I recently had the pleasure of trying a new Middle Eastern dessert called “keto kunafa” during a Saturday afternoon lunch with my girlfriend at a local Middle Eastern restaurant in Dallas. As someone who follows a keto diet, I was excited to discover a dessert that fit within my dietary restrictions.
Keto kunafa is a low-carb version of the traditional Middle Eastern dessert, kunafa. It typically contains shredded phyllo dough, cheese, and syrup. The keto version replaces the phyllo dough with coconut flour, making it a great option for those who are following a low-carb or keto diet.
Our middle-aged waitress brought the dessert to our table, and its presentation immediately impressed us. The golden-brown crust was topped with a generous layer of melted cheese and drizzled with a light syrup. As we took our first bite, we were pleasantly surprised by how delicious it tasted. The crust was crispy and flavorful, and the cheese filling was rich and creamy. Overall, keto kunafa was a delightful dessert that satisfied our sweet tooth without compromising our dietary goals.
As I was enjoying the delicious dessert, suddenly I heard a loud noise. One of the customers accidentally broke a plate. The staff quickly came to clean up the mess and offered a replacement plate to the customer. I was impressed by how efficiently they handled the situation and continued to provide excellent service to all of their customers.
After tasting this delicious dessert at the restaurant, I knew I had to try making it at home. I approached the chef and requested the recipe, and to my delight, he agreed to share it with me.
The recipe was surprisingly simple and easy to follow. With some basic ingredients and a little bit of patience, I was able to recreate the same mouth-watering kunafa at home. Here are the ingredients the chef shared with me: Coconut flour, paneer cheese, butter, mozzarella cheese (grated), erythritol, water, lemon, pistachios
When it comes to keto kunafa, there are a few dishes that you can pair with it to enhance the overall experience. Here are some options that you can consider:
- Keto-friendly appetizers: Before indulging in the dessert, you can start your meal with some keto-friendly appetizers. For example, bacon-wrapped asparagus, spinach, artichoke dip, or buffalo chicken wings. These appetizers are low in carbs and high in fat, making them a perfect fit for a keto diet.
- Salads: If you’re looking for something light, a salad can be a great option. You can make a salad with greens, avocado, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes. You can also add some grilled chicken or shrimp to make it more filling.
- Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers are delicious and nutritious. They are low in carbs and high in fiber, making them a great option for a keto diet. You can season them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Cauliflower Rice: If you’re craving rice but want to stick to your keto diet, cauliflower rice can be a great substitute. You can make it by pulsing cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice grains. You can then sauté the cauliflower rice with some garlic, onion, and butter.
- Keto-friendly Entrees: If you want something more substantial, you can opt for keto-friendly entrees such as grilled salmon, steak, or chicken. You can season them with herbs and spices and serve them with a side of vegetables.
Ingredients:
The ingredients provided are for a single serving. Multiply the quantities based on your desired number of servings.
- 100g of coconut flour
- 100g of paneer cheese
- 40g of butter
- 40g of grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup of erythritol
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/4th of a lemon
- Pistachios
How to Make Keto Kunafa?
- To make keto kunafa, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. In a mixing bowl, add the coconut-desiccated/flour and then add butter. Rub the butter into the coconut until it is well mixed.
- Next, take a baking dish that is about 4 inches in size and rub it with butter. Then drop half of the coconut mixture into the baking dish and press it to form an even lining. After that, spread the paneer layer over it and press it to make an even surface.
- Then spread the cheese over the paneer layer and press it evenly. Spread the remaining coconut mixture over it and press it evenly again. Put it for baking at 180 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes.
- While the kunafa is being baked, prepare the syrup. Heat a pan and add the sugar and water, then add the lemon juice. Let it boil for 5-7 minutes, stirring it in between.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Keto Kunafa
As someone who has experimented with keto kunafa recipes, I have learned a few tips and tricks for making the perfect keto-friendly version of this delicious dessert.
Firstly, when it comes to syrup, it is important to use a sugar-free alternative. I recommend using a blend of erythritol and stevia, as they are both natural sweeteners that won’t spike your blood sugar levels.
Secondly, make sure to rub the baking dish well with butter. It will ensure that the kunafa doesn’t stick and it will easily come off the dish without crumbling.
Finally, when assembling the kunafa, be sure to spread the crust mixture evenly in the pan and press it down firmly. This will ensure that the crust holds together and doesn’t crumble when you cut into it. Additionally, be sure to brush the top of the kunafa with melted butter before baking, as this will give it a nice golden-brown color.
By following these tips and tricks, you can create a delicious kunafa that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your diet.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Creating kunafa involves several typical mistakes that individuals often commit. Here are some of the most important ones to avoid:
- Using the wrong type of cheese: One of the key ingredients in kunafa is cheese, and if you use the wrong type, it can ruin the whole dish. Make sure to use a cheese that is both low in moisture and has a high melting point, such as mozzarella or akkawi.
- Overbaking: Kunafa should be crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. If you overbake it, it will become dry and tough. Keep an eye on it and take it out of the oven as soon as it starts to turn golden brown.
- Not using enough butter: Butter is essential to getting that crispy, flaky texture that kunafa is known for. Don’t be shy with the butter – use plenty of it to ensure that every layer of pastry is coated.
- Not letting it cool properly: Kunafa is best served warm, but if you cut into it too soon, it will fall apart. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before serving to give it time to set.
- Using too much syrup: While the syrup is an important part of the kunafa, it’s easy to go overboard and make it too sweet. Use a light hand when pouring the syrup over the pastry, and don’t be afraid to skip it altogether if you prefer a less sweet dessert.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to making a delicious and authentic kunafa that will impress your friends and family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keto kunafa is a delicious dessert option for those following a ketogenic diet. It is a low-carb alternative to traditional kunafa, which is high in sugar and carbohydrates.
By using coconut flour and erythritol as substitutes for wheat flour and sugar, respectively, we can enjoy the same great taste of kunafa without guilt. Additionally, the use of ghee instead of butter or vegetable oil adds a rich and nutty flavor to the dish.
When making this dessert, it is important to follow the recipe carefully and use high-quality ingredients. This will ensure that the dish turns out perfectly and is as tasty as possible.
Overall, I highly recommend trying out keto kunafa if you are looking for a healthy and delicious dessert option. It is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while also keeping you on track with your ketogenic diet.
By the way, this dessert pairs amazingly with keto makluba.
Get the recipe now (by clicking the image below):
