Walnut Kunafa Rolls (Kataifi Rolls) Recipe

Last Updated On: February 15, 2026 by Aarti

Walnut Kunafa Rolls also known as Walnut kataifi roll or baklava rolls are a popular Middle Eastern sweet food. Shredded filo pastry is filled with cinnamon sugar crushed walnuts and rolled tightly into bite-sized rolls. Butter is smeared generously on these rolls and baked until golden, after being drizzled with sugar syrup, this unique dessert comes to life.

Walnut Kunafa Rolls Recipe

Kataifi is nothing new to many people today due to its popularity and viral recipes spreading over the Internet. One of the viral recipes that made me run to the kitchen and try it was this Dubai chocolate.

Jump to:

I bought a pack of kataifi specifically to make the chocolate. And guess what I made two more recipes using kunafa dough. the first is the walnut roll and the next is the world famous Kunafa.

About Kataifi Walnut Rolls

This recipe is also known as rolled baklava or rolled kunafa. Sometimes also called Greek walnut roll, Baklava roll or Saragli. This is a popular Middle Eastern recipe that is also popular in Lebanon.

Kataifi (pronounced kah-tah-EE-fee) is shredded filo dough also known as shredded phyllo that is used to make these walnut rolls. Kunafa dough smeared with melted butter and filled with crushed walnut sugar cinnamon, rolled into small rolls.

It is baked in a tray and rose and orange blossom scented sugar syrup is poured over it. It’s easily the most addictive dessert of all time.

Similar Recipes

Kunafa rolls are an impressive looking dessert. However, the efforts made are very minimal. You can change the nuts used in this recipe to your liking. Almonds, pistachios are a great choice for these rolls.

And instead of butter, you can use clarified butter (ghee) for a spicier taste. Skip the orange blossom water and use vanilla extract for a subtler scent.

These kataifi rolls are best served fresh out of the oven, if you want to keep them longer, I recommend adding sugar syrup just before serving.

Ingredients

• Kataifi – Kataifi is shredded filo dough also known as shredded phyllo that is used to make these walnut rolls.
• Sugar – sugar is mixed with the filling and used in sugar syrup.
• canary – I like to use toasted walnuts for the filling. Crush the walnuts in a food processor.
• Taste – use orange blossom water and rose water to flavor the sugar syrup.
• Ground Cinnamon – Cinnamon powder is added to walnuts as a flavoring.
• Butter – melt the butter and use enough to bake the kataifi.

---

Step by Step Images

Pre preparation

1) Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (360 degrees F). Grease a baking dish with butter and set aside.

Make the Filling

2) Take crushed walnuts in a bowl, add sugar and cinnamon powder and mix well.

3) Mix very well. This is your filling.

Forming Rolls

4)Take some kunafa cakes, place them vertically and horizontally. Brush generously with melted butter over the cake.

5) Sprinkle with crushed walnuts. You will use about 2 tablespoons of the bean mixture.

6) Start rolling from one side, gather the kunafa dough and roll tightly.

7) roll up from the other side. so the sides are sealed.

8) Roll up tightly into a bite-sized roll. Repeat the same for the other rolls too.

rolls

9) Place on a greased baking sheet. Brush the top with butter.

10) Place in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. While the rolls are baking, make the sugar syrup.

Sugar Syrup

11) Take sugar, water in a pan and boil it. Boil for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly sweet.

12) Turn off the heat, add rose water and orange juice, then stir well. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

Portion

13) Once the rolls are cooked, remove from the oven and pour the syrup over the rolls. Leave it for 5 minutes. Serve hot.

14) Garnish with nuts and serve.

---

Expert Tips

• You can use almonds or pistachios instead of walnuts.
• Use vanilla or cardamom in the syrup to add a floral aroma.
• Kunafa dough tends to dry out when exposed to air, so always cover it with a damp cloth.
• Apart from grilling, you can also air fry them.

Portion

These kataifi rolls are best served fresh out of the oven, if you want to keep them longer, I recommend adding sugar syrup just before serving.

---

General Questions

📖 Get Recipes