3 Ingredient Cheese Kunafa Recipe (2024)

Last Updated on July 13, 2020 by hungryoungwoman

This cheese kunafa dessert recipe is going to blow your mind. Why? It’s the simplest thing and I just discovered it! Blame it on my ongoing craving for the dessert, the good blame I mean…

So, I’ve been visiting a few Iftar buffets lately which explains why this craving of cheese knafeh was triggered. I figured it would be much affordable if I tried making kunafa cheese at home. I later discovered it needs only 3 ingredients. Can you believe it?

SEE: How to Make Jhinga (Prawn) Masala: Recipe

3 Ingredient Cheese Kunafa Recipe (1)

Preparation of Cheese Kunafa Dessert

For this cheese kunafa recipe, you will need kataifi shredded pastry dough which is the one that serves as the top and bottom layer of the dessert, mozzarella, and sugar syrup. I used Sunbulah for the kunafa, but you can choose any brand available.

I like prepping my mozzarella cheese with sugar before the process as I’m not too much a fan of sugar syrup drenched kunafa. Anyone for that crispy exterior? In case you prefer a soft kunafa, then I’d suggest you skip this part.

If you want to go authentic with the presentation, you can bake your kunafa in this aluminum round pan to ensure that the shape is consistent for all the kunafa you bake

Want to download this easy kunafa recipe? Click here to get your FREE copy!

The result is a cheesy kunafa that will just make you thank whoever invented this dessert! Read on for the kunafe cheese recipe…

How to Make Kunafa With Cheese:

3 Ingredient Cheese Kunafa Recipe (4)

Print

Cheese Kunafa Recipe

A cheesy kunafa recipe that is so easy, that it uses only 3 ingredients!

CourseDessert

CuisineArabic, Middle Eastern

Keywordcheese kunafa recipe, knafeh, kunafa, kunafe, recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 6 servings

Author Hungryoungwoman

Ingredients

  • 500gm Kataifi pastry doughshredded
  • 300gm mozzarella cheeseshredded
  • 1cupsugar syrup
  • Rose wateroptional

Instructions

  1. To make your sugar syrup, add 1 cup sugar to 1 1/2 cup of water in a pan under medium heat. Let it simmer and keep stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves. This should take you roughly 5 minutes. Add a teaspoon of rose water if you're using it

  2. Prep your shredded mozzarella with about 2 tbsp of sugar and let sit for a while till you finish the next step

  3. Next comes your pastry dough which is usually frozen. Shred it with your hands or in a food processor once room temperature till it's thin. Coat the dough with 1 cup of ghee and mix

  4. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius

  5. To line your baking container, first, coat it with ghee and then add half of the dough into the container and let sit tightly

  6. Try lining the sides of the container with the dough so that it is able to hold the cheese

  7. Add your shredded cheese and make sure to cover the whole container evenly

  8. Last comes the other half of your dough to cover up the kunafa

  9. Bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes until the surface is golden brown

  10. Let sit outside for 15 minutes till it cools a bit and then run a knife along the sides to make sure the kunafa isn't sticking

  11. Now, flip your kunafa onto a serving dish and drizzle with your preferred amount of sugar syrup

  12. Garnish with pistachio (optional)

Click here to download a FREE recipe printable that you can download!

Other ingredient options: I admit this might not be the most authentic kunafa cheese recipe, however, it still tastes closely the same. You can use orange blossom water which also adds flavor and is used in the authentic kunafa recipe. The orange color is achieved due to Kunafa coloring, but I chose not to use this.

What cheese is used in kunafa?

Authentically, the best cheese for kunafa is usually Akkawi cheese. This cheese is chewy and a little salty so it strikes a nice balance between the saltiness and the sweet sugar syrup.

This is also why we have alternated the kunafa ingredients to make this kunafa with mozzarella cheese recipe for its texture so that you are not compromising on the quality. This makes it the best mozzarella kunafa recipe since it is so easy!

Next time if someone asks you originally which cheese is used in kunafa, you know the answer!

How to Eat Kunafa:

Kunafa or Konafa is usually drenched in sugar syrup and topped with sliced/ powdered pistachio. It is served as a dessert in the authentically in aluminum round pans.

What you may have normally seen as a coffee pot for Moroccan tea, can also be used for pouring sugar syrup over the kunafa dessert. I have found a coffee pot with a great deal on Amazon for you! Or, you can just use a pitcher like me.

This kunafa recipe with cheese is the easiest way to satisfy your cravings and is an affordable alternative. Just keep in mind to heat your slice and eat when warm as that’s when it tastes the best.

So, the real question now is to go with the sugar syrup or not? I leave that up toyou 🙂

Until then, happy eating! xx

TRY: Easy Recipe of How to Make Shahi Tukda on our new site!

P.S. If you want to save and read later, here’s a pinnable version! 🙂

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Buying the product will result in a small commission to me at no extra added cost to you :)
3 Ingredient Cheese Kunafa Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients of kunafa? ›

Kunafa is made from Kataifi which is shredded phyllo dough. This shredded dough is spread onto a pan and stuffed with either cheese or ashta (thickened cream), baked, then drizzled with simple syrup and garnished with pistachios. It's a crunchy, sweet, cheesy, creamy dessert.

What cheese is knafeh made from? ›

Mozzarella: Kunafa is traditionally made with a “sweet cheese” or Nabulsi/Akkawi. Unfortunately, those options aren't available everywhere. For that reason, I'm recommending mozzarella as the next best substitute. Pat the fresh mozzarella dry to remove excess liquid before adding it to the pastry.

What is the difference between kunafa with cream and kunafa with cheese? ›

The dish may be shaped in a variety of ways and the top layer of crust is often tinted with red or orange food die. It is typically garnished with ground or chopped pistachios. A cheese kunafa is usually served warm, whereas a kunafa with cream is served chilled or at room temperature.

What can I use instead of akawi cheese? ›

If you cannot find akawi cheese, you can use another white cheese such as queso blanco or quest fresco. Both substitutes are mild in taste so, you would need to add to salt or use a natural saltier option like feta or halloumi.

What are the raw materials for kunafa? ›

Refined Wheat Flour (Maida-gluten), Water, Wheat Starch, Salt, Emulsifier: E322 (Soya Based), Vegetable Oil (Sunflower Oil), White Vinegar (Grapes Based).

What is the original kunafa? ›

Kunafa originated from Palestine 🇵🇸. The national dessert in Palestine is kunafa Nabulsi. Knafeh is a sweet cheese pastry with an orange top, sweetened with sugar syrup and orange from food coloring. The Hassan family make amazing kunafa & sweets.

Does kunafa contain cheese? ›

Knafeh (Arabic: كنافة) is a traditional Arabic dessert, made with spun pastry called kataifi, soaked in a sweet, sugar-based syrup called attar, and typically layered with cheese, or with other ingredients such as clotted cream, pistachio or nuts, depending on the region. It is popular in the Middle East.

How does cheese kunafa taste? ›

It is similar to baklava but with a unique texture. Now, let's talk about the taste. Imagine layers of soft, sweet, and cheesy goodness all wrapped up in a crispy, golden crust. It's like nothing you've ever tasted before, and trust me, you'll be hooked after one bite.

What does Kunafa cheese taste like? ›

it has crunchy exterior, with a gooey and cheese interior. it'll be really cheesy and stretchy when you break into it, drenched in a sweet sugar syrup.

What is the best type of kunafa? ›

There are two popular types of Knafeh: Na'ameh, which is made with ground semolina dough called farkeh, and Khishneh, which is made with shredded phyllo dough called kataifi. This recipe is for Knafeh Khishneh.

Which kunafa flavour is best? ›

Initially, if you want to get your taste buds acquainted, we suggest you go for the Classic cheese Kunafa dessert. The best ingredients and culinary skills are celebrated in this masterpiece. Enjoy layers of tender, golden Kunafa pastry that enfold a sumptuous, ooey-gooey cheese filling.

What are the two types of kunafa? ›

Knafeh or kunafa is a pastry-like dessert hailing from the Middle East. This sweet cheese dish comes in a variety of forms and is typically served for Iftar, the breaking of the fast during Ramadan. There are two different types of Knafeh: na'ameh and khishneh.

What is Akkawi cheese made of? ›

Akkawi is commonly made with pasteurized cow's milk, but can also be made with goat or sheepmilk. This cheese is largely produced in the Middle East, notably in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Cyprus. In these regions, people usually eat it with a soft flatbread during lunch and dinner.

What is the flavor of Akkawi cheese? ›

Akkawi cheese has a mild, slightly salty flavor. It is a white, semi-soft cheese with a slightly spongy texture. The flavor may vary slightly depending on the type of milk used and the aging process, but it is generally considered to be a mild, versatile cheese.

Is Akkawi cheese good or bad? ›

Low-fat akawi cheese produced with these cultures exhibited similar or greater health-promoting benefits compared with cheese made using commercial starter cultures. Therefore, incorporation of these cultures in food is promising for commercial uses.

What are the traditional Arabic ingredients? ›

Essential Ingredients of Middle Eastern Cooking
  • Baharat. "When you walk into a spice shop in the Middle East and ask for baharat, they say, 'For what? ...
  • Carob Molasses. Pictured recipe: Carob Molasses Cake (Sfouf b' Debs) ...
  • Dried Barberries. ...
  • Aleppo Pepper. ...
  • Sumac. ...
  • Bulgur. ...
  • Saffron. ...
  • Cracked Freekeh.
Sep 6, 2018

Is kunafa healthy? ›

Like many other desserts, Knafeh isn't considered a healthy food due to its high sugar, fat, and calorie content. Made with pastry and drenched in a sweet sugary syrup. If you've ever had knafeh you'll know how heavy it is even after taking a couple of bites.

Is kunafa vegetarian or non veg? ›

Walnut Kanafeh / Kunafa is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with shredded filo pastry, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and typically layered with nuts. You get 4 pieces of Kunafas in a box! Vegetarian, eggless, zero preservatives, contains dry fruits, vegan ghee and maple syrup.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rob Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 5981

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rob Wisoky

Birthday: 1994-09-30

Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452

Phone: +97313824072371

Job: Education Orchestrator

Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building

Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.