Ktefa Recipe: The Best Crispy & Tasty Moroccan Pastry

Ktefa Recipe Or Milk Bastilla is a traditional pastry in Lebanon and all of the cuisines of the Levant. The dough is typically made with a mixture of all-purpose flour and semolina, some milk and oil added.

The dough is rolled out into thin layers to make large braided loaves that can be up to four feet long. Ktefa is baked in a wood-fired oven and cut into slices to be served as a breakfast dish or an hors d’œuvre.

This crispy and tasty Moroccan pastry is best enjoyed hot from the oven, with a glass of milk for dunking.

Ktefa is one of the most popular pastries in Morocco and Egypt; its first cousin is Kuzbara from Syria.

Ktefa Recipe Or Milk Bastilla

Prepare Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Serving Size: 4-6 people

Ktefa Recipe Ingredient:

  • Semolina or All-purpose flour 500 grams or 1.1 lbs or 8 cups
  • Salt 1 tsp (optional)    
  • Oil 3 tbsp
  • Cinnamon powder 1 tsp
  • Milk 1 cup
  • Olive Oil for cooking the pastry,
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Sugar 1 cup (to sprinkle on the dough before you fry)

Safety Instructions: Be sure to check with the manufacturer about the safe use of other types of vegetable oils.

Corn oil, Palm oil, or Olive oil will not work – never use this type of vegetable oil for this purpose, as it can quickly break down and create a free-radical food source for your body.

Recipe Instructions:

  • Mix the semolina with a little salt in a big bowl. 
  • Add the oil, cinnamon powder, and milk and mix until you get a smooth mixture.
  • Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius, 350 F, or Gas mark 6.
  • Lightly grease your baking tray with vegetable oil or olive oil and put half of the pastry dough in it.
  • Make sure that your pastry is spread out and not stuck together because it will make it hard to roll out later on. 
  • Sprinkle some sugar over the dough and fold it towards you to form a ridge-like you see in the picture above.
  • As you see above, make several folds in the middle of the ridge to make a nice square shape.
  • Put the dough on your greased baking tray and bake for 25 minutes
  • Let it cool down completely before cutting it. Serve with milk if you want to drink it hot. Or turn it into a cutting board, cut it into small pieces, and serve as hors d’œuvre.

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving:

NutritionAmount
Calories420  
Fat (grams)9  
Protein (grams)20  
Carbohydrate (grams)61  
Sugars0  
Fiber6
Compound Carbs3.2
Sugar Alcohols0.4

Is Ktefa Healthy For You?

Ktefa is high in mono and polyunsaturated fats.

Fats are essential for the body and help it absorb important vitamins that it needs to stay healthy.

Fatty acids also provide insulation for our internal organs and keep us warm. Fats also help our bodies produce hormones and encourage healthy hair, skin, and nails.

But too much fat can be bad for you, so it’s best to watch your fat intake.

There are a total of 16 calories in one cup of Ktefa.

Ktefa Recipe
Ktefa Recipe

One cup is not a lot, but if you add the fact that there are 9 grams of fat and 20 grams of carbohydrates, you start to understand that Ktefa is more than just a delicious pastry.

This dessert can easily become part of your breakfast or snack if you’re trying to lose weight. Ktefa has 8 grams 2f carbohydrates per serving, which makes it a healthy way to start your day or an amazing addition to lunchtime. Just make sure you know how to eat it properly because all carbs are not created equal.

Ktefa is made out of semolina and all-purpose flour, which means that it is a complex carbohydrate.

Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest than simple carbohydrates and proteins.

This means that you will feel fuller for longer when you eat Ktefa.

In addition, Ktefa contains low levels of saturated fats and cholesterol, making it a healthy option for your heart.

The Bottom Line

Ktefa is a delicious pastry that has a long history behind it. It is eaten by people in countries near and far. Kids and adults alike love it. Ktefa can easily be made into several different dishes, which makes it the perfect breakfast food, dessert, or even hors d’œuvre.

In summary, Ktefa is delicious across the globe, and consumption of this traditional food can enhance your health and wellness if you know how to cook it properly.

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Author & Recipe Developer at Naznin's Kitchen
Hello! I'm Naznin Aktar, the food enthusiast and recipe developer at Naznin's Kitchen. Want to turn everyday ingredients into extraordinary dishes? Explore Naznin's Kitchen for a collection of recipes that are sure to inspire your inner chef and delight your loved ones.
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