Dubai Chocolate Bar

If you follow food trends, you’ll know that the Dubai chocolate bar is one of the hottest viral hits of 2025 so far! It’s all over TikTok right now, but even if you happen to be in Dubai, getting your hands on the goods is so much easier said than done. They’re massively in demand and only available to order via Deliveroo at 2pm and 5pm local time, and the company behind the bar is allegedly receiving 100 orders per minute. But I wasn’t about to let that stop me from sampling the pistachio-stuffed treat. With a little experimentation (and a lot of determination), I set about recreating my very own version of the viral chocolate bar at home. I can confirm that it truly is delicious, and it’s a lot easier to make than you might imagine.

This recipe brings together a creamy, gooey pistachio filling with crispy kataifi dough, all encased in a slab-like block of chocolate that delivers that wonderfully satisfying crunch that you keep seeing all over social media. Is it worthy the hype? Yep, I think so. And best of all, you can give it a try without catching a flight!

Ingredients

• 1 cup kataifi dough
• 1 cup dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher)
• 1 cup milk chocolate
• 1 cup pistachios
• 3 tablespoons butter (for frying the dough)
• 3 tablespoons honey

Step-by-Step Instructions

Looking for the printable recipe card? You’ll find it at the bottom of this post! Feel free to print it out and add it to your own personal recipe folder at home, or share it with your friends so they can make this recipe too. In this section, I’m going to share handy process shots to help to guide you through the steps… 

• Prepare the kataifi dough. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and spread the kataifi dough strands. Fry, stirring constantly, until golden and crispy (about 5-7 minutes). Place on a paper towel to remove excess grease and let it cool.

• Melt the chocolate. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler until smooth and uniform.
• Grind pistachios with honey in a blender, put them in a bowl and add kataifi.

• Shape the dessert. Take a mold, pour about half of the chocolate, and put in the freezer for 30 min.

• Put the pistachio mixture into the mold and pour the rest of the heated chocolate over it.  

• Chill. Place the chocolate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to set.

• Serve. Cut the chocolate into pieces and enjoy.

Tips & Tricks for Making The TikTok Viral Pistachio Chocolate Bar

Melting chocolate can sometimes be a little bit tricky, and it’s easy to mess it up! Here are some extra tips for making sure that you get it right first time…

Setting Up the Double Boiler

• Use a heatproof bowl (glass or stainless steel) that fits snugly over a saucepan without touching the water.
• Fill the saucepan with 1–2 inches of water—just enough to create steam but not so much that it touches the bowl.
• Bring the water to a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, to prevent overheating the chocolate.

Melting the Chocolate Properly

• Chop the chocolate into small, even pieces for quicker, smoother melting.
• Stir the chocolate constantly with a spatula to ensure even melting and prevent hot spots.
• Remove the bowl from the heat when most of the chocolate is melted—the residual heat will finish melting the remaining pieces.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

❌ Letting water touch the chocolate – Even a small drop of water can cause the chocolate to seize and become grainy. Keep the bowl dry!
❌ Overheating the chocolate – High heat can burn chocolate, making it thick and clumpy. Keep the heat low and gentle.
❌ Using a wet or damp utensil – Always use dry spatulas or whisks to stir the chocolate to prevent unwanted moisture.
❌ Melting all the chocolate at once – Work in batches, especially for large amounts, to ensure even melting.
❌ Leaving it unattended – Chocolate can go from smooth to scorched quickly, so keep an eye on it.

It’s also worth noting here that using high quality chocolate makes a huge difference. Use the best quality you can find for that glossy finish.

Customizing Your Dubai Chocolate Bar

Once you’ve tried out this recipe and you’ve really nailed the process, you might want to get a little experimental and try out some different customizations. Here are some options to try:

• Nutty Crunch – Add extra crushed hazelnuts, almonds, or pistachios inside or on top.
• Salted Caramel Layer – A drizzle of caramel sauce between the filling and chocolate for extra indulgence.
• Flavored Fillings – Mix in coffee powder, matcha, or cocoa powder for a unique twist.
• Gold Dust or Edible Glitter – For a true Dubai-inspired luxurious finish!