Types of Baklava: The Ultimate Guide to Regional Varieties, Shapes, and Fillings
Written by Nikita Toppo | March 12, 2024
Cakes, puddings, cookies, muffins, pies, and tarts are some of the most famous sweet treats of the holidays. But have you ever tried baklava? If anyone asks, “What is baklava?’, it is best explained as a layer of phyllo dough, loaded with chopped nuts and soaked in honey, syrup, or milk, it is a sweet dessert pastry that is a staple in the Middle East. Baklava is a traditional sweet in countries like Turkey and Greece. This baked treat has a crispy texture with a delightful, sweet taste. There are several types of baklava that include different spices, soaks, shapes, and sizes.
This treat is said to have originated in the 8th century, and the first baklava is believed to have religious roots with Jesus Christ. It is also eaten during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. However, the modern version of Baklava is believed to have taken its refined shape in the imperial kitchens of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul during the Ottoman reign. It is believed that, on the 15th day of Ramadan, the Ottoman sultans presented baklava to the Janissary soldiers.
Types Of Baklava: The Difference Between Turkish, Greek, and Middle Eastern Variations
Over the centuries, Baklava has evolved significantly across countries and regions. While the essence remains the same across variations, Turkey, Greece, and Middle Eastern nations have their own creative and regional interpretations of the sweet. The differences in the usage of syrup, nuts, and spices, which bring in a noticeable difference in its texture as well.
Turkish Baklava
The Turkish version features a non-spicy, pistachio-loaded taste, which is dipped in simple sugar syrup. Some recipes also include walnuts. The texture of this version is generally crisp, flaky, and layered. These are often served with ‘kaymak’ or clotted cream.
Greek Baklava
The Greek interpretation features a cinnamon-rich, dense version that also includes walnuts and honey. This heavily-spiced version has a thicker, chewier pastry texture. It is popularly served in large square or rectangular pieces.
Middle-Eastern Baklava
The Middle Eastern version carries a lighter texture of pastry filled with pistachio, cashew, and walnuts. It is dipped in a delicate rosewater syrup for that floral flavor.
Popular Baklava Varieties By Filling
If you are also looking to relish some delectable baklava this festive season, here are a few variations you can try.
Fistikli (Pistachio) Baklava
This is the most popular variety of baklava and is also said to be the original one. Said to have originated in Turkey and Syria, this sweet pastry is rich in taste and texture, and it is made with a filling of pistachios. The crunchy nuts and crispy pastry of this baklava have made it an irresistible treat since the medieval period. They are cut in square or diamond shape before serving and have a mild, earthy undertone.
Cevizli (Walnut) Baklava
After pistachio baklava, this is another variation that is popular in many parts of the world. As pistachios grow only in very few countries, walnuts are available everywhere. To prepare this recipe, walnuts are crushed and then dusted between the layers of this sweet treat. They have a unique flavor that combines both an earthy and tangy taste. It is perfect for people looking for mild and gentle desserts.
Cikolatali (Chocolate) Baklava
If you are fond of eating chocolates, then this unique variation is perfect for you. Chocolate baklava has recently gained recognition in the dessert market, and you will find numerous variations within itself. Some of these chocolate-y treats stick to using a blend of hazelnuts and chocolate-hazelnut spread, while others use bittersweet chocolate mixed with walnut, almond, hazelnut, or pistachio filling. It is also topped with a drizzle of chocolate to enhance the sweet and crunchy flavor of baklava.
Sutlu Nuriye (Milk-Based) Baklava
This is a milky type of baklava that belongs to Turkey. Sütlü Nuriye is prepared with crushed hazelnuts, and unlike the traditional baklavas that are coated entirely with a sugar coating, these treats use a mix of milk with a little bit of sugar for sweetness. The yummy concoction is poured over the baked pastry. This process and the ingredients give it a lighter color than traditional Turkish baklava. It is believed that Sütlü Nuriye was created in the 1980s by bakers to meet the shortage of pistachios.
Traditional Baklava Shapes
Burma (Rolled) Baklava
Unlike the traditional flat baklavas, this one comes in a twisted and rolled format, looking like logs or coils. Popular in Greece and Middle Eastern countries, Burma Baklava is all about a buttery phyllo dough soaked in sweet, lemon-infused sugar syrup with walnut and pistachio fillings. Here, the phyllo pastry is brushed generously with butter and is baked until golden brown. t is best served with Turkish coffee or ice cream.
Bulbul Yuvasi (Nightingale's Nest)
The word Bülbül Yuvası means nightingale’s nest, and it is a disk-shaped baklava. They are very popular in Turkey, the Middle East, and Europe. It is prepared with paper-thin sheets of dough and resembles a nest-like shape. Unlike other varieties of baklava that stack filo sheets on top of one another, these filo sheets are wrapped around a thin rolling pin, which forms a cylindrical shape, and the center is filled with walnuts or pistachios.
Sobiyet (Cream Triangles) (New)
Also known as cream baklava, shaabiyat, or warbat, this Turkish delight is made with cream. The term Şöbiyet in Arabic means to eat, to be full, and you will understand it clearly after having this treat. It is prepared with walnuts, phyllo dough, and a syrup coating, along with a rich layer of cream, particularly kaymak. Kaymak is a traditional cream that is made by combining semolina and milk, and it has a subtle sweetness and earthy flavor.
Baklava Dish With Its Modern Dietary Twists
Explore The Vegan & Gluten-Free Options
While baklava is heavily popular across nations these days, it is also important to understand that the traditional recipe is not inclusive of all kinds of dietary preferences. To make it suitable for those who follow a vegan and gluten-free diet, it needs to be tweaked. To do that, one can simply replace flour, butter, and honey with substitutes like rice paper, vegan butter, and agave or maple syrup.
Try Diabetic-Friendly Versions
Considering the surge in diabetes across the world, these days, several low-sugar and diabetic-friendly versions of baklava are available as well. Designed for the diabetic or otherwise health-conscious dessert lovers, these baklavas replace
sugar syrup with natural sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit.
Try Diabetic-Friendly Versions
Considering the surge in diabetes across the world, these days, several low-sugar and diabetic-friendly versions of baklava are available as well. Designed for the diabetic or otherwise health-conscious dessert lovers, these baklavas replace
sugar syrup with natural sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit.