Qatar has made significant progress from the past to the present, and because of its popularity among tourists, it has adapted to the culture of other countries. The culinary culture and cuisine of Qatar are not exempted from this trend and have experienced various changes over time. Qatar’s famous sweets are one of the main features and attractions of this country.
If you like exciting and attractive sweets and desserts, be sure to take a look at the list of Top 10 Sweets to Taste in Qatar and see how Qatari sweets can become your favorite.
Which Is the Most Tasty Sweet in Qatar?
One of the most delicious sweets in Qatar is called Esh asaraya. This dessert consists of a layer of cream cheese on a crunchy biscuit base, generously drizzled with a sweet syrup. Esh asaraya is popular for its perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures, along with a soothing sweet taste. It is a popular choice among locals and visitors who often enjoy it at celebrations and festive occasions in Qatar.
What is the Queen of Arabian Sweets?
“Queen of Arabic sweets” refers to the traditional dessert known as Baklava. This sweet pastry is made from layers of thin pastry filled with chopped nuts such as walnuts, almonds, or pistachios and sweetened with honey or syrup.
Baklava is popular throughout the Arab world for its rich, sweet taste and soft, flaky texture. This sweet is often served on special occasions and gatherings as a symbol of hospitality and cultural pride.
Delicious Qatari Sweets
Qatar is famous for its traditional cuisine, from delicacies to street snacks and desserts. In addition to its unique tourist attractions, this country has a rich culinary menu and many tempting desserts. Qatari sweets and desserts are known globally. In the following, we introduce the best Arabic sweets in Qatar:
1. Lugaimat
Lugaimat, if not the best dessert in Doha, is definitely one of the best. This sweet is one of the famous desserts of Qatar, which is mostly prepared during the month of Ramadan. Lugaimat, which looks like a donut, is sure to win over anyone who enjoys Bamia (okra).
Its ingredients include flour, milk, butter, saffron, and sugar, which is made into a paste and is made into small round balls. Then, they are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Lugaimat usually has a soft interior with a slightly crispy exterior that is soaked in sweet syrup after frying.
2. Umm Ali
In countries like the UAE and Qatar, there is rarely an occasion when you do not see Umm Ali as a dessert. Umm Ali is one of the simplest and most popular Qatari desserts available across the country for everyone to enjoy.
Its ingredients usually include raisins, dried fruits, sweets, almonds, etc., resulting in a deliciously sweet combination. Umm Ali is often served in ceremonies and holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, and its roots go back to Egypt. This sweet is known as one of the most famous sweets in Qatar and other Arab countries.
3. Baklava
Baklava can be found in any Qatar sweets shop. Although Baklava originally has Ottoman and Turkish roots, it is also known as one of the famous sweets of Qatar. Of course, Baklava is a popular dessert throughout the Middle East. However, the methods of preparing it are slightly different in various countries, which leads to the unique variation of Baklava in each region.
Qatari Baklava usually has layers of filo pastry filled with pistachios and almonds, which are all coated with sweet syrup at the end of preparation.
4. Aish El-Saraya
Without a doubt, one of the best Arabic sweets in Qatar is Aish El-Saraya. This tasty sweet is one of the famous desserts of Qatar, which is known for its easy preparation and its Qatari origin. This delicious food is similar to a cake and is made from ingredients such as nuts, milk, bread, sugar, rose water, and cream.
Aish El-Saraya is particularly popular among Iranians because of its saffron and rose water. Although popular throughout the Middle East, this dessert stands out for its simplicity and pleasant taste. To prepare it, a liquid mixture of these ingredients is poured over bread crumbs and usually eaten with tea or other drinks.
5. Basbousa
Basbousa is one of the traditional and popular Arab desserts that is often served after celebrations and gatherings. Basbousa has a sweet and delicious taste like cake. Like many Arabic sweets, it contains a variety of nuts and is prepared by cooking a mixture of semolina flour and coconut powder.
After cooking, thick and sweet syrup is poured on it, and it is ready. The best way to enjoy Basbousa is with Arabic coffee or tea and you can find it in many restaurants in Doha and Qatar.
There are different types of Basbousa cakes, which are often brewed with rose water and saffron, and their distinct aroma and unique taste are their characteristics.
6. Kunafa
Once you try Qatari Kunafa, you will surely fall in love with it. Kunafa is one of the famous desserts in Qatar and is served in many restaurants in this country. Although Kunafa has its roots in Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, its unique taste has made it popular among Arabs as well.
Kunafa consists of crushed pastry with goat’s milk cheese, and the dough used is made from shredded filo dough called kataifi. It is cooked with saffron and finally garnished with a generous amount of pistachio powder.
7. Khanfaroosh
If you want to experience the authentic flavors of Qatari sweets, we suggest you try Khanfaroosh once. Khanfaroosh, also known as Khunfroosh, unlike many Qatari desserts, has a very sweet taste and goes wonderfully with tea.
Khanfaroosh is prepared from ingredients such as sugar, dough mixture, flour, eggs, cinnamon, saffron, and rose water. Then, it’s decorated with powdered sugar or honey. Khanfaroosh is a famous Qatari sweet that is often served at the Iftar table during Ramadan.
If you want to experience the authentic flavors of Qatari sweets, we recommend trying Khanfaroosh once. Khanfaroosh, also known as Khunfroosh, offers a delicately sweet taste, unlike many other Qatari desserts, and it pairs wonderfully with tea.
Khanfaroosh is made from ingredients such as sugar, dough mixture, flour, eggs, cinnamon, saffron, and rosewater. It’s then garnished with powdered sugar or honey. Khanfaroosh is a famous Qatari sweet often served during Ramadan on the Iftar table.
8. Muhallabia
Muhallabia is one of the popular desserts of Qatar, which is famous among many Arabs. Similar in appearance to pudding, Muhallabia is made from creamy milk, rose water, and cardamom. It is usually decorated with dry fruits and ready to serve.
Many Arab countries also offer this dessert in prepackaged form, making it an ideal afternoon snack. Muhallabia is an Arabic-Turkish dessert with a taste similar to rice pudding.
9. Qatayef
Qatayef is a must-try dessert in Qatar and is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. Originally a pancake, Qatayef is filled with various nuts and cheeses and then baked until golden brown. While it can be baked, it is usually fried and served hot with honey or sugar syrup.
You can find this famous dessert in Souq Waqif and several other sweet shops across Qatar. Qataif is made from semolina and thick cream and served in a cone filled with unsalted cheese.
10. Rez b Haleeb
Rez b Haleeb is one of the best Qatari desserts, which is basically a Lebanese rice pudding made of only three main ingredients: sugar, milk, and rice. This dessert is often served at dawn during the holy month of Ramadan, but it can also be eaten every day for breakfast. Adding orange blossom increases its taste.
Rez b Haleeb is nutritionally rich, with a serving for four servings of about 386 calories, 6 grams of saturated fat, 13 grams of protein, 54 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 359 milligrams of calcium, and vitamins A and C.
Final Word
Qatari sweets and desserts are undoubtedly one of the attractions of this country. Many of the desserts we introduced in this article are popular among tourists from all over the world. Therefore, if you are interested in getting to know the food culture and cuisine of Qatar, we recommend that you try the desserts we mentioned.
From syrupy Luqaimat to creamy Muhallabia, each pastry offers a unique taste experience that reflects Qatar’s culinary heritage. Enjoying these treats will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also give you a deeper understanding of the traditions and flavors that make Qatari cuisine so special.
Are you planning to travel to Qatar? Check out our Qatar tours, and Qatar transit tours.
