I Made the Viral Dubai Chocolate Bar… And Then I BODGED It!
Can you really make the £16 Dubai Chocolate Bar at home? And what happens if you replace an essential ingredient with Shredded Wheat?
If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the Dubai Chocolate Bar – a chunky, luxury chocolate bar packed with pistachios, kataifi pastry, and tahini. It’s posh, it’s pricey, and it’s got that ‘if you know, you know’ vibe. But here’s the thing… what if you could make it at home for way less?
That’s exactly what I set out to do. But of course, in true Barry fashion, I didn’t stop at just the proper version. Oh no, I decided to see if I could bodge it using Shredded Wheat instead of kataifi. Because why not? And if that wasn’t enough, I also had some leftover kataifi lying around, so I thought – let’s make a cheesy, savoury version too!
So, did it work? Were the bodged Shredded Wheat bars edible? And, more importantly, should you even bother making this at home? Watch the full video to find out!
If you’re here for the step-by-step breakdown, let’s dive in.
What Even Is Kataifi?
Before we get into the chocolate madness, let’s talk about one of the key ingredients: kataifi pastry.
Kataifi is basically filo pastry, but shredded into super fine strands. It’s often used in Middle Eastern and Greek desserts, like knafeh – a sweet, syrupy dish that’s crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. When baked, kataifi has this delicate, golden crunch, which is why it works so well in the Dubai Chocolate Bar.
The problem? It’s not the easiest thing to find. If you’ve got a decent international supermarket near you, you might get lucky – otherwise, you might have to order it online.
Which is exactly why I thought… what if we just use Shredded Wheat instead? It’s crispy, golden, and probably close enough, right?
Making the Dubai Chocolate Bar (Properly… At First)
The first attempt was all about keeping it authentic – using proper kataifi, pistachio paste, and tahini, just like the original. The process is actually quite straightforward:
- Toast the kataifi in a bit of butter until golden.
- Mix it with pistachio paste and tahini to form a nutty, slightly sticky filling.
- Melt milk chocolate and coat the inside of a chocolate bar mould (or loaf tin!) …extra points if you drizzle in some coloured white chocolate for that TikTok-worthy finish, just go crazy!
- Fill it with the pistachio mixture, then seal it with more melted chocolate and freeze.
Honestly, the result was proper nice. Crunchy, nutty, and chocolatey – but it’s definitely a luxury treat. Just like the real thing, it’s not the cheapest to make, and you can see why the original bars cost so much.
Bodging It: The Shredded Wheat Experiment
Now, onto the real question – could I swap out kataifi for Shredded Wheat and get the same result?
Let’s be honest – it didn’t look promising. Smashing up Shredded Wheat and mixing it with pistachio paste just felt wrong. But surprisingly… it actually worked!
The texture was definitely more crunchy than the kataifi version – almost like a chocolate-covered granola bar. It lacked that delicate, flaky crispiness, but if you can’t get kataifi, this is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Would I say it’s just as good? Not quite. But was it way easier to get hold of and still tasty? Absolutely.
A Cheesy Bonus – Savoury Kataifi Bites!
With some kataifi left over, I decided to try something completely different – a savoury version, filled with cheese and ham.
Now, I’m not the biggest feta fan, so I was slightly worried about this one. But mixed with Gruyère, Pecorino, and a bit of ham, wrapped in kataifi, then baked until golden, these were shockingly good. A little drizzle of honey on top made them next-level delicious.
Would I make these again? 100% yes. In fact, they might be the real winner of this whole experiment.
The Verdict: Should You Make This?
If you’re thinking of giving this a go, here’s my honest breakdown:
- The proper Dubai Chocolate Bar? Really good, but pricey. Worth making if you want a showstopper.
- The bodged Shredded Wheat version? Surprisingly decent. Not quite the same, but a solid alternative.
- The savoury kataifi bites? An unexpected win. Crispy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious.
Would I recommend making all three? Absolutely. But if I had to choose just one, I’d say… skip the chocolate and make the cheesy ones instead!
Give it a go and let me know what you think! And if you want to see the chaos unfold in real-time, watch the full video above or here:
What should I bodge next? Let me know in the comments!