{{Short description|Arab stuffed pancakes}} {{Redirect|Katayef||Outline of kadayif}} {{about||the pastry dough|Kadayif}} {{Infobox food | name = Qatayef | image = قطايف عصافيري2.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = ''Qatayef asafiri'', with cream and nut filling | alternate_name = Yassi kadayif<ref name="turkiyetoday" /> | country = Middle East | region = Egypt, Levant | creator = | course = | type = Dumpling, pancake | served = | main_ingredient = Semolina flour, flour, sugar, yeast<ref name="aljazeera2015">{{cite news |title="القطايف" و"الخروب" عنوان موائد الغزيين في رمضان |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/misc/2015/6/27/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%81-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8-%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B2%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86 |access-date=24 February 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |date=2015 |language=ar}}</ref> | variations = | calories = | other = }} thumb|Assorted qatayef '''Qatayef''', '''katayef''', '''atayef''' or '''qata'if''' ({{langx|ar|قطايف}} {{IPA|ar|qɑˈtˤɑ:jɪf|}}) is an Arabic dessert. It is a type of sweet dumpling filled with cream or nuts, or a filled folded pancake with a thickness similar to a Scottish crumpet. It is prepared by pouring batter onto a hot surface, cooking it on one side, it is then stuffed, folded, and then fried, baked, or eaten fresh.
In many Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan and Egypt, qatayef is regarded as a seasonal specialty tied closely to Ramadan, appearing in markets and bakeries almost exclusively for the duration of the holy month. It is eaten daily after iftar and sometimes at suhoor, making it one of the most anticipated festive sweets of the Ramadan season.<ref>{{Citation |title=List of Tables |date=2005-10-15 |work=From Good King Wenceslas to the Good Soldier Švejk |pages=195–196 |url=https://doi.org/10.1515/9786155053580-005 |access-date=2026-02-24 |publisher=Central European University Press}}</ref>
==Etymology== {{Wiktionary|قطايف|قطائف}} The Arabic word ''qaṭaːyif'' ({{langx|ar|قطايف}}) is derived from the Arabic root ''q-ṭ-f'', meaning to pick up or to pluck.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Freytag |first1=Georg |title=Lexicon Arabico-Latinum praesertim ex Djeuharii Firuzabadiique et aliorum Arabum operibus, adhibitis Golii quoque et aliorum libris, confectum |date=1830 |publisher=C. A. Schwetschke et filium |page=468 |edition=Vol.1 |url=https://archive.org/stream/lexiconarabicola03freyuoft#page/n475/mode/2up}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Badawi |first1=Al-Saïd |last2=Abdel-Haleem |first2=Muhammad |title=Arabic - English Dictionary of Qurʾanic Usage |year=2008 |publisher=BRILL |page=767 |isbn=978-90-04-14948-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mclrIKdye5QC&q=%D9%82%D8%B7%D9%81+to+pluck&pg=PA767}}</ref> In Ottoman Turkish, the name {{lang|tr|yassi kadayif}} ({{lit|flat qatayif}}) came into use to differentiate between ''tel kadayıf'' ({{lit|hair qatayif}}, known as knafeh in Arabic) and the pancake known in Arabic as ''qatayef''.<ref name="isin2013"> {{cite book |last1=Isin |first1=Mary |author1-link=:tr:Priscilla Mary Isin |title=Sherbet and Spice: The Complete Story of Turkish Sweets and Desserts |date=8 January 2013 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-1-84885-898-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Sherbet_and_Spice.html?id=YHj-Mdv432UC |access-date=24 February 2026 |language=en |chapter=Kadayif}} </ref><ref name="sabah2022">{{cite news |last1=Ergil |first1=Leyla Yvonne |title=Turkish desserts that will warm your heart this winter |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/life/food/turkish-desserts-that-will-warm-your-heart-this-winter |access-date=24 February 2026 |work=Daily Sabah |date=18 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="turkiyetoday" />
