If you’re looking for some ideas for mains, sides, or desserts, where do you start, and how can you make something that will stand out from your other meals?
You might be going down the path of pastry goods, which is excellent, but what if you want something more savory or a healthier alternative to homemade puff pastry?
This article will provide inspiration for party snacks, mains, and desserts that you can try out at home.
Read on to find out what is possible with this versatile ingredient.
1. Phyllo Triangles With Cheese
We start this list with a popular side that is great for parties or even as a snack, which you can make batches of and freeze when you want to cook them later.
The savory phyllo dough with the abundance of filled cheese with some sour cream makes for an irresistible snack.
2. Beef Samosas
These wraps contain beef and potato that will be both fulfilling and spicy with cardamom, cilantro, and green chile peppers.
You can mix up the recipe by changing the meat to lamb or even chicken liver if you decide to, and you can get anywhere between 10-18 servings per batch.
3. Cheese Burek
This recipe is drawn from the east of Europe and doesn’t disappoint as you can add potatoes, meat, spinach, cabbage, and even feta cheese inside.
You can make up to six in a batch, but as long as you have rolls of phyllo dough, you could make these to complement any spread or meal time.
4. Phyllo Crackers
This recipe can be a bit finicky to make with the delicacy of the phyllo dough, but once you make a few, you’ll get the hang of it.
You’ll have a flaky, buttery cracker to the taste and can take about 35 minutes, and create large batches each time.
5. Phyllo Cup Tarts
These savory cup appetizers can be filled with cheese, apples, and bacon to create something you wouldn’t expect to see on a usual table spread.
Or maybe you’re feeling peckish, so you can make a batch and seal away the rest for another time.
6. Asparagus And Feta Cheese Tartlet
This recipe is excellent for those who have asparagus and are tired of throwing them into a veggie mix.
Add these with feta cheese, garlic, and lemon juice for an unforgettable snack or appetizer.
7. Brie And Cherry Phyllo Cups
This one can be made even easier by finding premade phyllo cups in the freezer section of your local grocery store and is a great recipe for the holidays or as a quick snack.
The vibrant flavors of the cheese and cherry are a great combination of sweet and savory.
8. Spanakopita Triangles
Here is another idea for your phyllo dough turned triangles, as these are packed full of spinach, and you can mix different herbs like dill and thyme to get different results.
These are great as a filling snack at lunchtime and serve well on a platter.
9. Chicken Phyllo Rolls
These rolls can be made in Moroccan style with the addition of fenugreek, hot paprika, peppercorn, and even nutmeg to get this result.
These can serve around 8-10 people and have a custard-like richness.
10. Phyllo-Wrapped Halibut Fillets
You can use Halibut fillets in this easy-to-make excellent evening dinner idea that can be served with rice, green beans, and even a splash of lemon will make this a firm favorite.
The cream topping with green onions and salt and pepper seasoning is creamy and can be dressed with dill for a delicious change.
11. Lamb Borek
Another great meal or snack idea you can make with intentionally soggy phyllo dough, as this creates flexible and crispy layers when you begin to bake it.
Including the ground lamb and adding currants, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, and allspice packs a punch regarding flavor.
12. Spinach And Ricotta Pie
For this recipe, you have an Italian-inspired dish that can fill your cheese craving, as it contains both ricotta and parmesan cheese.
This recipe is excellent if you want a warming meal or have guests around who will be surprised by the inclusion of the nutmeg and may even ask for a second helping.
13. Tiropita
This recipe looks like your traditional cottage or vegetable pie but has greek staples such as kefalotiri cheese and feta cheese and additions such as nutmeg and parsley.
Surprise your dinner guests with this delicious dish.
14. Phyllo Pizza Flatbread
Your Phyllo dough can be an excellent crispy base for toppings like chicken, red onions, and even feta cheese for a burst of flavor.
Great for pizza nights or a new party favorite.
