Pistachio Kataifi Bars

Pistachio Kataifi Bars is a dessert recipe ready in 1 h. It makes 12 servings, each 360 kcal with 6 g protein. Intermediate level, 11 ingredients.

Recipe by @anayet_vanille, adapted and measured by Cookpath.

  • 1 htotal
  • Intermediatelevel
  • 360kcal a serving
  • 6 gprotein
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Pistachio Kataifi Bars

What is Pistachio Kataifi Bars

Layered bars with a crushed biscuit and butter base, toasted kataifi mixed with pistachio paste, whipped cream and strawberries, drizzled with chocolate.

How to make Pistachio Kataifi Bars

Tips from the cook

  • Toast the kataifi in a dry pan, stirring often, as the thin strands burn quickly.
  • Let the kataifi cool before mixing it with the pistachio paste, so it stays crunchy.
  • Chill the bars before cutting, so the cream layer sets.
  • Use a warm knife for clean squares.
  • No pistachio paste? Blend shelled pistachios with a spoon of oil and a little sugar until smooth.
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Meal prep and storage

Keeps 3 days in the fridge, though the kataifi softens over time.

Prep a few days

See this week’s meal prep plan on the blog, or plan your own week in the app.

Pistachio Kataifi Bars substitutions

Out of something, or cooking around an allergy. Each swap was checked against a source.

Plain biscuits1 option
  • Gluten-free digestive-style biscuits 1:1 by weight

    May need a bit more butter.

Butter2 options
  • Vegan/dairy-free butter block 1:1 by weight

    Soft tub margarine fails in pastry and cheesecake base.

  • Olive oil use about 3/4 as much by volume

    Not for creaming or pastry; base goes oily.

Kataifi2 options
  • Roasted vermicelli: break it into short pieces and toast in butter or oil 1:1 by weight

    A little less crisp and finer than kataifi.

    Still contains gluten.

  • Shredded phyllo (kataifi-style pastry) 1:1 by weight

    Use the fat generously and bake until deep golden; it dries out fast, so keep it covered.

    Still contains gluten.

Pistachio paste2 options
  • Homemade pistachio paste: blend shelled pistachios with a little oil and sugar until smooth 1:1 by weight

    Takes a few minutes in a strong blender; a grittier texture than the shop kind.

    Still contains tree nuts.

  • Sunflower seed butter 1:1 to taste

    Page recommends it as the nut-free choice but gives no ratio; no pistachio flavour.

Pistachios2 options
  • Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans or walnuts 1:1 by weight

    Flavour differs; walnuts robust.

    Still contains tree nuts.

  • Pumpkin or sunflower seeds 1:1 by weight; page lists seeds as the nut-free option

    Not the same flavour; sesame seeds would carry sesame.

Heavy cream2 options
  • Oat cooking cream (GF-labelled) or soy cream 1:1

    Does not whip.

    Still contains soy.

  • Coconut cream (top layer of can) 1:1

    Coconut flavour.

White chocolate2 options
  • Homemade dairy-free white chocolate (cacao butter, sweetener, cashew or almond butter in place of milk powder) 1:1 by weight; page recipe

    Still tree nuts.

    Still contains tree nuts.

  • Vegan white chocolate (cacao butter, plant milk, sweetener) 1:1 by weight; check label

    Plant milks can be almond or soy.

Dark chocolate1 option
  • Dairy-free dark chocolate (70%+) 1:1

    Soy lecithin.

    Still contains soy.

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