In the digital age, a single bite of food can launch a global phenomenon. No trend illustrates this better than the Dubai Chocolate Bar. This indulgent, crunchy, and richly-flavored confection has exploded from a local Dubai specialty into an international sensation, dominating social media feeds and supermarket shelves worldwide. It’s more than just a sweet treat; it’s a cultural crossover, blending classic Middle Eastern dessert elements with modern viral appeal.
If you’ve been living under a rock—or simply avoiding TikTok—you might be asking: What exactly is this famous Dubai Chocolate Bar?
Dive in as we unwrap the history of the original, reveal the essential ingredients that make it so addictive, and provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to making your own luxurious version at home.
The Birth of a Global Dessert Sensation
The Dubai Chocolate Bar is a perfect example of modern gastrodiplomacy—a spontaneous cultural export that’s won the hearts (and taste buds) of the world. But to understand the trend, you must know the originator.
The Original: “Can’t Get Knafeh of It”
The viral confection was originally created in 2021 by Fix Dessert Chocolatier, an Emirati brand co-founded by Sarah Hamouda. The bar, famously named “Can’t Get Knafeh of It,” was an ingenious reinterpretation of a classic regional dessert: Knafeh (also spelled Kunafa).
Knafeh is a beloved Middle Eastern pastry made with kataifi—a delicate, shredded phyllo dough—soaked in a sweet syrup and layered with soft cheese. The Fix bar takes this concept and transforms it into a modern chocolate bar:
- The Shell: A rich, thick layer of milk chocolate.
- The Filling: A creamy, bright green paste of pistachio butter/cream and a touch of tahini (sesame paste).
- The Crunch: Crispy, toasted kataifi pastry threads are mixed into the filling, providing an irresistible texture contrast.
It was this perfect marriage of creamy, nutty, sweet, and crunchy that made the bar a local hit.
The TikTok Takeover: From Local Gem to Viral Sensation
The “Dubai Chocolate” truly entered the global consciousness in late 2023 when a viral TikTok video showcased the satisfying crack of the chocolate shell and the lush, oozing green interior. The visual and audible appeal was undeniable, and the video quickly garnered over 100 million views.
The timing was perfect: the bar’s unique cross-cultural flavor profile—pistachio, tahini, and kataifi—met the internet’s insatiable appetite for photogenic, indulgent, and globally-inspired treats. Since then, the original bar has become notoriously hard to find, selling out within minutes of being restocked, and leading to an explosion of copycats, homages, and homemade recipe attempts worldwide.
Why the Dubai Chocolate Bar Went Viral: The Magic Formula
The enduring popularity of this sweet treat is not just hype. It’s a deliberate, yet accidental, masterpiece of flavor and texture that appeals to multiple senses:
| Sensory Element | Component | The Appeal |
| Sight | Bright green filling, thick chocolate shell | Highly photogenic and instantly recognizable on social media (Instagram, TikTok). |
| Sound | The satisfying snap and crunch | The sound of the chocolate breaking and the kataifi crunching is “ASMR-ready,” enhancing its viral shareability. |
| Texture | Smooth chocolate, creamy pistachio, crispy kataifi | The essential contrast of creamy and crunchy is addictive and provides a unique mouthfeel. |
| Flavor | Pistachio, Tahini, Milk Chocolate | Rich, nutty, and savory-sweet. The tahini adds a subtle depth that cuts the sweetness, making it more complex than a standard candy bar. |
| Cultural Tie | Kataifi/Knafeh | Taps into the rich, nostalgic flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine, repackaging them for a global audience. |
The trend has even had an impact on global markets, contributing to a massive surge in demand and a reported worldwide shortage of high-quality pistachios. This is the “Dubai Chocolate Effect.”
Read also this: Tattoo Shops Near Me
DIY Luxury: The Ultimate Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe
Since getting your hands on an original Fix bar can be nearly impossible (and expensive!), the best way to enjoy this sensational dessert is to make it yourself. The process is easier than you might think, requiring only a few key ingredients and a deep chocolate bar mold.
Ingredients You Will Need
| Category | Ingredient | Notes on Quality & Sourcing |
| For the Shell | 400g Milk Chocolate | Use high-quality melting chocolate or couverture for a better snap and shine. |
| For the Filling | 200g Pistachio Cream/Butter | Crucial: Use a smooth, high-quality paste/cream. You can make your own by blending shelled pistachios with a neutral oil. |
| 120g Kataifi Pastry | Also known as Kunafa dough or shredded phyllo. Found in the frozen pastry section of most Middle Eastern grocery stores. | |
| 2 Tbsp Tahini Paste (Optional) | Adds an authentic, nutty depth. Skip if you dislike sesame flavor. | |
| 3-4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter or Coconut Oil | Used for toasting the kataifi. | |
| For Decoration | 30g White Chocolate (Optional) | For the characteristic colored drizzle. |
| Green Food Coloring (Optional) | A single drop of gel food coloring for the vibrant green drizzle. |
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Kataifi Crunch
- Chop the Kataifi: Roughly chop the kataifi pastry into small threads (about 1/2 to 1 inch long).
