Sliced Almond and Honey Baklava Bars
Layered phyllo pastry bars soaked in honey syrup with crunchy sliced almonds, delivering a sweet Mediterranean treat. This mediterranean-inspired desserts (mediterranean) ready in about 70 minutes layers melted unsalted butter, sheets, thawed phyllo dough, sliced almonds into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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
- 1 cup, melted unsalted butter
- 12 sheets, thawed phyllo dough
- 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with melted butter.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon; set aside.
- Step 3: Lay one sheet of phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush it lightly with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter; repeat layering 6 sheets, brushing each sheet with butter before adding the next.
- Step 4: Evenly sprinkle half of the almond mixture over the buttered phyllo layers.
- Step 5: Layer 3 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter, then sprinkle the remaining almond mixture.
- Step 6: Finish with the last 3 phyllo sheets, brushing each with butter; score the top layers into 24 bars with a sharp knife.
- Step 7: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the phyllo is golden brown and crisp.
- Step 8: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 3/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 9: Remove baklava from the oven and immediately pour the hot honey syrup evenly over the bars.
- Step 10: Let cool completely to absorb syrup before cutting through scored lines and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sliced Almond and Honey Baklava Bars take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Sliced Almond and Honey Baklava Bars?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sliced Almond and Honey Baklava Bars?
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 Sliced Almond and Honey Baklava Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). 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 Sliced Almond and Honey Baklava Bars?
Mediterranean desserts 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.
