Dubai chocolate strawberries are all about that high-end look but they are actually really easy to make. Think fresh berries coated in a luxurious layer of melted chocolate, crunchy Kataifi pastry folded in pistachio paste.
For more Eastern-Mediterranean recipes, check out our Chicken Gyros, Chicken Shawarma, or Greek Chicken with Lemon and Orzo.
Short Recipe Video
Introduction
Kataifi (or kadaif) is a super-fine, shredded pastry dough that looks like angel hair pasta and is used in Greek, Turkish, Eastern Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern desserts like knafeh—and now, thanks to viral trends, in luxurious treats like Dubai-style chocolate strawberries.
You can easily find kataifi online these days (I get mine from Amazon). It’s usually sold pre-shredded, and sometimes even pre-toasted — which makes it perfect for this recipe. In fact, some packages even call out “great for Dubai chocolate” right on the label.
We think you’ll love this dessert because it strikes the perfect balance between fancy, easy, and insanely delicious. The contrast in textures — crispy kataifi, rich melted chocolate, and juicy fresh strawberries — makes every bite an experience.
But the real star? A good-quality pistachio paste. If you’re not near a specialty market or city, your best bet is ordering online. Otherwise, try Italian delis or larger supermarkets with a good international section.
Ingredients
For quantities, see recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Strawberries – Fresh and firm.
- Kataifi dough – Look for pre-shredded versions online; some are even labeled “perfect for Dubai chocolate.” Aim for one that’s fresh or lightly toasted for the best crunch.
- Pistachio paste – Available online, at Italian delis, or in well-stocked supermarkets. A high-quality paste should be thick, with a natural green color (not bright green), and made from real pistachios (the higher the percentage on the label, the better!).
- Dark chocolate bar – Use a good-quality bar for a glossy finish, or substitute with dark chocolate chips or even a chocolate-hazelnut spread like Nutella for a sweeter twist.
- White chocolate bar – Can be swapped for white chocolate chips if that’s what you have on hand.
- Crushed pistachios – For topping and texture. Adds extra crunch and a beautiful finish.
How to Make Dubai Chocolate Strawberries
Step 1: Prep the Strawberries – Rinse the strawberries, remove the stems, and slice them in half or into quarters if they’re on the larger side. Set aside.
Step 2: Toast the Kataifi Dough & Mix with Pistachio Paste – In a nonstick skillet, melt a knob of butter and toast the kataifi dough until golden and crispy. If you're using pre-shredded and pre-toasted kataifi (like we do), this will only take a few seconds. If yours is raw, chop it into smaller pieces first and toast a bit longer until evenly crunchy. Set the heat to low, add ½ cup of pistachio paste, and gently stir to combine.
Tip: If your pistachio paste is thick, warm it in the microwave for 20–30 seconds to help it mix more smoothly. Set aside.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate – Roughly chop the dark and white chocolate and place them in two separate bowls. Microwave each bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round, until the chocolate is fully melted and silky.
Step 4: Assemble the Dessert – Drizzle a layer of melted dark chocolate into the base of your dessert glasses or small bowls. Add a generous handful of strawberries, spoon over the kataifi-pistachio mixture, layer in a few more strawberries, and more melted dark chocolate.
Add another spoonful of the kataifi mixture, and finish with a final drizzle of white chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios.
Tips
Choose the right kataifi dough: For the best texture and fastest prep, look for kataifi labeled “for Dubai chocolate.” It’s pre-chopped and pre-toasted, which means it's already crisp and saves you tons of time.
Use clear glass bowls or cups: This dessert is all about layers. Show off those gorgeous textures and drizzles by serving in transparent bowls — it makes a big visual impact and feels extra luxe.
Pick high-quality pistachio paste: A good one will have a natural green hue and a thick, spoonable texture. Avoid anything neon green or watery.
👨🏻🍳 Pro tip: Sicilian Bronte pistachios are considered some of the best in the world — and their pistachio pastes are rich, intensely flavorful, and often used in high-end desserts. That said, they can be pricey.
