This Low-Carb Baklava Braid has the sweet honey-walnut and spice flavors of Baklava. However, this recipe is low enough in carbs, that it can be part of a low-carb, keto, diabetic, gluten-free, grain-free, or Banting diet.

Low-Carb Baklava Braid-On a cutting board.

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I have been working for over a year to bring this recipe for Low-Carb Baklava Braid to all of you. I love baklava, but I knew that making real low-carb baklava would be an impossible. Real baklava is made from super thin layers of phyllo dough. Sheets of this dough are layered with spiced nuts and a honey infused syrup.

The problem with making a low-carb real baklava is twofold. First, I don’t think a low-carb phyllo dough is possible. Second, high-carb honey is an integral part of the flavor combination.

Low-Carb Baklava Braid--On a cutting board.

I decided that, while making low-carb baklava might be impossible, I could still have all of the flavors of the Greek dessert in the form of a pastry made from mozzarella dough like I used in my low-carb sticky bun recipe. Problem number one–solved!

The second problem, the high-carb honey, was not so easy to solve. Last fall, I made several prototypes of this recipe using a commercial honey-stevia blend. While it tasted amazing, I just couldn’t get the number of carbs per serving low enough to work for most of my followers lifestyles. 

I thought about using one of the sugar-free honey-flavored syrups available, but most of them contain maltitol or other types of sugar alcohols that are notorious for causing GI distress in some people (including myself). While some people do fine with these, I just can’t develop a recipe using ingredients that make me miserable.

A few weeks ago, I finally found a solution to the honey problem! I found an all natural honey flavoring on Amazon. I have used this company’s molasses flavoring in my recipe for Low-Carb Molasses Cookies and been pleased with the results, so I decided the honey flavoring was worth a try. It worked perfectly!

Low-Carb Baklava Braid-Slices on a plate.

The final product is a gorgeous braided pastry filled with walnuts blended with exotic flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, and clove. The filling is soaked with a honey glaze scented with lemon and clove. More glaze on top adds a lovely sheen. The flavor is just like baklava, but this treat has way fewer carbs.

This Low-Carb Baklava braid has a beautiful presentation, but is really a cinch to make. I took step-by-step photos, to make it even easier. You don’t even need to know how to braid!

This Low-Carb Baklava Braid makes a lovely holiday treat. It would be stunning for a holiday breakfast or brunch. It could also be served as a dessert. Enjoy!

-Annissa

Low-Carb Baklava Braid- A bite on a fork.

Low-Carb Baklavia Braid recipe

This Low-Carb Baklava Braid has the sweet honey-walnut and spice flavors of Baklava. It would be stunning for a holiday breakfast or brunch. It could also be served as a dessert. Enjoy!

Low-Carb Baklava Braid-slices on a plate
5 from 9 votes
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Low-Carb Baklava Braid

This Low-Carb Baklava Braid has the sweet honey-walnut and spice flavors of Baklava. However, this recipe is low enough in carbs, that it can be part of a low-carb, keto, diabetic, gluten-free, grain-free, or Banting diet.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Greek, low-carb
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 43 minutes
Servings 12
Author Annissa Slusher

Ingredients

For the filling:

For the syrup:

For the pastry dough:

For the assembly:

  • 1 tablespoon butter melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º Fahrenheit. Have two sheets of parchment about 20 inches long and a rolling pin available. Place one of the parchment sheets on a large cutting board or similar surface.

For the filling:

  1. Place walnuts, stevia/erythritol blend, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves in a food processor

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-filling ingredients in the food processor.
  2. Pulse food processor until nuts are very finely chopped and mixture is blended. Set aside.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-filling after processing

For the syrup:

  1. In a small saucepan, whisk together the stevia/erythritol blend and the xanthan gum. Slowly stream in the water while continuing to whisk. Whisk in the VitaFiber syrup and the lemon zest. Drop in the clove.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-syrup ready to be heated.
  2. Place the saucepan over low heat. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, stir in honey flavoring and set aside.

For the pastry dough:

  1. In a large heavy saucepan, whisk together the almond flour, stevia/erythritol blend, xanthan gum, and baking powder. 

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-dry dough ingredients after whisking.
  2. Add the egg and whisk in. Stir in the mozzarella cheese.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-dough after adding mozzarella.
  3. Place mixture over low heat. Heat, stirring frequently, until cheese melts and mixture forms a dough.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-Dough after heating.

To assemble:

  1. Turn out dough onto the parchment covered cutting board. Pat into a rectangle.

    LKeto Ham and Cheese Loaf-Dough is ready to roll out
  2.  Cover the dough with the second sheet of parchment. Roll into a 15 inch by 10 inch rectangle.

    ham and cheese sandwich braid after rolling out.
  3. Cut slanting strips, about 1 inch apart on each long side about 1/3 of the way in. Be sure to cut the same number of strips on both sides.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid--Dough after cutting.
  4. Spread melted butter over the center third of the dough. 

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid--Dough after adding butter.
  5. Spoon the walnut mixture over the melted butter.  Create a trench in the top of the walnut mixture and spoon all but about 1 tablespoon of the syrup in the trench.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-After filling and syrup are added.
  6. Cut off the bottom and top corners of the dough. Fold the bottom and top flaps over the filling. 

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid--Folding up the ends.
  7. Fold the strips over the filling, alternating sides.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid--Starting the braid.
  8. Tuck the last two strips under the top. Transfer the pastry to a baking sheet by lifting it with the parchment paper.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-tucking under the strips.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid--After baking.
  10. Remove from oven. Brush the remaining tablespoon of the syrup over the top of the pastry. This adds a beautiful sheen. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 12 slices. Serve warm.

    Low-Carb Baklava Braid-After glazing.

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 slice (with braid cut into 12 slices)

Per serving: 

Calories: 226

Fat (g): 19

Carbs (g): 6

Fiber (g): 3

Protein (g): 10

Net carbs (g): 3