Quick Answer
Yes, you can substitute phyllo dough for puff pastry in many recipes. Phyllo dough makes a decent puff pastry substitute when you need flaky layers, but the texture will be slightly different. Handle phyllo dough carefully when working with it to avoid cracking and drying out the sheets.
Phyllo Dough vs Puff Pastry
Phyllo dough and puff pastry are both flaky, layered pastries, but they have some key differences:
Ingredients
| Phyllo Dough | Puff Pastry |
|---|---|
| Flour | Flour |
| Water | Water |
| Oil or butter | Butter |
Puff pastry relies on the power of butter to create flaky layers. Phyllo dough uses oil or butter sparingly.
Method
Phyllo dough is stretched and folded into thin sheets. Puff pastry is made by wrapping butter in dough, then folding and rolling it out repeatedly.
Texture
Puff pastry has a light, delicate, flaky texture. Phyllo dough is crisper and more brittle when baked.
Flavor
Puff pastry has a rich buttery taste. Phyllo dough is lighter with little flavor on its own.
Tips for Using Phyllo Instead of Puff Pastry
Follow these tips to use phyllo as a puff pastry substitute:
Thaw Properly
Thaw frozen phyllo dough overnight in the refrigerator. This prevents condensation from making the sheets soggy.
Work Quickly
Have everything prepared ahead of time. Phyllo dries out quickly when exposed to air.
Brush with Butter
Lightly brush each sheet with melted butter or oil. This adds flavor and helps phyllo layers stick together.
Handle Gently
Work with phyllo on a dry surface and move it carefully to avoid cracking the sheets.
Keep Covered
Cover phyllo dough with plastic wrap or a damp towel when you’re not actively working with a sheet.
Seal Well
Phyllo dough doesn’t “puff” on its own. Be sure to seal layers properly so filling doesn’t leak.
Adjust Cook Time
Phyllo may cook faster than puff pastry. Keep an eye on it and adjust cooking time if needed.
Best Uses for Phyllo Instead of Puff Pastry
Phyllo dough makes the best substitute for puff pastry in flat preparations rather than voluminous puffs. Some good options include:
Baklava
The flaky layers of crisp, buttery phyllo are perfect for this Greek dessert.
Strudels
Phyllo works well wrapped around sweet or savory fillings in this classic rolled pastry.
Phyllo Cups
Shaped phyllo shells nicely hold appetizer bites or individual desserts.
Palmiers
Phyllo dough can be shaped into these sweet, crunchy elephant ear pastries.
Spanakopita
Spinach and feta pie with phyllo crust is a delicious Greek appetizer.
Borek
These savory baked phyllo rolls with meat or vegetable filling are popular in Turkey.
Disadvantages of Using Phyllo Instead of Puff Pastry
While phyllo makes a suitable puff pastry alternative in many recipes, there are a few downsides:
Time Consuming
Working with delicate phyllo sheets is labor intensive compared to easy puff pastry.
Difficult To Use
Achieving flaky layered results takes some skill with phyllo’s tendency to dry, crack, and stick.
Different Texture
Phyllo has a more brittle, crispy texture than the delicate, tender flakes of puff pastry.
Can Dry Out
It’s easy for phyllo to become dried out, burnt, and undercooked without careful handling.
Won’t “Puff Up”
Unlike puff pastry, phyllo dough doesn’t expand into light, puffy pastries.
More Fragile When Baked
Phyllo shells and shapes tend to be less sturdy than puff pastry ones.
Less Buttery Flavor
You can’t achieve the same rich, buttery flavor as puff pastry without overworking the phyllo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use phyllo instead of puff pastry for appetizers?
Yes, phyllo works well for finger-food type appetizers. Use it to make bite-size phyllo cups, palmiers, cheese straws, or mini savory pies. Just avoid phyllo for apps that need to hold a puffy shape.
How many sheets of phyllo equal puff pastry?
About 4-6 sheets of phyllo layered together with butter are equivalent to a single sheet of puff pastry. But they won’t puff up and rise the same way.
Can phyllo dough be frozen?
Yes, freeze unopened packages of phyllo for 4-6 months. Thaw in the fridge before use. You can also freeze phyllo dough you’ve layered with butter for a few weeks.
Is phyllo dough healthier than puff pastry?
Phyllo dough is slightly lower in fat and calories compared to the butter-laden puff pastry. But both are considered high-fat baked goods that should be enjoyed in moderation.
What kind of dough is similar to puff pastry?
The closest alternatives are phyllo and croissant dough. Croissant dough is richer than phyllo but still lighter than true puff pastry. Other flaky doughs include rough puff pastry, filo, and Danish dough.
The Bottom Line
While the flaky texture is slightly different, phyllo dough makes a great substitute for puff pastry in many flat preparations where pointy rise isn’t needed. With proper handling, phyllo can successfully stand in for puff pastry in both sweet and savory recipes. Just don’t expect quite the same delicate, airy puff.