Welcome to Sugar, Spice & Glitter! Please note, this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, see our Full Disclosure.

Today’s Dubai Chocolate Strawberry cups feature fresh, juicy strawberries layered with toasted kataifi (phyllo pastry), pistachio cream and silky, sweet milk chocolate. An easy no-bake dessert the whole family will love – perfect for everything from casual family nights to special occasions when you want a decadent dessert that really impresses. A modern take on chocolate-covered strawberries.

All of the flavors of Dubai chocolate without tempering chocolate, combined with the flavor of fresh strawberries. Dubai Chocolate Strawberries are a sweet, salty, nutty and crunchy dessert is a visually striking, no-bake dessert that is well worth tracking down the specialty ingredients to make.

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries Recipe

Have you tried the viral Dubai chocolate yet?

It has quickly become one of my favorite treats, though it’s insanely expensive to purchase pre-made (except for the bulk bag available at Costco that seems to make it’s way into my cart every other visit).

Making it yourself involves buying candy molds, tempering chocolate, waiting for everything to set up… so the solution? These easy no-bake Dubai chocolate strawberry cups! There’s no tempering chocolate, no extra kitchen gadgets needed – and best of all, no waiting!

I actually like them more than the chocolate bars because the freshness of the strawberries helps balance out the rich flavors of the pistachio, pastry and chocolate.

These Dubai chocolate strawberries are served as individual Dubai strawberry cups with layers of fresh berries, toasted kataifi (phyllo pastry), pistachio cream and silky milk chocolate.

It’s creamy, crunchy and just so incredibly decadent.

It’s quickly become one of my family’s favorite go-to desserts and now I don’t make individual cups, I layer it all in a casserole dish for a scoop-and-serve dessert that we can nip into over the course of a couple of days.

All of the flavors of Dubai chocolate without tempering chocolate, combined with the flavor of fresh strawberries. Dubai Chocolate Strawberries are a sweet, salty, nutty and crunchy dessert is a visually striking, no-bake dessert that is well worth tracking down the specialty ingredients to make.

a transparent cup showing the layers of a dubai chocolate strawberry dessert, with ingredients needed to make the recipe scattered around the cup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A super simple no-bake recipe the kids can help make for special occasions that looks and tastes like it came straight from a candy shop!
Even young kids can help layer strawberries, pistachio crunch and melted chocolate into the cups, so this doubles as a fun dessert activity.
All components can be prepared in advance for easy assembly.
A beautifully balanced dessert with rich chocolate, pistachio and pastry balanced by fresh, juicy strawberries.
Serve in cups for individual portions or assemble in a casserole dish for easy sharing

Snackable Fact: Dubai chocolate is a viral tiktok trend that is inspired by knafeh, a Middle Eastern dessert featuring nuts and crisp shredded kataifi pastry (variations across countries can include soft cheese, cinnamon, tahini, etc). It was originated by Fix Dessert Chocolatier, a Dubai-based chocolatier.

Recipe FAQs

What is kataifi?

Kataifi is a shredded phyllo pastry used in Middle Eastern desserts like knafeh; here it gives the Dubai strawberry cups their signature crunchy texture.

Can I toast the kataifi ahead?

Yes. Toast it up to two days in advance and store airtight at room temperature so it stays crisp.

Where can I find kataifi?

I’ve had success finding kataifi at both specialty Middle Eastern grocers and the frozen section of a chain grocery store with a large variety of Indian and Middle Eastern foods. You can also order it online or make it yourself.
It can go by different variations of the name, ie, kadaif, kadayif, kadaifi, katayef.
If you absolutely can’t find it and don’t want you make it yourself, crushing up regular phyllo (filo) dough works great – and butter puff pastry would work in a pinch.

What chocolate works best?

I prefer milk chocolate for this recipe, but you can also use semisweet or bittersweet chips or chopped bars with at least 60 percent cacao.

Can this be made dairy free?

Swap the butter for coconut oil or a neutral plant butter and ensure you use a dairy-free chocolate.
Kataifi, though it tastes buttery in this recipe, is typically dairy-free and only tastes buttery due to absorbing butter when being toasted.

How long in advance can I make Dubai strawberry cups?

The cups should be consumed within 2 days of making for best freshness and texture, however you can also prepare the individual components 2 days in advance and store separately (chopping the strawberries, toasting the kataifi and blending the tahini and pistachio cream).

How long does this recipe last in the fridge?

Personally, I’d consume within 2 days but as long as the strawberries look good you can continue to enjoy this dessert, though the texture may be slightly altered – probably up to 4 days.

composite image of a fork digging into a cup of dubai chocolate strawberries, along with three images showing how to assemble the recipe.

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries Ingredients

Butter – used to toast the kataifi, it is essential for infusing the kataifi with a buttery flavor
Kataifi Pastry Dough – if you cannot find this anywhere, use crushed fillo/phyllo dough in it’s place
Pistachio Cream – be sure to purchase pistachio cream instead of pistachio butter, as pistachio butter typically is just a normal nut butter with pistachio paste blended in. It doesn’t have the same flavor or texture as pistachio cream.
Tahini Paste – acts as a binder for the kataifi and pistachio cream and also tempers the sweetness of the pistachio cream
Chocolate Chips
Coconut Oil or Shortening – for loosening up the chocolate chips, as needed
Strawberries
Pistachios, crushed – optional for serving

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: omit the tahini if you won’t use it for other recipes like hummus or more Dubai-chocolate treats.

ingredients needed to make dubai chocolate strawberries

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

Measuring Cups and Spoons
Sharp Kitchen Knife
Cutting Board
Skillet
Spatula
Microwave-safe bowls
Mixing Bowl
Individual serving cups or casserole dish

overhead image showing a cup of dubai chocolate strawberries with a small peek at each layer, topped with crushed pistachios with more pistachios scattered around the cup.

