Roasted Vermicelli: Best Alternative for Kataifi Dough

By the end of this blog, you will know why roasted vermicelli is the best alternative for kataifi dough. We know Dubai's Viral Kunafa Chocolate trend is taking over the internet, and you’re excited to try making it. Sarah Hamouda, owner of Fix Chocolate Dessertier, came up with this Kunafa Chocolate inspired by her pregnancy craving for pistachio and Kunafa. She later launched this craving and received positive global response. Its impact is clear — everyone’s talking about it, and customers are actively searching for it across social media and dessert menus.

This Dubai Chocolate trend is exploding right now, and this is the perfect moment to add it to your menu. The earlier you start, the more attention you’ll attract — before the market gets crowded. 

What is Kunafa Chocolate?

The Kunafa Chocolate is a chocolate bar with nutty pistachio filling &  that combines a dessert into a munchable chocolate bar. It is made with rich milk chocolate on the outside and a creamy, crunchy filling on the inside. It’s packed with toasted kataifi dough, pistachio cream, and a tiny hint of tahini, giving it that nutty, slightly chewy texture that’s totally addictive. 

What is Kataifi Dough?

Kataifi dough (pronounced ka-ta-EE-fi) is a shredded phyllo pastry dough used in various Middle Eastern and Mediterranean desserts. It resembles fine, angel-hair-like strands that are soft when raw and crispy when baked or fried. This is one of the key ingredient of this chocolate bar which gives it a crunchy texture.

Popular dishes made with kataifi dough include:

• Knafeh (a cheese or cream-filled pastry soaked in syrup).
• Dubai's Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Bar (a chocolate bar with filling of creamy pistachio sauce & kataifi).
  

3 Reasons why Finding Kataifi Dough in India is so Difficult?

Searching for kataifi where to buy often leads to a dead end unless you live in a metro city with a strong Middle Eastern import store. Even then, kataifi is:

• Often frozen and needs refrigeration: Kataifi dough typically comes frozen and needs constant refrigeration, which makes storage and handling tricky for home bakers or small kitchens.
• Imported, so it’s expensive: Since it's not locally produced in India, it's imported and often priced much higher than commonly used ingredients.
• Not sold in regular Indian market: It’s nearly impossible to find in regular Indian market — unless you live in a major metro with a high-end import store, you’re out of luck.

This makes it impractical for home bakers or small-scale creators to use regularly. Even if you think of making it at home, you’d have to invest hours, perfecting the texture, and even then, it might not turn out as expected. After all, achieving the right consistency is a true art, and one that requires multiple attempts — which can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Here’s where roasted vermicelli comes in — an affordable, convenient, and effective substitute for kataifi dough! It’s easy to handle, quick to prepare, and gives you that perfect texture and crunch, without breaking the bank or spending hours in the kitchen.

Why Roasted Vermicelli as a Kataifi Dough Substitute?

Roasted vermicelli is possibly the best substitute for Kataifi dough. It’s easy to find, budget-friendly, and gives a similar crispy texture in desserts. This isn’t just our opinion — even ChatGPT supports this as a practical and tasty alternative to kataifi. Here’s a quick look at why it works so well as an alternative to kataifi.

• Affordable – 1/10th the price of imported kataifi
• No refrigeration needed
• Available at most local stores
• Works in desserts and savory snacks
• Crisps up well for texture needed for Dubai Chocolate

Where to Buy Kataifi Dough Substitute?

If you're still asking, “kataifi where to buy”, try:

• Gourmet import stores in metro cities
• Online stores like Amazon (though it's expensive)
• OR skip the hunt and order Roasted Vermicelli from TheBakingTools.com.

You don’t need to search endlessly for kataifi to hop on this viral dessert, Kunafa Chocolate Bar. With roasted vermicelli, you have a budget-friendly, accessible, and equally effective alternative for kataifi dough that’s already in your kitchen.

How to Use Roasted Vermicelli for Dubai Kunafa Chocolate Bars?

If you’re looking for a kataifi substitute for Dubai chocolate, roasted vermicelli is the perfect solution. Here’s how to make the Viral Dubai-Style Kunafa Chocolate Bar using this easily available alternative for kataifi dough:

What You’ll Need (no need to search “kataifi where to buy” anymore!):

• Roasted vermicelli (best kataifi alternative)
• Melted butter 
• Chocolate compounds
• Pistachio cream (for filling)
• Kunafa Chocolate Mould

Method:

• 1. Coat the mould: Melt the chocolate and pour a thin layer into your chocolate mould. Spread it along the base and sides, then freeze to set.

  2. Toast the kataifi: In a pan, toast kataifi dough in butter until golden and crispy. (If using roasted vermicelli, it's already pre-toasted — just warm it lightly in butter for flavor.)

  3. Make the filling: Mix the toasted kataifi (or vermicelli) with pistachio cream and a touch of tahini if using.

  4. Assemble the bar: Spread the filling over the set chocolate layer. Pour more melted chocolate on top to seal everything in.

  5. Chill & serve: Let it set in the freezer or fridge.

The result? A rich, creamy, and crunchy chocolate bar — no imported kataifi needed. This simple swap proves that roasted vermicelli is not just an alternative for kataifi, it’s the easiest way to recreate the Dubai chocolate kataifi alternative trend at home.

Ready to ride the trend? Stock up on roasted vermicelli, pistachio cream, and Kunafa moulds from TheBakingTools.com and start serving Dubai’s hottest dessert today!

References/Links:

1. The Baking Tools: "What's The Story Behind Dubai's Viral Kunafa Chocolate?"
2. Much Butter: "How To Make Kataifi From Scratch"
3. Kunafa Chocolate Mould: Kunafa Chocolate Bar Mould Specially For Viral Dubai Chocolate 
4. Mavee's Pistachio Souplesse: Used for making pistachio cream for filling in Kunafa Chocolate. 
5. Every Little Crumb: "Chocolate Kunafa"