Best Turkish Wafer Brands Available in the US
If you grew up in Turkey, the sound of a wafer wrapper crackling open is muscle memory. Turkish wafers are the country's most exported sweet — light, layered, and almost always paired with afternoon tea or coffee.
Now most of these brands ship reliably to the United States, and the lineup is bigger than you might think. Here is a guided tour of the wafers worth your shelf space.
What Makes Turkish Wafers Different?
Turkish wafers tend to be lighter and crispier than European or American versions. The cream layers are usually thinner, the wafer sheets are more delicate, and the chocolate coating — when there is one — leans toward a milkier, less bitter profile.
Most are sold in single-serve sizes, designed to be eaten with çay (Turkish black tea), kahve (Turkish coffee), or a glass of cold milk after school.
1. Ulker — The Heavyweight Classic
Ulker is the most recognizable Turkish snack brand worldwide, and their wafers are the country's gold standard.
- Ulker Çikolatalı Gofret — Five layers of crisp wafer, light cocoa cream, and a milk chocolate coating. The classic.
- Ulker Albeni Çubuk — A wafer-and-caramel bar dipped in chocolate, somewhere between a Twix and a Kit Kat with a Turkish accent.
- Ulker Hanımeller Çikolatalı Gofret — A more delicate, fancier version with thinner wafers and richer chocolate.
If you only buy one box for the cupboard, this is the safe pick — consistent quality and a familiar flavor for almost everyone.
2. Sarelle — The Hazelnut Specialist
Sarelle is Turkey's hazelnut authority. Turkey grows around 70% of the world's hazelnuts, and Sarelle is one of the brands closest to the source.
- Sarelle Hazelnut Wafer — Wafer layers with thick hazelnut cream, often coated in milk chocolate. The hazelnut flavor is real, not artificial.
- Sarelle Bitter (Dark) Wafer — A slightly less sweet version with darker chocolate that pairs beautifully with espresso.
If you love Nutella, Sarelle's wafer is the snackable, portable cousin you have been missing.
3. Bifa — The Tea-Time Pick
Bifa is the brand for understated, cookie-shop wafers and biscuits — less chocolate, more delicate texture, perfect with tea.
- Bifa Petibör (Petibeurre) Tea Biscuits — Not a wafer in the strict sense, but the most-paired biscuit with Turkish tea.
- Bifa Vanilyalı Gofret — Classic vanilla cream wafer, lightly sweet, easy on the palate.
- Bifa Çikolatalı Gofret — A more affordable everyday chocolate wafer, lighter than Ulker's.
Bifa is the brand for people who want a snack that does not overwhelm a cup of tea.
4. Belotti and Other Premium Imports
Some Turkish gourmet shelves also carry Belotti vanilla wafers and similar light, crispy wafers from boutique manufacturers. These tend to be airier and less sweet — a great option for coffee breaks where you want crunch without a sugar rush.
How to Pick the Right Wafer
| You want… | Reach for… |
|---|---|
| The classic, "I remember this from childhood" flavor | Ulker Çikolatalı Gofret |
| A serious hazelnut hit | Sarelle Hazelnut Wafer |
| A sophisticated bittersweet pairing for espresso | Sarelle Bitter or Ulker Hanımeller |
| Something light to eat with a glass of black tea | Bifa Petibör or Belotti Vanilla |
| A lunchbox snack the kids will actually eat | Ulker Albeni or Sarelle Wafer |
What to Drink With Each Turkish Wafer
The drink in your hand changes the wafer experience completely. A few classic Turkish pairings to try:
- Black tea (çay) — pairs with almost everything, but especially Bifa Petibör and lighter vanilla wafers
- Turkish coffee — small cup, intense, perfect with a hazelnut Sarelle or a piece of Ulker Hanımeller
- Espresso or americano — leans toward dark, bittersweet wafers (Sarelle Bitter, dark chocolate Ulker)
- Cold milk — the after-school classic, ideal with Ulker Çikolatalı Gofret or Albeni
- Hot chocolate — turn dessert into a small event with a hazelnut wafer on the side
- Sparkling water — surprisingly clean palate cleanser between bites of richer wafers
Once you start pairing intentionally, a 50-cent wafer feels like a small luxury rather than a vending-machine snack.
A Quick Word on Storage
Wafers do not love humidity. Once a multi-pack is opened, transfer the rest into a sealed container or zip bag — even one humid day will turn a crisp wafer chewy.
If your kitchen runs warm, the chocolate coating may bloom (turn slightly white). It is harmless and the wafer is still fine to eat — just store somewhere cooler next time.
Build Your Turkish Snack Box
A good starter assortment to introduce a friend to Turkish snacks:
- 1 box Ulker Çikolatalı Gofret (the classic)
- 1 box Sarelle Hazelnut Wafer (the hazelnut showcase)
- 1 box Bifa Petibör (the tea biscuit)
- 1 box Ulker Albeni (the lunchbox bar)
That covers every mood from afternoon tea to midnight craving.
Browse the full Turkish wafer and biscuit selection — Ulker, Sarelle, Bifa, Belotti and more — with fast US shipping at TG Gourmet.