How to Make Dubai Strawberry Cups

Place butter in a skillet over medium heat and melt.

Once the butter is hot and melted, add the shredded kataifi pastry dough. Stir occasionally, cooking the dough until golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

in-process images showing how to toast kataifi pastry

In a small bowl, combine the pistachio cream and tahini paste.

Heat the pistachio cream and tahini in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir well.

In a large bowl, combine the toasted kataifi pastry and pistachio-tahini mixture. Stir until the pastry is completely coated. Set aside.

in-process images showing how to make pistachio-kataifi filling

In a separate bowl, place the chocolate chips and coconut oil and microwave until melted. Heat in 30 second bursts, stirring well in between each reheating. Set aside.

Clean and slice the strawberries, discarding the stems. Dry thoroughly.

Place about 1/4 cup of strawberries in the bottom of each of your serving dishes. Top with 2 Tablespoons of the pistachio-kataifi mixture, then drizzle 2 Tablespoons of melted chocolate overtop. Repeat this pattern of layering until each serving dish is filled to the top with alternating layers of strawberries-pistachio kataifi crunch-melted chocolate.

Top with a sprinkle of crushed pistachios, if desired.

in-process images showing how to assemble dubai chocolate strawberry cups

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries Recipe Variations:

Instead of preparing this dessert in individual cups, you can layer in a casserole dish for a scoop-and-serve dessert (which is perfect for allowing different portion sizes)
Swap out the fruits based on your preferences or seasonality – bananas, cherries, mango, etc.
Make a quick homemade ganache instead of using just plain chocolate for an even richer chocolate flavor and texture
Swap out the milk chocolate for white chocolate or dark chocolate
Can’t find pistachio cream? Use Nutella instead of pistachio cream and chocolate
Add a sprinkle of sea salt
If you cannot find kataifi, you can cook and break up larger sheets of phyllo pastry
Skip the tahini, if desired – while “traditional” unless you will use the rest of the jar to make other dubai chocolate treats or hummus (like our loaded hummus or snickerdoodle dessert hummus), it can be pricey if only being used for this recipe

Tips for the Perfect Dubai Strawberry Cups

Be sure to toast the kataifi until golden brown – it should have a fragrant, nutty aroma. Stir frequently and lower the heat if the pastry appears to be browning unevenly or too quickly/
Select pistachio cream – not pistachio butter – for best results and flavor. Pistachio butter typically is just a normal nut butter with pistachio paste blended in, so it doesn’t have the same flavor or texture as pistachio cream. If you can only find pistachio butter, use it and omit the tahini.
Pat the strawberries completely dry after washing. Any water will loosen the chocolate and soften the pastry.
Warm the pistachio cream and tahini just enough to loosen. Overheating can make the mixture greasy and separate.

three transparent cups layered with strawberries, pistachio-pastry filling and chocolate, with ingredients used to make the recipe scattered around the cups.

More Spectacular Strawberry Desserts

Strawberry Fruit Salad

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Cookie Dough-Stuffed Strawberries

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecakes (with Video)

Pin this Easy Dubai Chocolate Strawberries recipe for a decadent dessert the whole family will love:

Dubai Chocolate Strawberry cups feature fresh, juicy strawberries layered with toasted kataifi (phyllo pastry), pistachio cream and silky, sweet milk chocolate. An easy no-bake dessert the whole family will love - perfect for everything from casual family nights to special occasions when you want a decadent dessert that really impresses.

Printable Recipe Card:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our our Dubai Chocolate Strawberries recipe.

If you tried this recipe and loved it too, please rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

For more delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.

Want to Save This Recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.

Yield: 3-4 servings

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Butter
4 oz Kataifi Pastry Dough
1 cup Pistachio Cream
2 Tablespoons Tahini Paste
1 cup Chocolate Chips
1 teaspoon Coconut Oil
2 lbs Strawberries
1/4 cup Pistachios, crushed (optional for serving)

Instructions

Place butter in a skillet over medium heat and melt.
Once the butter is hot and melted, add the shredded kataifi pastry dough. Stir occasionally, cooking the dough until golden brown, about 4-6 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a small bowl, combine the pistachio cream and tahini paste.
Heat the pistachio cream and tahini in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir well.
In a large bowl, combine the toasted kataifi pastry and pistachio-tahini mixture. Stir until the pastry is completely coated. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, place the chocolate chips and coconut oil and microwave until melted. Heat in 30 second bursts, stirring well in between each reheating.. Set aside.
Clean and slice the strawberries, discarding the stems. Dry thoroughly.
Place about 1/4 cup of strawberries in the bottom of each of your serving dishes. Top with 2 Tablespoons of the pistachio-kataifi mixture, then drizzle 2 Tablespoons of melted chocolate overtop. Repeat this pattern of layering until each serving dish is filled to the top with alternating layers of strawberries-pistachio kataifi crunch-melted chocolate.
Top with a sprinkle of crushed pistachios, if desired.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1030Total Fat: 72gSaturated Fat: 24gUnsaturated Fat: 47gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 515mgCarbohydrates: 94gFiber: 17gSugar: 55gProtein: 25g

Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.

I hope your family loves these easy chocolate strawberry cups as much as mine does!

For more decadent desserts, check out our full dessert recipe collection here:

For more decadent no-bake desserts, check out our full no-bake dessert recipe collection here:

For more recipes kids can make, check out our full kid-made recipe collection here:

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries