Ah, baklava. That amazing Middle Eastern decadent dessert made from phyllo pastry, filled with chopped nuts and then soaked in honey. When prepared correctly, this pastry is amazing and versatile. It can be served cold, at room temperature, and even reheated. A traditional baklava is made from finely crushed pistachios, butter and a simple syrup made with sugar, water, and lemon juice.
Baklava is not considered gluten-free. Traditionally, baklava is made with wheat flour. In order for a food to be considered gluten-free, it must be free of any traces of wheat, rye, or barley ingredients. However, there are some brands that do offer gluten-free Baklava. These include Simple BKLVA Gluten Free Baklava and Karakoy Gulluoglu Gluten Free Baklava.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the different brands of store-available baklava, offer some gluten-free alternatives, and give you a simple, gluten-free recipe for making homemade baklava. Let’s get started!
Contents
The History of Baklava
Dating back to the Assyrian empire, 800 BC, baklava was created for special occasions. Thin layers of bread dough were stretched, then topped with chopped nuts and honey, and then baked. It is thought that the Greeks were the ones who stretched the dough so thin, they created a “leaf-like” flatness, and called it phyllo. Along this time, the increase in the spice trade allowed for spices like cinnamon and cardamom to be added.
The Ottoman Empire is the one who gets the credit for the delicious pastry we know today. The recipe for making the pastry has changed over the years, and was perfected in 17th century Istanbul at the Topkapi Palace. The ruling Sultan at the time loved the pastry so much that he would give it to his soldiers on the 15th day of Ramadan as an appreciation to them.
Brands of baklava
Handmade Baklavas (Candianuts)
These baklavas are imported from Greece and are handmade. They do contain wheat flour, making them not gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Wheat flour
- Sugar
- Glucose syrup
- Hydrogenated vegetable oils (palm oil, sunflower oil)
- Almonds
- Honey
- Walnut
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Citric acid, bulking agent
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Disodium phosphate
- Corn starch
- Potassium sorbate
- Beta-carotene
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 130
- Total fat: 2g
- Saturated fat: 0.8g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 30mg
- Total carbohydrate: 25g
- Dietary fiber: 0g
- Total sugars: 14g
- Includes 12g added sugars
- Protein: 2g
- Iron: 0.3mg
- Potassium: 40mg
Baklava King Pistachio Baklava
This made-in-the-US baklava product is popular in the San Diego, California area and is made with straightforward ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Pistachios
- Clarified Butter
- Pure Cane Sugar
- Phyllo Dough (Enriched Wheat Flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Water, Corn Starch, Dextrose, Cultured Wheat Flour, Canola Oil, Salt, Vital Wheat Gluten)
- Water
- Organic Lemon Juice
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 334
- Total fat: 22g
- Total carbohydrate: 29g
- Protein: 5g
Baklava Unlimited
Although made with many organic ingredients, the phyllo dough in this brand of baklava is made with wheat flour, so this will not be a gluten-free product.
Ingredients:
- Organic Phyllo Dough (Organic Whole Wheat Flour, Filtered Water, Organic Wheat Starch, Organic Tapioca Starch, Organic Expel Pressed Soy Oil, Salt, Organic Malt Extract, Non Gmo Soy Lecithin, Tri-calcium Phosphate)
- Almonds
- Clarified Butter
- Sugar
- Clover Honey
- Water
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Lemon Juice
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 230
- Total fat: 17g
- Saturated fat: 9g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total carbohydrate: 16g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Total sugars: 7g
- Protein: 3g
Gulluoglu Premium Dry Baklava with Pistachio
A brand of baklava produced in Turkey, this product is packaged soon after being prepared and shipped right to your door.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Flour
- Butter
- Water
- Pistachio
- Starch
- Pasteurized egg
- Salt
- Lemon juice
- Citric acid
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 48g
- Total fat: 5.31g
- Saturated fat: 2.73g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 16.33mg
- Sodium: 26mg
- Total carbohydrate: 17g
- Dietary fiber: 0.39g
- Total sugars: 9.24g
- Protein: 1.38g
Cerez Pazari Premium Assorted Baklava Pastry
This assortment of baklava pastries is handmade in Turkey. It is not suitable for gluten-free diets, as it contains both wheat flour and wheat starch.
Ingredients:
- Sugar
- Pistachio
- Cashew
- Hazelnut
- Almond
- Walnut
- Water
- Wheat flour
- Ghee
- Wheat starch
- Egg
- Table salt
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 130g
- Total fat: 2.5g
- Saturated fat: 3% DV
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 35mg
- Total carbohydrate: 24g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Total sugars: 8g
- Protein: 2g
Gluten-free brands of baklava
Simple BKLVA Gluten Free Baklava
The Simple BKLVA brand of gluten-free baklava has pure and natural ingredients, is GMO free and does not contain any preservatives.
Ingredients:
- White rice flour
- Vegetable shortening (palm)
- Pistachio
- Cashew
- Water
- Coconut nectar
- Coconut sugar
- Orange blossom
- Psyllium husk
- Potato starch
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 150
- Total fat: 9g
- Saturated fat: 4.73g
- Trans fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 15mg
- Total carbohydrate: 13g
- Dietary fiber: <1g
- Total sugars: 6g (Includes 3g added sugars)
- Protein: 3g
- Calcium: 35.28 mg
- Iron: 2.196mg
- Potassium: 171mg
Karakoy Gulluoglu Gluten Free Baklava with Pistachio
Direct from Turkey, this gluten-free baklava is baked in ovens separate from other products and the gluten amount does not exceed 20mg.
Ingredients:
- Rice flour
- Egg
- Corn flour
- Pistachio
- Walnut
- Butter
- Sugar
- Salt
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 382
- Total fat: 9g
- Saturated fat: 3g
- Sodium: 0.2mg
- Total carbohydrate: 44.8g
- Dietary fiber: 9.5g
- Total sugars: 0.9g
- Protein: 5.1g
Healthier Gluten-Free Alternatives to Baklava
Thunderbird Pecan Goji Pistachio
For a different take on baklava, with the same chewy texture, and amazing sweetness, the Thunderbird Pecan Goji Pistachio bar has a perfect blend of flavors and is a healthier alternative.
Ingredients:
- Dates
- Pecans
- Almonds
- Pistachio
- Himalayan Pink Salt
- Goji Berries
- Dried Golden Berries
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 250
- Total fat: 18g
- Saturated fat: 1.5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Total carbohydrate: 22g
- Dietary fiber: 5g
- Total sugars: 15g
- Protein: 4g
Picky Bars Moroccan Your World Turmeric, Ginger & Pistachios
Great texture, amazing flavors, and not sticky, the Picky Bars Moroccan Your World is a great way to enjoy the pistachio nut without all the added sugars. Including the spices cardamom and ginger, along with the dried currants, give this bar a great Mediterranean taste. And the name is just adorable.
Ingredients:
- Dates*
- Almonds
- Rice protein
- Honey*
- Tapioca syrup*
- Brown rice*
- Sunflower seeds*
- Apricots* (with rice flour*)
- Pistachios
- Cashews
- Raisins
- Dried currants (zante currants, sunflower oil)
- Sea salt
- Red Ape® cinnamon*
- Red Ape® turmeric
- Brown rice syrup*
- Cardamom
- Ginger*
- Mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin E)
- Hazelnuts
- (*organic)
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 180
- Total fat: 7g
- Saturated fat: 1g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Total carbohydrate: 24g
- Dietary fiber: 2g
- Total sugars: 16g
- Includes 5g added sugars
- Protein: 7g
- Calcium: 35mg
- Iron: 1mg
- Potassium: 240mg
Siete Grain Free Mexican Shortbread Cookies
To get that pastry texture, with healthier ingredients, and not substitute flavor, the Siete cookies are a great choice for a sweet, delicious treat. Free from grains, gluten, soy and dairy, these non-GMO, vegan cookies will satisfy your cookie cravings.
Ingredients:
- Grain Free Flour Blend (Almond Flour, Tapioca Flour, Arrowroot Flour, Cassava Flour, Chickpea Flour)
- Coconut Oil
- Coconut Sugar
- Avocado Oil
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Sea Salt
- Cinnamon
- Baking Soda
- Orange Peel Powder
- Vanilla Extract
- Jasmine Tea Extract
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 150
- Total fat: 9g
- Saturated fat: 5g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Total carbohydrate: 17g
- Dietary fiber: 12g
- Total sugars: 5g
- Protein: 1g
- Calcium: 6mg
- Potassium: 73mg
Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Seed & Nut Flour Sweet Thins
I wish I could take these simple ingredients and turn them into a delicious cookie thin the way Simple Mills has. Watermelon seed flour? Watermelon seeds provide protein and micronutrients, so offering these as an alternative to baklava is a great choice.
Ingredients:
- Seed & Nut Flour Blend (watermelon, cashew, sunflower, flax)
- Tapioca Starch
- Arrowroot
- Coconut Sugar
- Organic Coconut Oil
- Honey
- Honey Extract
- Organic Cinnamon
- Baking Soda
- Rosemary Extract (for freshness)
- Sea Salt
- Cream of Tartar
- Vanilla Extract
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 140
- Total fat: 6g
- Saturated fat: 3.5g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Total carbohydrate: 20g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Total sugars: 7g
- Includes 7g added sugars
- Protein: 2g
- Calcium: 30mg
- Iron: 0.8mg
- Potassium: 90mg
Make your own gluten-free baklava
The GeeFree company makes a puff pastry which is perfect for making a gluten-free baklava dessert, and the complete recipe is featured on their website.
Gluten-Free Baklava
Ingredients:
- 18-oz. package GeeFree puff pastry dough
- 10 T melted unsalted butter
For the honey syrup:
- 1/3 c and 1 T sugar
- 1/2 c water, cold
- 1/2 c honey
- 2 tsp orange extract
- 2 cloves, whole
For the nut filling:
- 6 ounces shelled and finely chopped pistachios
- 6 ounces finely chopped walnuts
- 6 ounces finely chopped hazelnuts (or almonds)
- 1/4 c sugar
- 2 T ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
Directions:
- Take the dough from the freezer the night before and thaw it in the refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- First, make the honey syrup. Put the sugar and water in a pan and heat it on the stove, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add in the honey, orange extract, and the cloves and mix it. Bring it to boiling, then turn down the heat and let it simmer for about 25 minutes, then let it get to room temperature.
- Melt butter, and lightly brush a 9×13 baking dish with it.
- Mix together the nuts, sugar, spices, and all but 1/4 cup of the pistachios.
- Dust your countertop with gluten-free flour, like potato starch.
- Fold one sheet of the dough in half, and cut it into quarters.
- Roll up one of the quarters as thin as you can without ripping it, and then cut it to fit the size of the 9×13 baking dish.
- Lift the dough carefully. If it breaks, put the pieces in the baking dish and seal up the edges. Brush more butter on top of that layer; repeat with another layer.
- Place half of the nut mixture on top, then repeat this with two more layers of dough, continuing to brush each with butter.
- Add the remainder of the nut mixture and complete with two more layers of dough, brushing each with butter. Cut any pattern you like into the top layer, cutting only about halfway through.
- Bake until it’s golden brown, about 45-50 minutes.
- Once the baking is done, take out the cloves from the honey syrup and pour the syrup over the top of the baklava.
- After about 2-3 hours, once completely cooled, sprinkle the remaining pistachios on the top for garnish.
To sum it up
Most brands of baklava, since they are usually made with wheat flour, are not a gluten-free food. The wheat flour, and sometimes wheat starches, which are used in manufacturing can cause gluten sensitivities and intolerances.
Also, there are some brands which contain hydrogenated oils, so this decreases their attractiveness for those who are choosing a gluten-free life in order to improve their health.
Opt for the gluten-free brands of baklava, which you can find from specialty stores. Better yet, make your own, with quality ingredients which fit your dietary restrictions.
Related Questions
Is baklava keto?
Keto-friendly foods are those which are low in carbohydrates, but high in protein. Baklava is a dessert which is low in protein and high in carbohydrates, so this will not be a good food to consume on a keto diet.
Is baklava vegetarian?
Traditional, and contemporary, baklava is made with a lot of butter. Since a vegetarian steers clear of any animal products, this would include animal-sourced butter. Some baklava brands also contain eggs as an ingredient in their preparation. Therefore, baklava cannot be considered a vegetarian dessert.
Is baklava vegan?
Baklava is not a vegan-friendly food as one of the main ingredients used in making it is honey. The health and environment of honeybees is often negatively affected by humans harvesting their honey for food manufacturing. Living a vegan lifestyle includes choosing to do no harm to nature, and this intrusion into the honeybee’s ecosystem is cruel and exploitative.