🇸🇦 Arab Recipes
50 arab recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos. Authentic dishes with full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and nutrition info.
Palestinian Konafe
A traditional Palestinian dessert featuring crispy golden kataifi pastry, stretchy white cheese, and a fragrant rose‑water syrup. Cooked low and slow on the stovetop, this kunafa is brushed with generous ghee for shine and crunch, then soaked in sweet syrup for the perfect balance of flavors.
Ultimate Middle Eastern Pistachio Baklava
A crisp, buttery baklava layered with toasted pistachios and a bright lemon‑sugar syrup. Inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s quick‑fire Middle‑Eastern dessert, this recipe yields 12 bite‑size rectangles that stay sticky and delicious for up to a week.
Palestinian Maklouba with rice, eggplant and lamb
Maklouba, a traditional Palestinian upside‑down dish, made with fragrant basmati rice, tender lamb, fried eggplant, tomatoes and crispy onions, served with a mint cucumber yogurt sauce. Ideal for a convivial family meal.
Shami Cheese Pastry (Cheese Manakish) – Soft, Fluffy Arabic Flatbread
A step‑by‑step recipe for the classic Syrian/Shami cheese pastry, using a high‑protein flour dough that’s kneaded, rested, and baked at high heat for a pillowy interior and golden crust. The filling combines tangy white cheese, mozzarella, butter, fresh herbs and a light tomato‑onion sauce. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or light lunch.
The BEST Lentil Soup
A hearty, aromatic red lentil soup that the Golden Balance team loves to make during Ramadan. Sweet onions, potatoes, and carrots are sautéed with cumin and paprika, then simmered with red lentils, chicken stock, and a bouillon cube until tender. The soup is pureed, brightened with fresh lemon juice, and served hot for a comforting, protein‑rich meal.
Once You Try This Tofu Technique, You'll Never Stop Making It
A plant‑based shawarma‑style bowl featuring ultra‑thin, pan‑fried tofu that’s crispy on the outside and chewy inside, tangy sumac‑pickled red onions, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, mint, and a fluffy lemon‑y tahini sauce, all served over fragrant basmati rice.
Homemade Crusty Bread
A simple, no‑fancy‑equipment homemade bread that’s crusty on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Follow the step‑by‑step method from Sarah and Malak’s Kitchen – from activating the yeast to the final golden loaf – and learn the crucial folding, resting, and oven‑preheat tricks that give the bread its beautiful air pockets.
Chicken Shawarma with Garlic Toum, Tahini Sauce, and Crispy Fries
A homemade Middle Eastern chicken shawarma inspired by street‑vendor flavor. Tender, yogurt‑marinated chicken thighs are pan‑seared to develop a charred crust, served with two classic sauces – a fluffy garlic toum and a creamy lemon‑tahini – plus a bright herb‑cucumber salad and crispy frozen fries. Assemble in flatbread or parchment for a satisfying handheld meal.
Homemade Pistachio Cream for your Dubai Chocolates
A smooth, bright‑green pistachio butter blended with white chocolate and powdered sugar, perfect for filling homemade Dubai‑style chocolate bars. This recipe shows how to soften, skin, and process pistachios for a velvety spread without buying expensive pre‑made pistachio cream.
Soft Oil Enriched Bread
A fluffy, soft homemade bread enriched with oil for extra tenderness. The dough is easy to handle, doubles in size, and after scoring and butter brushing it bakes to a golden, fragrant finish. Perfect as a side, snack, or breakfast accompaniment.
Winter Energy Drink with Dates, Milk, Cinnamon & Cardamom
A warm, naturally sweetened winter beverage packed with dates, full‑fat milk, cinnamon, cardamom and instant coffee. No added sugar or starch, making it a healthy energy‑boosting drink that supports immunity during the cold season.
Yemeni-Style Döner Kebab with Homemade Pita Bread
A step‑by‑step guide to making juicy spiced lamb döner, soft homemade pita, fresh salad and a tangy white sauce – all inspired by Yemeni flavors. Perfect for a hearty sandwich night.
How to Make Knafeh
A classic Palestinian dessert featuring shredded kataifi dough, melted mozzarella (as a substitute for traditional Nabulsi cheese), crisp buttered crust, and a fragrant simple syrup, finished with chopped pistachios.
Easy Homemade Bread
A simple, budget‑friendly homemade bread made from basic pantry staples. Follow the step‑by‑step video guide to whisk, knead, shape, and bake three soft loaves with a beautiful scored top. Perfect for beginners and great for any meal.
Soft Crusty Homemade Bread
A simple, fluffy‑inside, crusty‑outside homemade bread made with basic pantry ingredients. Follow the step‑by‑step process of mixing, kneading, folding, resting and baking to achieve beautiful air pockets and a golden crust. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or as a side for any meal.
Ramadan Pistachio‑Chocolate Dessert Assortment
A selection of mini‑desserts inspired by Dubai chocolate bars: pistachio‑cream‑filled katayef dough chocolates, crispy samosas, mini cheesecakes, strawberry‑pistachio verrines, date bites, pistachio tiramisu and honey‑katayef cake. Ideal for Ramadan or any festive occasion.
