Whether you’re baking with pistachios or looking to use them in a savory setting, we’ve got just the thing. Here’s a list of 30 pistachio recipes that we’re nuts for!
A few weekends ago, on the first day cold enough to warm our toes by the fireplace, we curled up on the recliner with a hot chocolate and a bag of roasted, salty pistachios.
We forced their tight, oval shells open with our fingernails, prying the creamy nuts out of their splintering, rosy skins with tender reverence.
Like this, we snacked on most of the bag and placed the rest as toppings for a traditional Pistachio Cake.
Pistachio doesn’t call for a nutcracker — they’re always open — teasingly gaping their little mouths as if to say, “Go on. I know you want to.”
And boy, do we want to.
And our frayed nails?
Well, those are part of the fun, aren’t they?
Though devouring them all in one fell swoop is indubitably the best way to do it, here are 30 pistachio recipes in which this rich little nut is truly at home.
From buttery biscotti to luxurious dark chocolate bark (#6 is perfect for gifting!) and a redolent pasta — let’s get nutty.
If you struggle to find uses for that big bag of pistachios you picked up at Costco, these flakey, delicious cookies are just the thing.
These take a bit of time — we like to put a little coffee on right before the first batch comes out of the oven and scarf them down right there, dipping as we go.
These are pistachio pudding bars with a pecan crust — enough said.
This straightforward recipe returns great dividends, provided you give it enough time to chill.
Barring that, there’s not a whole lot to it but yum.
We love the look of these luridly green muffins almost as much as we love their nutty, delicately spiced flavor — almost, but not quite!
Now, not that you’ll need to snarf these down as fast as is humanly possible, but they don’t keep too long, so you may need to take one (or three) for the team.
An uncomplicated layer cake that boasts a delectable, creamy icing . . . go on . . . run your finger along the top . . . nobody’s going to know.
Once learned, these crunchy, zingy cinnamon sugar pistachios are impossible to do without.
The white cheddar popcorn was once a feature of all our movie nights, now relegated to the position of car-snack.
These days, it’s these cinnamon sugar pistachios we chow down in front of the tv.
A Christmas without handmade treats doesn’t sit right with us — and this sumptuous, velvety chocolate bark is perfect for gifting.
A welcome alternative to the stocking stuffers of yore; how many hand-creams and candy canes does one need, anyway?
One favorite pistachio recipe by far!
This decadent little bonbon is a bit like an untraditional brownie — sweet, pistachio-laden chocolate all rolled up with caramel and cooled until it’s just stiff enough to cut.
After multiple decades spent consuming pasta by the pound, we thought we knew all there was to know about it — that is, until we met this sparky little number.
It’s our latest obsession: a lively, snarky tangle of noodles with a crown of crunchy pistachios and crumbly ricotta.
We don’t know about you, but we’re gaga for a little posh nut-butter.
And this lovely, rich butter fits the bill entirely.
Slather it on some buttered white bread with a bit of banana and fry on both sides for a toastie that’ll put all others to shame.
10. Pistachio Cake
With its cloudy, extra-large sponge, this cake is a delightful mess, so be sure to put down the napkin-bib before you tuck in.
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a delicious, ooey-gooey 8-layer pistachio square?
Well, we don’t know, but we’re excited to find out.
Reader, it takes approximately 30 licks to get to the center.
This was a waste of time.
Next time we’re using a fork.
In our opinion, the itty-bitty-er the dessert, the better (we’re particularly good at “forgetting” how many we’ve eaten, this way).
An excellent dessert for those who don’t like making dessert.
Creamy, clean-testing, and fresh — a lovely way to wrap up a big meal.
It’s their nostalgic appeal that makes these sweet treats so special.
We’ve got plenty of fond memories of standing on a stool to swipe little crunchy bits from a bowl while our mothers swatted at us with spoons.
In addition to being a speedy little dessert, these sticky-sweet rice squares are a great way to keep little hands occupied all afternoon.
This recipe comes together in a pinch.
You don’t have to search the markets for strange ingredients or obscure equipment.
You don’t need the better part of a day.
It’s as perfect a pudding as they come.
These triple chocolate cookies are about as chocolatey as it gets.
Perfectly, pleasingly squidgy with a contrasting nutty crunch.
Pop a batch in the freezer to eat in secret later.
An easy win if brain-freeze-inducing cold desserts are your thing.
On sweltering summer days, when the sun beats down from above, and all our instincts scream that we hurl ourselves into the nearest body of water — this is what we want.
Deploy the last of your pistachios intelligently with this aromatic, assertive pesto.
It’s leagues above anything you could buy at a store.
While we’re perfectly content to slather this on a baguette and eat it that way, it also wonderfully complements warm potato and pasta salads.
Sweeten up your snacking game with these addictive, crunchy nuts!
They’ll add a welcome textural contrast to a pan of chewy brownies or an airy sponge cake.
But they’re also great in popcorn on movie night.
20. Pistachio Gelato
Our primary concern with gelato is how best to shovel excessive amounts of it into our mouths — but we might be roped into making it too if it were always this easy.
