NEW DELHI: As the sun sets during Ramadan, families gather to break their fast with dates, water and a nourishing meal. But the Iftar table is incomplete without desserts. Across the Middle East, sweets are not merely indulgences; they are an essential part of the Ramadan experience, offering comfort, celebration and a quick source of energy after long hours of fasting.
Here are eight traditional Middle Eastern desserts that remain favourites during Ramadan.
KNAFEH – A CLASSIC RICH FAVOURITE
One of the most iconic Ramadan desserts, Knafeh features shredded filo pastry layered with soft cheese or cream and soaked in fragrant sugar syrup. Crisp on the outside and gooey at the centre, it is often garnished with crushed pistachios and served warm.
QATAYEF – STUFFED RAMADAN PANCAKES
Closely associated with Ramadan evenings, Qatayef are small stuffed pancakes filled with nuts, sweet cheese or cream. They may be served soft and syrupy or lightly fried for a crisp texture before being drizzled with sugar syrup.
BASBOUSA – AND REVANI – SYRUP-SOAKED SEMOLINA CAKES
Basbousa is a moist semolina cake soaked in sugar syrup and sometimes flavoured with rose or orange blossom water. It is commonly topped with almonds or coconut and cut into neat squares for sharing. Similar to basbousa, Revani is a semolina sponge cake infused with citrus syrup, giving it a lighter, tangy flavour profile. It is popular in several Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries.
MA’AMOUL – FESTIVE FILLED COOKIES
These delicate butter cookies are filled with dates, pistachios or walnuts and shaped in decorative moulds. Ma’amoul is often prepared at home and served with tea or Arabic coffee during Ramadan gatherings.
TUFAHIJA, LAYALI LUBNAN – REGIONAL STARS
Translated as “Lebanese nights,” this dessert consists of semolina pudding layered with cream and flavoured with rose or orange blossom water. It is typically garnished with pistachios and served chilled. A lighter alternative to syrup-heavy sweets, Tufahija features poached apples stuffed with nuts and topped with cream, offering a balanced and elegant finish to the Iftar meal.
LOKMA – QUICK SWEETS WITH BIG FLAVOUR
Lokma are bite-sized pieces of fried dough soaked in syrup. Crisp on the outside and soft inside, they are best enjoyed fresh and warm.
In many Middle Eastern cultures, dessert is not an afterthought but a cherished part of the Iftar ritual. After breaking the fast with water, dates and savoury dishes, families gather around sweet plates that reflect both tradition and celebration, often ending the evening with conversation, laughter and shared moments over these beloved treats.
Whether you prefer the rich texture of knafeh, the crisp sweetness of qatayef, or the simple comfort of syrupy semolina cakes, these Middle Eastern desserts offer a delicious way to honour the spirit and flavours of Ramadan this year.