==History== Although some believe that qatayef originated in the Fatimid Caliphate (909–1171),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://eng-archive.aawsat.com/theaawsat/lifestyle-culture/the-ramadan-experience-in-egypt |title=The Ramadan Experience in Egypt |access-date=2018-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507025216/https://eng-archive.aawsat.com/theaawsat/lifestyle-culture/the-ramadan-experience-in-egypt |archive-date=2019-05-07 }}</ref> their history dates back to the Abbasid Caliphate, 750–1258 CE.<ref>{{cite web |title=The sweet history of Qatayef |url=http://en.royanews.tv/news/14238/2018-05-14 |website=Roya news |access-date=26 August 2018 |archive-date=2018-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517042227/http://en.royanews.tv/news/14238/2018-05-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=In Gaza, Qatayef tradition thrives during Ramadan |url=https://gulfnews.com/news/mena/palestine/in-gaza-qatayef-tradition-thrives-during-ramadan-1.2044327 |website=GULF NEWS |access-date=26 August 2018}}</ref> Qatayef was mentioned in a 10th century Arabic cookbook dating back to the Abbasid Caliphate by Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq called ''Kitab al-Ṭabīḫ'' ({{langx|ar|كتاب الطبيخ}}, ''The Book of Dishes'').<ref name="nasrallah2007">{{cite book |last1=al-Warrāq |first1=Ibn Sayyār |translator=Nawal Nasrallah |title=Annals of the Caliphs' Kitchens: Ibn Sayyār Al-Warrāq's Tenth-century Baghdadi Cookbook |date=Nov 26, 2007 |publisher=BRILL |page=422 |isbn=978-90-04-15867-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dUC-e-l3XM8C&q=making+crepes+with+sugar+Almonds+walnuts+and+pine+nuts |access-date=30 August 2018 |translator-link=Nawal Nasrallah}} </ref> The book also contained a recipe titled "Qatayef that were made for Harun al-Rashid"; an 8th century Caliph (786 – 809).<ref name="salloum2013"> {{cite book |last1=Elias |first1=Leila Salloum |last2=Salloum |first2=Muna |title=The Sweets of Araby: Enchanting Recipes From The Tales Of The 1001 Arabian Nights |date=2 December 2013 |publisher=The Countryman Press |isbn=978-1-58157-180-6 |pages=118-119 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Sweets_of_Araby/V3ZUAwAAQBAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PA118 |access-date=11 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nasrallah2007" />
In Europe, qatayef is mentioned as ''cataif'' in the 13th-century Latin cookbook {{ill|Liber de ferculis|la|Liber de ferculis}}.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Martellotti |first1=Anna |title=Il Liber de ferculis di Giambonino da Cremona: la gastronomia araba in Occidente nella trattatistica dietetica |date=2001 |publisher=Schena |isbn=978-88-8229-272-0 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Il_Liber_de_ferculis_di_Giambonino_da_Cr/6YgSAQAAMAAJ?gbpv=1&bsq=cataif |access-date=27 April 2026 |language=it |trans-title=Giambonino da Cremona's Liber de ferculis: Arab gastronomy in the West in dietary treatises}}</ref> During the 9th century, thin qatayef, then regarded as high quality, where used to wrap a type of marzipan to create ''lauzinaj''.<ref name="oxford2014">{{cite book |last1=Davidson |first1=Alan |title=The Oxford Companion to Food |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-967733-7 |pages=661-662 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RL6LAwAAQBAJ |access-date=24 February 2026 |language=en}}</ref> Medieval Arabic cookbooks typically used crushed almond as filling, one 13th century recipe provided Muhammad bin Hasan al-Baghdadi called for a filling of almond and sugar, and instructed to fry the qatayef in sesame oil after they are stuffed and folded.<ref name="3salloums2013">{{cite book |last1=Salloum |first1=Habeeb |last2=Salloum |first2=Muna |last3=Elias |first3=Leila Salloum |title=Sweet Delights from a Thousand and One Nights: The Story of Traditional Arab Sweets |date=25 June 2013 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-0-85773-341-2 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sweet_Delights_from_a_Thousand_and_One_N/cp-LDwAAQBAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PT99 |access-date=28 April 2026 |language=en |chapter=QATA'IF}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=al-Karīm |first1=Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan Ibn |title=A Baghdad Cookery Book: The Book of Dishes (Kitāb Al-ṭabīkh) |date=2005 |publisher=Prospect Books |isbn=978-1-903018-42-2 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Baghdad_Cookery_Book/Ld0fAQAACAAJ |access-date=28 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
