14 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Pistachio Butter

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If you are tired of plain old peanut butter and want to incorporate rich pistachios into your cooking, using a paste made of these nutrient-rich nuts is a fantastic way to get some green goodness on your plate. Pistachios have a lot of healthy fats, plus antioxidants. Replacing other nut butters with this option can work to bring a new taste and health benefits to your diet. Pistachio butter is sometimes called pistachio paste, but you can make it from scratch following the same steps you would to make any homemade nut butter. Of course, don’t be afraid to pick a jar up at the store if you want to keep things easy instead.

When adding this tasty green spread to your kitchen lineup, don’t just stop at replacing peanut butter. Pistachio butter can also be whipped right into sweet treats like cake batter and ice cream or mixed into zesty pesto for a new twist on this flavorful spread. There are so many ways to use it that you might just find that this is your new secret ingredient in the kitchen.

Replace any other nut or seed butter with pistachio flavor for a different take on a sandwich. It is particularly rich and works with sweet fruit jellies or freshly cut fruit. Stick with a traditional sandwich that you can take on the go or turn it into an open-faced masterpiece that will wow guests (even though it’s still a simple dish to make). Compared to a classic PB&J, pistachio butter sandwiches have an extra rich and sweet flavor but keep a similar consistency.

If you like a creamier peanut butter, mix a little bit of soft cream cheese with your pistachio butter to enhance the richness. For those who like crunchy peanut butter, a generous amount of chopped pistachios mixed in or sprinkled on top adds just the right amount of texture. The great thing about adding pistachio butter to your sandwich spread is that you can try something new each time without having to master a complicated cooking skill or stock up on limited-use ingredients.

Spreading a thin layer of pistachio butter between slices of French toast before grilling is the perfect way to add flavor to a dish that you already know and love. Presentation is also key with stuffed French toast, which is what makes this such a luxurious breakfast to enjoy. You can jazz things up with other add-ins, like sweet caramel spread, pecans, and cinnamon. Elevating French toast with these extra ingredients is a fantastic way to take a simple breakfast dish and turn it into something special.

If you want a little extra crunch, sprinkle pieces of pistachio nuts in as well. These work well to bring in texture without making huge changes to the pistachio flavor. If you want to pair pistachio with other ingredients, however, use nuts like macadamia or hazelnut, which also have a strong flavor. You can stick with classic syrup as a topping or, instead, use fruit jellies and syrups that work equally well with your other ingredients. Don’t forget to cut your finished dish in half to catch a glimpse of the tasty interior after you plate it.

A spoonful of pistachio butter in your morning smoothie adds protein, along with plenty of vitamins. Roasted pistachios are actually lower in fat than some other nuts, so they’re a great way to use nuts in a smoothies while keeping your overall fat content down. That said, pistachios are full of healthy fats and plant-based protein, which will provide energy for your day. In a smoothie, these nutrients are key ingredients, especially if you want to fuel up in the morning or after a workout.

Nut butters are a great way to create smooth, creamy texture as well. Whether it’s peanut butter, almond butter, or green pistachio butter, just a little bit turns your breakfast into a perfectly thick smoothie. For a frothier version, toss in a bit more ice. For something with a creamier base, incorporate Greek yogurt or milk instead. Smoothies are a fun way to play with different ingredients, and they never have to get boring because you can always switch things up from day to day.

Pistachio butter makes a great addition to creamy ice cream to add flavor while keeping the texture super smooth. It incorporates evenly into the ice cream mixture, resulting in a fun green treat, just like you’d get at your favorite ice cream shop. To enjoy a cold pistachio treat, make it from scratch and combine the nuts into your ice cream mixture. Use a nifty ice cream maker like the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine to whip something up quickly and easily, but don’t be afraid to embrace a low tech way and make ice cream without a machine using a simple methods like a bag or can.

If you’re using store-bought ice cream, stir in a little bit of creamy pistachio butter for extra flavor and texture. You can fold this ingredient right into your ice cream on a cold slab or spoon a dollop on top directly in your bowl.

Another great way to incorporate pistachio butter into your day is to use it as the base for creamy filling in deliciously rich truffle chocolates. Truffles are made with rich, soft interiors and coated in a shell or coating. Because it has a creamy texture to start with, this nut better is a perfect base for these style of candies. 

