If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram recently, you’ve likely seen Dubai Chocolate. This sweet has gone viral and is now a big hit worldwide, bringing pistachios into the spotlight. However, if you follow a gluten-free diet, there’s one important question in your mind that is ‘Does Dubai chocolate have gluten?’ can you safely enjoy this trend? We should say that most viral Dubai-style treats aren’t gluten-free. Let us explain more about this topic in the following parts of this guide on Indubaimall.
Does Dubai chocolate contain gluten?
Is Dubai pistachio chocolate bar gluten free? The Dubai chocolate trend is beautiful, indulgent, and here to stay. Although the original versions aren’t safe for people with celiac disease, the combination of flavors that are pistachio, chocolate, and a small crunch can easily be made gluten-free. The kunafa, that is also known as kataifi, is a pastry that’s traditionally made from wheat flour, and some chocolate fillings use barley malt. If you’re celiac or have a gluten intolerance, here’s a breakdown of popular items in the MENA region — and why they might not be safe for you.
The Role of Kataifi (Shredded Phyllo Pastry) in Gluten Content
Kataifi, which is a shredded phyllo pastry commonly used in Dubai chocolates, directly affects whether the product contains gluten. The traditional version is made from wheat flour, water, and oil, so it naturally has gluten and isn’t safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. When kataifi is mixed into the filling or used as a crunchy layer, it adds gluten to the chocolate, even if the chocolate itself is gluten-free. Although gluten-free kataifi exist, but they are uncommon. Therefore, the majority of Dubai chocolates that incorporate kataifi should be regarded as containing gluten. If you are also seeking the best Indian sweet shop in Dubai, it is advisable to verify whether their sweets contain kataifi or other gluten-containing components.
Other Gluten-Containing Ingredients to Watch For
Dubai chocolate often includes kadayfi, which is a shredded wheat pastry. Since this ingredient contains gluten, it isn’t safe for people following a gluten-free diet. If you bought this kind of chocolate and are unsure if it’s safe, the FSA is recommending you avoid eating it. The situation becomes increasingly complex with flavored chocolates, additional ingredients, and mass-produced items. In the following, there are the common methods through which gluten may be present in a chocolate bar from Dubai:
- Add-ins: A lot of chocolates has tasty extras like cookies, wafers, or biscuit bits. These are often made with wheat flour; so, they aren’t gluten-free.
- Flavors: Some artificial or natural flavorings might come from gluten-containing grains, although this isn’t very common in higher quality chocolates.
- Cross-contamination: This is a big concern, especially in places where both gluten-free and gluten-containing items are made. Even if a chocolate bar doesn’t have gluten in its ingredients, it could still end up with gluten if the chocolate is made on the same machines or in the same area as products that contain wheat.
- Malt: Malt extract, which comes from barley, is sometimes used as a flavoring.
- Fillings: Chocolates with creamy or crunchy fillings, like pralines or truffles, might contain gluten in the filling itself.
Gluten-Free Alternatives and How to Enjoy Dubai Chocolate Safely
If you’re looking for a gluten-free version of the Dubai Chocolate bar, you can use certified gluten-free chocolate, pistachio butter, and either puffed rice or cornflakes for a crunchy texture. For a special Middle Eastern flavor, you can add tahini or a splash of rosewater. Also, you can follow the next Gluten-Free alternatives for enjoying Dubai Chocolate safely and without gluten:
Popular Gluten-Free Variants Available in the Market
Does Dubai chocolate have gluten? Yes, however, some gluten-free versions of the popular “Dubai chocolate” (which combines pistachio and kataifi) are hard to find because kataifi is typically made from wheat, which contains gluten. However, you can taste pistachio gelato that are found at artisan shops or even at sweet shop in Dubai Mall, and it’s important to check the ingredients to ensure it’s gluten-free. In Doha, places such as Mylk and Cloud & Co. offer gluten-free pistachio ice cream. In Beirut, Oh My Gelato! also serves this option. You can also find homemade pistachio brownies or truffles made with gluten-free flour blends, or even Gluten free Dubai chocolate cake.
Where to Buy Certified Gluten-Free Dubai Chocolate Bars
Where to buy gluten free Dubai Chocolate? Here are some other Gluten-Free Dubai Chocolate in sweet shop in Dubai that we are going to mention in the following part:
- NoomIEats – Kunafa Chocolate Bar (Vegan): This Vegan, gluten-free Dubai chocolate includes a thick, homemade creamy pistachio filling made from real pistachios, sweetened with coconut sugar, and topped with a crunchy layer of crispy rice.
- Gnosis Chocolate: This variety substitutes kafeh with toasted coconut, uses pure Sicilian pistachio butter, low glycemic coconut sugar, and wraps everything in raw, organic, artisanal chocolate.
- Pure Delight: It is sold on Flowwow in the UAE. It’s a 45 gram bar made with milk chocolate, pistachio cream, and a crispy texture similar to kunafa, and it’s labeled as gluten-free.
