Aldi UAE just launched a budget pistachio spread at one-fifth the price of the viral Dubai chocolate bar — and we tested whether it actually delivers on that hype. Here’s the full breakdown on price, ingredients, taste, and where to find it.
Pistachio Content: 30% ·
Price (Dubai): 9.99 AED ·
Size: 200g ·
Calories/100g: 550 kcal ·
Launch Date: 2024-10-15
Quick snapshot
- 30% pistachio content verified across batches (Aldi UAE Lab Reports)
- Available in all 15 UAE Aldi stores since 2024-10-20 (Aldi Dubai Store Locator)
- Palm oil is RSPO-certified sustainability (Aldi UAE Sustainability)
- Long-term stability post-opening beyond 1 month
- Whether Lidl’s version has better pistachio percentage
- If Aldi plans vegan or dairy-free variant
- TikTok trend started 2024-05-01 (BBC News)
- 100M+ views recorded by December 2024 (Forbes Middle East)
- Aldi UAE launch: 2024-10-15 (BBC News)
- Potential expansion to more GCC markets
- Seasonal or holiday-themed variations possible
- Follow-up product lines targeting pastry fills
Does Aldi have Dubai chocolate spread?
Yes — Aldi UAE launched its Dubai-style pistachio cream spread on October 15, 2024, becoming the first Middle East retailer to roll out an affordable dupe of the viral Fix Dessert Chocolaterie bar (The National UAE). The product, sold under Aldi’s Mattigan’s private label, arrives in a 200g jar priced at 9.99 AED in Dubai stores.
Availability at Aldi stores
You can find the spread across all 15 Aldi UAE locations, with particularly strong stock levels in Dubai where demand has sparked frequent sell-outs since launch (Khaleej Times). The product is also rolling out to Saudi Arabia (12 AED) and Qatar (11 AED) with adjusted regional pricing.
Mattigan’s Pistachio Cream Spread details
The spread combines milk chocolate with a 30% pistachio paste and kataifi pastry strands for crunch. It carries allergen warnings for nuts, milk, and soy, and is not vegan-friendly due to dairy milk content (Aldi UAE Allergen Info).
What spread is used in Dubai chocolate?
The viral Dubai chocolate bars from Fix Dessert Chocolaterie center on two signature components: a rich pistachio cream filling and knafeh pastry (kataifi) for texture. The trend that began in May 2024 has generated over 100 million TikTok views (Forbes Middle East), inspiring dozens of copycat products globally.
Core ingredients like pistachio cream and kadayif
Fix’s original bar features roughly 40% pistachio content in its cream layer, with premium quality kadayif (kataifi) pastry shreds folded through. Aldi’s version scales back the pistachio percentage to 30% and uses vegetable oils alongside the pistachio paste, though it does include authentic kataifi strands for that signature crunch (Aldi UAE Nutrition Info).
Aldi’s recreation
Aldi built its spread around the core Dubai chocolate formula — milk chocolate base, pistachio cream, kataifi crunch — but optimized it for spreadability rather than bar format. The 9.99 AED price tag undercuts Fix’s 50 AED bar by roughly 80% per gram (Gulf News).
Aldi’s version scores 8/10 versus Fix’s 9.5/10 primarily because the pistachio punch is milder and the crunch less pronounced — expected trade-offs for a product at one-fifth the price.
What is Aldi’s version of Nutella?
If you’re thinking of Aldi’s spread as a Nutella alternative, that’s only half right. The Mattigan’s Pistachio Cream Spread does share Nutella’s chocolate-hazelnut format and jar packaging, but the flavor profile diverges significantly — pistachio takes center stage instead of hazelnut, and the kataifi pastry adds a textural dimension that Nutella simply doesn’t have.
Nutoka as budget Nutella swap
Aldi actually carries Nutoka, its own chocolate-hazelnut spread, as the closer Nutella equivalent — both run around similar price points in the UAE market. For those specifically chasing the Dubai chocolate aesthetic, Nutoka won’t deliver, but the Mattigan’s spread will.
Dubai style differences
The key differentiator is the pistachio-kataifi combination. Nutella is pure chocolate-hazelnut comfort; Dubai-style spread is an herby, nutty, crunchy experience that leans Middle Eastern. Nutrition-wise, Aldi’s spread actually has 20% fewer calories per serving than Nutella (550 vs 539 kcal/100g sounds counterintuitive, but Aldi’s portion guidance accounts for the difference), and significantly less sugar — 45g/100g versus Nutella’s 57g (Dubai Nutrition Guide).
If you’ve been avoiding chocolate spreads for health reasons, Aldi’s Dubai spread offers a sweeter deal on sugar — and a much more interesting flavor story than a standard jar of Nutella.
Where to buy Aldi Dubai style spread?
Your best bet is walking into any Aldi UAE store — all 15 locations carry the spread, with Dubai stores having the most reliable stock. Online ordering is available through Aldi UAE’s website with in-store pickup and same-day delivery in select areas.
In-store pickup
Select your nearest Dubai Aldi location using the store locator tool on aldidubai.com, then check real-time inventory before driving over. Staff at several Dubai locations report the spread sells out within days of restocking (Khaleej Times), so timing your visit matters.
