Gluten-Free Kunafa

Indulge in the rich, exotic flavors of this Gluten-Free Kunafa, a delightful twist on the traditional Middle Eastern dessert that's perfect for anyone avoiding gluten. Layers of buttery, crisp gluten-free phyllo dough surround a decadent filling of creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella, creating a balance of textures in every bite. The golden baked pastry is soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup infused with rose water, orange blossom water, and a hint of lemon juice, giving it an irresistibly aromatic sweetness. Topped with a generous sprinkle of chopped pistachios for a nutty crunch, this gluten-free dessert is an impressive dish for special occasions or indulgent evenings. Easy to make yet stunning to serve, this recipe is ready in just over an hour and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 16 sheets Gluten-free phyllo dough
• 1 cup Unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups Ricotta cheese
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Water
• 2 teaspoons Rose water
• 1 teaspoon Orange blossom water
• 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
• 1 cup Pistachios, chopped

Directions

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a bit of the melted butter.

Step 2

2. In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese until well combined.

Step 3

3. Carefully unroll the gluten-free phyllo sheets. Using half of the sheets, layer them at the bottom of the greased baking dish. Brush each sheet generously with melted butter as you layer.

Step 4

4. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the phyllo layer in the baking dish.

Step 5

5. Layer the remaining sheets of phyllo on top of the cheese mixture, again brushing each with melted butter until all the sheets are used.

Step 6

6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Step 7

7. While the kunafa is baking, prepare the sugar syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 8

8. Allow the mixture to boil for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to low and add the rose water, orange blossom water, and lemon juice. Stir and let simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 9

9. Once the kunafa is baked, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot dessert.

Step 10

10. Allow the kunafa to absorb the syrup for about 10 minutes before serving.

Step 11

11. Sprinkle chopped pistachios over the top for garnish. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1904.2 grams (1904.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5401

Total Fat 356.50g	457%
Saturated Fat 176.80g	884%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 906mg	302%
Sodium 2346mg	102%
Total Carbohydrate 469.90g	171%
Dietary Fiber 16.70g	60%
Total Sugars 214.20g
Protein 130.90g	262%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3053mg	235%
Iron 13mg	72%
Potassium 2412mg	51%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.2%

Protein: 9.3%

Carbs: 33.5%