These 25 recipes use pistachios in sweet and savory dishes and are great for trying different ways to use them. Pistachio cake to a warm pistachio pasta.
I’m a big fan of pistachios always have been. They’re one of those ingredients that just work in everything, whether I’m making something sweet, savory, or just grabbing a quick snack. If you’re looking for new ways to use them, I pulled together some of my favorite ideas. From easy pairings to desserts and a few savory dishes too, there’s a lot you can do with a handful of pistachios!
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Pistachio Recipes
I love using them in snacks and appetizers for that perfect crunchy texture. They’re also a must-have in desserts (especially when paired with chocolate). They even make their way into savory recipes, adding something special to every dish. Which ones will you try first?
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Stuffed Date Recipe – 4 Flavor Variations
Stuffed dates are easy to make, and the filling options are endless. Below you’ll find 4 types of stuffing to try: goat cheese pistachio, peanut butter, cashew cream, and even ricotta!
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Pistachio Bread
This Pistachio quick bread recipe is made with real pistachios right in the mix. No pudding, extracts, or cake mix here. A true pistachio bread recipe!
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Pistachio Pudding
This homemade pistachio pudding is dairy-free and naturally bright green without any artificial colors! It’s a quick, easy snack that’s so good!
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Crinkle Cake
This phyllo crinkle cake, soaked with custard and topped with pistachios, is that viral dessert everyone’s talking about—fun to make and even better to eat!
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Pistachio Cake Recipe
This pistachio cake is made with real pistachios and has a beautiful green color without the addition of food coloring. Topped with a homemade cream cheese icing.
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Pistachio Baklava Recipe
Easy Lebanese-style pistachio baklava! Use phyllo dough for a shortcut and simple syrup, with finely chopped pistachios in between layers.
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Pistachio Tiramisu Recipe
This pistachio tiramisu recipe is easy, made with espresso-soaked lady fingers. A mascarpone pistachio cream, topped with pistachios. No bake, just set in the fridge and enjoy.
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Semolina Pudding (Layali Lubnan)
“Layali Lubnan,” a Lebanese semolina pudding, is a deliciously creamy and fragrant dessert with a crunchy pistachio topping.
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Dubai Chocolate Strawberries
Dubai chocolate strawberries are a must-have viral treat made with fresh strawberries, pistachio butter and melted chocolate layered in a cup.
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Dubai Chocolate Bar Recipe
This homemade version of the viral Dubai Chocolate Bar is an easy-to-make recipe with 3 main ingredients and chocolate molds. The result is a crunchy sweet and unique chocolate bar!
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Pistachio Pasta
One-Pot Creamy Pistachio Pasta is ready in under 30 minutes! Blend pistachios into a vibrant green sauce for a unique weeknight meal.
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Pistachio Crusted Salmon Recipe
This pistachio-crusted salmon recipe is ready in 20 minutes and made with pistachios, lemon, dill, and Dijon mustard. It’s baked on a sheet pan and easy to make.
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Tips for Making Recipes with Pistachios
- Store properly. To keep pistachios fresh, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. For longer shelf life, consider refrigerating them or even freezing them.
- Toast for extra flavor. I like to lightly toast pistachios in a dry skillet or oven to bring out their natural oils and enhance their flavor. It gives the dishes an extra layer of richness.
- Pair with sweet and savory. Pistachios are incredibly versatile (as you’ll see in these recipes). Try them in both sweet dishes, like with chocolate, and savory dishes, like appetizers and pastas.
- Mind the salt. Pistachios can be naturally salty, so be mindful of the amount of added salt in your recipe. Taste as you go to avoid over-salting your food.
- Use different textures. Depending on the recipe, you can chop pistachios for a crunchy topping or grind them into a fine powder to incorporate into batters, crusts, or dressings.
Image Credit: PeterHermesFurian/Istockphoto.
Popular Pistachio Pairings
Looking to get creative with a bag of pistachios but not sure where to start? In addition to these recipes I share in this roundup, here are some classic pairings you might want to try:
- Chocolate: This is an obvious (and my personal favorite) choice. Pistachios pair great with dark, milk, and white chocolate. Try them in chocolate bark, truffles, or as a topping on chocolate cake or avocado chocolate mousse for the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy.
- Honey: Did I even have to mention honey? The sweetness of honey complements pistachios richness, which is so good! Drizzle honey over pistachio-baked desserts or mix them into a granola recipe for a sweet, crunchy snack.
- Citrus: The bright, zesty notes of lemon, orange, or grapefruit balance the buttery flavor of pistachios. Add them to beet orange salad or on top of lemon bread.
- Berries: Pistachios and berries make a delicious combination. Add them to a strawberry parfait or on top of a healthy banana split.
- Cheese: Pistachios are a great match for creamy, tangy cheeses. I love crusting a goat cheese log with crushed pistachios for an easy dip with pita chips. Or, add a handful of pistachios to a cheese board alongside your favorite cheeses for a quick, delicious touch.
- Olives: I love how the briny flavor of olives pairs well with pistachios in Mediterranean-inspired dishes. I like to add them to salads or even on top of olive tapenade as a dip for crackers or bread.
About the Author
Yumna Jawad, who was born in Africa to Lebanese parents and moved to the US at 11 years old, is beloved by millions of fans globally on Instagram, TikTok, and her website, Feel Good Foodie for her unique, delicious, creative and easy recipes that often go viral on social media. She has grown her massive following from scratch the past decade and has recently founded a new culinary venture, Oath Oats, launched in November 2022. Yumna’s viral food trends have been featured by Live with Kelly & Ryan, The Today Show, Good Morning America, PEOPLE, Vogue, and the New York Times. A graduate from the University of Michigan Business School, she now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband and two kids. Yumna’s parents are both Lebanese so she proudly features Lebanese, middle eastern and Ramadan recipes as part of her heritage. Her first cookbook, The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook, launched in May 2024 (Penguin) and is filled with over 100 approachable, unique and delicious “Middle Eastern meets Midwestern” recipes for the entire family. The cookbook hit the bestseller lists on Amazon, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly.
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This article originally appeared on Feelgoodfoodie.net and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org
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