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My Dubai Chocolate Bar is So Good!
The Dubai chocolate bar recipe was inspired by a similar one that went viral. The original chocolate bar is from a retailer in Dubai…and costs $25! It’s made with Kataifi (shredded phyllo), pistachio butter, and chocolate. You can add tahini to the pistachio butter for a richer, nuttier taste, and I like to drizzle white chocolate on top because it looks so fun.
When I saw the components of this pistachio chocolate bar, I had to give it a try. It did not disappoint and went viral on my TikTok page. The toughest thing about this recipe is that you’ll need a chocolate bar mold, but I think it’s worth buying so you can make this Dubai chocolate bar over and over again. If you don’t want to invest in a mold just yet, you can try my Dubai Chocolate Strawberries which is made in a cup!
This recipe is part of our monthly Cooking Challenge for April 2025!
Dubai Chocolate Bar Ingredients
- Chocolate: You can use any chocolate you like. I like to use milk chocolate because it’s softer and creamier, but I also love the dark chocolate and pistachio flavors together, so you can use any chocolate you like! For drizzling on top, I also use white chocolate, but it’s completely optional.
- Kataifi: This is basically shredded pastry dough that’s used in a lot of Middle Eastern desserts, like knafeh. It comes in long strands, so you have to chop it up to make it easier to fry on a skillet you can find it on Amazon.
- Pistachio butter: Pistachio butter isn’t as easy to find as peanut butter, unfortunately, but I buy it from Middle Eastern grocery stores, Italian specialty shops, or on Amazon. Go for crunchy or creamy. You can even make your own.
- Tahini: I didn’t use it the first time I tried this recipe, but I think it gives the filling a richer, nuttier taste.
Ingredients to Buy For Dubai Chocolate Bar
Popular Additions
- Cardamom. Mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ground cardamom into the kataifi mixture. I think the spice would go really will with the pistachio!
- Flaky salt. Who doesn’t like salty-sweet things? I know I do! Sprinkle flakey salt on top of the chocolate bar before the chocolate sets.
- Rosewater. This has such a nice, subtle floral flavor! Add up to a teaspoon to the filling.
- Dried strawberries. I love chocolate-covered strawberries and want to try sprinkling crushed, dried strawberries on this chocolate bar!
How to Make Dubai Chocolate Bar
My Best Chocolate Pistachio Bar Tips
- Don’t skip the freezer time. I know this Dubai chocolate bar recipe calls for freezing the bar multiple times at different steps, but this is so the chocolate sets properly.
- Use silicone chocolate molds. I find these make it easiest to unmold the chocolate bars after! They pop right out.
- Make sure the kataifi is crunchy. You’ll want to take your time toasting it so that the kataifi is golden brown and gives the filling the right texture! Kataifi can clump, so you might want to break it up with your hands before adding it to the skillet.
- Add a little coconut oil to the chocolate. If you’re worried about the chocolate melting smoothly (I’ve had it seize up in the microwave before), you can add ½ teaspoon of coconut oil to it.
Recipe Help & FAQs
For best results, I recommend storing any leftover chocolate in the fridge in an airtight container. That way it stays crunchy with the best texture.
Yes! Kept in an airtight container, it’ll last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
If you can’t find chocolate molds or don’t want to wait for some to get shipped, try making it in a loaf pan. Add parchment paper with an overhang to make it easier to pull out and you’ll have a chocolate bar about the size of what a mold would be. It may be a little hard to cut into chunks, but it works!
Make sure that you temper your chocolate correctly which means heating it slowly and then bringing it back down to room temperature before adding it to a mold.
More Middle Eastern Inspired Desserts:
If you try this Dubai Chocolate Bar recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so I can repost on Stories!
Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white chocolate chips
- 12 ounces milk chocolate chips divided
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 8 ounces kataifi shredded dough finely chopped
- 2 (7-ounce) jars pistachio butter
- ¼ cup tahini
Instructions
- Place the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 30 second intervals. Stir the chocolate in between each 30 seconds until all the chocolate is melted. Drizzle with a fork into 2 16-ounce chocolate molds and set aside in the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Place 10 ounces of the chocolate chips in another microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 30 second intervals. Stir the chocolate in between each 30 seconds until the chocolate is mostly melted. Fold in the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate chips and stir to combine. Pour about half the chocolate over the white chocolate drizzle and use a pastry brush to make sure it evenly covers the bottom and sides. Allow it to set at room temperature for 5 minutes, then place in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kataifi and cook, stirring constantly until browned and crispy, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the pistachio butter and tahini, allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan while waiting on the chocolate molds to freeze.
- Divide the pistachio filling mixture equally into the chocolate molds. Spread them out evenly to the top of the mold.
- Pour the remaining half the melted chocolate over the pistachio filling and use a an off set spatula to evenly cover the pistachio mixture so it’s flat with the chocolate mold. Place in the freezer again for 20 minutes.
- Remove from molds, cut into pieces and enjoy immediately. Keep stored in the fridge for best texture.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
This was so good and so much fun to make! I’ve seen these bars all over social media and wanted to try! These definitely lived up to the hype!!
Yay, so happy they lived up to the hype!! Thank you, Jenna!
Hi I was curious what brand/kind of tahini did you use? Can I get it on Amazon?
Great question, Jessica! I like using the Ziyad Brand tahini for this recipe. Here’s the Amazon link: https://amzlink.to/az087dGz4ARQO
Thank you for the recipe. I purchased the chocolate molds you recommended and loved the easy steps of this recipe! Can’t wait to try your Dubai Chocolate covered strawberries during strawberry picking season. Sooo good! Xx
Aww, so happy you loved it!! Thank you so much, Noor! I hope you enjoy my Dubai Chocolate Strawberries recipe this summer!
Just made this and wow—it turned out amazing! The combination of textures is perfect: crunchy, smooth, and just the right amount of sweetness. It was super easy to follow, and I loved that it only needed a few ingredients. Such a fun and unique twist on a chocolate bar—definitely going into my favorites!
Yay!! Aww, so glad you loved it! Thank you, Gabriela!
We tried this last year when we went on vacation and haven’t been able to find it anywhere near us. This recipe is great and super easy. The chocolate turned out so good that I made like 15 bars to keep on hand! So good!
Aww, love that!! So happy you like the recipe! Thanks, Salma!!
The Dubai chocolate bars turned out amazing! The recipe is much easier than anticipated. Love the use of a dark chocolate (instead of milk) as they are not too sweet. The addition of the tahini is also so good 😊. Made a bunch and packaged them as party favors for a birthday brunch and the guests went crazy for them.
Aww, love that!! So glad your birthday guests loved the chocolate bars as favors and that you found them easy to make! Thank you, Paula!
Made these for a family gathering. They were super yummy and so fun to make!
Aww, so happy you liked them!! Thanks, Fatimah!
10 out 10 would make this again! The combination of pistachio cream and chocolate is elite, yum! Looks like an expensive treat that is not labor intensive. Simple and easy to make.
So good!
Yay!! So glad you loved it! Thanks, Salma!
I made this April challenge recipe as individual chocolate treats for Easter. It was labor of love 💕 because I made the pistachio cream but it was a fun challenge and it opened the door to so many more varieties to try. Thank you, Yumna.
Love that!! So happy you liked the recipe, Agnes. Thank you so much!
Magically one week after purchasing our first Dubai bar at a local candy store your email appeared in the inbox! Needless to say perfect timing. I ordered the kataifi and chocolate molds. I made my own pistachio butter. The recipe directions are well written and easy to follow. This bar is excellent. I have reordered more kataifi so we don’t run out and I can make it whenever I want. Thank you for the wonderful 5-star recipe!
Yay!! So happy you love the recipe, Christa! Thank you so much!