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What Is Kunafa, and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Kunafa (also spelled knafeh or kunefe) is a Middle Eastern dessert made from very fine shredded pastry, called kataifi, that is layered with a soft filling, baked with butter or ghee until golden and crunchy, then sweetened with syrup. Today the word is also used for that crunchy toasted pastry on its own, which is what gives viral desserts like "Dubai chocolate", pistachio kunafa and chocolate kunafa their signature crunch.
If you have seen a chocolate bar snapped in half on your feed, with green pistachio filling and golden threads crackling inside, you have seen kunafa at work. Here is what it is, where it comes from and how it ended up in so many desserts.
What kunafa is made of
The base of kunafa is a thin flour batter that is streamed onto a hot, turning plate so it sets into long, hair-fine threads. These threads are the pastry known as kataifi (or kadaif). On its own it tastes fairly plain, a bit like very thin, dry vermicelli.
What makes it special is what happens next. The threads are tossed in melted butter or ghee, then baked or pan-toasted until golden and crisp. In the traditional dessert, the buttered threads are pressed around a layer of mild white cheese or thick cream and baked together, then soaked in a light sugar syrup and often finished with crushed pistachios.
So when people say kunafa, they usually mean one of two things:
- The classic dessert. Warm and syrupy, crisp outside and stretchy or creamy inside, usually cut into squares or rounds.
- The ingredient. Toasted, buttery kataifi threads used as a crunchy layer inside other desserts.
Where kunafa comes from
Kunafa has been made across the Middle East for centuries, and several places have well-loved versions of their own. The Levant, Turkey and Egypt each have distinct styles, from cheese-filled rounds to cream-filled trays, and it is a favourite during Ramadan and at celebrations.
Its exact origins are debated, and you will hear different stories depending on who you ask. What is clear is that it is one of the most widely loved sweets in the region, and that its mix of crunchy pastry, soft filling and syrup has travelled well.
Why kunafa went viral
Kunafa's recent fame in India comes largely from one viral sweet. A chocolate bar from a Dubai chocolate maker, filled with pistachio cream and toasted kunafa, took off on social media in 2024, and "Dubai chocolate" quickly became a trend of its own.
The appeal is easy to see (and hear). Breaking the bar reveals a bright green filling, and the kunafa gives a loud, satisfying crunch that shows up well on video. The flavour works too, because rich chocolate, nutty pistachio and buttery crunch are a strong combination.
Interest in India has grown fast. Google Trends shows searches for kunafa in India peaking in 2025 with the Dubai chocolate trend, and in 2026 they are still about twice their 2022 level, with people now looking for chocolate kunafa, pistachio kunafa and simply "kunafa near me".
How kunafa is used in desserts today
Once kunafa became the crunch everyone wanted, cafes and home bakers started adding it to almost everything. Some of the most common ways you will see it:
- Chocolate bars and cups, with pistachio cream and kunafa inside a chocolate shell.
- Crepes, with toasted kunafa and a spread folded into a warm crepe.
- Brownies, layered or topped with kunafa for crunch on a fudgy base.
- Dessert bowls and sundaes, layering chocolate, kunafa and ice cream.
- Cakes and cheesecakes, with a kunafa layer or topping.
The trick in all of these is contrast. Kunafa is at its best when it stays crisp against something soft and creamy, which is why it is usually toasted well and added close to serving.
Pistachio or chocolate kunafa, which to try first?
Pistachio kunafa is the one that started the craze. It is nutty and mellow, and the green filling is what most people picture when they think of Dubai chocolate.
Chocolate kunafa, often made with Nutella or another chocolate spread, is richer and more familiar. It is a good pick if you are not sure about pistachio. Lotus Biscoff kunafa is another pairing you will see on menus, adding a caramelised biscuit flavour that suits the buttery crunch.
If you want something close to the viral bar, look for pistachio and chocolate together. If you like your desserts very sweet and familiar, start with Nutella.
Kunafa desserts at Waffee House
Waffee House in Kankanady has a full kunafa section, and kunafa desserts are among the things Google reviewers mention most. There are three formats, each in Lotus, Nutella and pistachio flavours:
- Kunafa crepes. A warm crepe filled with crunchy, toasted kunafa and a rich spread. The Pistachio Kunafa Crepe is the one to try if pistachio and kunafa are what brought you here.
- Kunafa brownies. Fudgy brownies layered with kunafa crunch, with or without ice cream, from around ₹270.
- Kunafa choco bowls. Layered bowls of chocolate, kunafa crunch and ice cream. The Pistachio Kunafa Choco Bowl brings chocolate, pistachio and kunafa together in one bowl.
See all of them on our kunafa in Mangalore page, or browse the plain crepes if you prefer yours without kunafa. You can also check the full menu or order through Swiggy and Zomato.