Dubai Chocolate Strawberries: A 20-Minute Viral Dessert

Hi! I’m Andy

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Alright, folks. This one’s an absolute showstopper. I’m talking about layers of smooth chocolate, crispy toasted kataifi, creamy pistachio butter, and sweet, juicy strawberries. It’s like a classic chocolate covered strawberries recipe, but leveled up and packed into a glass like the most delicious parfait you’ve ever had. This isn’t your average chocolate-dipped treat—this is texture, flavour, and richness all in one bite. These Dubai chocolate covered strawberries, also known as the Dubai chocolate strawberry cup, are taking the internet by storm, and after one spoonful, you’ll know exactly why. Quick to whip up, dangerously delicious, and no baking required? Recipe card below!

Recipe

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries layered in a mason jar.

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries

Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients:  

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup kataifi, toasted
  • 3/4 cup pistachio cream or pistachio butter
  • 1/2 cup crushed pistachios
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 cups strawberries, halved or quartered

ECK

Instructions: 

  • In a large pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the kataifi and toast, stirring often, until golden brown and crisp. This should take about 5–7 minutes.
  • Remove kataifi from heat and stir in the pistachio cream until evenly coated. Mix in the crushed pistachios for added crunch. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, melt the chocolate chips (microwave or double boiler). Stir in the coconut oil—this helps give the chocolate a glossy finish and smoother texture.
  • Grab a small glass, mason jar, or dessert cup and layer as follows:
    ¼ cup of fresh strawberries
    2 tablespoons of melted chocolate
    4 tablespoons of the kataifi-pistachio mixture
  • Repeat the layers once more, finishing with a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top for a gorgeous finish.
  • You can enjoy these right away, or cover and pop them into the fridge for up to a day ahead. The layers hold beautifully and the flavours meld together even more over time.

The Viral Dubai Dessert Everyone is Loving

If you’ve seen the videos floating around TikTok and Instagram, you know this is no ordinary chocolate covered strawberries recipe. This version layers textures and flavours in a way that feels elegant, elevated, but still totally doable.

This recipe is rich, crunchy, and creamy all come together to create a truly decadent dessert. And best of all? You can pull it off at home in about 20 minutes.

And don’t get me started on the presentation.The pistachio green stands out against the red strawberries. The shiny chocolate drizzle adds to the appeal. It’s totally Instagrammable, yes, but it actually tastes as good as it looks.

The first bite brings the warmth of toasted pastry. You also taste the chilled sweetness of the fruit. The chocolate-pistachio mix takes this to a whole new level. It’s luxe but accessible, which is exactly why it’s blowing up right now.

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries layered in a mason jar.
Layered Dubai chocolate Strawberries served in a mason jar

What Makes These Dubai Chocolate Strawberries So Unique?

Let’s start with the base: kataifi. If you haven’t used this before, it’s basically shredded phyllo dough—light, airy, and a total texture bomb when toasted. I toast it in a bit of butter until golden and crisp, then mix in crushed pistachios and pistachio cream for that nutty richness.

Can’t do gluten? No worries—swap in gluten free toasted vermicelli noodles. Just break them up and toast them the same way in butter.

Then there’s the chocolate—semi-sweet chocolate chips melted down with a touch of coconut oil. That oil gives it a glossy sheen and keeps the chocolate luscious, not clumpy. You want that perfect pour, right? Chocolate lovers will rejoice over this one!

A bowl of melted semi-sweet chocolate.
Chocolate melted with a touch of coconut oil for a perfect silky sheen.

Let’s Talk Pistachio Cream

This is the secret sauce that takes this dubai chocolate covered strawberries dessert to the next level. It’s creamy, nutty, and almost like a Middle Eastern take on Nutella—but even better, if that’s possible.

If you can’t find pistachio cream, you could absolutely use almond butter or even Nutella in a pinch. But trust me—if you can get your hands on the pistachio cream it’s totally worth it.

Golden toasted kataifi topped with smooth pistachio cream

How to Assemble the Perfect Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup

The magic of this chocolate covered strawberries recipe comes from the layering. Start with a layer of strawberries—quartered or halved—then add a couple tablespoons of melted chocolate. Spoon on the kataifi-pistachio mixture, then repeat until your glass is full. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh crushed pistachios for that pop of colour and crunch.

It’s giving café vibes. It’s giving elegance. And it’s giving you a dessert that’ll make your friends think you’re a culinary genius.

Dubai Chocolate Strawberries layered in a mason jar.
Building that perfect bite with juicy strawberries and silky chocolate

Tips to Nail These Dubai Chocolate Strawberries Every Time

  1. Toast that kataifi properly: You want golden brown, not burnt. Keep an eye on it, stir it often, and pull it off the heat as soon as it’s golden.
  2. Let the chocolate cool slightly before layering, so it doesn’t melt your fresh strawberries.
  3. Make it ahead: This Dubai chocolate strawberry cup holds up great in the fridge. Make them a few hours before serving and let everything chill and meld together. Just top with crunchy pistachios before serving.
  4. Use good quality chocolate: It makes a difference here. The chocolate is doing some heavy lifting, so don’t go for the bargain bin stuff.
Dubai Chocolate Strawberries layered in a mason jar.
The perfect spoonful — a little bit of everything in every bite

Easy Ways to Make These Dubai Chocolate Covered Strawberries Your Own

Here are a few twists to make these Dubai chocolate strawberry cups your own:

  • Add a layer of whipped cream or mascarpone between the chocolate and kataifi.
  • Use other berries like raspberries or blackberries.
  • Add a tiny splash of rose water or orange blossom water to the pistachio mix for a floral Middle Eastern flair.
  • Drizzle a little honey over the top for extra sweetness, or sprinkle flaky sea salt on the chocolate for a salty-sweet contrast. Want to make it even more decadent? A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side never hurts.
  • Try swapping pistachios for hazelnuts or almonds and use a chocolate-hazelnut spread instead of pistachio cream. The base is super flexible—tweak it based on what you’ve got in the pantry or your favourite flavour combo.
The finished dessert, beautifully layered with a drizzle of chocolate

Final Thoughts

These Dubai chocolate strawberries bring everything we love—deep flavour, easy prep, and a little bit of that wow factor. Whether you are making these for a dinner party or just want a treat, this dessert will quickly be a favourite.

What truly sets this recipe apart is the balance of textures and flavours. You have the crunch from the toasted kataifi, the smooth pistachio cream, juicy strawberries, and shiny chocolate.

All these layers create a fancy-looking dessert that is super simple to make. It’s no surprise the internet is obsessed. Try it once, and you’ll be hooked too.

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