Please excuse us while we pile our waffle cone high into the sky . . .
Thankfully, the age when they slathered hummus on everything is long past (remember hummus pizza?).
That doesn’t mean our favorite dip doesn’t still have lots to offer.
This store-cupboard iteration comes together in all of 15 minutes and calls for nothing more than chickpeas, pistachios and a little extra virgin oil.
… so the next time you’ve got a hankering for hummus, don’t go to the store.
Make your own.
Buying macarons is easy.
Conversely, making your own at home is a laborious undertaking that seems not worth the hype.
It’s long been on our to-do list for the 24th of never-ever.
That was until we tasted these at a friend’s Christmas party.
We’re unashamed to say we took the leftovers home and asked for the recipe later.
Now we’re sharing it with you.
We can no longer tolerate the onslaught of underwhelming chocolates and bonbons the festive season brings — that’s why we’re making our own.
And we’ve got to say, we’re pretty impressed with these rich, decadent truffles.
They’re proper spectacular; you’re all set to impress.
The pride of place at whatever Christmas party you’re off to next is yours.
This sharp, zingy salad of grapefruit and blood orange contrasts beautifully with the sweet, mild flavors of vanilla bean paste and Manuka honey.
Just add prosecco.
This straightforward, quick, unfussy pasta comes together with minimal prep and boasts a bold, fiery flavor that’ll make it the favorite of all those who like a bit of heat with their supper.
How hot will you dare to go?
CookingChew Tip: If you don’t find the recipe to be hot enough, you can crank it up to blow-your-head-off levels by adding a little more chili.
Brie’s what we look to whenever we’ve got to entertain a crowd.
Here it’s been baked for a half-hour, star-spangled with pistachios, and drizzled with honey for an appetizer (or evening snack, we’re not the boss of you) that’s sure to please.
These itty-bitty pastries are like something out of a children’s picture book: lovely, sparkling fairy food.
They’re portable power-ups in cookie form; we think we’ve met our new addiction.
Since they are captivatingly delicious, you can have these biscuits with a pudding or jammy crumble.
Or you can enjoy it alongside cream and sugar for the perfect coffee quartet.
Did you know that Jane Austen used to start her day with a pound cake and some tea?
Well, it wasn’t this particular pound cake, but then you’re probably no Jane Austen, neither.
This buttery, rich loaf studded through with crunchy pistachios is still plenty good.
These petite square cakes are so cute — we could eat them up.
And we will, thanks very much. Grate a little lemon zest over top to serve: cooking with pistachios has never been easier.
The bottom line
Most of these recipes call for skinned pistachios, and there are two ways you might go about that: you can soak the shelled nuts in warm water and rub the skin off with your fingers or do the lazier thing and rub dry, freshly shelled nuts together so that the skins fall right off.
Should you demand an even lazier way out than that, buy ground pistachios in bags to have at the ready and dispense with all of that skinning business entirely — that’s what we do.
When it comes to the nuts themselves, you’ll want to be sure you’re buying from someplace with a fast turnover. Look for clean, freshly packed pistachios; loads of loose skin in the bottom of the bag and dust are good indicators of staleness.
And thus concludes our roundup of pistachio dishes.
All that remains is to roll up your sleeves and get cooking.
Need even more cooking ideas? Check out our Bundt cake recipes, a few things to make with ricotta, and stuff to make with egg yolks!
30 Pistachio Recipes
Looking for recipes to make with your bag of pistachios? Get to shellin’: Here are 30 pistachio recipes that will make an impression!
Ingredients
- Easy Italian Pistachio Cookies
- Pistachio Dream Bars
- Green Pistachio Muffins
- Pistachio Layer Cake
- Cinnamon Sugar Pistachios
- 3 Ingredient Pistachio & Dark Chocolate Bark
- Pistachio Roca
- Sicilian Ricotta & Pistachio Pasta Recipe
- Homemade Pistachio Paste
- Pistachio Cake
- 8 Layer Pistachio Squares
- Pistachio Dessert
- Pistachio Pudding Dessert Bites
- Pistachio Rice Krispie Desserts With Dark Chocolate
- Pistachio Pudding With Macerated Strawberries
- Triple Chocolate Pistachio Cookies
- Frozen Chocolate Pistachio Desserts
- Toasted Pistachio Pesto
- Pistachio Candied Nuts
- Pistachio Gelato
- Easy Pistachio Hummus
- Pistachio Macarons
- Pistachio Truffles
- Citrus Salad With Manuka Honey, Vanilla & Pistachio
- Persian Pasta With Spiced Chickpeas & Pistachios
- Baked Brie With Honey & Pistachios
- Cookie Bars With Pistachios & Cherries
- Pistachio Amaretti
- Pistachio Pound Cake
- Lemon & Pistachio Mini Cakes
Instructions
- Choose one or more options from our list of pistachio recipes here!
- Create your new favorite dish.
- Pat yourself on the back for making food at home for you to enjoy!
- Share and comment! Did you make any tweaks so it’s all your own?