What is kataifi made of?

Kataifi is made from shredded phyllo dough, which resembles thin, delicate threads or shredded wheat. This pastry is combined with a filling of chopped nuts—usually walnuts, pistachios, or almonds—and flavored with warm spices like cinnamon. After baking, it’s soaked in a sweet syrup made from sugar, water, lemon juice, and sometimes honey, giving it its signature sticky sweetness.

What is the difference between baklava and kataifi?

The main difference between baklava and kataifi lies in the type of pastry used. Baklava uses layered sheets of thin phyllo dough, creating a flaky, buttery texture, while kataifi uses shredded phyllo dough, which produces a lighter, stringy, and crisp texture. Both are soaked in sweet syrup and filled with nuts, but the texture and appearance set them apart.

What is kataifi Greek to English?

In English, “kataifi” refers to this special shredded phyllo pastry used in desserts. The word itself comes from Greek, describing the unique, thread-like dough that forms the base of the dessert known internationally as kataifi.

What is a famous Greek dessert?

Greece is known for many delicious desserts, but some of the most famous include baklava, kataifi, and galaktoboureko—a creamy custard-filled phyllo pastry. Each of these sweets highlights the rich tradition of syrup-soaked pastries that are central to Greek cuisine. You can explore more traditional Greek desserts on RecipeYZ to find your new favorite.

Greek Desserts Kataifi: 6 Must-Try Tips for Perfect Kataifi

Name: Greek Desserts Kataifi
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: Serves 8
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) kataifi pastry; 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter; 2 cups (200g) chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds); 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 cup (200g) sugar; 1 cup (240ml) water; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp honey

Description

If you’re a fan of rich, flaky sweets with a touch of Mediterranean magic, you’ve probably heard of Greek desserts kataifi. This delightful treat, made from delicate shredded pastry soaked in sweet syrup, is a beloved classic that brings a little bit of Greece to your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450g) kataifi pastry
1 cup (225g) unsalted butter
2 cups (200g) chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios, almonds)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup (200g) sugar
1 cup (240ml) water
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp honey

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Instructions

Finely chop nuts and mix with ground cinnamon.
Carefully separate the kataifi pastry strands to avoid clumping.
Melt butter and grease a baking dish generously.
Place a handful of kataifi loosely in the dish and brush with melted butter.
Sprinkle a layer of nut mixture evenly over the pastry.
Repeat layering kataifi and nuts, finishing with kataifi on top and brushing with butter.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 45-50 minutes until golden and crisp.
While baking, combine sugar, water, lemon juice, and honey in a saucepan; boil then simmer 10 minutes until slightly thickened; cool to room temperature.
Pour cooled syrup evenly over hot kataifi immediately after baking.
Let soak for at least an hour before serving.

Notes

Use fresh, high-quality kataifi pastry and nuts. Pour cooled syrup over hot pastry to maintain crispness. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 piece
Calories: 350
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg