Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe (Vegan, Easy & Homemade)

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Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe (Vegan, Easy & Homemade)

Crispy kataifi pastry, creamy pistachio filling, and a glossy chocolate shell. This homemade vegan Dubai Chocolate Bar is just like the viral treat from, but easy to make in your own kitchen. Perfect for gifting, parties, or treating yourself to a candy-shop–worthy bar!
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Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Chill Time:40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Meal Type: Dessert, Snacks
Keyword: chocolate, Dubai, pistachio, tiktok, viral
Special: 10 Ingredients or Less, Freezer-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Kid-Friendly, Soy-Free
Tool: Stove
Ingredient: Chocolate
Showcase: Latest Recipes
Servings: 2 large bars (about 16–20 servings total)
Equipment
  • Dubai Chocolate Bar Mold (or use a silicone loaf pan or parchment-lined baking dish if you don’t have one)
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoon(s) vegan butter or refined coconut oil
  • 2 cup(s) kataifi pastry raw/untoasted, thawed if frozen
  • 1 cup(s) vegan pistachio cream (see notes if using pistachio butter)
  • 2 tablespoon(s) tahini
  • Pinch(s) salt
  • 2 cup(s) (12 oz) vegan chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
  • ¼ cup(s) vegan white chocolate chips optional, for decorative drizzle
  • 1 - 2 drop(s) vegan food coloring optional
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  • Prepare the mold: Use a silicone Dubai chocolate mold, or line a loaf pan or small container with parchment paper.
  • Toast the kataifi: Break apart the kataifi strands with your fingers. Heat the vegan butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the kataifi. Stir often until golden and crisp, 8–10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
  • Make the filling: In a bowl, stir together the pistachio cream, tahini, and salt. Add the toasted kataifi and mix until coated and creamy. Tip: If you prefer your bars a little gooier, just stir in an extra spoonful or two of pistachio cream.
  • Decorate the mold (optional): Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each. Tint with food coloring if desired, then drizzle or spread inside the mold for decoration
  • Prepare the shell: Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy. (Or melt gently over a double boiler.) Pour a thin layer of melted chocolate into a your prepared mold. Use a spatula to bring the chocolate up the sides. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set.
  • Add the filling: Spoon the pistachio-kataifi mixture into the mold, pressing it into an even layer.
  • Seal: Pour the remaining melted chocolate over the filling, smoothing the top. Refrigerate until fully set, about 30–40 minutes.
  • Unmold and enjoy: Once firm, carefully pop the bar out of the mold. Slice into chunks or break into pieces and revel in that irresistible crunch.
Notes
Pistachio cream substitute: Can’t find vegan pistachio cream? Make your own by whisking together:
  • ¾ cup (180 g) pistachio butter
  • 5 tablespoons (40 g) powdered sugar
  • 4 teaspoons (20 ml) neutral oil
  • Pinch of salt
This yields about 1 cup, just the right amount for the recipe.
No kataifi pastry? While kataifi gives the most authentic crunch, you can swap in toasted vermicelli noodles or even crushed cornflakes for a quick, crispy alternative.
Extra chocolate or filling? Don’t let it go to waste! Spoon leftovers into silicon ice cube trays, silicone candy molds, or a parchment-lined muffin tin to make mini Dubai chocolates. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties or gifting.
Serving size tip: Each bar is very rich. Instead of treating 1 bar as a serving, slice each into 8–10 chunks for sharing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving (recipe makes 20 servings) | Calories: 189kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 0.5mg | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #easyveganmealplan