fillings, making it enticing to a wider audience. 

Tips to Enjoy Kunafa

Here are some tips to enjoy Kunafa even more. 

• Kunafa tastes best when it is served fresh and hot, as you can enjoy the gooey filling and crispy texture. 
• Explore modern as well as traditional variations to find your favourite. 
• Most places offer special Kunafa platters and promotions during festivities such as Ramadan. So, do check them out. 
• The bitterness of coffee or mint tea complements the sweetness of Kunafa. To preserve texture, it is best to consume Kunafa soon after purchase.

Origin and History of Kunafa

The "Kunafa Chocolate" or "Dubai Chocolate" bar is a rather new creation, inspired by the conventional Middle Eastern dessert Kunafa. It was first created by a Dubai-based company in 2021. The dessert combines a chocolate shell, pistachio cream, and the crunchy texture of Kataifi (shredded phyllo pastry), providing a modern twist on the classic Kunafa. 

It was invented by a British-Egyptian engineer living in Dubai, Sarah Hamouda. At the time, Hamouda was pregnant, and due to her food cravings, she came to imagine a combination of pistachio, chocolate, tahini, and knafeh, a Middle Eastern dessert made of Kadayif, soft cheese, and sugar syrup. 

In her home, she worked on developing a bar before reaching out to a Filipino culinary consultant, Nouel Catis Omamalin, who had trained as a pastry chef. In his account of Dubai chocolate's creation, Omamalin said the pair wanted to make a chocolate bar with the flavour of a sweet.

As his favourite Arabic dessert was knafeh, and because he thought it would have an enticing crunch and nostalgic value, Omamalin recommended a chocolate bar using its flavours. Together, they built the chocolate, forming a collaboration and the online shop Fix Dessert Chocolatier, which in 2022 started "Can't Get Knafeh of It".

With a trivial marketing budget, Fix relied on social media influencers to promote the chocolate, who reviewed it on camera. Can't Get Knafeh comprised pistachio, tahini and kadayif, and was covered in yellow and green patterns.

Bars were made by hand, the interiors piped; a team working crucial hours would produce 25 bars a day. Omamalin, who had by the launch left the collaboration, kept working with Hamouda, saying he was doing so "as a friend".

Over the next year, they continued to modify the recipe, until early 2023 when Hamouda said they had "finally... nailed it". Each bar was sold for £16 (US$19.72), initially at a rate of one per week.

Why is Kunafa so Popular?

Kunafa's popularity stems from its unique combination of textures and flavours, its visual appeal, and its cultural significance. The crispy, shredded phyllo dough (or kataifi) paired with a sweet syrup and creamy or cheesy filling creates a delightful sensory experience. 

The interior's bright colours have been credited with some of the product's success, as the visual appeal created is important on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. It first gained popularity in 2024. Further demand came from consumer perceptions of the product being mysterious.

Social media, particularly platforms like Instagram and TikTok, have also played a crucial role in its viral spread, showcasing the dessert's visual appeal and inspiring food lovers worldwide.

Dubai chocolate gained popularity as manufacturers were facing high costs in producing cocoa and pistachio products. Due to the product's composition, manufacturing in Dubai allowed them to keep costs down. Dubai was viewed as a trendy location among young people, particularly with social media influencers.

The visual appeal of Kunafa, particularly when prepared and served warm, is often enough to entice people to try it. The melting cheese, vibrant green pistachios, and golden-brown crust make Kunafa a visually stunning dessert, perfect for sharing on social media. 

Where to Buy Kunafa Chocolate in Dubai?

Kunafa chocolate, a popular treat in Dubai, is easily available at various locations. You can find it at Fix Dessert Chocolatier, the original creator of the Pistachio Kataifi Chocolate Bar, as well as at other chocolatiers and online retailers. Specific places to purchase include Lals Chocolates for their Pistachio Chocolate Kunafa Bar, Carrefour UAE for Venice Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate, and various online marketplaces.

To Conclude

Kunafa is often enjoyed during celebrations like Ramadan, weddings, and other special occasions, making it more than just a dessert, but a symbol of togetherness and joy. Kunafa's popularity in Dubai, with its fusion of Middle Eastern and Western flavours, highlights its ability to bridge cultural gaps and appeal to a global audience.

Social media platforms have been instrumental in popularising Kunafa, with food bloggers and influencers sharing their experiences and inspiring others to try it. The viral spread of Kunafa has extended its reach far beyond its Middle Eastern origins, making it a globally recognised dessert. 

FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions about Kunafa Chocolates

What is so special about Kunafa chocolate?

Dubai Kunafa's speciality stems from its unique combination of flavours and textures, amped by its viral social media presence. The contrast between smooth, creamy pistachio filling and the crunchy, toasted kataifi pastry, all encased in rich chocolate, makes for a sensory experience that is both delicious and visually appealing. 

Social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok, played a major role in its popularity, with reels and videos showcasing the sensational reveal of the filling going viral. This visual storytelling, along with the intriguing combination of modern and conventional elements, fueled global demand and interest. 

Is Kunafa chocolate vegetarian?

Various Kunafa chocolate products are vegetarian. Kunafa itself is a Middle Eastern sweet made with cheese, shredded filo pastry, and a sweet syrup, and it is naturally vegetarian. When chocolate is added, it is generally milk chocolate, which is vegetarian. Few brands also provide vegan variants, catering to diverse dietary needs, and few Kunafa chocolates also have eggs.

Are Kunafa chocolates eggless? 

Most vendors provide eggless chocolate Kunafa, particularly those focused on catering to dietary restrictions like veganism or vegetarianism. These variants often use alternative ingredients to get the desired flavour and texture, such as using a custard or ganache instead of opting for eggs.