CALI MAKES HOMEMADE DUBAI CHOCOLATE
A quick and easy homemade Dubai‑style chocolate made by melting milk chocolate buttons, spreading a thin glossy layer in a mold, and chilling until firm. Perfect for a sweet snack or dessert garnish.
Pistachio kunafa Chocolate Cheesecake
A modern twist on the classic Middle Eastern kunafa, this no‑bake Dubai Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Cheesecake layers buttery chocolate, crunchy pistachio‑infused kunafa crust, and a silky white‑chocolate cream cheese filling, finished with a glossy chocolate ganache and pistachio garnish. Perfect for celebrations or a show‑stopping dessert.
Soft Airy Arabic Bread
A simple, homemade Arabic‑style bread with a crisp semolina crust and a fluffy, airy interior. Made with basic pantry ingredients, this loaf is perfect for breakfast, dinner, or as a side for soups and stews. Follow the step‑by‑step guide for a bakery‑quality loaf without any fancy equipment.
Fluffy Homemade Bread
A step‑by‑step guide to making soft, pillowy homemade bread with a golden crust. This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients, a steam trick with an ice‑water tray, and gentle folding to trap air for a light, bakery‑quality loaf.
The NEW Lentil Soup I've been making every week!
A warm, comforting red lentil soup packed with potatoes, carrots, celery, and delicate vermicelli, seasoned with cumin, fennel, saffron, and za'atar. Perfect for 3‑4 servings and ideal for cozy evenings.
Dubai Chocolate Recipe
A crunchy, nutty chocolate bar inspired by Dubai street treats. Shredded kataifi is fried, tossed with pistachio butter and tahini, then sandwiched between two layers of melted chocolate and set in the freezer for a satisfying snap.
I Don't Buy Bread Anymore! Now I Make it More Delicious at Home! Easiest Bread Recipe
A soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet homemade bread made with yeast, honey, and all‑purpose flour. Perfectly crusty on the outside and tender inside, this easy recipe from Sarah and Malak’s Kitchen beats store‑bought loaves.
How to make Dubai Chocolate!
A rich, glossy Dubai‑style chocolate bar layered with a silky pistachio‑tahini filling. The recipe uses the double‑method tempering technique for a snap‑perfect finish and only requires a few simple steps, freezer time, and basic kitchen tools.
Fluffy Sesame Bread
A soft, airy Middle Eastern‑style bread enriched with toasted black sesame seeds. The secret is a quick 5‑minute dough, a gentle stretch‑and‑fold technique, and a hot oven for a golden crust. Perfect as a side for soups, dips, or on its own.
Mini Batbout for Sandwich
Light, puffed flatbreads inspired by Moroccan batbout, perfect for creating homemade sandwiches filled with spiced chicken, crunchy vegetables and cheese. The dough made from flour and semolina is simple to prepare, rises quickly and cooks in a few minutes in a pan.
Golden Twist Pastry Bread
A quick and easy golden twist pastry bread perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. The dough is kneaded with a touch of oil to keep it soft and shaped into a beautiful twist before baking until fragrant and golden.
Soft Butter Milk Bread
A fluffy, soft homemade bread enriched with butter and milk. Perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or as a side. This recipe from Sarah and Malak’s Kitchen shows the secret technique of folding butter into the dough after kneading for an ultra‑silky crumb.
Perfect Layered Pastry
A flaky, buttery layered pastry made from scratch using a simple laminated dough technique. This recipe walks you through mixing the dough, resting, butter lamination, folding, shaping, and baking to achieve golden, fragrant swirls that are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a family treat.
Beef Liver Sandwich with Tahini Yogurt Sauce
A quick, protein‑packed sandwich featuring thinly sliced beef liver seasoned with aromatic spices, quickly pan‑fried with bell peppers and chilies, and topped with a creamy tahini‑yogurt sauce. Perfect for a fast lunch or dinner, this recipe from the YouTube channel Fast and Yummy brings bold Middle Eastern flavors to a simple roll.
STUFFED CHICKEN PITA
A summery Middle Eastern‑style lunch featuring pillowy homemade pita pockets filled with smoky spiced chicken thighs, a bright tahini‑lemon dressing, and a crunchy pickled cabbage salad. The recipe uses a high‑hydration yeast dough that puffs perfectly in a hot oven, and the chicken is marinated with a fragrant blend of dried chilies, cinnamon, cumin, and sumac for extra depth.
Homemade Soft Yeast Bread
A simple, fluffy homemade yeast bread with a crisp crust and airy interior. No fancy equipment needed – just flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and water. Perfect for sandwiches, breakfast, or as a side for any meal.
Buttery Braided Brioche Bread
A soft, pillowy, buttery brioche‑style bread braided into a beautiful loaf. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat. Follow the step‑by‑step guide to achieve a golden, fragrant loaf with buttery layers.
