Tips For Buying Phyllo Dough - The Spruce Eats

Skip to Content Tips For Buying Phyllo Dough By Nancy Gaifyllia Nancy Gaifyllia A resident of Greece, Nancy Gaifyllia is a cook who writes about the country's regional specialties. Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process Updated on 10/30/19 Close
Phyllo rice pudding

Philleppe Desnerck / Getty Images 

Phyllo dough has become increasingly popular for all kinds of cooking. It's low-fat or fat-free and is often used to replace higher-fat crusts. When planning to use this wafer-thin dough, consider these helpful details:

  • Phyllo sheets are generally sold in one-pound packages.
  • Phyllo is sold in different thicknesses and shapes.
  • Phyllo for pastries is very thin, used for delicate pastries like baklava, and rolled pastries. Each one-pound box contains approximately 24 sheets.
  • Country phyllo contains around eight sheets per one-pound box and is more suited to small baked savory and cheese-filled pies.
  • Phyllo puff pastry (Sfoliata) comes packaged two sheets to the one-pound box and can be used as-is, or rolled out to meet recipe needs.
  • The size of the phyllo sheets can be 18" x 14" but it is also sold in other sizes, and can easily be cut to fit your recipe.
  • Phyllo can be made and bought fresh (never been frozen) at many Greek and Middle Eastern markets, and it is available in frozen form at most large markets.
  • Phyllo is also sold in different shapes (pastry cups, etc.), which allows it to be used straight from the package without any special cutting or trimming.
  • Check production and expiration dates. Look for the freshest.

Be sure to check the packaging or ask your grocer if in doubt. With phyllo dough, you can make wonderful recipes like Tiropita and Spanakopita!

Kataïfi dough is shredded phyllo. It is sold in 1 lb. packages, and will make 18 to 24 rolls of kataïfi pastries, a delicious treat.

Explore More:
  • Cooking School
  • Cooking Techniques & Tips
Greek Pizza Dough Easy Greek Pizza Dough (Zymi gia Lathenia) 50 mins Ratings Olive oil and olive branch Before You Buy Greek Olive Oil Fresh herbs How to Convert Fresh to Dried Herb Measurements Traditional Greek spit-roasted lamb being carved How to Roast a Whole Lamb on a Spit Mezze Meal All About Greek Meze A hand rolling up a phyllo dough samosa Tips for Handling Phyllo Dough Sheets Greek meze Traditional Greek Meze Table Guide Two grandmothers, or yiayias, explore the marketplace in Corfu, Greece Where to Buy Greek Foods and Ingredients Online Greek Leek Pie Recipe (Phyllo Pie) Greek Leek Pie Recipe (Phyllo Pie) 85 mins Ratings Feta cheese and olive oil Feta Cheese Quince on a counter and annotated with details What Is Quince? Basket of fruit and vegetables Greek Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs That Are in Season Now Pan-fried saganaki, featuring kefalograviera cheese Kefalograviera Cheese Mastic resin in small bowl, high angle view What Is Mastiha? Moussaka What Is Moussaka? Freshly cut dill, chives and flat leaf parsley Herbs Used in Greek Cooking

Tag » Where To Buy Phyllo Dough