If you are a foodie like me, than researching all of the best Jordanian desserts and Arabic sweets to try while in Jordan is a must! These desserts go well with an arabic coffee or mint tea at any time of the day!
Baklava
The most well known dessert, Baklava is enjoyed in many countries around the world, including Jordan. It is covered in syrup or honey, typically layered with filo dough and nuts. It can be found in restaurants, bakeries and street food stalls throughout Jordan!
Burma
Burma is a shredded wheat roll, stuffed with pistachios and drizzled with syrup. If you haven’t noticed, sweet syrup is a common feature of many Jordanian dishes.
Kunafa / Knafeh / Kanafeh
Kunafa or knafeh is a popular Arabic dessert that can be found in Jordan. It consists of melted cheese topped with a pastry or shredded wheat topping, then soaked in sweet syrup. It is usually sold by weight and is heavily addictive.
There are two types of knafeh, most easily explained in English as “soft” or “rough.” One is topped with shredded wheat (kheshna) and the other is topped with semolina (na’ma).
If you love Jordanian sweets, try both and see which one you like better.
The most popular knefeh in Amman will be found at Habibah in downtown Amman. Situated in a tiny alley, you will likely find the alley packed with locals and tourists, enjoying their dessert with a foam plate and plastic fork.
Qatayef
Qatayef is a traditional Jordanian dessert not to be skipped! It is popular during Ramadan due to its crescent shape. It is a pancake-type dough that is stuffed with nuts, fried and drizzled with sugar syrup or honey.
Halva
Halva can be found at any meal, you are likely to have seen it at the breakfast buffet of your hotel or on a street food cart in Jordan. It has simple ingredients, tahini, and sugar, and can vary in sweetness. Other flavors, such as nuts and chocolates can be added to the mixture before it sets.
Halva has a crumbly texture and is a popular Jordanian sweet that you can find all over the country!
Warbat
Warbat is a popular (and tasty) type of baklava. It is layers of filo stuffed with cream and drizzled with sweet syrup. Visit any sweet shop in Amman to have a taste of Warbat. Jabri Sweet Shop, a popular bakery, has locations all over Amman selling this delicious treat.
Helbeh (Fenugreek Cake)
Found in bakeries, Helbeh is a dessert packed with healthy ingredients. Made with semolina and fenugreek, it contains protein and vitamins. After baking, like other Jordanian desserts, syrup is poured over it to sweenen the taste.
Because fenugreek helps increase milk production for nursing mothers, this dish is often a gift for a new mother!
Jordanian Desserts Wrap Up
Jordanians love a sweet treat. You will often see them pulling candies from their pockets and generously offering to anyone around them. When they buy sweets, they buy a lot to share! Even if you are full, locals will insist you have just one more piece! So pack your appetite when you come to Jordan.
If you are looking to try some of these sweets or learning more about the local food culture in Amman, consider joining our food tour of Amman.
