Firnee is a traditional dessert that is believed to have originated in India, where it is known as phirni. Afghan firnee is usually made with cornstarch (instead of ground rice in the Indian version) that is cooked in a mixture of milk and sugar, and just like Indian phirni, it is typically flavored with aromatic spices such as cardamom, saffron, and rose water.

The traditional version calls for sprinkling the dessert with finely ground pistachios, but these days it is often enriched with pieces of seasonal fruit, dried fruit, or coconut flakes. Similarly to Indian phirni, Afghan firnee is also traditionally prepared for special events and festivities such as weddings and religious holidays like Ramadan and Eid.

In Afghanistan, rose water-flavored and banana-flavored firnee are the two favorite versions of this sweet treat.