Literary mentions of qatayef are plentiful in medieval Arabic literature, like the works of the poets Ibn al-Rumi, {{ill|Ibn-Hussain al-Jazzar|ar|أبو الحسين ابن الجزار}},<ref name="ultrasawt2021"/><ref name="alarabiya2026">{{cite news |title=على مائدتك في رمضان.. اعرف أصل حكاية القطايف |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/egypt/2026/02/21/%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF%D8%AA%D9%83-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%81-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%AD%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%81 |access-date=24 February 2026 |work=Al-Arabiya |date=21 February 2026 |language=ar |trans-title=On your Ramadan table... Learn the origin of the story of Qatayef}}</ref> and Ibn Nubata.<ref name="ultrasawt2021">{{cite news |title=في مديح القطايف |url=https://ultrapal.ultrasawt.com/%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%81/%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A/%D9%82%D9%88%D9%84 |access-date=27 April 2026 |work=Ultrasawt |date=28 Apr 2021 |language=ar |trans-title=In praise of qatayef}}</ref> 15th century Egyptian author Al-Suyuti wrote a letter titled {{tlit|ar|Manhal al-laṭāyif fī alknāfh wāl qaṭāyif}}, with qatayef mentioned in the title, during a time in which the price of qatayef surged, which was protested by Egyptians.<ref name="alarabiya2026" /><ref>{{cite magazine |script-title=ar:منهل اللطايف فى الكنافة والقطايف |magazine=Al-Hilal |number=4 |date=1 April 2003 |url=https://archive.alsharekh.org/Articles/134/14025/299067 |access-date=24 February 2026 |language=ar}}</ref>
Food historian Gil Marks noted that ''Ibn al-Qataifi'' ({{lit|son of the qatayef maker}}) was a surname of family of Jews in Egypt, highlighting qatayef's popularity.<ref name="marks2010">{{cite book |last1=Marks |first1=Gil |author1-link=Gil Marks |title=Encyclopedia of Jewish Food |date=17 November 2010 |publisher=HMH |isbn=978-0-544-18631-6 |pages=141-142 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Encyclopedia_of_Jewish_Food/gFK_yx7Ps7cC?gbpv=1&pg=PT141 |access-date=27 April 2026 |language=en}}</ref>
An 1844 French-Syrian-and-Egyptian-Arabic by Swedish Orientalist {{ill|Jacob Berggren|sv|Jacob Berggren}} described qatayef being made from a fine flour batter that is poured from a spoon into molds arranged on a pan, then eaten sweetened by honey or grape syrup.<ref name="berggren"> {{cite book |last1=Berggren |first1=Jakob |title=Guide français-arabe vulgaire des voyageurs dt des francs en Syrie et en Égypte: avec carte physique et géographique de la Ssyrie et plan géométrique de Jérusalem ancien et moderne, comme supplément aux voyages en orient |date=1844 |publisher=Leffler et Sebell |page=268 |trans-title=A French-Arabic guide for travelers and Franks in Syria and Egypt: with a physical and geographical map of Syria and a geometric plan of ancient and modern Jerusalem, as a supplement to travels in the Orient |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Guide_fran%C3%A7ais_arabe_vulgaire_des_voyag/9AdHAAAAcAAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PA268&printsec=frontcover |access-date=28 Apr 2025 |language=ar,fr |trans-quote=dough made with the finest flour, well beaten and well kneaded, which is poured with a spoon into molds arranged in a pan, and filled with melted butter or sesame oil: they are then arranged with a kind of iron spatula on a metal tray, and honey or dibs (grape syrup) is poured over them; sometimes a multi-layer pastry is made from it, filled with nuts and flavored with honey }} </ref> In 1935, German Orientalist Gustaf Dalman noted in his book {{lang|de|Arbeit und Sitte in Palaestina}} ("Work and customs in Palestine") that Arabs in Palestine made ''kataif'' from flour, sourdough, and cold water, which were cooked on a pan and stuffed with nuts, and sometimes sent to a bakery to be baked in sesame oil. He compared them to European pancakes.<ref name="dalman1935">{{cite book |last1=Dalman |first1=Gustaf |title=Brot, Ol und Wein |date=1935 |publisher=G. Olms |pages=144-145 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Brot_Ol_und_Wein/a0sJAQAAIAAJ?gbpv=1&bsq=%20Zuckerwasser%20geworfen |access-date=28 Apr 2026 |language=de,ar |trans-title=Bread, Oil and Wine}}</ref>
