almond-cardamom pakhlava
Photography by Jason Lang
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Love baklava and Greek spinach pie? Those famously thin crusts are made by layering and baking many sheets of unleavened phyllo dough to produce a light but crunchy covering. To get started, study our recipe for from-scratch phyllo dough, or simply grab a brand of frozen dough if you’re short on time. Now you’re ready to bake: many of our favorite Greek recipes and Middle Eastern recipes incorporate phyllo—from that sweet baklava to meaty pastry pies and fruit-filled tarts. With our guide to the 16 best recipes, you’ll never fear phyllo again.

"almond-cardamom

Almond-Cardamom Pakhlava

"Veal

Veal and Pearl Onion B’stilla (North African Meat Pie)

B’stilla, a North African meat pie, is traditionally made with poultry. Cookbook author Suzanne Zeidy’s take includes veal and caramelized pearl onions. When ordering the veal for this recipe, have your butcher remove the bone. Get the recipe »
"Apple

Apple and Armagnac Phyllo Pie (Tourtière Landaise)

"Flaky

Apple Croustade (Flaky Apple Tart)

Crisp, paper-thin sheets of phyllo dough wrap and crown tender brandied apples in this classic French tart. Get the recipe for Apple Croustade (Flaky Apple Tart) »
"Cashew

Cashew Baklava

"Moroccan

Moroccan Pigeon Pie (B’stilla)

"Spiced

Spiced Apple Strudel

This easy-to-assemble strudel from author Eugenia Bone makes use of preserved spiced apples and store-bought phyllo dough. Get the recipe for Spiced Apple Strudel »
"savory

Boereg

If your feta is very sharp, soak it in cold water in the refrigerator for a day before using. See the recipe for Boereg
"Accordion

Accordion Pastry

This paklava-like pastry may be curved into a circle before baking, then filled with more nuts in the center, for a variation called glore. Get the recipe for Accordion Pastry »
"Zucchini

Zucchini Pie

Feta cheese and zucchini squash are the focus of this savory pie. Get the recipe for Zucchini Pie »
"Cheese

Cheese Pie

We prefer this pie be made with fewer layers than in most traditional recipes. Get the recipe for Cheese Pie »
"Phyllo

Phyllo Dough

Allow several hours to make phyllo. See this Recipe
"Baklava"

Baklava

This Greek version of a favorite Middle Eastern sweet is always best made with commercial phyllo.
See this Recipe
"Fennel

Fennel and Herb Phyllo Pastries (Hortopita)

These Greek pastries unite a buttery crust with bright-tasting fennel and feta cheese. Get the recipe for Fennel and Herb Phyllo Pastries (Hortopita)»
"Epiran

Epiran Feta Tart (Alevropita)

Made with a simple egg batter, this feta-studded tart hails from the region of Epirus in southeastern Europe. Get the recipe for Epiran Feta Tart (Alevropita) »
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