Walnut and Cinnamon Phyllo Pastry with Honey Syrup

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

Flaky phyllo layers filled with toasted walnuts and warm spices, bathed in a fragrant honey syrup for a classic Middle Eastern dessert. This mediterranean ready in about 65 minutes pairs sheets phyllo dough, chopped walnuts, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, 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: 40 min Cook: 25 min Serves 8 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 10 sheets of phyllo dough on a clean surface, keeping unused sheets covered with a damp towel. Brush one sheet with melted butter, then layer with a second sheet, brushing each layer with butter. Repeat until all sheets are used, stacking in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Step 2: Mix 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom in a bowl. Spread the mixture evenly over the buttered phyllo layers. Fold the edges of the phyllo over the filling to seal, then cover with remaining phyllo layers, brushing each with butter.
  3. Step 3: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crisp. While baking, combine 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 cup water, and 1/2 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves, then cook for 5 minutes to thicken. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and cardamom.
  4. Step 4: Pour the warm syrup over the baked phyllo immediately after removing from oven. Let cool for 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Walnut and Cinnamon Phyllo Pastry with Honey Syrup take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (40 min prep + 25 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 Walnut and Cinnamon Phyllo Pastry with Honey Syrup?

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 sheets phyllo dough from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Walnut and Cinnamon Phyllo Pastry with Honey Syrup?

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 Walnut and Cinnamon Phyllo Pastry with Honey Syrup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Walnut and Cinnamon Phyllo Pastry with Honey Syrup?

Mediterranean mediterranean 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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