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Türkiye has hundreds of incredible Turkish desserts, many of which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. We thought about listing every Turkish sweet we could think of right now, but 100 just seemed too unwieldy a number to knock out right off the bat. So we trimmed the list down and down until we ended up with 7 traditional Turkish desserts we simply couldn’t leave without telling you about!
If you’ve ever had baklava or Turkish delight, you already know that Turkish cuisine doesn’t play around when it comes to Turkish treats. But trust us, that’s just the tip of the sugar-dusted, syrup-soaked, pistachio-covered iceberg. Whether you’re hopping on cheap flight tickets to Türkiye and tasting them for yourself on board at the Pegasus Café or just dreaming about your next trip, we’re here to guide you through the Turkey dessert scene with 7 must-try Turkish sweets names you won’t forget.
1. Baklava – The King of Turkish Desserts
Baklava – The King of Turkish Desserts Fly into Gaziantep with cheap flights to Gaziantep and you’ll quickly understand why baklava is the undisputed king of Turkish desserts. From the moment you enter one of the city’s famed baklava bakeries, the buttery scent and gleaming trays stacked with pistachio-laced sweets welcome you like royalty. Be sure to grab a box before you head to the airport with your airline flights tickets.
If you leave Türkiye without trying baklava, you’ve done something wrong. This flaky, buttery, pistachio-loaded Turkish pastry dessert is soaked in syrup and comes in endless varieties—classic, chocolate-dipped, or stuffed with clotted cream. You’ll find the best Turkish dessert baklava in Gaziantep, the city that literally owns the patent on it.
2. Künefe: Cheese, Syrup, and Rooftop Magic in Antakya
That first bite into kunefe is always the best. The crisp golden crust gives way to a molten center of gooey cheese, soaked in syrup and topped with crushed pistachios. It’s hot, sweet, and just a little salty—and in that moment, on a rooftop in Antakya, you realize you’ve never had anything quite like it before.
This isn’t just dessert. It’s ritual. Follow our Antakya travel guide through narrow backstreets to a family-run spot where the pans sizzle and the tea never stops flowing. Wondering how to find cheap flights? Start there—and then book cheap flights to Hatay for a journey that ends not with a full stomach, but with a full heart.
3. Lokma – The Turkish Donut Holes
The first one disappears almost too fast—hot, crisp, dripping with syrup. You reach for another before the sugar even settles on your fingertips. You’re wandering through the buzz of Kemeraltı Bazaar in İzmir, the scent of frying dough and cinnamon trailing you like a memory in the making. This is lokma—a classic Turkish sweet, and the kind of treat that turns an ordinary stroll into something unforgettable.
You don’t need a reservation or a restaurant—just cheap flights to Izmir, a bit of curiosity, and our Izmir travel guide to steer you toward the best cart on the block. Lokma isn’t just dessert—it’s street-side joy, a bite-sized welcome into the heart of Turkish cuisine. Wander the streets of this seaside beauty and you’ll spot vendors all over. Get the smallest serving in any one and polish them off as you wander on to the next!
4. Aşure – Noah’s Pudding
There’s something deeply moving about being in Türkiye during the month of Muharrem, when neighbors and families prepare and share bowls of aşure—also known as Noah’s Pudding—with everyone from shopkeepers to strangers on the street. Book your airline flights tickets, grab an Istanbul flight ticket, and immerse yourself in this beautiful communal tradition that reflects the heart of Turkish cuisine. Known as the oldest Turkish dessert, Aşure or Noah’s Pudding is a hearty blend of grains, fruits, and nuts. It’s traditionally made during Muharrem month – the first month of the Islamic calendar, starting in late June in the year 2025 – and symbolizes unity, community, and abundance.
5. Güllaç – Silk, Rosewater, and Sweet Memories
It’s just after iftar in Türkiye. The streets are alive with conversation, glowing lanterns sway gently in the night air, and the scent of fresh bread still lingers from the evening rush. You sit down, full but content, and someone brings over a chilled plate of Güllaç—layers of paper-thin starch sheets soaked in rosewater-scented milk and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds or crushed pistachios. Light, floral, and utterly refreshing, it’s exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
This isn’t just a Turkish sweet—it’s a tradition. Served almost exclusively during Ramadan in Türkiye, Güllaç is part of what makes the month feel so magical. You’ll find it in homes, bakeries, and iftar buffets from Istanbul to Gaziantep. Whether you’re exploring the country through the lens of Turkish cuisine or simply soaking up the communal joy that fills the evenings, tasting Güllaç during Ramadan isn’t just dessert—it’s part of belonging.
Planning a trip during this special season? Be sure to look up how to find cheap flights and consider cheap flight tickets to Türkiye to catch the beginning of Ramadan (it’ll be in late February in 2026). There’s truly nothing like Türkiye under crescent moonlight, with Güllaç waiting at the end of the meal.
6. Orcik – The Sweet, Chewy Delight of Elazığ
There’s something unforgettable about biting into a stick of orcik as you wander the lively bazaars and old stone streets of Elazığ. This beloved local treat—made by threading walnuts onto string and dipping them into thick, velvety grape molasses—is more than just a snack; it’s a bite of Eastern Anatolia’s soul. You’ll find it hanging in clusters in shop windows, its glossy coating catching the sunlight, beckoning passersby with its rich, earthy aroma.
Orcik is especially popular during harvest season, when families across the region prepare batches using traditional methods passed down through generations. It’s chewy, slightly tangy, and just sweet enough to keep you coming back for more—perfect for nibbling as you take in the view of Hazar Lake or sip tea near the historic Harput Castle.
If you’re looking to taste a tradition rooted in the land and loved by locals, Elazığ is the place. Book your airline flights tickets, search for cheap flight tickets to Elazığ, and get ready to experience one of Türkiye’s most underrated culinary treasures—right where it began.
7. Lokum – Turkish Delight, Because Of Course
Wander the endless halls of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, dodging lantern vendors and spice traders, and pause for a piece of lokum handed to you by a cheerful shopkeeper. You’ll understand why Turkish sweets have such staying power. Flying in? Don’t forget your Istanbul flight ticket, and let our Istanbul travel guide lead you through the maze of tastes, colors, and stories that make lokum such a timeless Turkish treat. The most famous of all Turkish sweets, Lokum is chewy, fragrant, and endlessly varied. Whether flavored with rose, lemon, or nuts, this Turkish pastry is a must-buy if you’re planning to explore the Grand Bazaar.
