Kunafa Recipe Easy, Delicious & Tasty

Kunafa Recipe Easy, Delicious & Tasty is a medium Middle Eastern recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Sagar's Kitchen on YouTube.

Prep: 17 min | Cook: 35 min | Total: 1 hr 2 min

Cost: $5.60 total, $1.40 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Full Cream Milk (approximately 250 ml, room temperature)
  • 1 tsp Cornflour (for thickening the dough)
  • 0.5 tsp Granulated Sugar (adds slight sweetness to the dough)
  • 0.25 tsp Vanilla Extract (optional, for aroma)
  • 200 g Cream Cheese (softened, room temperature)
  • 4 tbsp Ghee (clarified butter, melted)
  • 150 g Mozzarella Cheese (shredded, for meltable layer)
  • 2 tbsp Pistachios (chopped, for garnish)
  • 2 tbsp Sevai (Vermicelli) (roasted, for topping)
  • 2 tbsp Sugar (for thin syrup)
  • 2 tbsp Water (for thin syrup)

Instructions

  1. Mix Milk Base

    In a saucepan, combine 1 cup full‑cream milk, 1 tsp cornflour, 0.5 tsp sugar and optional 0.25 tsp vanilla extract. Stir until the cornflour is fully dissolved and no lumps remain.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Cook the Kunafa Dough

    Place the saucepan over low flame and continuously stir. Cook until the mixture becomes thick, glossy and pulls away from the sides of the pan – about 7 minutes.

    Time: PT7M

    Temperature: Low flame

  3. Incorporate Ghee

    Add 4 tbsp melted ghee to the thickened dough and mix well until fully incorporated, giving the dough a glossy sheen.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Prepare the Cheese Layer

    In a separate bowl, blend the softened 200 g cream cheese with 150 g shredded mozzarella until smooth. Set aside.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Assemble the Kunafa

    Grease the flat plate or baking dish with a little ghee. Spread the hot kunafa dough evenly to form a thin base. Spoon the cheese mixture over the dough, spreading it uniformly. Sprinkle chopped pistachios and roasted sevai on top, then gently press down with the spatula to set.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Preheat the Tawa

    Place the non‑stick tawa on medium‑high heat and let it become hot (about 2 minutes). If using foil, line the bottom of the tawa with a sheet of foil to prevent sticking.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  7. Cook First Side

    Transfer the assembled kunafa (still on the plate) onto the hot tawa. Cover with a lid (or foil) and cook for 10‑12 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown and crisp.

    Time: PT12M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  8. Flip and Cook Other Side

    Carefully flip the kunafa onto its other side using a large spatula or by inverting onto another plate and sliding back. Cover again and cook another 10‑12 minutes until both sides are golden and the cheese is melted.

    Time: PT12M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  9. Add Sugar Syrup and Garnish

    While the kunafa is still hot, drizzle 2 tbsp thin sugar syrup (2 tbsp sugar dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water) over the top. Sprinkle the remaining chopped pistachios for color and crunch.

    Time: PT2M

  10. Serve

    Allow the kunafa to rest for 2 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve warm.

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
10 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
15 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains dairy, Contains nuts

Allergens: Milk, Gluten, Tree nuts

Last updated: April 18, 2026

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Kunafa Recipe Easy, Delicious & Tasty

Recipe by Sagar's Kitchen

A classic Middle Eastern sweet cheese pastry made with a stretchy milk‑cornflour dough, rich cream cheese, melted mozzarella, crunchy pistachios and vermicelli, cooked on a hot tawa and finished with a thin sugar syrup. Easy to make at home and perfect for celebrations.

MediumMiddle EasternServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
16m
Prep
36m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 2m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$5.60
Total cost
$1.40
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Cooking the milk‑cornflour mixture to a thick, glossy dough without lumps
  • Flipping the kunafa on the tawa without breaking its shape
  • Adding the thin sugar syrup at the right moment to avoid sogginess

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot tawa with oven mitts to avoid burns
  • Sugar syrup is hot; pour carefully to prevent splatter

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Kunafa in Middle Eastern cuisine?

A

Kunafa is a beloved dessert across the Levant, Egypt, and the Arabian Gulf, traditionally served during Ramadan, weddings, and festive celebrations. Its origins trace back to the Ottoman era, where shredded pastry (kataifi) or semolina dough was layered with sweet cheese and soaked in syrup, symbolizing hospitality and indulgence.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Kunafa in Middle Eastern cuisine?

A

In Palestine and Jordan, kunafa is made with shredded kataifi dough; in Egypt, a semolina version called "Kunafa Nayeh" is popular; in Turkey, a similar dessert called "Künefe" uses a cheese‑filled pastry. Each region varies the type of dough, cheese, and syrup flavorings such as rose water or orange blossom.

cultural
Q

How is authentic Kunafa traditionally served in the Levant?

A

Authentic kunafa is served hot, cut into diamond‑shaped pieces, drizzled with a thin rose‑water‑scented sugar syrup, and garnished with crushed pistachios. It is often accompanied by Arabic coffee or tea.

cultural
Q

During which celebrations is Kunafa traditionally associated in Middle Eastern culture?

A

Kunafa is a staple during Ramadan Iftar, Eid al‑Fitr, Eid al‑Adha, weddings, and birthday celebrations throughout the Middle East, symbolizing sweetness and prosperity.

cultural
Q

What makes Kunafa special or unique in Middle Eastern cuisine?

A

Kunafa’s unique combination of a stretchy, caramelized dough with a molten cheese core, finished with a fragrant syrup and crunchy pistachio topping, creates a contrast of textures and flavors that is distinct among Arabic sweets.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Kunafa at home?

A

Common mistakes include over‑cooking the milk‑cornflour dough causing it to become grainy, flipping the kunafa too early which can break the structure, and using a syrup that is too thick which makes the dessert soggy.

technical
Q

Why does this Kunafa recipe use cornflour instead of traditional semolina or kataifi?

A

Cornflour provides a quick‑thickening base that mimics the stretchy texture of traditional dough while keeping the recipe simple for home cooks without needing special shredded pastry or semolina processing.

technical
Q

Can I make Kunafa ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes. Prepare the dough and cheese mixture up to 2 hours ahead, keep them covered at room temperature, and assemble just before cooking. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated on a skillet.

technical
Q

What texture and appearance should I look for when the Kunafa is done cooking?

A

The bottom and top layers should be golden‑brown and slightly crisp, while the cheese interior is fully melted and gooey. The syrup should have soaked the surface without making it soggy, and the pistachio garnish should remain bright and crunchy.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Sagar's Kitchen specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Sagar's Kitchen specializes in Indian and South Asian home cooking tutorials, focusing on easy‑to‑follow recipes that blend traditional flavors with practical, everyday cooking techniques.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Sagar's Kitchen's approach to Middle Eastern cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

Sagar's Kitchen adapts classic Middle Eastern dishes like Kunafa using readily available Indian pantry ingredients such as ghee and cornflour, offering shortcuts and clear visual steps that make these exotic desserts accessible to a broader home‑cook audience.

channel

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