Kadayif

For a topical guide, see Outline of kadayif.

Kadaif, kadayif, kataifi, kadaifi, katayef or kataïf (Arabic: قطايف) is a type of shredded filo strands, used in the cooking of many Middle Eastern pastries and desserts, including the Arabic knafeh and Turkey's tel kadayıf.^[1][2][3] It is also used as an ingredient in Dubai chocolate, which became internationally popular in 2024.^[4] Kadayif looks like fine noodles, similar to vermicelli,^[3] cooked and optionally fried.^[5][6]

Kadayif strands, used for preparing different desserts, including knafeh and tel kadayıf.

Kadayif is subject to Turkish standard 10344/T3^[7] as a semi-processed (baked) water and flour mix product,^[8]

The word kadayıf in Turkish cuisine might designate multiple products, from the actual confections to unfinished intermediate products like dough^[9] and flour, that are used to make these specific noodles.^[10]

Production of kadayif

The noodles are made on an oversized rotating griddle, onto which the batter made of kadayif flour, based on wheat, is poured through a sieve with small holes. Kadayif noodles are then packaged into boxes (typically about 1 pound in weight), and sold in refrigerated or frozen form. ^[10]

The noodles are also known as kadayif noodles, string kadayif, wire kadayif, tray kadayif, tel kadayif,^[11][3] the last three names are also used for finished desserts.