This Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe is taking social media by storm since you can’t buy it anywhere except Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The homemade version is gaining popularity for its unique, delicious flavor. If you’re a pistachio lover, this sweet treat is a must-try!

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The crunchy filling in this Dubai chocolate is made from 'kataifi,' a Middle Eastern shredded phyllo dough. While it’s mild in flavor, it’s often used in sweet and savory dishes for its texture. Here, it creates the perfect contrast to the creamy pistachio and tahini filling. Covered in rich, melting chocolate, it results in a beautifully balanced candy bar.
If you like sweet candy recipes, you will love this Layered Candy Bark, Almond Joy Bites and Cotton Candy Fudge.
Why You’ll Love This Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Bar Recipe
- Unique treat recipe. This Dubai pistachio chocolate bar has a distinct and intriguing flavor profile.
- Easy to make. Despite its uniqueness, this chocolate bar comes together easily.
- Prepped in 10 minutes. It will only take you 10 minutes to prepare the chocolate and filling for the candy.
- Experience the hype. Ditch the FOMO and make this in your own home so you can see what all the hype is about!
Ingredients
Below are all of the components of the famous Dubai pistachio chocolate bar. Many of them are easy to find, but there are a couple of less common ingredients such as the tahini and kataifi. These can be found at Mediterranean or Middle Eastern markets or even online.

- Melting candy: Traditionally, white or colored melting candy is drizzled into the bottom of the candy mold in a simple design. It’s purely for aesthetics and you can skip it if you prefer.
- Melting chocolate: You can use milk or dark chocolate. Ensure it’s good quality for the best flavor.
- Kataifi pastry: This is typically available at Middle Eastern grocery stores or markets, however, you might have to do a little bit of research to find it. It's also available to buy online as well.
- Butter: A little unsalted butter is used to fry up the kataifi so it becomes perfectly crunchy.
- Pistachio butter: This is a unique nut butter made of ground pistachios. Many online retailers like Amazon have it in stock, as well as some specialty stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
- Tahini paste: Tahini is a nutty condiment made of ground sesame seeds. You will find it at Mediterranean grocery stores or in the international foods aisle at your local grocery store.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Spiced: Ground cardamom and cloves will add a spiced flavor to the filling that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
- Honey almond: Mix in honey and chopped almonds to the filling for extra sweetness and texture.
- Orange: Zest orange into the chocolate and add orange blossom water to the filling for a hint of citrus.
How to Make the Dubai Chocolate Bar
Here are instructions on how to make the viral Dubai chocolate bar recipe at home. I recommend having your ingredients ready and measured before you start melting the chocolate.

Step 1: Melt and drizzle. Melt the white or colored melting candy in a microwave-safe bowl using the package directions. Then, drizzle a design into the bottom of the candy mold. Chill it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Melt the chocolate and fill the mold. Melt 1 cup of the melting chocolate using the package directions and pour it into the mold. Use a pastry brush to ensure a layer coats the cotton and sides. Gently tap it to let the excess drip out. Place it into the refrigerator for another 15 minutes.

Step 3: Melt butter and add the kataifi. Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the kataifi and coat it in the melted butter.

Step 4: Toast the kataifi. Heat the kataifi until it’s lightly toasted and set it aside to cool.

Step 5: Combine the pistachio butter and tahini. Add the pistachio butter and tahini paste to a small mixing bowl and stir well to combine.

Step 6: Mix in the kataifi. Add the toasted kataifi and stir to coat it in the mixture.

Step 7: Spread it into the mold. Pour the filling onto the set chocolate in the candy mold and spread it evenly.

Step 8: Add the remaining chocolate and chill. Melt the remaining chocolate candy and spread it on top of the filling. Scrape off any excess chocolate until it’s flat. Place the mold back into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until the chocolate has set.
⭐ Hint: Chop the kataifi into smaller pieces before you toast it so it mixes into the filling easier and more evenly.
If you love homemade chocolate recipes like this one, you may also enjoy Chocolate Pistachio Honeycomb.

Serving Suggestions
- Serve this Dubai chocolate pistachio bar recipe as a delicious dessert after a meal of Baked Pizza Chicken or Big Mac in a Bowl.
- Top a scoop of ice cream with Dubai chocolate squares. Some flavors I enjoy are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream and Homemade Dark Chocolate Ice Cream.
- Enjoy a cup of this McDonald’s Caramel Mocha with a chocolate bar.

Recipe Tips
- Ensure the chocolate is fully set: Do not try to remove the chocolate from the mold until it’s fully set, or it will fall apart.
- Use high-quality chocolate: High-quality milk or dark chocolate will provide the best flavor for this recipe.
- Storing: Store extra chocolate bars in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Be sure to keep the bars away from any strong-smelling foods as chocolate can easily absorb smells. You can also wrap your chocolate bars in plastic wrap or foil before putting them into your airtight container or plastic bag. I don't recommend freezing them, as the chocolate can crack during thawing.
Recipe FAQs
You can, but I would try to eat them within a day or two or place them in the refrigerator.
Sure! It’s an easy substitute in a pinch. Bake and crumble the phyllo to achieve the same texture as the kataifi.

Video
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Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

Dubai Chocolate Bar
Equipment
- flat knife or scraping tool
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoon green melting candy or white melting candy
- 2 cups melting milk chocolate divided, good quality brand
- 1 cup kataifi pastry shredded phyllo dough chopped into tiny pieces
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup pistachio butter
- 1 Tablespoon tahini paste
Instructions
- Melt your colored or white melting candy according to package instructions and drizzle it into your clean dry candy bar mold. Drizzle it in a random pattern or make a design it's up to you, this will be the top of your candy bar. Place the mold in your refrigerator for about 15 minutes to harden. When removing the mold from the refrigerator make sure not to bend the mold if it's silicone, you’ll pop the design out or crumble it.
- Melt 1 cup of melting chocolate according to package instructions and spread it over the bottom and sides of your chocolate bar mold. You can use a pastry brush or just tilt the mold so the chocolate covers all sides. Turn the mold over so the excess chocolate can run out. Use a flat knife or scraper to get the extra chocolate off the sides of the mold. Place
- the mold back in the refrigerator to set for at least 15 minutes.
- While the chocolate sets, toast your kataifi. In a non-stick skillet, coat your kataifi in the butter and heat over medium heat until toasted, do not overheat or it will burn. Set it aside for a few minutes to cool.
- In a medium bowl, combine the pistachio butter with the tahini. Once combined add the toasted kataifi and fold it in until well mixed.
- Spread this mixture over the chocolate in your mold leaving a tiny space around the outside so chocolate can wrap around the filling on the sides.
- Heat the remaining cup of chocolate and spread it over the filling making sure to fill the entire mold. Use a flat knife or scraping tool to remove any excess chocolate and make the bottom of your chocolate bar flat.
- Refrigerate the candy bar for about 30 minutes or until set.
- Pop the chocolate out of the mold carefully and enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure the chocolate is fully set: Do not try to remove the chocolate from the mold until it’s fully set, or it will fall apart.
- Use high-quality chocolate: High-quality milk or dark chocolate will provide the best flavor for this recipe.
- Storing: Store extra Dubai chocolate bars in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Be sure to keep the bars away from any strong-smelling foods as chocolate can easily absorb smells. You can also wrap your chocolate bars in plastic wrap or foil before putting them into your airtight container or plastic bag. I don't recommend freezing them, as the chocolate can crack during thawing.
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