==Tradition== thumb|Yassı kadayıf, packaged for sale with nigella sativa seeds, Turkey Arab Muslims commonly serve it during the month of Ramadan.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Naanou|first1=Paul|last2=Rhodes|first2=Sam|title=Cultural Connections: Exploring the Mathematics of Qatayef|journal=Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12|volume=113|issue=12|year=2020|pages=1034–1038|issn=0025-5769|doi=10.5951/MTLT.2020.0164|s2cid=230629195}}</ref> Arab Christians, particularly in the Levant, also eat it during some celebrations, like Eid il-Burbara.<ref>{{cite news |title=عيد البربارة: من هي القديسة التي "هربت مع بنات الحارة"؟ |url=https://www.bbc.com/arabic/art-and-culture-55174430 |access-date=23 December 2025 |work=BBC News Arabic |date=3 Dec 2020 |language=ar |trans-title=Saint Barbara's Day: Who is the saint who "ran away with the girls of the neighborhood"?}}</ref><ref name="sbs2023">{{cite news |title="قطايف، قمح مسلوق وضحكات الاطفال": كيف يحتفى بعيد القديسة بربارة من جيل الى جيل؟ |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/arabic/ar/podcast-episode/qatayef-boiled-wheat-and-childrens-laughter-how-is-saint-barbaras-day-celebrated-from-generation-to-generation/umxr7pfn0 |access-date=23 December 2025 |work=SBS |date=4 Apr 2023 |language=en |trans-title="Qatayef, boiled wheat and children's laughter": How is Saint Barbara's Day celebrated from generation to generation?}}</ref> Due to its ubiquity in Muslim communities during Ramadan, some Christians also consume qatayif during the Muslim holy month alongside Muslims.<ref name="kassisNYT" /> The ubiquity of qatayef is attributed to its ease of preparation and the affordability of its ingredients, making it available in areas like the Gaza Strip,<ref name="aa2026"> {{cite news |title="القطايف" تُحلّي مرارة العيش.. غزة تتمسك بطقوس رمضان |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/ar/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AA%D9%8F%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%91%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%83-%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%82%D9%88%D8%B3-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1/3828747 |access-date=18 February 2026 |work=Anadolu Agency |date=2026 |language=ar |trans-title=Qatayef sweetens the bitterness of life... Gaza clings to Ramadan traditions}} </ref><ref name="aj2015">{{cite news |title="القطايف".. حلوى شعبية لفقراء وأغنياء غزة |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/misc/2015/7/11/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%81%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%88%D8%A3%D8%BA%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9 |access-date=24 February 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |date=2015 |language=ar |trans-title=Qatayef: A popular dessert enjoyed by both the poor and the rich in Gaza}}</ref> or during the Lebanese liquidity crisis.<ref name="arabnewslebanon2023">{{cite news |title=Amid soaring inflation, Lebanese look for cheaper alternatives to traditional Ramadan desserts |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2288446/middle-east |access-date=12 April 2026 |work=Arab News |date=17 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
Outside the Arab world, qatayef are a Ramadan staple among Turkish Muslims, they are typically fried and eaten for iftar.<ref name="turkiyetoday">{{cite news |title=Beyond borders: Tracing culinary exchange between Turkish and Arab cultures |url=https://www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/beyond-borders-tracing-culinary-exchange-between-turkish-and-arab-cultures-3205109 |access-date=23 November 2025 |work=Türkiye Today |language=en}}</ref><ref name="aa2017">{{cite news |title=Bayramın vazgeçilmezi 'yassı kadayıf' |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/ramazan-2017/bayramin-vazgecilmezi-yassi-kadayif/847644 |access-date=23 November 2025 |work=Anadolu Agency |date=23 Jun 2019 |language=tr |trans-title=The essential of Eid: 'flat kadayıf'}}</ref><ref name="trt2019">{{cite news |title=Malatya'nın baklavası: "Yassı kadayıf" |url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/yasam/malatyanin-baklavasi-yassi-kadayif-417981.html |access-date=23 November 2025 |work=TRT Haber |date=3 June 2019 |language=tr |trans-title=Malatya's baklava: "Flat kadayıf"}}</ref><ref name="hurriyet2019">{{cite news |title=Malatya'da ramazanın olmazsa olmazı yassı kadayıf |url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/lezizz/galeri-malatyada-ramazanin-olmazsa-olmazi-yassi-kadayif-41207053/4 |work=Hurriyet |date=8 May 2019 |language=tr |trans-title=Flat kadayıf, a must for Ramadan in Malatya}}</ref> ''Yassi kadayif'' ("Flat qatayef") are patented by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office and have a geographic indication for the region of Malatya, the patent specifies that ''yassi kadayif'' is made from 3 different types of flour.<ref>{{cite web |title=MALATYA YASSI KADAYIFI |url=https://ci.turkpatent.gov.tr/Files/GeographicalSigns/59ba4cba-90b9-4bc6-b5e1-dbe6dec68d9a.pdf |website=ci.turkpatent.gov.tr |access-date=23 November 2025 |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Esnafa, Yassı Kadayıf Coğrafi İşaret Tescil Belgesi dağıtıldı |url=https://www.ertv.com.tr/esnafa-yassi-kadayif-cografi-isaret-tescil-belgesi-dagitildi/12632/ |access-date=23 November 2025 |work=ERTV |date=3 October 2022 |language=tr-TR |trans-title=Flat Kadayif Geographical Indication Registration Certificate was distributed to tradesmen.}}</ref>
''Qatayef'' is common during Ramadan in the regional cuisines of Egypt,<ref name="marks2010" /> Palestine,<ref name="kassisNYT" /><ref name="aljazeera2015" /> Lebanon,<ref name="arabnewslebanon2023"/> Jordan,<ref name="TJNA2026" /> Syria,<ref name="marks2010" /> and Turkey.<ref name="sabah2022" />
==Preparation== [[File:Palestinian Qatayef 001.jpg|thumb|150px|Qatayef being cooked on a hotplate, Salfit]] thumb|left|160px|Qatayef is prepared manually by pouring batter onto a hot surface using a utensil. (Nazareth, 2007) Qatayef is the general name of the dessert as a whole and, more specifically, the batter. It is usually made out of wheat or semolina flour, baking powder, water, yeast, and sometimes sugar. The result of the batter being poured onto a round hot plate appears similar to pancakes, except only one side is cooked, then stuffed and folded.<ref name="kassisNYT">{{cite news |author1=Reem Kassis |author1-link=Reem Kassis |title=The Dessert That Tastes Best One Month Out of Every Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/dining/qatayef-ramadan-dessert.html |access-date=2 November 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=29 Mar 2022}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last1=Jeffes |first1=Jane |last2=Mousa |first2=Sally |title=Recipes for Ramadan: Sally Mousa's qatayef (folded pancakes), five ways |url=https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/apr/21/recipes-for-ramadan-sally-mousas-qatayef-folded-pancakes-five-ways |access-date=2 November 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kassis |first1=Reem |title=Qatayef Asafiri (Stuffed Semolina Pancakes) Recipe |url=https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023041-qatayef-asafiri-stuffed-semolina-pancakes |access-date=2 November 2025 |work=NYT Cooking |date=13 Apr 2022}}</ref>
Although some vendors make qatayef manually, machines that automate automate the process exist.<ref name="TJNA2026">{{cite news |title=Qatayef: Ramadan’s Iconic Sweet Preserves Tradition and Popularity in Jordanian Markets |url=https://petra.gov.jo/en/news/qatayef-ramadans-iconic-sweet-preserves-tradition-and-popularity-in-jordanian-markets |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=The Jordan News Agency |date=2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Qatayef, a sweet end to the Ramadan fast |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4681276,00.html |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=Ynetnews |date=18 July 2015 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="AJAR2019"/> The machines work by automatically pouring the batter on a heated conveyor belt then passing them under a set of fans to cool down. Said machines can produce 50 kilograms of qatayef in under an hour.<ref name="AJAR2019">{{cite news |title=بالفيديو: طرق سكب القطايف.. حلوى العائلات الأردنية برمضان |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/lifestyle/2019/5/14/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D9%89 |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |date=2019 |language=ar |trans-title=Video: Ways to pour Qatayef... a Jordanian family dessert during Ramadan}}</ref>
