Middle Eastern Date and Nut Baklava Rolls

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Delicate phyllo rolls filled with a spiced mixture of dates and nuts, baked to golden perfection and drizzled with honey syrup. This Middle Eastern recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs phyllo dough sheets, unsalted butter, Medjool dates for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 phyllo dough sheets
• 6 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
• 1 cup, pitted and chopped Medjool dates
• 1/2 cup, finely chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup, finely chopped almonds
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp (optional) orange blossom water

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine 1 cup chopped Medjool dates, 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom. Mix well.
2. Step 2: Lay one sheet of phyllo dough flat and brush it lightly with 3/4 tablespoon melted unsalted butter. Place a second sheet on top and brush again. Cut the layered sheets into 3 equal strips lengthwise.
3. Step 3: At the wide end of each strip, place 2 tablespoons of the date and nut mixture. Fold the sides over the filling and roll tightly toward the other end to form a neat roll. Repeat with the remaining strips.
4. Step 4: Place the rolls seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each roll generously with the remaining melted butter (about 4 1/2 tablespoons).
5. Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the phyllo is crisp and golden brown.
6. Step 6: While the rolls bake, combine 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon orange blossom water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 5 minutes until syrupy.
7. Step 7: Remove baklava rolls from the oven and immediately drizzle the warm honey syrup evenly over them. Let cool before serving to allow the syrup to soak in.