Homemade Phyllo Dough Recipe (Filo Pastry)

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the flour and olive oil. Using your fingers, rub the oil into the flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Step 2

In a measuring jug, combine the water, vinegar and salt. Pour in almost all the liquid, holding back a little just incase you don't need it all. Mix until the dough comes together to form a ball. If needed, add a little more liquid to bring it together.

Step 3

Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, adding a little flour if absolutely necessary to keep the dough from being too sticky. Wrap well and let rest at room temperature for two hours.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and flour together. Set aside by a work surface.

Step 5

Divide the dough into 20 equal portions by first cutting the dough in half, then half each portion so you have 4 equal pieces. Divide each piece into five portions and roll each into a ball.

Step 6

Keep five balls of dough out and the rest under a clean tea towel to stay moist.

Step 7

Generously dust your work surface and a ball of dough with the flour mix. Roll the dough into a 5 inch (12 ½ cm) circle and dust with a bit more. Repeat with the remaining four balls of dough, stacking one on top of the other. Be sure to add flour in between the layers to stop them from sticking together.

Step 8

Keeping the dough stacked, roll out to a circle about 8 inches (20 cm). Separate the layers, add more flour in between, restack and then roll out to a 10-12 inch circle (25-30 cm). The dough layers should be paper thin and translucent.

Step 9

Carefully pull apart the layers, dust a touch more flour in between, restack and place the dough stack between two pieces of parchment paper and roll up. Wrap well in plastic wrap and refrigerate while you finish rolling the rest of the dough in this same manner.

Step 10

Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, until ready to use. It can also be frozen for up to 4 weeks.