How to Keep Baklava Crispy?

Baklava is an awesome dessert that is popular all around the world. In order for you to relish the authentic taste of it to the fullest, baklava has to be at its optimum crispiness. That is why I thought it would help my readers if I reveal how to keep baklava crispy. If you are new to this appetizing dessert and want to know about storing baklava in different home appliances, this article is tailor-made for you. Let’s get going.

What Is Baklava?

Before we start baklava troubleshooting, first, let me explain what exactly baklava is, particularly for the newbies who are reading this article. Actually, it is a dessert made of multiple layers of phyllo dough and coated with butter and nut. Although there are some variations to baklava, my definition would be the most straightforward way of describing it. 

Baklava is a baked dessert, and often people drench it in honey or syrup to add more flavor to it. My expertise in baklava is not sufficient enough to discuss its origin, but I certainly can help someone who is wondering how to keep baklava fresh. 

Why Is My Baklava Not Crispy?

Is your baklava too dry but not crispy enough? Well, the unique feature of baklava is that it is wet in the middle but crispier on the top. If you are trying to make baklava at home, keeping it crispier and wet at the same time can be a challenging job. The main cause for this issue is that not using the right temperature levels for cooking the phyllo dough. 

If the dough is not cooked at the right heat, it would be very difficult for you to keep the crispiness after you drench or pour honey syrup onto it. In fact, it is a kind of art, but don’t misunderstand me; it is not as difficult as it sounds. I usually like to work with low and mid-range heat as high heats often play the spoil game.

How to Keep Baklava Crispy In Refrigerator?

So, how long does baklava keep in a fridge? The best part of baklava is that it usually has a considerably long shelf time compared to other pastry options. In fact, it can last for about two weeks if you can provide ideal storing conditions. Here i listed everything you can follow to keep baklawa cryspy in refregirator.

• Keep it at room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator. This prevents condensation from building on it and getting baklawa mushy.
• Place all the baklawas in an airtight container. Place all the cooled baklawas in a container that can close tightly to prevent getting soggy.
• Place parchment or wax paper between layers if you have multiple-layer baklava. This prevents sticking to each other.
• Place paper town or clean cloth beside baklawa to absorb moisture. I know from my experience this is one of the good methods to absorb extra moisture. But remember to keep it aside without direct contact.
• Control the temperature of the refrigerator accordingly. Not all temperature levels are not suitable for every food item. Therefore check the most suitable temperature level and your baklawa quantity and store it properly.
• Storage duration. This is very important. Remember, we cannot keep Baklawa last longer. I highly recommend enjoying this delicious pastry within a day or two. We can keep this for a longer time, but that gets softer and affect the taste.

Refrigeration is not an ideal option to keep Baklawa crispy for longer. I always recommend enjoying it as soon as possible. Now, there is a drawback in storing baklavas in the fridge as it has a tendency to harden up during the process. On a personal note, I like them to keep at room temperature in an airtight container. By doing this, I have the luxury of keeping them crisp even though it has a slight disadvantage when it comes to baklava shelf life.

How to Keep Baklava Crispy In Oven?

I’m saying again that forming a crust on baklava isn’t that much easy. You have to be delicate and use certain tactics to keep it as crispy as possible. Otherwise, there is a high possibility of vanishing all of your efforts and ending up with something else. So this is how i keep baklawa cryspy using oven.

• Dough Quality. Freshness is the key to maintaining baklawa crispy for a long time. Always take high-quality phyllo dough, and it should not be too dry or brittle.
• Assembly method. I always recommend laying the phyllo dough properly and brushing oil or melted butter on each layer. Oil and melted butter prevent moisture and make them soggy.
• Thickness. Thin layers always give best results than thick layers. Use a roller and make sure to stretch the dough to a uniform thickness.
• Baking temperature. High temperatures always give good results for Baklawa. Preheat oven to 350-375°F (175-190°C) and bake it efficiently.
• Baking time. Baking time depends on the thickness of the baklawa and oven. But usually, it takes 25-30 seconds.
• Application of syrup. Adding hot syrup to the baked baklawa helps to keep moisture without getting soggy. I always recommend to keep until it gets cool and served.
• Storage in an airtight container. Proper storage is essential for these types of foods. Therefore always try to wrap this with aluminum foil first and then store it in an airtight container.