Crispy Thin Pastry Bread
A simple, buttery flatbread with ultra‑thin, crispy layers. Perfect for serving with dips, soups, or as a base for toppings. Follow Sarah and Malak’s step‑by‑step method to achieve a smooth dough, roll it paper‑thin, and bake until golden and fragrant.
Ultimate Middle Eastern Feast (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
A three‑course Middle Eastern feast inspired by the Arabian Peninsula, Turkey and North Africa. Includes crispy honey‑yogurt filo triangles for breakfast, mint‑lamb koftas with beetroot hummus for lunch, and a dinner of pomegranate‑marinated quail, butter‑bean salad and classic pistachio baklava.
Traditional Lavash Wrap
A hearty Middle Eastern flatbread wrap made with yeasted lavash, spiced minced beef, and a garlicky yogurt sauce. Perfect for Ramadan iftars or any family meal, this layered wrap combines soft, pillowy flatbreads with a savory meat filling and cool yogurt topping.
Spinach and Cheese Pastry (No Yeast)
A flaky, buttery pastry filled with seasoned spinach and cheese. No yeast is required – the dough is rested in an oil‑butter mixture for elasticity, then stretched ultra‑thin for crisp layers. Perfect as an appetizer or snack.
The Ultimate Dubai Chocolate Recipe
A no‑bake, Instagram‑viral Dubai‑style chocolate bar layered with a vibrant pistachio‑kataifi filling. Made with Amoretti pistachio cream and dry toasted kataifi, the bar features colorful white‑chocolate drizzles and a crisp chocolate shell. Perfect for home bakers, cafés, or small‑scale commercial production.
Dubai kunafa Chocolate Dates Bark
A crunchy‑sweet Middle Eastern inspired bark that combines toasted katifi (shredded phyllo), pistachio‑tahini filling, soft medjool dates and a glossy milk chocolate coating. Inspired by viral TikTok trends, this dessert is perfect for satisfying a Dubai chocolate craving.
Lentils and Rice
A comforting Middle Eastern classic made with brown lentils, rice, and deeply caramelized onions. This one‑pot dish is hearty, vegan, and perfect for meal‑prep or a cozy family dinner.
This Doner Kebab Will Ruin Takeaways Forever!!
A home‑cooked take on the classic Middle Eastern doner kebab made with a mix of beef and lamb mince, aromatic spices, homemade flatbread and a tangy garlic‑yogurt sauce. No rotisserie needed – just an oven and a skillet.
Rolled Baklava with Almonds
Rolled baklavas, crispy and scented with toasted almonds, drenched in a lemony syrup and a drizzle of honey. A homemade, easy-to-make version that retains the crunch of filo pastry and the rich flavor of browned butter.
Easiest No-Knead Bread! I don’t buy bread anymore, now I make it more delicious!
A simple, fluffy homemade bread with a crisp crust and airy interior. This recipe from Sarah and Malak’s Kitchen uses basic pantry ingredients and a few key techniques—yeast activation, proper kneading, and careful shaping—to create a bakery‑quality loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying fresh out of the oven.
Carrot and Zucchini soup
A quick and comforting Middle Eastern‑style vegetable soup made with carrots, zucchini, potato, and garlic simmered in sunflower oil and water. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Homemade Soft Bread
A fluffy, airy homemade bread with a crisp crust, made with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for sandwiches, flatbreads, or as a side for soups and salads. The recipe follows the step‑by‑step method demonstrated by Sarah and Malak, including kneading, folding, and proper resting for maximum rise and texture.
Fluffy Bubbly Bread Balls
A soft, cloud‑like bread ball made with a simple yeast dough that’s folded and fermented twice for maximum fluffiness. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or as a side to soups and stews.
Homemade Puff Pastry (No Yeast)
A step‑by‑step guide to making ultra‑flaky, buttery puff pastry at home without any yeast. The dough is rested in a butter‑oil mixture for extra tenderness, stretched thin, brushed with more butter, and baked until golden. Perfect for sweet or savory fillings.
Kunafa on Tawa
A step‑by‑step guide to making soft, cheesy kunafa on the stovetop using pheni (vermicelli), ghee, and a rich cheese‑cream sauce. The Kapoor’s Kitchen shows how to layer, cook, and finish with sugar syrup and dry fruits for a restaurant‑style dessert at home.
I Don't Buy Bread Anymore! I make it more delicious with Simple Ingredients!
A pillowy, buttery brioche‑style bread that’s golden on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack, this recipe walks you through every step—from activating the yeast to the final golden bake—so you can recreate the family‑favorite loaf from Sarah and Malak’s Kitchen.
I aged Steaks in SUMAC for Months and Ate Them... WOW!
A Middle Eastern inspired chicken dish that showcases the bright, lemony flavor of sumac. Dark meat thighs are coated in a sumac‑baharat rub, baked until juicy, and served with sweet caramelized red onions, toasted pine nuts, a cool garlic‑sumac yogurt sauce, and warm bread.