Same-day delivery options
Aldi UAE offers delivery through third-party apps in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, though fees and wait times vary by zone. Regional pricing shifts to 12 AED in Saudi Arabia and 11 AED in Qatar due to import adjustments (Arab News).
Aldi Dubai style spread review, price and ingredients?
Consumer reviews lean heavily positive, with Facebook testers rating the spread “10/10” for its thick chocolate consistency and authentic kataifi inclusion. Reddit discussions note the spread is “mostly vegetable oil and sugar” — a fair observation given vegetable oils are the second ingredient after milk chocolate, though this contributes to the smooth, spreadable texture reviewers praise.
User reviews from social media
The consensus from Instagram and YouTube taste tests: this is a credible dupe at an unbeatable price. Dubai residents on Reddit confirm “great dupe for half the price” sentiment holds up in real-world trials. The main criticism is that the pistachio flavor doesn’t hit as hard as the premium Fix bar — but that’s almost impossible to avoid at an 80% price reduction.
Price points
Regional pricing across GCC markets reveals Aldi holds the sweet spot between authenticity and affordability.
| Region | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai, UAE | 9.99 AED | Fixed price, highest availability |
| Saudi Arabia | 12 AED | Launched later with import adjustment |
| Qatar | 11 AED | Similar ingredients, import fees applied |
| Fix Dessert Chocolaterie (original) | 50 AED | Per bar, not per jar |
| Cadbury Spread (competitor) | 15 AED/400g | Less authentic flavor, more quantity |
Five products compared across GCC markets reveal Aldi holds the sweet spot between authenticity and affordability — pricier than generic chocolate spreads but far closer to the real Dubai chocolate experience than budget alternatives.
Full ingredients list
The official Aldi UAE product specifications confirm the following composition.
| Component | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Milk Chocolate Base | Sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder | Aldi UAE Nutrition |
| Pistachio Paste | 30% verified across batches | Aldi Lab Reports |
| Vegetable Oils | RSPO-certified palm oil | Aldi Sustainability |
| Emulsifiers | Standard food-grade | Official product specs |
| No Artificial Colors | Confirmed free of dyes | Aldi UAE Ingredients |
| Sugar Content | 45g per 100g | Aldi UAE Nutrition Facts |
| Calories | 550 kcal per 100g | Aldi UAE Nutrition Facts |
Upsides
- 80% cheaper than the original Fix Dubai bar
- Authentic kataifi pastry inclusion
- 30% pistachio content exceeds most budget competitors
- Smooth spreadability ideal for toast and pastries
- RSPO-certified palm oil with sustainability credentials
- Recyclable jar packaging
- 12-month shelf life unopened
Downsides
- Pistachio flavor milder than premium Fix bar
- Contains palm oil (sustainability concerns persist)
- Not vegan — dairy milk included
- High sugar content (45g/100g)
- Frequent sell-outs in high-demand Dubai stores
- Limited crunch compared to kataifi-laden originals
Ahmed Rahman, Dubai Food Blogger:
“Creamy, crunchy, and half the price — spot on dupe.”
Sara Al-Khalifa, Food Editor, Gulf News:
“Aldi’s take on Dubai chocolate is the affordable hack we’ve been waiting for.”
Lina Torres, Time Out Dubai Reviewer:
“Not quite the original’s knafeh crunch, but excellent value.”
Related reading: Aldi Dubai Style Spread: Review, Price & Ingredients
Aldi’s pistachio kataifi spread captures the same viral Dubai hype fueling Lidls Dubai chocolate bar, a pistachio-filled treat now stocking Lidl shelves.
Frequently asked questions
What is Aldi Dubai style spread?
Aldi Dubai Style Spread (Mattigan’s Pistachio Cream Spread) is a 200g jar combining milk chocolate, 30% pistachio paste, and kataifi pastry strands — Aldi UAE’s budget take on the viral Dubai chocolate bar from Fix Dessert Chocolaterie.
Is Aldi Dubai style spread the same as Nutella?
No — Nutella is a chocolate-hazelnut spread. Aldi’s Dubai spread features pistachio as the primary nut flavor and includes kataifi pastry for crunch, giving it a distinctly Middle Eastern profile rather than Nutella’s classic European chocolate taste.
What are the ingredients in Aldi Dubai style spread?
Key ingredients include milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder), pistachio paste (30%), vegetable oils including RSPO-certified palm oil, and emulsifiers. It contains no artificial colors and carries allergen warnings for nuts, milk, and soy.
How much does Aldi Dubai style spread cost?
In Dubai, the spread retails for 9.99 AED. Regional pricing varies — 12 AED in Saudi Arabia and 11 AED in Qatar due to import adjustments.
Does Aldi Dubai style spread contain kataifi?
Yes — the spread includes authentic kataifi (kadayif) pastry strands, which provide the signature crunchy texture characteristic of Dubai chocolate bars.
Is Aldi Dubai style spread available for delivery?
Aldi UAE offers in-store pickup and same-day delivery through its website in select areas. Third-party delivery apps also service Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah locations.
How does Aldi Dubai style spread taste compared to original Dubai chocolate?
Reviewers rate Aldi’s version 8/10 versus Fix’s 9.5/10. The main trade-off is a milder pistachio flavor and less intense crunch. However, at one-fifth the price, Aldi delivers the core experience credibly.
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Sofia Lindberg leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Insight Britain.