Crispy Vegan Baklava with Maple Glaze (Layered Nut & Phyllo Dessert)

Make a decadent, crispy vegan baklava! This recipe layers buttery phyllo and nuts, then drenches it in a maple syrup glaze. Includes tips for freezing and storage.

Ingredients

• 1 lb vegan phyllo dough (16 oz)
• 1 lb walnuts, pistachios, almonds, or a mix, chopped (you can use a bit less to save $$; any nut works, or even finely chopped dried fruit)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup vegan butter, softened and spreadable
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup maple syrup or agave nectar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Baklava

• Confirm phyllo dough is fully thawed before starting.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a bowl, combine chopped walnuts, pistachios, and/or almonds with cinnamon; set aside.
• Brush a 9×13-inch baking pan with vegan butter (or use this nonstick sheet—nothing sticks, not even vegan marshmallows!).
• Layer two sheets of phyllo in the baking pan and brush with butter.
• Repeat three more times so you have 8 sheets total.
• Sprinkle two heaping tablespoons of the chopped nuts on top, followed by two sheets of dough, and brush with butter. Repeat this process, until the remaining 6 sheets are left. Place those on top.
• Using a sharp knife, score the top into diamond shapes.
• Bake for ~45 minutes, until golden brown on top.

Sugar Syrup Topping

• While the baklava bakes, prepare the sugar syrup.
• In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil on medium heat.
• Once it's boiling, remove from the heat and add in the maple syrup.
• Place back on the heat on low and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

Assemble

• Once the baklava is baked, pour the sugar syrup to cover it completely.
• Once cooled completely, you have these storage options depending on how quick you will eat it:
  • few days - leave out of fridge and top with foil
  • a week - put it in an airtight container (though it’ll get slightly softer)
  • a few weeks - put it in an airtight container in the freezer (it’ll stay crispy if you airfry it!)

Tips

• Feel free to half the recipe if you are short on time! It’ll take up half a baking sheet, but also take half the time to make since assembling the sheets takes a bit of time.