When shopping, always check the ingredients: the higher the pistachio percentage, the better the quality. Aim for a paste with at least 20–45% pistachios.
👉 The higher the percentage, the more intense (and luxurious) the flavor — but also, the higher the price tag.
Questions
I recommend prepping the ingredients ahead of time – chop the strawberries and chocolate, and mix the kataifi with pistachio paste in advance. But wait to melt the chocolate and assemble the dessert until just before serving – once the chocolate sets, it loses that warm, melty magic.
Kataifi is a shredded pastry dough, similar in texture to angel hair pasta. It’s commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean desserts. You can find it online (Amazon, specialty stores) or in the frozen section of international grocery stores. Some brands even sell it pre-shredded and pre-toasted and ready to use. That's the one I would recommend buying.
Sure you can! Sliced bananas are my second favorite. Raspberries or even figs work beautifully with the chocolate and kataifi combo. But strawberries give the best balance of tartness, juiciness, and structure.
We recommend going for a good quality dark chocolate bar with 50 to 70 % cocoa content. You can also add a drizzle of white chocolate for that classic Dubai dessert look.
This often depends on the brand, but in general, pistachio paste is smoother, richer, thicker, and more concentrated. It's better for this kind of desserts. Pistachio butter is more of a textured spread and can be a substitute for pistachio paste in this recipe, although less ideal.
If you tried this Dubai Chocolate Strawberries recipe or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!
Recipe
Dubai Chocolate Strawberries (Viral Recipe)
Video
Ingredients
- 1½ pound strawberries half or quartered if big
- 1½ cups Kataifi dough about 4 oz/110 g - you can easily get it already chopped and toasted online
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup pistachio paste
- 5 ounces dark chocolate
- 1½ ounces white chocolate
- 4 tablespoons crushed pistachios
Instructions
- Prep the Strawberries – Rinse 1½ pound strawberries, remove the stems, and slice them in half or into quarters if they’re on the larger side. Set aside.
- Toast the Kataifi Dough & Mix with Pistachio Paste – In a nonstick skillet, melt a knob of butter and toast the kataifi dough until golden and crispy.If you're using pre-shredded and pre-toasted kataifi (like we do), this will only take a few seconds. If yours is raw, chop it into smaller pieces first and toast a bit longer until evenly crunchy.Set the heat to low, add ½ cup of pistachio paste, and gently stir to combine.Tip: If your pistachio paste is thick, warm it in the microwave for 20–30 seconds to help it mix more smoothly. Set aside.
- Melt the Chocolate – Roughly chop the dark and white chocolate and place them in two separate bowls. Microwave each bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round, until the chocolate is fully melted and silky.
- Assemble the Dessert – Drizzle a layer of melted dark chocolate into the base of your dessert glasses or small bowls. Add a generous handful of strawberries, spoon over the kataifi-pistachio mixture, layer in a few more strawberries, and more melted dark chocolate.Add another spoonful of the kataifi mixture, and finish with a final drizzle of white chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios.
Notes
- Strawberries – Substitute figs, raspberries, or sliced banana.
- Pistachio paste – Available online, at Italian delis, or in well-stocked supermarkets. A high-quality paste should be thick, with a natural green color (not bright green), and made from real pistachios (the higher the percentage on the label, the better).
- Dark chocolate bar – Use a good-quality bar for a glossy finish, or substitute with dark chocolate chips or even a chocolate-hazelnut spread like Nutella for a sweeter twist.
- White chocolate bar – Can be swapped for white chocolate chips if that’s what you have on hand.
- Crushed pistachios – Optional, for topping and texture.
Jessi says
Gorgeous, delicious, and easy to make. I made it for my mom visiting us and he loved it. It’s so easy to put together. I got my pistachio paste at a local Italian grocer we. It said Italian pistachios on the label. So good!
Nico Pallotta says
So happy to hear, Jessi. Glad you loved the recipe and yes, Italian pistachio paste is SO GOOD!
Have a great day.
Nico