What Are Phyllo (filo) pastry sheets and How Can I Use Them?

Phyllo (filo) pastry sheets rewards a little know-how: how to choose them, cook them, store them, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 187 recipes to cook with them.

What are phyllo (filo) pastry sheets?

Phyllo dough is made with flour, water, and a small amount of oil and raki or white vinegar, though some dessert recipes also call for egg yolks. Homemade phyllo takes time and skill, requiring progressive rolling and stretching to a single thin and very large sheet. A very big table and a long roller are used, with continual flouring between layers to prevent tearing.

Machines for producing filo pastry were perfected in the 1970s, which have come to dominate the market. Phyllo for domestic use is widely available from supermarkets, fresh or frozen.

Phyllo should not be confused with puff pastry, which like phyllo has multiple layers, but is made with butter or oil between layers. When the layered phyllo preparation is baked or deep-fried it becomes crispy and resembles puff pastry, though their preparation is very different and they are generally not substituted for one another.

Phyllo can be used in many ways: layered, folded, rolled, or ruffled, with various fillings.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find phyllo (filo) pastry sheets: Phyllo (filo) pastry sheets are usually found in the frozen foods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Phyllo (filo) pastry sheets are a member of the Baked Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

phyllo（菲罗）糕点表

British (UK) term

Phyllo (filo) pastry sheets

en français

feuilles de pâte phyllo de pâtisserie

en español

hojas de pasta filo

How much do phyllo (filo) pastry sheets weigh?

Related

Baked Products

Recipes using phyllo (filo) pastry sheets

There are 187 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Rolled Baklava with Honey Syrup

Rolled baklava swaps the usual diamonds for crisp phyllo logs filled with spiced walnuts, baked golden then dipped in honey-lemon syrup. The cold-syrup dip keeps every flaky roll crisp, not soggy.

Mom's Baklava

Mom's baklava layers buttery phyllo with a blend of ground almonds and walnuts, soaked in cinnamon-lemon honey syrup. The cool-syrup-over-hot-pastry trick keeps every flaky layer crisp.

Glace' Baklava

Glace baklava rolls candied fruit, ground almonds, and egg-bound sugar inside buttered phyllo, bakes until golden, then soaks in lemon-cinnamon syrup. A festive twist on classic Greek baklava.

Simple Baklava Bites

Simple baklava bites: buttery phyllo cups twisted into little sachets around a honey-sweetened almond, walnut, and apricot filling. All the baklava flavor, none of the fuss.

Baklava 2

Three-nut baklava layers buttered phyllo with walnuts, pistachios, and toasted almonds, then drinks in a citrus-clove honey syrup overnight. The Greek dessert pulled out for big celebrations and bigger family gatherings.

Baklava with Cooky Filling

Greek baklava with buttery cookie dough rolled around spiced nuts and phyllo, soaked in honey-lemon syrup for layers of crisp pastry and rich almond filling.

Baklava (Papadakis Taverna)

Baklava layers buttered phyllo with cinnamon-spiced walnuts, bakes until golden, then drinks in a citrus-honey syrup steeped with cloves. Greek taverna classic finished with whole cloves studded into each diamond.

Zesty Apple Strudel

Apple strudel wraps sliced apples, raisins, ground almonds, lemon zest, and cinnamon in buttery layers of crisp phyllo pastry. Old-world Austrian dessert that makes two strudels from one batch.

Baklava

Baklava with shatter-crisp phyllo, ground walnuts and almonds, and honey syrup steeped with lemon and orange slices. The classic Greek pastry done properly, in shimmering diamond-cut squares.

Eugenie's Baklava

Eugenie's baklava layers crisp, buttery phyllo with a spiced walnut filling and soaks it in a honey-lemon syrup, complete with a cook's secret for shatteringly crisp, never-soggy layers. A Mediterranean classic.

Savory Filo Cheese Cups

Savory filo cheese cups, crisp phyllo shells brushed with hazelnut oil and filled with a herbed goat cheese and fromage blanc custard, then baked until golden and puffed. An elegant vegetarian party bite.

Spanakopita 2

I make triangles and leave out the mizithra or cottage cheese (too wet for these). Great appetizers if you make them small.

Butter Pecan Pumpkin Pie- Frozen

"This pie definitely rates 5 stars. It's easy to assemble and a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving dinner."

