How long does baklava last? This is a very popular dessert in the Middle East with an ancient Greek and Turkish origin.
It’s hand-made from phyllo dough in different layers, sweetened syrup or honey, and stuffed with chopped nuts finely crushed pistachios, and butter.
A syrup made from sugar and water or orange juice covers this dessert.
It’s very popular amongst Ottoman cuisines and has controversies of having a Persian Empire origin.
So, how long does baklava last in the fridge?
Baklava lasts for 10 to 12 days in the refrigerator, before going bad if you store it properly in the right conditions necessary in the fridge.
Though it becomes harder and chewy. To store it after cooking it should be allowed to cool to room temperature.
Baklava means a hundred leaves or a hundred pieces of paper because each sheet of baklava forms many layers and looks like paper or leaves.
It has a very sweet taste due to the sugar syrup.
Amongst the Christian community it’s made up of 33 layers, representing each year that Jesus lived, often eaten during Christmas.
Muslims eat it as a dessert during Ramadan, Rid el-Fitri, and Pascha.
In this post, I’ll discuss extensively ” how long does baklava last in the fridge, freezer, and at room temperature ” how-to if it is bad, and how to store it to make it last longer.
Then, it’s preferably wrapped in plastic nylons,
It can be kept in airtight plastic containers ceramic containers should not be used due to their porous nature.
After wrapping it with a double layer of aluminum foil paper,
It’s kept in the refrigerator for about two weeks so it doesn’t dry out too much in the refrigerator.
Can You Freeze Baklava?
The answer is yes, it can be frozen but the freezing method depends if it’s baked or unbaked baklava.
For unbaked Baklava; the dish to be used for preparation should be padded with parchment paper at the bottom.
Then the Baklava should be prepared and placed in the freezer.
When it’s already frozen, it can be placed in plastic wraps and wrapped with 4 layers of foil paper.
Or kept in plastic containers or freezer bags which are safe before wrapping with aluminum foil paper and stored in the freezer.
It can last for up to 5 months giving it a long life span for usage.
When it’s to be baked it is to be thawed in the fridge overnight to maintain flavor and freshness.
For baked Baklava; after removing the baked Baklava from the oven it must first cool off to room temperature on the counter.
Consequently, it should be arranged into about four layers in a plastic container with a foil paper separation to prevent thawing and re-freezing.
It can also be wrapped in plastic wraps and placed in freezer bags.
It lasts for about six months in the freezer
And can be thawed at room temperature for 4 hours before placing it in the microwave or oven.
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How Long Does Baklava Last In The Freezer?
Unbaked Baklava lasts for an average of 4 to 5 months in the freezer before usage.
When it’s to be baked it is to be thawed in the fridge overnight to maintain flavor and freshness or kept at room temperature for 4 hours.
As long as they’re separated in different layers before thawing, it’s easier to aid a long life span.
Baked Baklava lasts for about six months in the freezer and can be thawed at room temperature for 4 hours before placing it in the microwave or oven to warm.
For maximum utility, Baklava should be separated before thawing to avoid mass defrosting and a shorter life span of the remainder.
Does Baklava Go Bad?
Baklava goes bad depending on the storage method and weather. If the weather is hot it lasts at room temperature for just 2 days before showing signs of spoilage.
At cool temperature, it can be wrapped in air-tight plastic bags and containers and stored in a pantry.
If stored in the refrigerator, it lasts for just two weeks before losing its value.
In the freezer, if sealed, stored, and maintained properly, it lasts for six months after which it downgrades in quality.
How To Tell If Baklava Is Bad
Baklava lasts for a long period of time due to its density, but in the long run, it eventually spoils.
To confirm that it’s bad and should be discarded, a few qualities must be observed.
Here’s how to know if baklava is bad;
- Tears and holes on the surface are the first sign, it proves that it’s too dry.
- On the surface of the baklava, there must be no discoloration to prove the expiration of the dough.
- Molds show a sign that they must be discarded immediately.
- Black spots are also proof that they must throw away.
- The texture of the Baklava should not be sticky but soft and chewy. So it shouldn’t be tough or overly sweet.
How Long Does Baklava Last Unrefrigerated?
Unrefrigerated, Baklava lasts for at most two weeks. If kept in the open air it lasts for just five days. If sealed safely in airtight plastic bags before keeping it in the pantry, it lasts for two weeks.
It’s preferable to the refrigerator most times, cause it maintains a moist nature.
How Long Does Baklava Last After Opening?
Baklava lasts for about five days at room temperature after opening, but a few methods can be applied to prolong the shelf life.
