Chebakia Honey & Sesame Flower Pastry
Moroccan chebakia (mkharqa) is the time-honoured queen of Ramadan sweets: an intricately folded pastry fried in oil and dipped in natural honey flavoured with orange-blossom water, saffron and cinnamon, then covered in toasted sesame. It has a high glycemic index (clinically reviewed estimate ≈72) and is an energy-and-sugar bomb that calls for great caution.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
One small piece is quite enough to taste the traditional flavour on special occasions, after a complete protein meal; avoid eating it every day at iftar.
Best preparation methods
For a healthier homemade version, bake chebakia instead of deep frying, and finish with a light brush of honey and sesame rather than a deep soak.
Important Nutritional Note
Strict clinical warning: the combination of deep frying, a concentrated honey soak and white flour raises blood sugar and triglycerides very sharply.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (30 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 420 kcal | 126 kcal |
| Protein | 6.5 g | 1.9 g |
| Carbohydrate | 62 g | 18.6 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 58.8 g | 17.6 g |
| Fat | 16 g | 4.8 g |
| Dietary fibre | 3.2 g | 1 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
Among the foods in Sweets & desserts with a glycemic index (27), it ranks 25 (lowest first).
Smart alternatives from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Can someone with diabetes eat chebakia during Ramadan?
It is best avoided; if you want a taste, have half of a very small piece after iftar and count about 9 g of fast sugars.
How many calories are in one medium chebakia (30 g)?
One piece contains about 125 kcal, 2 g of protein, 5 g of fat and around 19 g of carbohydrate and pure sugars.
Does chebakia have any health benefit?
The sesame, aniseed and ground almonds in the dough provide calcium and aromatic oils, but the sugar and frying outweigh these benefits.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.