Baklava (Rolled Variety)

Rolled baklava: walnut, sugar, and cinnamon spiraled inside crisp phyllo, sliced into bite-size pinwheels, baked, and soaked in honey syrup. An easier take on classic baklava, finished with sesame and an apricot glaze.

Easy Apple Strudel

Easy apple strudel with golden raisins, lemon zest, and cinnamon layered into flaky phyllo. Toasted bread crumbs lock in the juice so the bottom stays crisp. Lighter strudel.

Awesome Spinach Pie

Awesome spinach pie is a lighter take on spanakopita: spinach and mushrooms sauteed in broth, bound with egg whites and melty cheddar and mozzarella, layered in crisp phyllo misted with cooking spray instead of butter. Big flavor, less fat.

Sun Dried Tomato & Herb Cheese Strudels

Savoury two-cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, herbed and stuffed inside crispy phyllo pastry.

Baklava Rolls

Baklava rolls turn the classic Greek pastry into individual cigar-shaped pieces filled with cinnamon-spiced walnuts, dipped in honey-lemon syrup. Easier to portion, easier to serve, and the texture is impossibly crisp.

Favourite Apple Strudel

A variation of German Apple Strudel with walnuts and raisins using phyllo pastry to speed up the preparation.

Phyllo (Filo) Mushroom Pies

Juicy mushroom filling spiced with coriander and cumin wrapped inside light and crispy phyllo pastry.

Apple Walnut Strudel

Apple walnut strudel wrapped in flaky phyllo with chopped fresh apples, toasted walnuts, and lemon juice. A six-ingredient dessert that bakes up shatteringly crisp with a tender fruit center.

Baklava No. 5

I had this Greek pastry for the first time in a restaurant and I was not overly thrilled with it. So when I ran across this recipe and saw how easy is was to make I decided to try it. I liked my version much better, which will no doubt cause an uproar. So to anyone who has tried this dessert I want you to make this one and let me know if you like it, maybe it tastes nothing like it is suppose to.

Strawberry Ricotta Phyllo Purses with Chocolate Syrup

These phyllo purses look so lovely, filled with fresh strawberries and creamy ricotta cheese, drizzling some chocolate syrup and dust powdered sugar on top. These are crispy and chocolaty outside, juicy, fruity and smooth inside. And they look so pretty!

Citrus & Spiced Walnuts-Phyllo Rolls

These delicious rolls are made from phyllo pastry, and they are so elegant and pretty to be gifts too.

Caramelized Onion & Fennel Phyllo Tart with Goat Cheese

Give a traditional tart a modern twist by using phyllo pastry that is lower in fat and calories. Caramelized onion and fennel are loaded with yumminess, a bit dijon mustard is brushed on the bottom, and some creamy goat cheese are sprinkled on top. Delicious! What more can I say?!

Cheesy Mushroom Phyllo Tartlets

Use phyllo pastry as the crust, place sauteed mushrooms with thyme at the bottom, then spread the mixture of cheddar and sour cream on top. Let these cute little tarts puff up and become golden-brown in the oven, absolutely delicious.

Strawberry Ricotta & Vanilla Sugar in Phyllo Squares

These delicate desserts are so elegant, ricotta cheese gives the smooth, creamy and light taste and texture, fresh strawberries let the flavor so refreshing and the vanilla sugar adds some nice zing along with some finely grated chocolate pieces on top.

Hawaiian - Style Baklava

Hawaiian baklava reinvents the Greek classic with tropical macadamia nuts, pecans, and toasted coconut between buttery phyllo layers, soaked in honey-lemon syrup. Pacific island flavors meet Mediterranean technique.

Berries & Ricotta Mini Phyllo Tarts

Fresh berries, light and creamy ricotta cheese with the golden and crispy phyllo, these mini phyllo tarts are melting in your mouth, and you can't stop reaching them.

Peach Strudel with Vanilla Sauce

It was definitely my kind of dessert, it's sweet, but too sweet; vanilla sauce gave some richness, but wasn't overwhelming. The peach-maple filling was so delicious, packed with fresh peach flavor, of course :D and the juicy filling was just oozing out loudly.

Asian Chicken Pot Pie

Almost like a delicious Chinese stir-fry was topped with crispy phyllo pasty, which was quite good. Feel free to use your leftover turkey meat, replace the veggies with whatever you have on hand. The recipe is very versatile.

Phyllo Purses with Roasted Squash, Peppers, & Artichokes

This is an AMAZING and beautiful meal. Make sure you have lots of sauce!