To maintain freshness, it should be wrapped in air-tight plastic bags and kept in the pantry or a cool part of the kitchen.
To keep it for a long period of time, it should be baked, cooled, and wrapped in aluminum foil paper
When stored in the freezer, this can last for about six months if stored properly.
How Long Does Baklava Dough Last?
Baklava dough lasts for 4 to 6 months in the freezer before going bad if you keep it properly in the right conditions necessary in the freezer.
Before preparing the dough, the bottom of the baking dish should be lined or padded with parchment paper first.
Then the dough is to be prepared and left uncovered to cool, before placing it in the freezer until it’s frozen.
When it’s frozen, it should be put in different foil papers and stored in the freezer with parchment paper separation.
This is to prevent interference while using at different times.
To warm it should either be defrosted in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
It’s to be baked at 325F for 40 minutes
Then pour the choice shrub at sit for 5 minutes to cool
How Long Does Baklava Take To Cook?
It takes 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook, that is 45 minutes entirely. To prepare, while the oven is pre-heating to 350F, the baking tray is greased with butter and the sheets of fill pastry are laid.
While the dry ingredients like cardamom, nuts, and sugar are mixed before laying it on the filo sheets and closing up.
The prepared Baklava is designed to taste and place in the pre-heated 350F oven,
After 10 minutes the temperature is reduced to 300F for 20 minutes to be properly baked.
It’s removed and then the prepared syrup is poured on in any design of choice
And allowed to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Is Baklava Better Cold Or Warm?
Baklava is better served cold than warm to give off its crunchy and crispy taste. Though some prefer to eat it warm as it tastes fresher.
In most cuisines, it’s served chilled or at room temperature,
So warm Baklava is not standard or recommended to receive guests.
What Does Baklava Taste Like?
Baklava tastes sweet due to the sweet ingredients needed in preparation and has a light or airy texture.
Although it’s a very healthy diet because; it’s low in calories and fats
And the major sweetener(honey) aids to control sugar levels and fighting against cancer.
Can You Reheat Baklava?
Baklava can be reheated easily, though it depends on personal preferences. If preferred cold in the freezer can simply be thawed in the refrigerator for 4 hours before pouring syrup and serving.
It tastes better warm, so before placing it in the freezer it could be undercooked.
Then it can be placed in the oven or microwave and heated to taste.
Although, in the Middle East it’s traditionally served at room temperature,
It has to be thawed in the refrigerator and then left in the open to thaw before adding the syrup and serving.
How Do You Store Baklava?
Baklava can be stored in the pantry if it will be consumed within five days.
If it’s to last for two weeks it would be wrapped in plastic bags and kept in the pantry or stored in the refrigerator.
If it is to be stored in the freezer for it to last for up to six months, water is sprinkled on it after baking, to prevent rising,
Then it’s wrapped and placed in the freezer.
How Long Does Kunafa Last?
Kunafa is made with spun pastry soaked in a sugar-based syrup called attar and is a Middle Eastern dessert.
Kunafa lasts in the fridge for 2 to 3 days and 2 to 3 months freezer. It can be easily reheated
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Does Puff Pastry Expire?
A puff pastry maintains the best quality for about 10 months in the freezer if properly stored Before it expires.
In the fridge, it goes bad due to the moisture present in it.
When it expires visible signs like the appearance of molds and spots on the surface and any noticeable pungent smell.
How Long Does Phyllo Dough Last In The Fridge?
Phyllo dough is made up of flour, water, and oil or vinegar.
Phyllo dough lasts in the refrigerator for a week and in the freezer for up to 4 weeks. And freezes unopened for 3 months.
How Do You Keep Greek Pastries?
Most Greek pastries last longer in the freezer but have a short life span in the refrigerator.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Phyllo Dough?
Thawed Phyllo Dough can be frozen for up to a month after opening.
Can You Make Baklava The Day Before?
Baklava can be made a day before especially since it’s popular in its crusty firmness and covered with syrup when needed.
How Do You Keep Baklava From Getting Soggy?
Soggy Baklava is a result of hot syrup, too much butter, and when the knife cuts through it.
To avoid these, the butter on the Phyllo dough should not be too much,
The syrup should be cool and it should be professionally cut before being put in the oven.
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Conclusion
Baklava is a sweet and healthy dessert.
It lasts for a long period of time due to its density.
This is made from Phyllo dough which has a relatively long shelf life.
Its origin is not defined yet but falls between the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Fresh ones can be easily thawed and are convenient to eat at any time.
Remember, how long does baklava last?