Crispy shredded pastry with stretchy cheese and syrup
Knafeh
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8
1 round pan (10-inch)
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Moderate
$$
Recipe at a Glance
A spectacular Middle Eastern dessert of crispy, golden shredded pastry hiding a layer of hot, stretchy cheese, all drenched in fragrant orange blossom syrup. Irresistible.
Cuisine: Various
Category: Dessert
Difficulty: Medium
Cost: $$
Dietary: Vegetarian
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Knafeh is the rock star of Middle Eastern desserts—crunchy kadaifi pastry, molten stretchy cheese, and a shower of sweet syrup create a combination of textures and flavors that's utterly addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 lb kadaifi (shredded phyllo) pastry
- 2 cups akkawi cheese or low-moisture mozzarella, shredded
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water (for syrup)
- 1 tbsp orange blossom water
- Crushed pistachios for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Make syrup: boil sugar and water for 5 minutes, add orange blossom water, and cool completely.
- 2
Pull apart kadaifi pastry and toss with melted butter until evenly coated.
- 3
Press half the pastry into a buttered 10-inch round pan. Add cheese in an even layer. Top with remaining pastry, pressing firmly.
- 4
Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until the top is deeply golden and crispy.
- 5
Immediately flip onto a plate (crispy side up), pour cold syrup over the hot knafeh, and garnish with crushed pistachios. Serve warm.
Substitutions
Kadaifi pastryShredded phyllo dough
Same product, different names
Akkawi cheeseLow-moisture mozzarella
Best widely available substitute for the stretch
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
The syrup must be cold and the knafeh hot for proper absorption without sogginess.
Soak akkawi cheese in water for several hours, changing water twice, to remove excess salt.
Storage
Best eaten warm and fresh. Refrigerate for 2 days.
Reheating
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to re-melt the cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (40mg) · 8 servings
Calories380
Protein10g
Carbohydrates16g
Fat52g
Fiber320mg
Sugar1g
Sodium28g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is kadaifi pastry?
- Thin shredded phyllo dough that looks like vermicelli. Find it frozen at Middle Eastern stores.
- Can I use ricotta?
- It melts differently. Mozzarella gives the closest stretchy texture to traditional akkawi.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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