I think now you can understand that the fate of crispiness is heavily dependent on the heat you apply. So, do not rush the process; be gentle throughout.

How to Keep Baklava Crispy In Microwave?

Generally, store-bought phyllos are frozen, and you will have to thaw them before you microwave. You can find the thawing method on the package, and it is always better to stick with manufacturer instructions to keep everything on the safe side. The thawing method you use has a direct say in terms of crispiness. 

Normally, I take them out from the fridge at least one day before I use them. This allows me to get rid of excessive moisture and hardness that are barriers to crisp-tasting baklava. Another thing I used to do is buy the phyllos that are frequently selling at stores as such phyllos have less time to stay in freezers. 

I recommend to follow below steps to keep your baklawa cryspy.

• Make sure to keep Baklawa at room temperature before putting it in the microwave. If it is freshly baked, leave it for about one hour to become cool.
• Always use microwave-safe plates for baklawa. Choose the proper plate and arrange everything properly before putting it in the microwave.
• I highly recommend using medium or medium-high power to microwave Baklawa. I usually reheat with 10-15 seconds time intervals to prevent overheating. Overheating resulted in excessive softness.
• Check and repeat between intervals to ensure the baklawa is warm enough to eat.
• Be mindful when applying syrup. The microwave may soften it further if you have already soaked it in syrup. Therefore limit your syrup application to the baklawa.
• Enjoy immediately. If you are eating reheated baklawa, enjoy it as soon as possible. It gets softer, If it sits longer and affects the taste as well.

Freezing baklava is good, but leaving it in freezers for too long cannot be approved. All in all, to keep baclava crisp in the microwave, you have to deal with phyllo much more attentively. 

How to Keep Baklava Crispy In Air Fryer?

The best piece of advice I can provide you is that don’t over-drench in honey before you put baklava in the air fryer. If you happen to do so, the hot air in the fryer will make the honey burn way too much than the needed amount. Moreover, you are bound to face a difficult time cleaning your machine as well.

Anyway, coming back to the matter, follow below steps to get cryspy baklwa.

• Preheat the air fryer using 350°F (175°C) temperature level for a few minutes. This is one of the key secrets to keeping Baklawa crispy.
• Cut into smaller pieces. If you have a larger plate of baklawa, cut it into small portions to get good airflow.
• Arrange it in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, and ensure every piece is getting enough air.
• Start to reheat baklawa for about 3-5 minutes using 350°F (175°C) temperature level. Remember, the time depend on the size of the baklawa, and you might need some extra time if it is large. But anyway, keep an eye on heating to prevent overcooking.
• Flip and continue. Change the sides of the baklawa and start to reheat another 3-5 minutes or desired level.
• Serve hot. As always, I recommend keeping it cool for a few minutes and starting to enjoy your favorite crispy baklawa.

Can You Reheat Baklava?

When it comes to baklava tips, this is perhaps the most important one I can offer to my readers other than keeping the crispiness. Yes, you can heat baklava in a microwave without much problem. That said, ensure you are not overdoing it. The ideal reheating time would be around 15 seconds, not more. If you go beyond that, inevitably, you will end up complaining baklava too dry.

Furthermore, never reheat baklavas in an oven; they will become mushy in a matter of seconds. The best way I can suggest is to pour or soak in relatively hot honey or syrup.

How Long Does Baklava Last?

As I explained earlier, baklavas remain edible for about two weeks, given you keep them in an airtight container. You don’t have to freeze or refrigerate them to last; all you have to do is ensure they are away from air. The best way I recommend is to keep baklavas in an airtight container at room temperature as it will preserve the all-important crispiness of your beloved dessert.

Can You Fix Soggy Baklava?

By now, you should be able to understand that fixing soggy baklava is not an easy task. However, there is one method to bring them back to life. As I said, you can microwave them for 15 seconds and pour warm honey or syrup onto them. Keep in mind that the honey or syrup you use (honey is my preferred choice) should not be overly hot. Simmering for a couple of minutes would be more than enough.

Conclusion

If you were on the hunt searching how to keep baklava crispy, now you have a few methods in your armory to execute the job successfully. The most important factor of baklavas is that its phyllo dough. It is what determines the crispiness of the dessert. So, be gentle with it when you are preparing, cooking, and reheating baklavas. The comment section is open for those who have found grey spots in the article. Have a great day!