Discover the most delicious Saudi dessert recipes

Discover the most delicious Saudi dessert recipes

Saudi dessert recipes are an essential part of traditional Saudi cuisine, and are among the most popular dishes in the Kingdom and the Gulf countries. These desserts vary between cold and warm, and reflect a distinct cultural character using local ingredients such as dates, nuts, and saffron.


These recipes are prepared in homes and on various occasions, and some types have entered the menus of international restaurants. In this article, we will learn about the most prominent Saudi dessert recipes and how to prepare them in a simple and delicious way.


The Best Saudi Dessert Recipes You Must Try

Saudi sweets are considered to be dishes that have a great variety in taste and ingredients. One of the most famous Saudi sweets recipes is Kunafa, which is prepared with dough threads stuffed with cheese and decorated with pistachios. Kunafa is considered to be one of the most popular sweets in Saudi Arabia, especially on holidays and special occasions.


Another famous recipe in the Kingdom is Maamoul, a type of biscuit stuffed with dates or pistachios. Maamoul is a traditional sweet served on religious and social occasions.

Baklava is a dessert recipe made using layers of thin dough stuffed with chopped nuts and a syrup of sugar and water added to it, making it sweet and rich in taste.


There are also Luqaimat, which are fried dough balls covered in honey or syrup. Luqaimat is a popular dessert that is consumed in large quantities during the holy month of Ramadan, and is considered one of the most famous dessert recipes in Saudi cuisine.


All these sweets are part of Saudi heritage and you can easily prepare them at home using traditional ingredients available.


How to prepare Saudi Kunafa

Saudi Kunafa is one of the most famous dessert recipes and has a special place in the heart of every Saudi. Kunafa is prepared using fresh or frozen Kunafa dough, stuffed with cheese, then grilled until golden brown. After that, hot syrup is poured over it to add a sweet taste. To prepare Kunafa, you must first prepare the basic ingredients such as Kunafa dough and cheese.


(Such as mozzarella cheese or cream cheese), in addition to a syrup made of sugar and water with the addition of a little rose water to enhance the taste. After preparing these ingredients, the kunafa dough is divided into two halves and stuffed with cheese and rolled in a buttered tray and then put in the oven until cooked and golden. You can also add roasted nuts such as pistachios on top before serving.


Kunafa is one of the dessert recipes that can be easily prepared at home and is considered an ideal dessert for occasions.


Saudi Maamoul

Saudi Maamoul is one of the dessert recipes that is distinguished by its rich and distinctive taste. Maamoul is usually prepared on holidays and special occasions and is distinguished by its various fillings such as dates, pistachios, and walnuts. Maamoul is considered one of the desserts that has a long history in Saudi cuisine and is prepared with the following steps:

  1. To prepare Maamoul, you need basic ingredients such as flour, ghee, sugar and water.
  2. The filling usually consists of mashed dates with cardamom or chopped pistachios.
  3. Mix the dough ingredients until you have a smooth dough, then form small balls and stuff them with your favorite filling.
  4. Then the maamoul is shaped using its special molds and then baked in the oven until it becomes golden in color.

Maamoul is often served with a cup of tea or coffee and is considered one of the dessert recipes that suit all tastes thanks to its variety of fillings and ease of preparation.


Saudi Baklava and the secrets of preparing this famous dessert

Saudi Baklava is one of the most famous dessert recipes that is prepared using thin filo dough and stuffed with nuts such as walnuts or pistachios, then grilled and covered with syrup to give it a sweet taste.

Baklava can be prepared with different types of fillings as desired, such as chopped pistachios or walnuts, and a little butter is added to each layer to give it a crunchy and delicious texture.


During preparation, layers of filo dough are placed with nuts between each layer, then the baklava is cut into squares or triangles before being baked in the oven until cooked and golden. After removing it from the oven, cold syrup is poured over it, which gives it a sweet and crunchy taste.


Baklava is a dessert recipe that is ideal for serving on special occasions and feasts. It is one of the most popular desserts in Saudi cuisine.


Saudi Luqaimat Traditional Ramadan Sweets Recipe

Luqaimat is one of the Saudi dessert recipes that is especially popular during the month of Ramadan. Luqaimat is made of fried dough that is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, then covered with honey or syrup to give it a sweet taste.


Luqaimat are prepared using simple ingredients such as flour, ghee, yeast and water. After preparing the dough, it is shaped into small balls and fried in plenty of oil until golden. After frying, the luqaimat are dipped in syrup or honey, which makes them very delicious.


Luqaimat is a dessert that suits all ages and is an ideal dish for Ramadan occasions, as you can easily prepare it at home to serve with coffee or tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the quickest Saudi dessert recipe that can be prepared at home?


The easiest and quickest Saudi dessert recipe that can be prepared at home is Luqaimat. This traditional dessert is prepared using very simple ingredients such as flour, ghee, yeast and water. After preparing the dough, it is formed into small balls and then fried in plenty of oil until golden and crispy on the outside. The Luqaimat are then dipped in syrup or honey to add a distinctive sweetness.

Luqaimat is a delicious and easy-to-prepare dessert that is ideal for small and family occasions and is also a popular dessert during Ramadan.

In addition to being quick to prepare, it is considered an economical dessert that does not require a long time or complicated ingredients.

What are the basic ingredients for preparing Saudi Kunafa?


To prepare Saudi Kunafa, you will need some basic ingredients that distinguish this delicious dessert.

First, you need fresh or frozen kunafa dough, which is the main ingredient of this dessert. Kunafa is usually stuffed with cheese such as mozzarella or cream cheese to add a rich and creamy texture. In addition, it is necessary to prepare the syrup, which is a mixture of sugar and water with a little rose water or orange blossom water added to provide an aromatic flavor. You can also decorate the kunafa with pistachios or any other nuts to add a distinctive texture and additional flavor. After preparing these ingredients, the kunafa is prepared by spreading the dough in a buttered tray and stuffing it with cheese, then baking it in the oven until it turns golden in color. Finally, the syrup is poured over it to add a delicious taste.

Can Saudi Maamoul be prepared without using ghee?


Yes, Saudi Maamoul can be prepared without using ghee, but it is recommended to use some alternatives that give the dough the crispy texture and rich taste that characterizes Maamoul.

For example, butter can be used instead of ghee to give the maamoul a more delicious taste and add a rich flavour. Some people also prefer to use coconut oil as a substitute for ghee if they follow a vegan diet or prefer to avoid dairy products.

Healthy oils such as olive oil can also be used, especially if you want to make the maamoul healthier. Also, for those who suffer from wheat allergies, gluten-free flour can be used to prepare the dough. Although ghee is the traditional ingredient, using alternatives can give the maamoul a different taste that suits the needs of different people.

Are there any healthy alternatives to Saudi dessert recipes?


Yes, there are many healthy alternatives that can be used to prepare traditional Saudi dessert recipes.

For example, instead of using white sugar, you can replace it with honey or sweetened dates, which have higher nutritional values and give sweets a natural taste and natural sweetness.

Whole wheat flour can also be used instead of white flour to provide more fiber and vitamins. As for fat, ghee or butter can be replaced with coconut oil or olive oil, which are healthy options that give desserts a different taste and greater health benefits. If you want to reduce calories, you can use low-fat supplements such as Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream in some recipes. These alternatives not only reduce the fat and sugar content, but also help improve the nutritional value of desserts without significantly affecting the taste.