1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Crunchy Baklavas

Sweet Honey Walnut Baklavas

Featured in Sweet bites of pure joy.

This baklava recipe creates a mouthwatering oriental dessert with thin filo layers, a trio of nuts, and honey syrup. Great for special gatherings.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:26:47 GMT
A dessert made with filo dough, stuffed with nuts and pistachios, topped with sweet syrup. Pin it
A dessert made with filo dough, stuffed with nuts and pistachios, topped with sweet syrup. | Tasteofsavor.com

Baklava holds a special place in Mediterranean pastry-making traditions. This delicate dessert combines layers of crisp filo pastry with a rich nut filling, all enhanced by aromatic honey syrup. The following recipe has been carefully refined to create the perfect balance of textures and flavors.

The Art of Selecting Nuts

The signature taste of baklava comes from its carefully chosen nuts. A blend of pistachios, almonds, and walnuts creates an intricate flavor profile. Each nut should be coarsely chopped to maintain texture variation - avoid grinding too finely as larger pieces add character to each bite.

Essential Ingredients

  • Filo pastry: 1 package, fresh and pliable
  • Butter: 250g, slowly melted
  • Walnuts: 100g, coarsely chopped
  • Almonds: 100g, lightly toasted
  • Pistachios: 100g, unsalted
  • Sugar: 300g, for syrup
  • Honey: 3 tablespoons, floral variety
  • Water: 150g, filtered
  • Vanilla: Pure extract

Step-by-Step Method

Preparing the Base
Preheat oven to 200°C. Cut filo sheets to fit your baking dish. Brush each layer generously with melted butter using a soft pastry brush.
Adding the Filling
Layer the chopped nuts between the buttered filo sheets. This step requires patience to ensure even distribution.
Cutting and Baking
Score the surface into diamond shapes. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
Preparing the Syrup
Simmer sugar, honey and water until slightly thickened. Add vanilla off heat for subtle fragrance.
Final Assembly
Pour cooled syrup over hot baklava. The temperature difference ensures proper absorption.

Finishing Details

Garnish with finely crushed pistachios before serving. The vibrant green adds visual appeal and an extra layer of crunch. Baklava can be served slightly warm or at room temperature for maximum enjoyment.

Un plat rond contenant des triangles de baklava brillants garnis de morceaux de noix et de pistaches. Pin it
Un plat rond contenant des triangles de baklava brillants garnis de morceaux de noix et de pistaches. | Tasteofsavor.com

Professional Tips

Always pour cool syrup over hot baklava for optimal texture. Orange blossom water can be added to the syrup for traditional Middle Eastern flavor. Use a sharp chef's knife for clean cuts. Store in an airtight metal container to maintain freshness for several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do you store baklavas?
You can keep baklavas for about 2 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. Make sure it's in a dry place.
→ Can you freeze baklavas?
Baklavas freeze well for up to 3 months. Store them in a sealed container and thaw at room temperature before serving.
→ Why is there a difference in syrup temperature?
Pour cold syrup over warm baklavas so they soak it up better. The temperature contrast helps keep the layers crispy.
→ Can I swap out the nuts?
Of course! Pick your favorite nuts. Pecans, hazelnuts, or cashews work wonderfully.
→ Why isn’t my baklava crispy?
The crunch factor depends on buttering properly and baking long enough. Make sure each layer is brushed with butter and baked until golden.

Crunchy Baklavas

A timeless baklava recipe stacked with filo dough, filled with nuts, and soaked in honey syrup. A perfect balance of crispy and sweet.

Prep Time
45 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Yield: 12 Servings (24 pieces)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 One pack of phyllo dough sheets.
02 200 grams of pistachios.
03 200 grams of almonds.
04 200 grams of walnuts.
05 250 grams of salted butter, melted.
06 300 grams of sugar.
07 3 tablespoons of honey.
08 150 milliliters of water.
09 Your choice of flavoring (like citrus, rose, cinnamon, vanilla, or orange blossom).

Instructions

Step 01

Chop the nuts (almonds, walnuts, and pistachios) into pieces. Leave them chunky for extra crunch in your baklava.

Step 02

Cut your phyllo sheets so they fit into your baking pan. Brush melted butter onto every layer. Build it up this way: 10 buttered sheets, a layer of nuts, 5 buttered sheets, another nut layer, 5 more buttered sheets again, a final nut layer, and then top it all off with 10 more buttered sheets.

Step 03

Slice the baklava into squares or diamonds. Toss it in the oven at 200°C for about 20 minutes or until it turns golden brown.

Step 04

Simmer honey, sugar, water, and the flavoring of your choice on the stove for 15–20 minutes. It’s ready when it thickens slightly. Cool it down before using.

Step 05

Pour your completely cooled syrup over the freshly baked, hot baklava to soak everything evenly.

Step 06

Sprinkle chopped pistachios or almonds on top for extra flair.

Notes

  1. Baklava is a beloved dessert from the Middle East, often enjoyed at parties and festive occasions.
  2. That perfect bite comes from the contrast between the cold syrup and piping hot baklava.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking dish.
  • Oven.
  • Pastry brush.
  • Saucepan.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios).
  • Dairy products (butter).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 285
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
  • Protein: 6 g