Homemade Baklava – Traditional, Crispy & Fragrant

Prep Time: 30 min
Rest Time: 1 hour
Bake Time: 30 min
Difficulty: Medium
Cost: Affordable

Flaky, golden, and soaked in aromatic syrup, baklava is a true treasure of Middle Eastern pastry. This indulgent dessert, made from layers of filo dough, crushed nuts, and honey, delivers an explosion of textures and flavors in every bite.

Want to make authentic homemade baklava that rivals your favorite pastry shop? This step-by-step recipe ensures perfect results every time.

Ingredients (Serves 6)

For the baklava:

  • 200g (1 ½ cups) walnuts

  • 200g (1 ½ cups) almonds

  • 50g (⅓ cup) pistachios (optional)

  • 150g (⅔ cup) melted butter

  • 250g (9 oz) filo dough

  • 100g (½ cup) sugar

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tbsp orange blossom water



For the syrup:

  • 200g (⅔ cup) honey

  • 100ml (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) water

  • Juice of half a lemon

  • 1 tbsp orange blossom water



How to Make Traditional Baklava

Step 1: Prepare the Nut Filling


Finely chop the walnuts, almonds, and pistachios using a food processor.


Mix with sugar, cinnamon, and orange blossom water to form a well-blended, fragrant filling.

Step 2: Assemble the Baklava


Butter a rectangular baking dish.


Place a sheet of filo dough at the bottom and brush it with melted butter. Repeat until you have 5 layers.

Spread a generous layer of the nut mixture, then add another 5 buttered filo sheets. Repeat this process until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of filo.

Before baking, cut the baklava into diamond shapes with a sharp knife.

Step 3: Bake the Baklava

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).


Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp.

Step 4: Prepare the Syrup

While the baklava bakes, combine honey, water, lemon juice, and orange blossom water in a saucepan.

Simmer for a few minutes until the syrup thickens slightly.

Once the baklava is out of the oven, pour the hot syrup over it while it’s still hot. This ensures the layers soak it up perfectly.

Let rest for at least 1 hour before serving.

Serving & Variations

serving-baklava-variations

Enjoy your homemade baklava warm or at room temperature.

It pairs beautifully with mint tea or strong coffee.

For variations:

  • Use only pistachios for a bright green twist

  • Add a pinch of cardamom to the syrup for depth

  • Swap almonds for hazelnuts or cashews

Want to Create a Next-Level Baklava?

You’ve got a fantastic baklava recipe to try. But if you want to go further and discover modern, elevated takes on this classic, VoilaChef is the place for you.

On our platform, award-winning pastry chef Julien Alvarez shares his signature citrus baklava tartlet—a bold and elegant take featuring:

  • Caramelized nut crunch

  • Bright citrus accents

  • Orange blossom whipped cream



With detailed video lessons, you’ll learn how to replicate professional techniques step by step.

→ Try VoilaChef and learn to make extraordinary desserts with the world’s top pastry chefs. Ready to transform your baklava into a masterpiece? Let’s get started.