Middle eastern kunafa recipe with simple ingredients

Ingredients

• 500 g Shredded Kataifi (shredded filo dough) (lightly toasted in the oven for 5 minutes to dry a little)
• 100 g Ghee (melted; Trader Joe's ghee used for accessibility)
• 150 g Granulated Sugar (for coating the kataifi)
• 300 g Mozzarella Cheese (soft mozzarella, shredded; can use low‑moisture mozzarella for less moisture)
• 240 ml Water (for syrup)
• 200 g Granulated Sugar (for syrup) (dissolved in water)
• 2 tbsp Orange Blossom Water (adds floral aroma to the syrup)
• 30 g Pistachios (finely chopped for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven

   Set the oven to 350°F (180°C) and let it fully preheat while you prepare the syrup and dough.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 350°F

2. Make Orange Blossom Syrup

   In a saucepan combine 240 ml water and 200 g sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 8‑10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp orange blossom water. Let cool to room temperature.

   Time: PT12M

3. Prepare Kataifi Dough

   Place the shredded kataifi in a large mixing bowl. Melt the ghee and drizzle over the kataifi. Add 150 g granulated sugar. Using your hands or a pastry brush, toss gently until the strands are evenly coated with ghee and sugar.

   Time: PT8M

4. Assemble the Base

   Lightly grease the round baking pan with a little melted ghee. Press half of the coated kataifi evenly into the pan, forming a compact layer about ½‑inch thick.

   Time: PT3M

5. Add Cheese Filling

   Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella over the kataifi base, leaving a small border around the edge.

   Time: PT2M

6. Cover with Remaining Kataifi

   Gently place the remaining kataifi on top of the cheese, pressing lightly to seal the edges.

   Time: PT2M

7. Bake Kunafa

   Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25‑30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.

   Time: PT30M

   Temperature: 350°F

8. Add Syrup

   Remove the kunafa from the oven. While it is still hot, slowly drizzle the cooled orange blossom syrup evenly over the surface. Let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb.

   Time: PT5M

9. Garnish and Serve

   Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over the top for color and crunch. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

   Time: PT3M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

350

Protein

12 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

15 g

Fiber

1 g