Baklava Recipe: Turkish Pistachio Dessert with Crispy Phyllo 2026

Baklava is the most famous dessert in Turkish pastry, and for good reason: delicate layers of phyllo dough brushed with melted butter, packed with ground pistachios, baked until golden, and then soaked in a bright lemon syrup. It's a showstopper that has been gracing sultans' tables and special celebrations for centuries.

Today it remains the star of sweet tables during Ramadan and other festive occasions, and Turkish tradition also reserves it for wedding ceremonies, where the bride's family brings trays of baklava for all the guests. The combination of crispy, buttery layers and nutty filling is simply irresistible.

Making baklava at home is easier than it looks, especially if you use store-bought phyllo dough. The key is to keep the sheets covered so they don't dry out, and to brush every layer generously with butter. The result is a stunning dessert that's perfect with tea or coffee.

Ingredients for Baklava

For 25 servings

• 250 g pistachios (or walnuts, or a combination of both)
• 200 g sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 150 g butter
• 10 sheets phyllo dough (250 g)
• 200 ml water
• Zest and juice of half a lemon

How to Make Baklava Step by Step

1. Grind pistachios and mix with sugar

Using a food processor, grind the pistachios until finely chopped. Set aside one tablespoon for decoration. Add 50 g of sugar to the remaining pistachios and mix well. Reserve the rest of the sugar for the syrup.

2. Add cinnamon

Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the ground pistachio mixture and stir to combine. This completes the filling.

3. Melt the butter

Melt 150 g of butter either in the microwave or in a small saucepan over low heat. Keep it warm for brushing the phyllo sheets.

4. Layer phyllo sheets with butter

In an ovenproof dish, place the first sheet of phyllo; if it's larger than the dish, crumple the edges to fit. Brush the sheet with melted butter. Repeat this process four more times, until you have 5 layers of phyllo in the dish.

5. Add pistachio filling

Spread the pistachio filling evenly over the phyllo layers and press down gently before adding more phyllo.

6. Top with remaining phyllo, cut, and bake

Place another sheet of phyllo over the filling, brush with butter, and repeat with the remaining 4 sheets, brushing the top layer with butter as well. Cut the layered pastry into roughly equal portions (about 25). Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 30 minutes, until golden brown.

7. Make the syrup

While the baklava is baking, prepare the syrup: in a saucepan, combine 200 ml water, the zest and juice of half a lemon, and the remaining 150 g sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 5-6 minutes, until the sugar is completely dissolved.

8. Pour syrup over hot baklava

Remove the baked baklava from the oven and immediately pour the syrup evenly over the entire surface. The hot pastry will absorb the syrup as it cools.

9. Sprinkle with reserved pistachios

Finish by sprinkling the reserved ground pistachios over the top of the baklava.

10. Serve

Allow the baklava to cool completely, then serve in individual portions, accompanied by tea or coffee.

Tips for the Best Baklava

Keep the phyllo covered

Phyllo dough dries out and cracks very easily. Keep the sheets you're not working with covered with a damp towel or plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.

Use lemon juice in the syrup

The lemon juice prevents the syrup from crystallizing, ensuring a smooth, glossy finish. You can also add a little honey or orange blossom water for variation, as some Greek and Arab versions do.

Cut before baking

Cutting the baklava into portions before baking makes it easier to serve later and allows the syrup to penetrate evenly. You can cut it into diamonds, squares, or rectangles.

30 Home Recipes I Keep Coming Back To

Maybe you're the same way — you like having a reliable lineup of cozy comfort dishes, well-known global favorites, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When nothing but something rich will do, I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luxurious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want fruit-forward comfort, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe never disappoints.

Morning meals and lighter plates tend to look like this airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or a bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. For a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, I turn to this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

Some nights I'm after tapas and Mediterranean flavors, and then I cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crunchy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. For occasions that call for a bit more polish, I serve this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe with pride.

Big lunches and slow dinners usually mean this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If appetites run bigger, I'll bake this oven-baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply cozy French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

For a quick lunch or a casual hangout, I'll throw together this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These no-fuss Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make an easy starter or snack.

And when drinks and a whole spread are on the agenda, dinner often comes with this cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this sweet Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like a bowl of this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or this dramatic Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe to finish things off.

Additional Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of trying and tweaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've found that the ones that stick around are simple, built on dependable methods, and full of flavor.

The picks below are the ones I keep circling back to — whether it's a fast solo meal or a spread for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, smooth Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something impressive yet effortless. Another favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When light and easy is what I'm after, I lean on the familiar Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a spot-on Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For fuller comfort fare, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also big on sharing dishes from across the globe, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, golden Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another staple in my rotation since it saves time without sacrificing texture. My regular picks include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

For those steering clear of wheat, my crowd-pleasing Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without gluten.

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