Do you love dessert? If yes, then you definitely love Arabic sweets as Arabic desserts are known for their unique taste and delectable confections for centuries. We have curated the best Middle Eastern desserts list that surely tantalize your taste buds.
Whether you like sweets, cookies, or pastries, these treats have something for everyone to enjoy.
26 Arabic Sweets Names
Arabic sweets are known for their rich flavors, delicate pastries, fragrant syrups, and generous use of nuts and cream. From crispy phyllo desserts to soft semolina cakes and syrup-soaked treats, Middle Eastern desserts offer something for every sweet lover.
Here is a popular collection of traditional favorites you should know and try.
1. Baklava
Baklava is a classic Middle Eastern dessert made with thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in sweet syrup. It is crispy on the outside and soft and nutty inside. The balance of crunch and sweetness makes it one of the most iconic Arabic sweets enjoyed worldwide.
2. Basbousa
Basbousa is a moist semolina cake soaked in sugar syrup and often flavored with rose or orange blossom water. It has a slightly crumbly texture and gentle sweetness. Popular across the Middle East and North Africa, it is simple to prepare and perfect for gatherings or everyday dessert cravings.
3. Kunafa
Kunafa is made with shredded phyllo dough layered with sweet cheese or semolina filling and baked until golden. It is then soaked in aromatic syrup. The crispy top and gooey center create a rich contrast of textures, making it one of the most beloved Arabic desserts.
4. Ma’amoul
Ma’amoul are delicate shortbread style cookies filled with dates, pistachios, or walnuts. They are often shaped using decorative molds, giving them a beautiful appearance. These cookies are commonly served during religious holidays and celebrations, and they pair perfectly with tea or Arabic coffee.
5. Atayef
Atayef are small folded pancakes stuffed with sweet cheese, cream, or nuts. They can be fried for crispness or baked for a softer finish, then drizzled with syrup. Especially popular during Ramadan, Atayef are festive, comforting, and deeply satisfying.
6. Halawet El-Jibn
Halawet El-Jibn is a Syrian dessert made from a soft cheese and semolina dough rolled and filled with clotted cream. It is topped with fragrant syrup and crushed pistachios. The smooth texture and creamy filling make it a luxurious and elegant dessert choice.
7. Qatayef
Qatayef are similar to Atayef but often prepared specifically during Ramadan. These small pancakes are filled with cream, nuts, or sweet cheese, then fried or baked and soaked in syrup. They offer a perfect balance of soft dough and rich filling.
8. Lokma
Lokma are small deep fried dough balls soaked in syrup. They are golden and crisp outside while remaining soft and airy inside. Often enjoyed warm, these bite-sized treats are simple yet incredibly satisfying for anyone who loves syrup soaked pastries.
9. Rice Pudding (Riz bi Haleeb)
Riz bi Haleeb is a creamy rice pudding flavored with rosewater or orange blossom water. It has a smooth texture and gentle sweetness, often topped with cinnamon or pistachios. Served warm or chilled, it is a comforting dessert loved across the Middle East.
10. Namoura
Namoura is another semolina cake soaked in syrup and sometimes enriched with yogurt for a mild tang. It has a dense yet moist texture and a balanced sweetness. Often confused with Basbousa, Namoura is equally popular and enjoyed during special occasions.
11. Warbat
Warbat is a layered phyllo pastry filled with cream or custard and baked until golden. After baking, it is drenched in sugar syrup. The crispy pastry layers and creamy interior make it a rich and indulgent treat often served at celebrations.
12. Ghraiba
Ghraiba are crumbly shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth. They are lightly sweetened and sometimes flavored with rosewater. Simple yet elegant, Ghraiba is perfect alongside tea or coffee and represents the delicate side of Arabic baking traditions.
13. Mafroukeh
Mafroukeh is a Lebanese dessert made with semolina and ground pistachios layered and soaked with syrup. It has a soft texture with a nutty flavor and sweet finish. This no-bake dessert is easy to prepare and ideal for those who enjoy pistachio based sweets.
14. Knafeh
Kanafa made with shredded pastry and white cheese. It is baked until golden and soaked in syrup. The crispy exterior and gooey cheese center create a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.
15. Asabe Zainab
Also known as Zainab’s Fingers, this dessert features fried dough shaped into finger-like pieces and soaked in syrup. It is crisp outside and soft inside. Commonly prepared during Ramadan, it is a popular festive sweet enjoyed by families.
16. Barazek
Barazek are thin Syrian cookies coated with sesame seeds on one side and pistachios on the other. They have a crisp texture and rich nutty flavor. The combination of sesame crunch and buttery cookie base makes them unique and addictive.
17. Awamat
Awamat are small fried dough balls soaked in syrup, similar to doughnut holes. They are golden, crisp, and syrupy sweet. These treats are especially popular during Ramadan and festive occasions for their simple preparation and satisfying flavor.
18. Hareeseh
Hareeseh is a traditional semolina cake soaked in rose or orange blossom syrup and topped with nuts. It has a soft texture with subtle floral notes. This dessert is often enjoyed as an alternative to Basbousa and is loved for its balanced sweetness.
19. Baseema
Basma is a made with layers of kunafa dough filled with cream and topped with syrup and pistachios. It offers a crispy texture combined with rich creaminess. This dessert is perfect for those who enjoy indulgent and syrup soaked sweets.
20. Ballourieh
Ballourieh features kataifi pastry filled with pistachios and lightly baked before being soaked in syrup. It has a crunchy exterior with a soft, nutty center. This dessert is ideal for those who appreciate crisp textures and aromatic flavors.
21. Znoud El-Sit
Znoud El-Sit are deep fried pastry rolls filled with sweet cream and drizzled with orange blossom syrup. The contrast between the crisp shell and creamy interior makes it a luxurious and festive dessert often served during Ramadan.
22. Sheer Khurma
Sheer Khurma is a creamy vermicelli pudding made with milk, dates, nuts, and spices. It is traditionally prepared during Eid celebrations. The rich milk base combined with the sweetness of dates creates a comforting and celebratory dessert.
23. Aish El-Saraya
Aish El-Saraya is made from bread soaked in syrup and topped with thick cream and pistachios. It has a soft texture and balanced sweetness. This dessert is simple yet elegant, often served at family gatherings.
24. Umm Ali
Umm Ali is an Egyptian bread pudding layered with milk, cream, nuts, and raisins, then baked until golden. It is warm, rich, and comforting. Often compared to bread pudding, it remains one of Egypt’s most beloved traditional desserts.
25. Layali Lubnan
Layali Lubnan is a Lebanese semolina pudding topped with cream, syrup, and pistachios. It has a smooth, delicate texture and mild sweetness. This chilled dessert is easy to prepare and often served at gatherings as a light yet elegant ending to a meal.
26. Balah El Sham
Balah El Sham is a choux pastry dessert fried until golden and soaked in syrup. It is similar to churros but softer inside. This sweet treat is popular for its crisp texture and syrupy coating.
