Kunafa Hack: Healthy Dubai Choco
Let's make it viral! Kunafa Hack: Healthy Dubai Choco
Ever thought about turning a Middle Eastern treat like kunafa—known for its creamy and crunchy texture—into a healthier version that’s still super delicious? Well, here it is! Let me share this hack for making Dubai Choco Kunafa without using regular flour. Don’t worry, it’s still just as indulgent!
The main ingredient that makes this hack so genius is coconut flakes. Yup, dry shredded coconut toasted to a crunchy perfection. Not only is it a smart flour substitute, but it also packs some serious health benefits.
Toasted Shredded Coconut
Coconut is amazing, Bestnic! It’s naturally gluten-free and loaded with fiber. Just 100 grams of dried coconut gives you around 9 grams of fiber, which is awesome for digestion, keeps you full longer, and can even help lower bad cholesterol.
Coconut also contains healthy fats called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). These fats are easily absorbed by the body and turned into energy, making them perfect for anyone on a healthy eating plan or a keto diet. Toasting the coconut also amps up its aroma and gives it that super crunchy texture—perfect as the base for kunafa!
Dairy-Free Chocolate
Oh, and for the chocolate, I’m using dairy-free chocolate here. Chocolate lovers, you’re gonna love this hack because the flavor is still so rich. Dairy-free chocolate is usually made from pure cocoa without cow’s milk, so it’s great for anyone who’s allergic or vegan.
Chocolate itself has a ton of benefits, especially if you go for dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage. Cocoa is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which can help protect your body from free radicals, improve heart health, and even boost your mood.
Activated Pistachios
And of course, I didn’t skip the pistachios—a kunafa classic! To make it even healthier, I used activated pistachios. This process removes antinutrients like lectins, tannins, and protease inhibitors. Pistachios are also high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. (Check out my previous post for how to activate pistachios. Link’s right here: Activating Nuts)
I honestly think this tastes even better than the original. Seriously, the combo of crunchy coconut, dairy-free chocolate, and pistachio butter is totally addictive. Plus, it’s gluten-free, vegan, and guilt-free!
Don’t forget to try this out and let me know how it goes! 😊
Course Snacks
Cuisine Middle East
Keyword dubai choco, healthy dubai choco, viral choco, kunafa, healthy kunafa, vegan choco
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 60 minutes
Activating 8 hours
Servings 22 x 10.4 x 1.9 cm
Ingredients
- 200 gr coconut flakes
- 15 gr salted grass-fed butter
- 200 gr activated peeled pistachios
- 55 mL virgin coconut oil
- 60 mL cassava sugar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp coconut butter
- 320 gr of 70% dark chocolate couverture
Instructions
- Melt a portion of the chocolate using bain-marie method. Place a bowl over a saucepan filled with hot water (see Bain-Marie attachment below) and heat until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Pour the melted chocolate into the base of a chocolate mold and spread evenly. Chill in the refrigerator.
- Heat a pan and melt the butter. Add the coconut flakes and toast over low heat until golden brown and crunchy. Set aside.
- Use a dry mill blender to blend the activated pistachios until smooth and slightly oily. Add the coconut virgin oil and blend again until it becomes pistachio butter.
- Mix the toasted coconut flakes, pistachio butter, coconut butter, cassava sugar, and sea salt until well combined.
- Remove the chocolate base from the refrigerator and fill the mold with the prepared filling mixture.
- Melt the remaining chocolate using the bain-marie method.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the filling, ensuring it completely covers the surface. Chill again.
- Your Kunafa Hack: Healthy Dubai Choco is ready to enjoy!
Bain-Marie Method
- Heat water to about ⅓ of the pot's height.
- Place a heatproof bowl over the pot, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water.
- Add the ingredients to the bowl and cook using the steam from the hot water.
- This method is commonly used for melting chocolate or butter in baking recipes.
