Orange-Cardamom Baklava with Pistachios

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Layered phyllo pastry with walnuts and orange syrup, infused with cardamom and topped with crushed pistachios. This Greek recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs phyllo sheets, walnuts, pistachios for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 12, 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.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 45 min Serves 12 Mediterranean cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Finely chop 1 cup walnuts. Crush 1/4 cup pistachios into small pieces. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over low heat. Cut 1 orange into thin slices for garnish.
  2. Step 2: Brush a 9x13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Layer 5 phyllo sheets in the dish, brushing each sheet with melted butter before adding the next. Spread half the chopped walnuts evenly over the top.
  3. Step 3: Layer 5 more phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter. Sprinkle 1 tsp ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp salt, and the remaining walnuts over the top.
  4. Step 4: Drizzle 1/2 cup honey and the juice from 1 orange over the top. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until golden brown.
  5. Step 5: Let cool completely in the pan, then cut into squares. Sprinkle with crushed pistachios and serve with orange slices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Orange-Cardamom Baklava with Pistachios take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (45 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Orange-Cardamom Baklava with Pistachios?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep phyllo sheets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Orange-Cardamom Baklava with Pistachios?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Orange-Cardamom Baklava with Pistachios for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Orange-Cardamom Baklava with Pistachios?

Mediterranean greek like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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