''Qatayef satati'' is deep fried (or baked) pastry filled with either unsalted sweet cheese a mixture of any of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, raisins, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, rose extract, and cinnamon. It is served with a hot sweet syrup or sometimes honey. ''Assafiri qatayef'' ({{lang|ar|قطايف عصافيري}}) is filled with whipped cream or ''qishta'' ({{lang|ar|قشطة}}), folded halfway, and served it with scented syrup without frying or baking.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://egyptian-cuisine-recipes.com/recipes/desserts/qatayef-with-nuts.html|title=Qatayef with nuts قطايف بالمكسرات |website=Egyptian Cuisine and Recipes |access-date=2018-03-14}}</ref><ref name="aj2012">{{cite news |title=القطايف.. الحلوى الرمضانية الأولى بالأردن |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2012/7/23/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%88%D9%84%D9%89 |access-date=24 February 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |date=2012 |language=ar |trans-title=Qatayef...the number one dessert in Jordan}}</ref>
Qatayef was traditionally prepared by street vendors as well as households in Egypt and the Levant. Modern variations, with fillings such as Nutella, are also consumed.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=A5HkylcAkxoC&dq=kunafa+egypt&pg=PA48 Sadat, Jehan (2002). A Woman of Egypt. Simon & Schuster. p. 48.]</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2unDlVK_AzEC&q=kunafa+egypt&pg=PA290|title=The Pure and Powerful: Studies in Contemporary Muslim Society|last=Abu-Zahra|first=Nadia|date=1999|publisher=Ithaca Press|isbn=978-0-86372-269-1|language=en}}</ref>
==In pop culture==
A 2025 Egyptian TV series by {{ill|Sameh Hussein|ar|سامح حسين}} was named ''Qatayef'', in reference to the sweet.<ref>{{cite news |title=قطايف سامح حسين.. اسماً على مسمى بمحتوى مختلف خلق له شعبية |url=https://www.youm7.com/6916402 |access-date=24 February 2026 |work=Youm7 |date=12 March 2025 |language=ar |trans-title=Sameh Hussein's Qatayef... a name that lives up to its meaning, with a unique content that has earned him popularity.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=سامح حسين: تفاعل واسع على مواقع التواصل بـ "قطايف" الممثل المصري |url=https://www.bbc.com/arabic/articles/cj4nzx79w90o |access-date=24 February 2026 |work=BBC News Arabic |date=14 March 2025 |language=ar |trans-title=Sameh Hussein: Widespread interaction on social media with the Egyptian actor's "Qatayef"}}</ref>
===World records===
The Guinness world record for largest piece of qatayef was set in Bethlehem, Palestine, in 2010, and had a mass of {{convert|104.75|kg|lb}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=فلسطين تدخل غينيس مجدداً... |url=https://www.arab48.com/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1/--%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85/2010/08/28/%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%8B-. |access-date=24 February 2026 |date=2010 |language=ar |trans-title=Palestine enters Guinness again...}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stub |first1=Zev |title=Guinness World Records says it stopped taking records from Israel after October 7 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/guinness-world-records-says-it-stopped-taking-records-from-israel-after-october-7/ |access-date=24 February 2026 |work=The Times of Israel |date=3 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Largest qatayef |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-qatayef |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=24 February 2026}}</ref>