15. Sweet Potato Casserole
You have a vegetarian option that uses tasty sweet potatoes, raw pecans, fresh sage, cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
This is all wrapped in a flaky and crispy phyllo dough pastry that you could add some bourbon to make it into a guilty pleasure.
16. Moroccan Chicken Pie
Sticking with the Moroccan inspiration, this chicken pie has saffron, ground ginger, and a nice chicken broth for that texture.
Great for a family dinner or something to warm up with.
17. Fish And Prawn Pie
This is a versatile dish because you can swap in any fish you like, and it won’t affect the creamy tastiness and texture of the sauce.
You can use peas, carrots, whatever floats your boat.
18. Phyllo Pie With Butternut Squash
Here we have another pie that uses Tuscan kale, crushed red pepper, and fresh goat or feta cheese that you can crumble to improve the texture.
This is another great vegetarian option and can also be optimized for vegans.
19. Middle Eastern Lamb Tart
This tart uses 4 sheets of phyllo dough, and when used with ground lamb, succulent tomatoes, Sumac, and finely chopped mint give you a unique blend.
Serve this for up to 2-3 people, and mix up mealtimes with this recipe that bursts with flavor.
20. Pumpkin Phyllo Turnovers
A great option for the fall season, these triangles have a great pumpkin cheesecake filling and the crunchy and flaky consistency of the pastry.
You have a dessert option that will become a favorite among your guests.
21. Greek Kataifi Bites
This great Greek dessert recipe (see also ‘26 Simple And Tasty Indian Dessert Recipes To Try‘) will spruce up any party or buffet table and make great bite-sized treats you can enjoy guilt-free.
With the almonds, walnuts, ground cinnamon, and hot syrup on top, you’ll notice a spice that will leave an impression afterward.
22. Shaabiyat Dessert
Here we have a Lebanese-inspired dessert that consists of layers that are filled with a traditional Ashta filling that makes for a sweet dessert.
For this recipe, you’ll need to prepare the filling beforehand, as you want it to cool down at room temperature before filling your pastries with it.
23. Apple Phyllo Dough Pie
If you’re looking for a spin on the traditional apple pie, look no further, as you can keep the fat content in check with a mixture of honey and water instead of melted butter.
You can choose from granny smith, pink lady, and even Braeburn apples, and they work just as well as a dessert.
24. Blueberry Phyllo Rolls
Here is a vegan recipe that harnesses the natural flavor of the blueberries and wraps it up into a package that makes it nice and crunchy on the outside and nicely tender on the inside.
You could try any other type of berry in this recipe, and it would work just fine.
25. Fruit Phyllo Tart
Just looking at this dessert will strike a chord with your senses, as it has the culmination of fresh peaches, strawberries, and pineapple that can be a refreshing change from your traditional tart.
You can cut the tart into lovely squares, and it also makes a good addition to any spreads.
26. Cinnamon Phyllo Roll Dessert
This recipe is made by a filling with brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon and is then rolled into the shape of your traditional cinnamon roll.
When baked and drizzled with the cream cheese frosting, you have a great holiday dessert that is crispier than puff pastry and can serve up to 7 people.
27. Phyllo Baklava
This dessert has a layer of chopped nuts and is enveloped in the phyllo dough sheets that you can serve up immediately after you take it out of the oven.
You can also mix it up by cutting the sheet into shapes that you can place into cupcake holders when serving to make them even more irresistible.
28. Baklava Cheesecake
We have a cheesecake here that uses walnuts, ground cinnamon, cream cheese, lemon juice, honey, and vanilla extract.
You should make this a day before you intend to serve it as if left in the refrigerator for a while, it keeps its consistency and avoids becoming soggy or sagging when served.
Conclusion
One of the main issues with making anything with phyllo dough is that it’s notoriously tricky to work with, as it can dry out quicker and tear under the lightest of pressure.
To prevent this, it would be best to have all your ingredients prepared before you open and use your premade or made-from-scratch dough.
You can also use a damp towel to cover your dough to keep it moist, and it should be used with plastic wrap to prevent your sheets from sticking together.
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