Cook With Phyllo Dough, the Flaky, Delicious Mediterranean Diet Staple

Phyllo dough (also known as filo pastry) is a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern classic. The thin, unleavened dough has been used in a variety of Greek and Turkish dishes for centuries, and early versions of the dough also have a history in ancient Egypt, too. Today, it’s still a culinary staple all over the world, loved for its versatility, crispy, flaky texture, and light, airy mouthfeel. And the best part? It’s usually totally vegan. Below, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite plant-based phyllo dough recipes from baklava to spanakopita. 

What is phyllo dough made of?

Phyllo dough is made from a very simple mixture of basic ingredients, including flour (usually all-purpose flour), water, salt, and olive oil (although sometimes melted butter is used, so watch out for that). The ingredients are mixed to form a dough, which is then kneaded, rested, and rolled into paper-thin sheets with a very long and thin rolling pin. 

It’s possible to make phyllo dough from scratch yourself, but many people choose to buy it instead. You can find vegan-friendly phyllo dough in most grocery stores across the US.

RELATED: 10 Ways to Use Puff Pastry: From Croissants to Pizza

How to cook with phyllo dough: 8 vegan recipes to try

Once you’ve made (or bought) your phyllo dough, it’s time to get cooking. Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite ways to use this versatile crispy pastry. From sweet cherry turnovers to savory mushroom bites, there’s a dish for everyone.

Dreena Burton

1 Almond-Pecan Vegan Baklava

Baklava is a traditional Turkish dessert, which is characterized by its many flaky golden layers of phyllo pastry. The pastry is soaked with toasty nuts in a sweet syrup to form a deliciously addictive dessert. This plant-based variation, which uses ingredients like agave nectar, almonds, pecans, and coconut cream, is from the Dreena’s Kind Kitchen cookbook.
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Iain Bagwell

2 Five-Step Buttery Vegan Cherry Turnovers

Next time you’re craving a rich and fruity dessert, check out these turnovers from the Healthy Vegan, Happy Body cookbook. They’re perfect for all year round, but they’re especially delicious in the summer when they can be made with fresh cherries picked straight from the tree or snapped up at the farmer’s market.
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Lazy Cat Kitchen

3 Vegan Spanakopita Triangles

Spanakopita is an iconic Greek dish. It’s the perfect mix of flaky pastry, spinach, herbs, nutmeg, and melt-in-your-mouth creamy feta cheese. According to Lazy Cat Kitchen, “When made with love and care, [spanakopita] is the stuff of dreams.” Put that theory to the test by following this delicious vegan recipe from the blog.
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Food By Maria

4 Vegan Crispy Mushroom Filo Pastry Bites

If you’re hosting loved ones and are trying to find the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer, these mushroom bites have to be a strong contender. They’re easy to make, incredibly crispy, and packed with nourishing, tender mushrooms. “You can eat them in around three bites and they pair nicely with a cold beer,” says Food By Maria.
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Vegan Huggs

5 Vegan Spinach Artichoke Cups

Another crowd-pleasing, bite-sized favorite has to be these sweet-looking mini spinach artichoke cups. They’re packed with goodness and flavor and are sure to go down a treat at your next gathering. Just make sure you make enough because your guests will be pining for seconds. “Watch them disappear in under 10 minutes,” warns Vegan Huggs. “You may want to make a double batch.”
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Let’s Eat Smart

6 Vegan Filo Mille-Feuille

For an elegant, beautiful, sophisticated-looking dessert, make vegan mille-feuille. This version of the classic French sweet treat from Let’s Eat Smart uses phyllo pastry (instead of traditional puff pastry), which gives it a super satisfying crunch. It almost looks too good to eat. Almost.
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Nourishing Amy

7 Vegan Pesto Feta Filo Pastry Swirls

Take your summer picnics to the next level by preparing these delicious vegan pesto feta swirls in advance. They’re the perfect mix of salty, crispy, crunchy, and cheesy, and we can guarantee you’ll want to make them again and again and again. “They are great for preparing ahead as they taste delicious warm or cold and will impress your guests,” says Nourishing Amy.
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Fat Free Vegan

8 Bananas Baked in Phyllo With Date-Sweetened Chocolate Sauce

Bananas are a great snack on their own, sure. But wrap them in phyllo and layer them with delicious decadent chocolate sauce? You’ve got an unbeatable dessert. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s bursting with flavor. Don’t fancy making chocolate sauce? They taste just as good with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar, notes Fat Free Vegan Kitchen.
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