== Consumption == Qatayef are the most popular Ramadan dessert in several Arab countries; in Ramadan of 2015, Al Ghad reported that 120 million individual pieces of qatayef were consumed in Jordan, totaling 6 million kilograms, with other Ramadan desserts like asabe Zainab trailing behind.<ref>{{cite news |title=الأردنيون أكلوا 120 مليون حبة قطايف برمضان |url=https://alghad.com/story/417687 |access-date=27 April 2026 |work=Al Ghad |date=2015 |language=ar |trans-title=Jordanians ate 120 million pieces of qatayef during Ramadan}}</ref> One store in Nazareth was reported to sell over 1 ton of qatayef per day in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=(فيديو) الناصرة.. هنا أصل الكنافة الخشنة |url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%B4%D9%86%D8%A9 |access-date=27 April 2026 |work=The New Arab |date=2016 |language=ar |trans-title=(Video) Nazareth... This is the origin of the coarse knafeh}}</ref>
=== Health concerns ===
The high sugar, fat, and calorie content of qatayef has been reported as a cause for health concerns, particularly when fried, in news outlets such as Al Jazeera Arabic,<ref>{{cite news |title=كيف تؤثر حلويات رمضان على الجسم؟ |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/health/2024/4/3/%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AA%D8%A4%D8%AB%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B3%D9%85 |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=Al Jazeera |date=2026 |language=ar |trans-title=How do Ramadan sweets affect the body?}}</ref> CNN Arabic,<ref name="CNNAR2025">{{cite news |title=خطوات بسيطة لتحضير قطايف صحية خلال شهر رمضان |url=https://arabic.cnn.com/science-and-health/video/2025/03/07/v170077-nutrition-tips-batool-ramadan-maamol |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=CNN Arabic |date=7 March 2025 |language=ar |trans-title=Simple steps to prepare healthy qatayef during Ramadan}}</ref> Al Arabiya,<ref name="alarabiya2026health">{{cite news |title=سموم تهدد الصحة.. مختصون: السمبوسك والقطايف خطر على القلب والمعدة |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/egypt/2026/03/04/%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%83-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A8-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9 |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=Al Arabiya |date=5 March 2026 |language=ar |trans-title=Toxins that threaten health... Experts: Samosas and Qatayef are dangerous for the heart and stomach}}</ref> and Asharq Al-Awsat.<ref name="asharq2026">{{cite news |title=طرق صحية لتناول القطايف لمرضى السكري |url=https://aawsat.com/%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%83/5243866-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%81-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B6%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=Asharq Al-Awsat |date=23 Feb 2026 |language=ar |trans-title=Healthy ways to eat qatayef for diabetics}}</ref> These reports advise those with health issues to instead consume qatayef made of whole grain flour, use honey instead of qatir syrup, use a filling of nuts or low-fat cheese over the high-fat qishta, avoid deep-frying, or simply abstain.<ref name="asharq2026"/><ref name="CNNAR2025" />
== Gallery ==
<gallery mode=packed> File:قطايف (1).jpg|Levantine qatayef with syrup, served as a plain pancake or fried after being stuffed. File:Qatayef Palestine.jpg|Home made qatayef, both sides visible. File:قطايف عصافيري من مدينة نابلس.jpg|Contemporary qatayef with Nutella filling. File:120820111234ج.jpg|Folded qatayef, not yet stuffed or fried. File:120820111254ح.jpg|Qatayef, cone-shaped, fried, stuffed with qishta, topped with pistachios and qatir syrup. </gallery>
==See also== {{Portal|Food}} * List of Middle Eastern dishes * List of pancakes * Mandugwa, a similar Korean dessert * Knafeh * Stuffed dates
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==References== {{reflist}}
{{Dumplings}} {{Africa topic |title=African cuisine |prefix=Cuisine of}} {{Cuisine of Egypt}} {{Cuisine of Lebanon}} {{Middle East topic |title=Middle Eastern cuisine |prefix=Cuisine of}} {{Cuisine of the Levant}}
Category:Arab desserts Category:Dumplings Category:Egyptian desserts Category:Iraqi cuisine Category:Jordanian cuisine Category:Lebanese cuisine Category:Palestinian desserts Category:Syrian desserts Category:Stuffed desserts Category:Iftar foods Category:Deep fried foods Category:Middle Eastern cuisine Category:Ramadan