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Make the viral Dubai chocolate bar at home with creamy pistachio filling, crispy kataifi, and rich chocolate in this easy homemade recipe.

Dubai Chocolate Bar split in half and stacked on top of each other.

If you’ve seen the viral Dubai chocolate bar all over social media, you’re not alone.

With its creamy pistachio center, crispy golden kataifi, and glossy chocolate shell, this Middle Eastern-inspired treat has taken the internet by storm.

Originally created in Dubai in 2021 and inspired by the dessert knafeh , this chocolate bar quickly became a global sensation thanks to TikTok.

The good news? You can easily recreate it at home.

If you make this recipe, you could use my Homemade Pistachio Cream Recipe instead of using store bought because it tastes so much better.

Dubai Chocolate Ingredients

Ingredients for Dubai Chocolate Bar.

Milk or dark chocolate: I personally love using Callebaut Belgian Chocolate but I used some other affordable for this recipe. See photo above.

Kataifi dough: shredded phyllo dough, found is most Middle Eastern Stores.

Butter: to toast the shredded Kataifi dough.

Tahini paste: pureed sesame seeds.

White chocolate: to mix with food color and make different colors for the exterior if you like. You could also use colored cocoa butter.

Coconut oil: to add to the white chocolate so it does not seize.

Pistachio Cream: you can use store bought or make your own Homemade Pistachio Cream

Food Coloring: OPTIONAL if you want to change the color of the white chocolate to different colors.

How to Make Dubai Chocolate Bar

Raw shredded Kataifi dough.
Step 1: Start by chopping the Kataifi dough into smaller pieces.
Adding pistachio and tahini to the toasted kataifi crip.
Step 2: In a pan over medium heat, melt some butter and toast the Kataifi dough until golden brown. Once golden add in the tahini and pistachio cream.
Pistachio cream kunafa filling in a skillet.
Step 3: Mix until well combined and turn off the heat.
Adding chocolate to the chocolate mold.
Step 4: Melt the white chocolate with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and separate into mini bowl (however many colors you want to make). Drizzle the colored or white chocolate into the mold.
Process of coating the chocolate mold with chocolate to make the outer shell.
Step 5: Melt using a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Pour some of the melted chocolate into the mold and completely cover the bottom and sides. Use a brush if needed.
Process shot showing addition of pistachio cream kunafa into the chocolate mold.
Step 6: Next, add in the pistachio Knafeh filling and smooth it down to make sure the filling gets to all the corners.
Process shot showing how to make dubai chocolate bars.
Step 7: Top with more melted chocolate and spread to cover the pistachio knafeh filling completely. Let it set in the fridge for about 15 minutes, just until the chocolate hardens.
Two Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Bars next to each other.
Step 8: Once set, remove from the mold and slice into bars or break into pieces.
Hands breaking the Dubai Chocolate Bar.

Pro Tips

  • Toast kataifi fully for crunch.
  • Use good quality chocolate.
  • Don’t skip tahini. It balances sweetness and enhances the flavor.
  • Use a silicone mold for easy removal.
A dubai pistachio chocolate bar cut in half.

Common Questions

How long does Dubai Chocolate Bar stay fresh?

If stored properly, the chocolate bar can remain fresh for at least a 2 weeks in the fridge.

How to store Dubai Chocolate Bar?

Store it in an air tight containter in the fridge. Let it thaw out for 10-15 minutes if you like to soften up the center a little.

Do I need tahini for Dubai chocolate?

Tahini adds depth and balances sweetness, but it can be omitted if preferred or you’re allergic to it.

Dubai Chocolate Bar split in half and stacked on top of each other.

More Pistachio Recipes

This homemade Dubai chocolate bar captures everything people love about the viral treat. Creamy, crunchy, and rich in every bite.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment and rate the recipe! Also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on Facebook |Instagram |Pinterest for all of my latest social posts and recipes.

5 from 4 votes

Dubai Chocolate Bar

This Dubai chocolate bar combines creamy pistachio filling with crispy kataifi inside a rich chocolate shell. An easy homemade version of the viral treat, perfect for gifting or enjoying as a unique dessert.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling donuts: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Equipment

  • 2 1 inch deep large candy bar mold

Ingredients 

  • cup milk chocolate, melted
  • 2 tbsps tahini
  • cup pistachio cream, see post for homemade version
  • 2 cups shredded Kataifi dough, chopped
  • ¼ stick butter, unsalted
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • ¼ cup white chocolate, separated in mini bowls to make color
  • food coloring

Instructions 

  • Chop the Kataifi dough into smaller pieces.
  • In a pan over medium heat, melt some butter and toast the Kataifi dough until golden brown. Once golden add in the tahini and pistachio cream.
  • Mix until well combined and turn off the heat.
  • Melt the white chocolate with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and separate into mini bowl (however many colors you want to make). Drizzle the colored or white chocolate into the mold.
  • Melt using a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Pour some of the melted chocolate into the mold and completely cover the bottom and sides. Use a brush if needed.
  • Next, add in the pistachio Knafeh filling and smooth it down to make sure the filling gets to all the corners.
  • Top with more melted chocolate and spread to cover the pistachio knafeh filling completely. Let it set in the fridge for about 15 minutes, just until the chocolate hardens.
  • Once set, remove from the mold and slice into bars or break into pieces.

Video

Notes

    • Use Belgian chocolate if possible.
    • Use more pistachio cream than kataifi so that the filling stays creamy and not dry.
    • Use my homemade pistachio butter recipe if possible. 
    • If you are storing for later time, remove from the fridge about15 minutes before the filling to be more creamy.
    • Use a silicone mold for easy removal.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25bar | Calories: 705kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 519mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 5mg
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5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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