Make one of Greece’s top 3 most popular desserts at home!
These Greek Kataifi Rolls are a delightful dessert made with shredded kataifi dough, filled with a spiced walnut mixture, and soaked in a fragrant honey syrup. Crispy on the outside and sweetly spiced on the inside, they’re a perfect treat for any occasion!
Kataifi rolls are one of my all-time favorite desserts. It goes into that category with baklava and galaktoboureko. They’re the top three desserts in Greek pastry shops. The kataifi makes a big mess, and if you’re a neat freak like me, it will kick up your anxiety when you see shredded kataifi pastry everywhere. However, the rolls are pretty simple to make, and they’re worth every bit of the work and clean-up.
Why are these among the top 3 Greek desserts?
Cinnamon, clove spiced
Sweet, orange nuttiness
Crispy, buttery,
Soft, syrupy kataifi!
What do I need to make these rolls?
Kataifi dough -Thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and bring it to room temperature before using. Don’t remove the kataifi until you’re ready to use it to prevent the strands from becoming brittle. Cover the unused dough with a damp kitchen towel while working with it to keep it pliable and easy to handle.
Unsalted butter -melted to brush over the kataifi before filling and rolling it. Generously butter each layer of the dough to ensure crisp, golden rolls. Melted butter can also be brushed onto the baking dish to prevent sticking.
What’s in the filling?
Walnuts -I throw them in the food processor and pulse until finely ground. Substitute ground almonds, pistachios, or a mix of nuts for the walnuts to suit your taste.
Sugar -use granulated white or pure cane sugar so it melts into a delicious gooey filling while baking.
Panko breadcrumbs -I like that they soak up all the delicious syrup in the end, but you can use biscuits or ground cookies for this if you prefer.
Orange juice -or lemon juice to get the filling to stick together and make it easier to roll into the kataifi pastry.
Ground cinnamon -adds the perfect amount of warm spice and pairs so well with walnuts.
Ground cloves -the sweet spice that combines with cinnamon to create a delicious baklava-inspired flavor.
What do I need for the syrup?
Honey -adding the honey thickens the syrup and creates a much more flavorful syrup.
Sugar -granulated sugar works best, and white or pure cane both work perfectly.
Water -melting sugar into water is the basic recipe for simple syrup, but we’re going to add tons of flavor.
Cinnamon sticks -you can add these whole so they can spice the syrup, and you can pull them out before pouring the syrup over the rolls.
Orange peel -or lemon peel. Whichever you use as a juice to keep flavors consistent. I use a vegetable peeler to remove the peel and leave the bitter pith.
Orange juice -or lemon juice would work as a citrus, too. Use what you have or prefer.
Pure vanilla extract -be sure to use a good quality, great tasting extract because the caramel flavor enhances the syrup.
How do I make the syrup?
In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, orange/lemon peel, and juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract and honey, and let the syrup cool completely.
How do I make the filling?
In a bowl, combine the ground walnuts, sugar, breadcrumbs, orange or lemon juice, cinnamon, and cloves.
What do I do to prepare the kataifi dough?
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Gently unroll the kataifi dough and separate it into 3–4 inch wide strips. Keep the dough covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.
How do I assemble the rolls?
Brush each strip of dough generously with melted butter. Place a small amount of the walnut filling at one end of the strip. Roll tightly, tucking the filling inside as you go. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
How long do I bake the kataifi rolls?
Arrange the rolls snugly in a buttered baking dish. Brush the tops with more melted butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 40–50 minutes or until golden and crisp.
When do I add the syrup?
Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot rolls. Let them absorb the syrup for at least 1 hour.
How do I serve kataifi rolls?
Serve the kataifi rolls at room temperature, garnished with extra chopped walnuts if desired. You can even drizzle extra honey and top it with extra nuts when serving for an elegant touch! I like the rolls just as they are with a hot cup of coffee, but if you serve them with ice cream, you’ll definitely have some takers.
How do I store kataifi rolls?
Kataifi rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Avoid refrigeration as it may affect their texture.
Can I reheat leftover rolls?
If needed, reheat in the oven for a few minutes to refresh their crispiness.
Do you have more kataifi pastries?
Kataifi Squares: The Lazy version of classic Kataifi Rolls
Pistachio Kataifi Tarts with Semolina Custard
Kataifi Nests: The Perfect Greek Make-Ahead Dessert
Watch the Video:
Greek Kataifi Rolls
These Greek Kataifi Rolls are a delightful dessert made with shredded kataifi dough, filled with a spiced walnut mixture, and soaked in a fragrant honey syrup. Crispy on the outside and sweetly spiced on the inside, they’re a perfect treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 1 package kataifi dough (1 pound), completely thawed out and at room temperature.
- 1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 1 cup ground walnuts
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup orange juice or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Syrup:
- 2 cups honey
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 and 1/2 cups water
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- orange peel or lemon peel
- 1/4 cup orange juice or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the Syrup:
- Combine sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, orange/lemon peel, and juice in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract and honey and let the syrup cool completely.
Make the Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the ground walnuts, sugar, breadcrumbs, orange or lemon juice, cinnamon, and cloves.
Prepare the Kataifi Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Gently unroll the kataifi dough and separate it into 3–4 inch-wide strips. Keep the dough covered with a damp towel to prevent drying.
Assemble the Rolls:
- Brush each strip of dough generously with melted butter.
- Place a small amount of the walnut filling at one end of the strip.
- Roll tightly, tucking the filling inside as you go. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
Bake:
- Arrange the rolls snugly in a buttered baking dish. Brush the tops with more melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40–50 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Add the Syrup:
- Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot rolls. Let them absorb the syrup for at least 1 hour.
7. Serve:
- Serve the kataifi rolls at room temperature, garnished with extra chopped walnuts if desired.
Notes
Thaw Kataifi Dough Properly:
- Thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight and bring it to room temperature before using. This prevents the strands from becoming brittle.
Prevent Drying Out:
- Cover unused dough with a damp kitchen towel while working to keep it pliable and easy to handle.
Customize the Filling:
- Substitute ground almonds, pistachios, or a mix of nuts for the walnuts to suit your taste.
Syrup Consistency:
Make the syrup first and let it cool completely. Hot rolls and cold syrup help the dessert absorb the syrup evenly.
Butter is Key:
Generously butter each layer of kataifi dough to ensure crisp, golden rolls. Melted butter can also be brushed onto the baking dish to prevent sticking.
Storage:
Kataifi rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Avoid refrigeration as it may affect their texture.
Reheat Syruped Rolls:
If needed, reheat in the oven for a few minutes to refresh their crispiness.
Serving Idea:
Drizzle extra honey or sprinkle with crushed nuts when serving for an elegant touch! Serve with ice cream.
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