Gluten Free Air Fryer Rice Paper Baklava

This is one of my wife's recipes, and honestly, I was blown away the first time she made it. Since she's gluten-free and loves to bake, she's always finding creative ways to recreate classic desserts without sacrificing flavor. This Air Fryer Rice Paper Baklava is one of those recipes that turned out even better than either of us expected.

If you've ever wanted homemade baklava but didn't want to deal with layers of delicate phyllo dough, this recipe is for you. Using rice paper creates an incredibly crispy, golden exterior while the honey, cinnamon, and nut filling become perfectly sticky and caramelized. It's naturally gluten-free (using gluten-free rice paper), dairy-free, incredibly easy to make, and comes together in just minutes.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Much easier than traditional baklava
• Crispy, sweet, and caramelized
• Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free
• Made with simple pantry ingredients
• Ready in about 15 minutes

Storage

These are best enjoyed fresh while they're still crispy. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day. Reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to bring back the crispiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Most rice paper is naturally gluten-free, but always check the package to be sure.

Can I use different nuts?
Absolutely. Pistachios, walnuts, almonds, pecans, or a combination all work well.

Can I bake these instead?
Yes. Bake at 375°F until golden and crispy, checking after about 12–15 minutes.

Do I have to use honey?
Honey gives these their classic baklava flavor, but maple syrup can be used if you prefer a different flavor profile.

Gluten Free Air Fryer Rice Paper Baklava

This is one of my wife's favorite desserts to make. Since she's gluten-free and loves to bake, she's always finding creative ways to recreate classic recipes without sacrificing flavor. These Air Fryer Rice Paper Baklava Spirals have all the crispy, sticky, nutty goodness of traditional baklava—without the hassle of phyllo dough. They're naturally gluten-free (using gluten-free rice paper), dairy-free, and incredibly easy to make.

Print Recipe

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Middle Eastern, Turkish

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Filling

• 1 cup mixed nuts finely chopped (pistachios, walnuts, almonds, or a combination)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Assembly

• 3 rice paper sheets
• Warm water for dipping
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil for brushing
• 1 tablespoon honey for drizzling
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Extra chopped pistachios for garnish (optional)

Get Recipe Ingredients

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Pastry brush
• Shallow bowl (for warm water)

Method

 

1. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped nuts, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon until evenly mixed.
2. Fill a shallow bowl with warm water. Dip one rice paper sheet into the water for a few seconds until just pliable.
3. Lay the softened rice paper on a clean work surface.
4. Repeat with the remaining two rice paper sheets, slightly overlapping each one to create one long sheet.
5. Spread the nut filling in a line along the bottom edge.
6. Roll the rice paper tightly into a log.
7. Carefully coil the log into a spiral.
8. Brush the spiral with avocado oil or olive oil.
9. Drizzle with the remaining honey and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon. Top with extra chopped pistachios if desired.
10. Air fry at **350°F (175°C)** for **7–10 minutes**, or until golden brown, crispy, and caramelized.
11. Drizzle with a little extra honey before serving.

Notes

Don't soak the rice paper for too long—just enough to soften it.
Air fryer cook times vary, so start checking around 7 minutes.
Best served warm while the outside is crispy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes to crisp back up.