Generally, filo dough responds best when it's allowed to thaw out over a period of time in the refrigerator. This type of dough is packaged in sheets that can morph into a soggy, sticky mess with microwave thawing. Some filo dough manufacturers include microwave thawing instructions on the product's packaging, but if no instructions are present on the packaging try a general -- though not foolproof -- method to thaw the dough quickly.

Remove the filo dough from the box but keep it in its plastic packaging.

Place the entire package in the microwave. Set the microwave for 45 seconds on the defrost setting.

Remove the package from the microwave, open it and remove the dough. The sheets should peel away from one another.

  • Generally, filo dough responds best when it's allowed to thaw out over a period of time in the refrigerator.
  • Remove the package from the microwave, open it and remove the dough.

TIP

Buy filo dough at a market that turns the product over quickly. Otherwise, you may buy something that has been sitting for months in the freezer. Purchase an extra package of filo dough in case the microwave-thawing method isn't successful. Always check the filo dough package for thawing recommendations from the manufacturer. If they are present, follow those because they are product specific.