Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Bars with Chex (No-Bake, Easy)
This viral Dubai pistachio chocolate bar recipe gives you all the exotic Middle Eastern flavors without the fuss! Crunchy Chex cereal creates the perfect gluten-free base for creamy pistachio-tahini filling with maple syrup, topped with silky chocolate for a no-bake dessert that mimics trendy Dubai bars with easier ingredients.
You know those viral Dubai pistachio chocolate bars everyone’s been talking about? I’ve created an easier version that gives you all those amazing Middle Eastern flavors without hunting down specialty ingredients like kataifi phyllo dough and pistachio cream! My no-bake Chex version uses crunchy cereal as the perfect base for a creamy pistachio-tahini filling, topped with just enough chocolate to make each bite absolutely perfect.
I started making these when my husband kept requesting “that green chocolate thing from TikTok,” but I wanted something simpler that used ingredients already in my pantry. Now my family asks for these pistachio chocolate bars weekly because they satisfy those sweet-savory cravings while being naturally dairy-free and lower in sugar than the original versions you’ve seen online.
Why You’ll Love This Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Bar Recipe
- Quick no-bake dessert: These bars come together in minutes with zero oven time, perfect for hot summer days or last-minute gatherings.
- Budget-friendly alternative: Uses accessible Chex cereal instead of specialty phyllo dough while maintaining that signature crunch everyone loves.
- Customizable sweetness: Control the sugar level with natural maple syrup that complements the nutty pistachio flavor perfectly.
- Crowd-pleasing treat: The combination of creamy pistachio filling and rich chocolate topping wins over both kids and adults every time.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make viral Dubai chocolate bars with pistachios and Chex:
Corn Chex Cereal: Creates the perfect crispy, crunchy base that mimics the traditional phyllo texture. I’ve tried both Rice Chex and Corn Chex, and honestly both work great! No Chex? You could even crush up some graham crackers for a different but still yummy base.
Pistachios: These little green gems give these bars their signature flavor and color. I buy mine already shelled to save time, but you could swap with almonds in a pinch – just know the flavor will shift a bit.
Maple Syrup: I love using real maple syrup here – it adds this amazing depth that white sugar just doesn’t have. Honey works great too if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
Cashew Butter: This is my secret weapon! It adds creaminess without overwhelming the pistachio flavor. I’ve made these with almond butter when I ran out of cashew, and they were still delicious.
Tahini: Just a tablespoon gives these bars that authentic Middle Eastern vibe. If you don’t have tahini, you can use all cashew butter, though you’ll miss some of that distinctive flavor that makes these bars special.
Coconut Oil: Helps everything set up properly in the fridge. I use refined coconut oil so there’s no coconut taste competing with the pistachios. If you don’t mind dairy, butter works too!
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash makes everything taste better! I’ve forgotten this a couple times and the bars were still good, but that little hint of vanilla really does make a difference.
Salt: Don’t skip this! It balances the sweetness and makes the pistachio flavor pop. I like using flaky sea salt on top too – that little bit of crunch and salt burst is amazing.
Chocolate Chips: Use whatever kind you like best! I usually go with semi-sweet, but dark chocolate makes these feel extra fancy, and milk chocolate makes them more kid-friendly.
White Chocolate Chips: These are just for that pretty drizzle on top. Totally optional, but they do make the bars look more like the fancy Dubai ones you see online.
Easily Adapt This Recipe for Any Diet
This recipe is naturally easy to tweak! Follow these simple swaps to make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan while keeping the same great texture and flavor.
Gluten-Free: The recipe is naturally gluten-free as written when using Corn or Rice Chex cereal.
Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the recipe completely dairy-free. Many brands like Enjoy Life or Hu Kitchen make excellent options.
Vegan: Ensure your chocolate chips are vegan-friendly (no milk ingredients), and the recipe is naturally vegan as written.
💡 Pro Tip: If you try a substitution, let us know how it worked in the comments!
How to Make My Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Bar Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions that are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Prepare the Pistachio Filling
Add 1/4 cup pistachios to a food processor or chopper cup with an immersion blender. Pulse until finely chopped, but not completely powdered. Add 2 tablespoons cashew butter, 1 tablespoon tahini, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 pinches of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
Step 2: Prepare the Chex Base
Place 2 cups of Corn Chex cereal in a sandwich bag and gently crush with your hands or a rolling pin until broken into small pieces but not completely pulverized. Transfer the crushed Chex to a mixing bowl.
Step 3: Combine and Shape
Pour the pistachio mixture over the crushed Chex cereal and fold together with a spatula until well incorporated and every piece is coated. Line a 4×8-inch bread pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan using the back of a measuring cup or your fingers.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate Layer
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1/3 cup chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons coconut oil. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth. Pour over the pistachio Chex layer and spread evenly with a spatula. Tap the pan gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
Step 5: Decorate and Set
For the optional white chocolate drizzle, melt 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips with a small amount of coconut oil. For a green color similar to authentic Dubai chocolate bars, add a touch of oil-based green food coloring, 1/4 teaspoon spirulina powder, or a combination of spirulina and a dash of turmeric. Drizzle over the chocolate layer in a zigzag pattern. Sprinkle with additional chopped pistachios and a few pinches of coarse salt if desired.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or in the freezer for 30 minutes until completely set. Once firm, lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and slice into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife. For clean cuts, wipe the knife between slices.
