Baklava is a rich Turkish dessert of paper-thin layers of filo pastry (yufka), filled with finely chopped nuts and soaked in fragrant sugar syrup. The result is crispy, buttery and sweet, in small diamond-shaped bites.
Where does baklava come from?
Baklava reached its refined form in the kitchens of the Ottoman palace. The Turkish city of Gaziantep is world-famous for its pistachio baklava and is even on the UNESCO list for gastronomy.
What types of baklava are there?
The best known are fıstıklı (with pistachio) and cevizli (with walnut). There are also variants such as söbürek and dürme. Good baklava is all about fresh nuts, thin yufka and a syrup that isn't too sweet.
How do you serve baklava?
Baklava is a dessert or treat with tea or Turkish coffee. One or two pieces after the meal is enough, as it's rich. Perfect for rounding off a Turkish table in style, for example at a celebration or iftar.
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Frequently asked questions about baklava
Is baklava halal?
Baklava is plant-based at its core (pastry, nuts, syrup, butter). With the syrup, make sure no alcohol is used; good Turkish baklava is alcohol-free.
How do you store baklava?
At room temperature in a closed box; not in the fridge, or the pastry turns chewy.
Last updated: June 2026.