Easy and Delicious Baklava Rolls Recipe for Beginners

Baklava rolls are an easy take on a classic Middle Eastern baklava dessert. It calls for easy steps, making it perfectly easy for the home cook. And even though it’s easy, it always looks fancy. 

Baklava, with its flaky layers of pastry filled with sweet, nutty goodness, has long been a favorite indulgence for dessert lovers around the world. Traditionally, this delectable treat is made as a large pan and then cut into diamond-shaped pieces. However, a lesser known but equally delightful variation of baklava is the baklava roll. 

As an Egyptian-American, baklava rolls are one of my favorites to make and to eat. They are perfect for a bootleg cook like me (all my recipes are easy), because I need my dishes to be quick, easy and delicious. That’s a great combination for busy moms, you know?! It’s also the perfect host/hostess gift to bring when you’re invited to a dinner party, because it displays beautifully as an elegant, sophisticated dessert.

Sure, you can choose to buy a tray of these scrumptious baklava rolls, but it can be quite challenging to find them and are expensive. This isn’t a dessert that you’ll find readily available at any bakery, baklava rolls are almost exclusively found in Middle-Eastern bakeries. 

For that reason (and some others that we’ll discuss later), these delicious finger-food dessert bites can be costly to buy. 

Not only are these rolls a unique twist on the classic recipe, but making them at home can also help you save money. In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why you should consider making baklava rolls in your own kitchen and enjoy the double satisfaction of savoring a mouthwatering treat while being budget-conscious.

Better yet, I’ll share my personal baklava rolls and simple syrup recipes so you can make them at home for yourself!

Reason #1: Baklava rolls is a spin on a classic dessert.

Baklava rolls are a perfect spin on the traditional baklava recipe. Instead of layering the phyllo pastry and nut mixture in a pan, the filling is rolled into individual pastry rolls. This variation adds a touch of elegance and uniqueness to your baklava, making it a visually appealing and delicious treat to serve. It also makes it a perfect dish to take to a gathering, it’s definitely a crowd pleaser. 

Reason #2: It has budget-friendly ingredients.

One of the major advantages of making baklava rolls at home is the ability to control the quality and quantity of ingredients used. Purchasing pre-packaged baklava from stores or bakeries can be quite expensive, especially for high-quality versions. By preparing baklava rolls yourself, you can choose the ingredients that suit your taste and budget. Buying bulk quantities of nuts and phyllo pastry can be more cost-effective in the long run, allowing you to make more baklava rolls for your money.

Reason #3: Its size makes it easy to portion control.

You can avoid food waste Another reason to opt for baklava rolls is the advantage of portion control. While it’s easy to lose track of how many traditional baklava pieces you’ve consumed, the rolls provide a predetermined serving size. This can help you better manage your indulgence, control calorie intake, and reduce food waste. You can freeze any excess rolls for later enjoyment, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

Reason #4: They’re fun to make.

Preparing baklava rolls can be a fun and engaging activity to involve family and friends. Rolling the filling into the pastry requires some dexterity, making it a great opportunity to bond and create lasting memories. It’s an enjoyable way to spend time together while also satisfying your cravings.

Reason #5: You can tailor the ingredients.

By making baklava rolls at home, you have complete control over the ingredients and can adjust them to suit your dietary preferences. For instance, you can reduce the amount of sugar or opt for natural sweeteners like honey. You can also experiment with different nut combinations or even use healthier alternatives like pistachios, almonds, or walnuts. By adapting the recipe, you can create a baklava roll that aligns with your nutritional goals.

I’m admittedly a little biased, but I love how my baklava rolls turn out. They’re almost fool-proof and with just a few steps prepped ahead, you can make them in a pinch when you get unexpected company. 

You can batch prep the filling and the simple syrup, the rest is really just the assembling of the rolls. 

It’s easy peasy! 

Here’s how you make it or if you’d rather watch how I make it on YouTube, go here.

Simple Syrup Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 c water 

1/2 c sugar 

1/2 lime, juiced 

1 tsp rose water (optional) 

Directions: 

Add water and sugar to a saucepan and gently mix until sugar is saturated well. 

Cook on med-high heat and let boil for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Once thickened, remove from heat and add the lime juice. 

Mix and set aside.

Pro tip- let the simple syrup cool down completely before pouring it on the rolls. The rolls should be hot and the syrup should be cold to have the right texture for the dessert. 

Baklava Rolls Recipe

Ingredients:

1 package filo dough

1/2 1 lb. walnuts

1 sleeve graham crackers

2-3 Tbsp sugar or sweetener (honey works too)

1/2 c. melted clarified butter, ghee, regular butter, or any flavorless oil.

Directions:

• Be sure to have your syrup ready and cooled before.
• Combine walnuts, graham crackers and sugar into a food processor or a sealable bag and grind until it is a course sea salt consistency.
• Working quickly, gently stack one dough sheet at a time, dousing each sheet with melted butter before adding the next sheet until you have 4 layers stacked.
• Spoon the mixture on the bottom of the sheet in a line (long ways).
• Carefully roll the filo dough to make a rod shape and place on a greased cookie sheet.
• Repeat steps 5-7 until all filo dough has been used.
• With a sharp paring knife, carefully cut down each roll to make smaller rolls.
• Spread remaining butter over top and place in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and crisp around the edges.
• Immediately, while hot, pour the cooled simple syrup over top of rolls and let the rolls soak it up.
• Wait 30 minutes and serve.