Knafeh French Toast!

A large portion of the world is in love with knafeh, and I’m no different. This Palestinian treat is transformed and modernized in this video to create a delicious and quicker brunch or dessert option that is perfect for the family to get involved in! The french toast comes out crunchy, buttery, not overly sweet but still decadent. HEAVENLY. Not to mention you don’t need to make an entire tray!

I hope you give this a try and when you do, don’t forget to share with me on Instagram (@thebitewithjackie)

Ingredients:
For the French Toast
2-4 slices brioche bread (or double the amount of regular sliced white bread – you’d need 2 for each French toast if using this)
4 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into large chunks
4 oz sweet cheese, cut into large chunks (can be found at Middle Eastern or Arabic stores in the frozen section)
1 cup knafeh dough, cut into small pieces (can be found at Middle Eastern or Arabic stores in the frozen section)
¼ – 1/3 cup samneh, ghee or butter
Crushed unsalted pistachios for garnish (optional but highly recommended)

For the (Attar) Simple Syrup
¼ cup granulated sugar
2-3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

Directions:
Start by making the attar (simple syrup). In a small, non-stick sauce-pan by adding the sugar and water. Give it a quick stir to mix the sugar with the water, then place it on medium high head. Let then mixture come to a boil and the bring it down to a simmer and let it sit for just a few minutes until it thickens. Remove it from the heat and add in the lemon juice. Set aside.

Mix about 3 teaspoons of samneh or butter with the knafeh dough and combine well so all the dough is saturated. Set aside.

In a small food processor, combine the mozzarella and sweet cheese until ground and mixed. Set aside.

If using brioche bread, cut a small slit in the middle of the edge of the bread, this will create a small pocket where we can stuff the bread with the cheese mixture. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into the pocket and push slightly to seal. (If using regular sliced bread, place a touch of samneh or butter on the edges of the bread so it can seal, and place the same amount of cheese mixture in the middle of the bread. Place the other slice on top.

Prepare a small skillet on medium heat with about a teaspoon of samneh or butter.

Place about 1 teaspoon of samneh or butter on one side of each of the bread. Add a handful of the knafeh dough mixture to the buttered side of the bread and push down slightly so it adheres.

Place the filled French toast in the skillet knafeh side down and cook until golden brown and crispy. Spread another teaspoon of samneh or butter on the other side of the French toast facing you and add more of the knafeh mixture. Once the first side is golden brown, flip and cook the other side until the same color and texture is achieved.

Remove from heat and onto a plate, sprinkle on the pistachios and drizzle the simple syrup up on top. Enjoy!! Sahtein!

Knafeh French Toast!

This Palestinian treat is transformed and modernized to create a delicious and quicker brunch or dessert option that is perfect for the family to get involved in! 

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Ingredients

  

For the French Toast

• 2-4 slices brioche bread or double the amount of regular sliced white bread – you’d need 2 for each French toast if using this
• 4 oz fresh mozzarella cut into large chunks
• 4 oz sweet cheese cut into large chunks (can be found at Middle Eastern or Arabic stores in the frozen section)
• 1 cup knafeh dough cut into small pieces (can be found at Middle Eastern or Arabic stores in the frozen section)
• ¼ – 1/3 cup samneh ghee or butter
• Crushed unsalted pistachios for garnish optional but highly recommended

For the (Attar) Simple Syrup

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

 

• Start by making the attar (simple syrup). In a small, non-stick sauce-pan by adding the sugar and water. Give it a quick stir to mix the sugar with the water, then place it on medium high head. Let then mixture come to a boil and the bring it down to a simmer and let it sit for just a few minutes until it thickens. Remove it from the heat and add in the lemon juice. Set aside.
• Mix about 3 teaspoons of samneh or butter with the knafeh dough and combine well so all the dough is saturated. Set aside.
• In a small food processor, combine the mozzarella and sweet cheese until ground and mixed. Set aside.
• If using brioche bread, cut a small slit in the middle of the edge of the bread, this will create a small pocket where we can stuff the bread with the cheese mixture. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the cheese mixture into the pocket and push slightly to seal. (If using regular sliced bread, place a touch of samneh or butter on the edges of the bread so it can seal, and place the same amount of cheese mixture in the middle of the bread. Place the other slice on top.
• Prepare a small skillet on medium heat with about a teaspoon of samneh or butter.
• Place about 1 teaspoon of samneh or butter on one side of each of the bread. Add a handful of the knafeh dough mixture to the buttered side of the bread and push down slightly so it adheres.
• Place the filled French toast in the skillet knafeh side down and cook until golden brown and crispy. Spread another teaspoon of samneh or butter on the other side of the French toast facing you and add more of the knafeh mixture. Once the first side is golden brown, flip and cook the other side until the same color and texture is achieved.
• Remove from heat and onto a plate, sprinkle on the pistachios and drizzle the simple syrup up on top. Enjoy!! Sahtein!

Keyword Knafeh French Toast!