Asparagus, Mushroom & Red Pepper Strudel

Absolutely delicious. We made this recipe for Mother's Day, and everyone raved about how yummy it was. Roasted vegetables added tons of flavor, plus the outer layer was so crispy. Definitely a winner!

Turkish Baklava

Turkish baklava layered with cinnamon-and-clove spiced walnuts between dozens of buttered phyllo sheets, then drenched in fragrant clove syrup. Crisp, flaky, and honey-sweet, cut into the classic diamond pieces.

Greek Croustade

Greek croustade with spinach, feta, and cottage cheese in buttered phyllo dough twisted into rosettes on a pizza pan. A stunning appetizer with flaky, golden layers and creamy filling.

Spinach & Feta Phyllo Muffins

we didn't use up the whole filling from Greek croustade, then we used the leftover filling and made some phyllo muffins, they came out so cute, delicate and delicious. Being creative!

Best Spinach Pie

A savory pie made with phyllo pasty, spinach and cheeses. Very tasty and flavorful. The crispy phyllo adds the great texture. It can be served as an appetizer or a simply delicious main dish.

Asparagus Mushroom & Cheese Tart (Low Fat)

Sauteed mushrooms are mixed with asparagus and two kinds of cheese, phyllo pastry turns out golden brown and crispy. Easy to make, and tastes delicious!

Chard, Kale & Cheddar Phyllo Pie

It's the season of Swiss chard and kale. We got lots of these fresh leafy greens from our CSA farm, and I was trying to come out an idea to use them up, surfing the internet, found a recipe in New York Times, it's a chard and feta phyllo tart. Definitely got the inspiration, I used both chard and kale, instead of feta, I used cheddar; and I sauteed some fresh mushrooms and added some toasted pine nuts, which worked very well. Also, I used a pie plate instead of a tart pan, and it was a great success, absolutely flavorful and delicious. The phyllo crust came out flaky and crispy. Have definitely become one of my signature recipes :)

Deep-Dish Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

Very good and light. By using phyllo (filo) pastry instead of the traditional goopy pastry this recipe cuts down on the fat and yields more turkey flavor.

Alouette Baby Brie Wedge in Phyllo

Baby brie wedge is just perfect for entertaining! The warm, creamy brie combines just perfectly with the crisp, buttery dough.

Baklava (Low Fat Low Cal Version)

Try this scrumptious side dish made with pistachio nuts, cinnamon and rosewater syrup.

Awesome Apple Baklava

This Baklava recipe is classic Greek baklava. It can be sweet as a dessert, or savory as an appetizer. Phyllo pastry gives a crispy texture, using both golden delicious and Granny Smith apples makes the filling sweet, slightly sour, and very tasty. The Walnut layer adds another nuttiness, crunchiness, and richness. A delicious and light dessert that you can serve on any occasion.

Phyllo Nut Rolls

The combination of orange and spices paired with dark chocolate makes these pretty cookies from Mary LaRock of Waukesha unique and delicious. Their interesting shape enhances any cookie platter.

Low Fat Chicken in Phyllo

Juicy chicken breast stuffed with cheese, shallots and cheese. The phyllo really helps hold in the moisture to keep the chicken breast moist. This is a reduced fat version of a popular recipe and it's equally as tasty in my opinion. If you wish to reduce the fat even further omit the cheese altogether.

Apple Almond Strudel

No need to go to bakery to get your apple strudel, just make it in your home kitchen, because it is so simple and delicious.

Spinach, Mushroom & Red Pepper Strudel

Absolutely delicious! Roasted bell pepper, salted mushrooms, and spinach are an excellent combination, which works great with crispy phyllo pastry. Serve it as a main dish or an appetizer!

Milopita ( Greek Apple Pastry )

Greek apple pastry rolled in flaky phyllo with cinnamon-spiced apples, walnuts, and currants. Buttery, golden, dusted with powdered sugar while hot for that signature shattering crackle. A traditional milopita from the Greek table.

Asparagus & Mushroom Strudel

Spring is coming and one of the first vegetables of spring is asparagus. Wrapped with a crispy phyllo pastry spiked with thyme then topped with cheese really takes this main dish up to the next level.

Greek Baklava

A Greek favorite that makes everyone think you are a master chef and is sooo easy to make!! I taught a Greek friend how to make apple pie and she taught me this fabulous recipe. The phyllo dough for this recipe is found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Add a little lemon zest to the sugar sauce, if desired.

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