- Toast: Melt the butter or coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped kataifi.
- Cook: Stir continuously for about 6–8 minutes until the pastry threads turn a beautiful golden brown and are fully crispy. The crunch is essential! Remove from heat and let it cool slightly in a separate bowl.
2. Create the Pistachio Filling
- Mix: Once the kataifi is cooled, mix it with the pistachio cream/butter and the optional tahini paste. Stir until the kataifi threads are completely coated in the rich, green paste. This forms the creamy and crunchy center.
3. Temper the Chocolate (or Melt Simply)
- Melt the White Chocolate (Optional Design): If using, melt the white chocolate separately. Add a drop of green food coloring and drizzle a small amount into the bottom of your chocolate molds. Freeze for 5–10 minutes to set.
- Melt the Main Chocolate: Melt your milk chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth. For a shiny, snappy bar, consider tempering your chocolate, though simply melting works too.
4. Assemble the Dubai Chocolate Bar
- Coat the Shell: Pour a generous amount of melted milk chocolate over the optional white chocolate design (or directly into the empty mold). Tilt the mold to ensure the chocolate coats the bottom and sides evenly. Use a pastry brush to help if needed.
- Set the Shell: Invert the mold over your bowl of chocolate to let any excess drip out, leaving a thick, solid shell. Place the mold in the freezer for about 10–15 minutes until the chocolate shell is completely set and hard.
- Add the Filling: Remove the mold from the freezer. Spoon the pistachio-kataifi mixture into the set chocolate shell, pressing it down gently but firmly to fill the mold. Do not overfill—leave enough room for the final chocolate seal.
- Seal the Bar: Pour the remaining melted milk chocolate over the filling to create the flat bottom (which will be the top when served). Use an offset spatula or knife to smooth and scrape off any excess, making a clean seal.
- Final Set: Place the mold back into the freezer for a final 20–30 minutes, or until the entire bar is completely solid.
- Unmold and Enjoy: Carefully pop the finished Dubai Chocolate Bars out of the mold. They are best stored and served at a cool room temperature or slightly chilled to maintain the integrity of the crunch.
The Global Influence: Beyond the Bar
The impact of the original Dubai chocolate goes far beyond the singular bar. It has proven that Middle Eastern dessert flavors—specifically the combination of pistachio and kataifi—are a force in the global confectionery world.
- Mainstream Adoption: Large global chocolate manufacturers and supermarket chains have quickly developed their own versions, proving the commercial viability of the flavor profile.
- Menu Disruption: Chefs and home bakers are incorporating the “Dubai Chocolate” flavor into everything from croissants and cookies to ice creams and milkshakes. The pistachio-kataifi crunch is now a trendy dessert element in its own right.
- DIY Culture: The simplicity of the recipe has fueled the #HomemadeDubaiChocolate trend, with millions attempting to recreate the bar, which further cements its status as a cultural phenomenon.
The Dubai Chocolate Bar is a delicious and potent symbol of how social media can transform a local, high-end culinary creation into a worldwide mainstream craving. It celebrates rich, authentic Middle Eastern ingredients while embracing the fun, indulgent, and visually dramatic aesthetic of the modern internet dessert.
Whether you choose to seek out the original, try a local imitation, or master the Dubai Chocolate Bar recipe at home, this is one global trend that truly lives up to the hype. It’s a sensory experience—a perfect crack, a creamy ooze, and a nutty, satisfying crunch—that makes it impossible to resist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Where can I buy the original Dubai Chocolate Bar?
A: The original “Can’t Get Knafeh of It” bar is made by Fix Dessert Chocolatier and is primarily sold in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, often through online delivery services like Deliveroo, and occasionally at the Dubai airport. Due to its viral popularity, it is extremely difficult to purchase and often sells out instantly. Be wary of unauthorized resellers charging exorbitant prices online.
Q: What is Kataifi pastry and where can I find it?
A: Kataifi (also spelled Kunafa) is a shredded phyllo dough that resembles fine vermicelli noodles. It’s a staple in Middle Eastern and Greek desserts, providing a signature light, crispy texture when toasted. You can typically find it in the frozen pastry section of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, or well-stocked specialty grocery stores.
Q: Can I use another nut butter instead of pistachio cream?
A: While the classic and viral flavor is undeniably pistachio, you can absolutely substitute. Common variations include using hazelnut cream (Nutella-style), Biscoff spread, or even almond butter for a different, yet still delicious, crunchy chocolate bar. However, it won’t be the authentic Dubai Chocolate Bar experience.
Q: Do I need a special mold to make this?
A: While a deep, rectangular silicone chocolate bar mold makes the process much easier and gives you the iconic shape, you can also use a loaf pan lined with parchment paper, a muffin tin, or even individual praline molds to create the same dessert in a different format.
For more related topics: https://mirsft.com/