Expert Recipe Tips
Don’t overprocess the Chex: You want texture in these bars, so keep some pieces slightly larger for that authentic crunch that makes these Dubai chocolate bars so special.
Line your pan properly: Use parchment paper with overhang on at least two sides so you can easily lift the entire bar out after setting, which makes for much cleaner cutting.
Temperature matters for chocolate: If your melted chocolate seems too thick, add a tiny bit more coconut oil. If it’s too thin, add a few more chocolate chips and stir until smooth.
Oil-based food coloring: If you decide to use green food coloring in the white chocolate, be sure to use oil-based, not water-based, or the white chocolate will seize and become brittle.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Warm mint tea pairing: I serve these pistachio chocolate bars with fresh mint tea for an authentic Middle Eastern dessert experience. You’ll love how the mint brings out the nutty pistachio flavors.
- Ice cream topping: Crumble one bar over vanilla ice cream for a next-level dessert. This combination of cold, creamy ice cream with the crunchy, nutty bars creates an amazing texture contrast.
- Yogurt parfait: Chop a bar into small pieces and layer with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey. I love this for breakfast because it feels indulgent while still being nutritious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you love chocolate and pistachios? Check out more of my easy pistachio recipes:
- Dubai Pistachio Brownies (Easy, Gluten-Free Chex)
- Pistachio Cookies (Easy, Gluten-Free, Chocolate Chip)
- Pistachio Muffins (Protein, Almond Flour, Chocolate Chips)
- Pistachio Chocolate Protein Smoothie with Cottage Cheese
- Pistachio Chocolate Ice Cream (High-Protein, No Churn)
Dubai Pistachio Chocolate Bars with Chex (No-Bake, Easy)
Ingredients
- 2 cups Corn Chex cereal
- 1/4 cup pistachios (peeled)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon tahini butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 pinches salt
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Optional Green Chocolate Drizzle:
- 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
- 4 drops oil-based green food coloring
Instructions
- Add 1/4 cup pistachios to a food processor or chopper cup with an immersion blender. Pulse until finely chopped, but not completely powdered. Add 2 tablespoons cashew butter, 1 tablespoon tahini, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 pinches of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Place 2 cups of Corn Chex cereal in a sandwich bag and gently crush with your hands or a rolling pin until broken into small pieces but not completely pulverized. Transfer the crushed Chex to a mixing bowl.
- Pour the pistachio mixture over the crushed Chex cereal and fold together with a spatula until well incorporated and every piece is coated. Line a 4×8-inch bread pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan using the back of a measuring cup or your fingers.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1/3 cup chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons coconut oil. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth. Pour over the pistachio Chex layer and spread evenly with a spatula. Tap the pan gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
- For the optional white chocolate drizzle, melt 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips with a small amount of coconut oil. For a green color similar to authentic Dubai chocolate bars, add a touch of oil-based green food coloring, 1/4 teaspoon spirulina powder, or a combination of spirulina and a dash of turmeric. Drizzle over the chocolate layer in a zigzag pattern. Sprinkle with additional chopped pistachios and a few pinches of coarse salt if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
Thanks so much for this version of the famous Dubai bars. I’ve never had the real bar, but these are delicious. I did have Dubai chocolate gelato last week in a small town in IL. It was delicious, so I was determined to try your version of bars. I did splurge and add a thin layer of chocolate on bottom of pan first. I didn’t have the size pan you said, so I divided mine between 2 smaller pans, resulting in thinner bars, but still delicious. Like another commenter, I used a touch of matcha for coloring the white chips. To cut sugar, I used Lily’s dark and white chocolate chips.
Hi Tari, thank you so much for sharing this with me!! I’m glad you were able to improvise with the pan sizes 🙂
Such a clever recipe! We enjoyed these very much. The chex tastes surprisingly like the phyllo dough.
Thank you for the review, Syd!
This worked exactly as written, thanks! Was looking for the easy way out to taste that new “trend” . My whole family loved it. Have to start again. Many thanks
Hi Andrea, thank you so much for the review!! I’m so glad your family enjoyed them 🙂
These are like healthy rice crispy bars, my teen son ate all of them, that’s how good they are!
Hi Holly, thank you for the review! 🙂
My only mistake was not making a double batch!!! These are delicious!!
Haha…I’ve had the same problem, too 🙂
Well these are a keeper!! Good luck only eating one 🙂
Thank you for the review, Aileen! We love them, too 🙂
Well I made a batch this morning and wow are they good. So easy and so delicious. The Matcha worked great as a natural green colouring for the white chocolate drizzle. They taste incredible. I had to put them straight back in the freezer or I would have eaten more. 😋x
Hi Virginia, thank you for sharing your matcha swap for the green food coloring 🙂
The chex mix is brilliant. They turned out really crunchy and I didn’t have to hunt down the phyllo dough. Great recipe!!
Thank you for the review, Anna! 🙂
I can’t stop eating these!!! They are so good!
Haha…I know the feeling, Beni!! Thank you for the review 🙂
I can’t wait for you to try this easy recipe! I had so much fun creating it 🙂