Mix the pistachio butter with chocolate, then coat it in a chocolate shell. Pistachio butter changes the texture of the mixture, however, so pay close attention to the blend as you mix in your pistachio butter. It might take some trial and error, especially if you’re using homemade pistachio butter, which can vary in texture. Start with just a little bit and adjust from there. If you have a recipe that you already know and love, even a touch of pistachio butter will introduce a fresh new flavor. 

Feel free to add some chopped or crushed pistachios for a little extra crunch and embellishment. This is also a fun way to add green flair that hints at the pistachio flavor within. As long as you avoid this one mistake when making chocolate truffles, your pistachio truffles should taste heavenly.

For a tasty twist to classic peanut butter cookies, substitute pistachio butter for peanut butter in a one-for-one ratio, and then add a sprinkling of sugar on top to make things just a little sweeter. You can also sprinkle some chopped pistachios on top or even whole pistachios, pressed into the top of the cookie, to give a fun hint to the flavor.

Nut butter-based cookies aren’t the only ones that can benefit from the pistachio treatment. Add pistachios or pistachio butter to a classic chocolate chip cookie to upgrade things with a sweet, nutty texture and taste. Pistachio butter also makes the perfect filling for green macarons. These French cookies are one of the best desserts to try when in Paris. These tiny confections are made with almond flour and have a light, airy texture. Just a simple smear of pistachio filling sandwiched together between two pistachio-flavored cookies creates a fun and delicious treat.

Fruit and nuts work in perfect harmony to keep you fueled thanks to healthy fats, protein, and nutrients. Fortunately, these ingredients also work fantastically well to create a delicious taste. They can also be rolled into bite-sized balls that are easy to eat and take on the go. Because it’s a healthy source of plant-based protein, pistachio butter is a good base for a filling snack that gives you plenty of energy for the day. 

Mix add-ins like raisins, oatmeal, and even chocolate chips to bring in more flavor and texture. Sprinkle in chopped pistachios into the mixture or on the outside, just like you would a tasty dessert truffle, to give this rich, sweet, and nutty flavor an extra boost. Using pistachio butter as a base, you can also mix and match your favorite ingredients to play with the texture and flavor of the energy bites. Keep things sweet with chocolate candies and dried fruit or embrace a more savory profile with pretzels, seeds, and other nuts. The best party about these bite-sized snacks is experimenting with different mixtures each time you make them.

You can use pistachio butter in place of pine nuts when making pesto to add a rich and creamy flavor. Along with olive oil, basil, salt, and other basics, the nuts are the key to making a great pesto. For a thicker pesto, simply use a thicker pistachio butter. If you prefer something more like a sauce, thin out your butter with plenty of oil. The key is to thoroughly emulsify all of the ingredients so that they are well incorporated.

If you want to boost things even further, try a clever oil swap like using an infused oil instead of a standard olive oil. Add this pesto to noodles or put it on a sandwich to let that savory, nutty flavor take a front seat in your dish. Don’t forget to top it with grated parmesan for a salty bite that pairs well with the zesty pesto.

Add a dollop of pistachio butter to make a creamy sauce for noodles.This is a simple way to introduce delicate pistachio to your dish without making a complicated sauce. It still brings plenty of flavor and adds a lovely green hue to your dish.

To make things even creamier, mix the nut butter with a little bit of heavy cream in a saucepan while warming the sauce. Use more pistachio butter if you want a thicker sauce or more cream for a thinner version. Cooking it down can also help create a more robust sauce that will coat each noodle perfectly.

What’s moree, you can keep things chilled or serve it over warm noodles. Add extras like shrimp, chicken, or vegetables to turn a simple noodle dish into a one-dish meal. A little bit of chopped pistachios over the top also adds texture, while letting people know what to expect from the bowl of mouthwatering pasta.

Add a smidge of pistachio butter when frothing milk for your latte to enjoy a uniquely rich flavor, plus a fun green color that turns your boring daily latte into something special. Because pistachios have a slightly sweet flavor profile, they work well to create a latte that is complex and delicious. You can even sweeten things up with a pump or two of sugar to add that little boost of sweetness. Add a garnish of chopped pistachios on top to create a pleasing design and hint at the pistachio flavor in the latte. 

When it comes to this pistachio beverage, you can easily go with a hot latte or serve it over ice for a summer drink — it’s bound to be tasty either way. To keep things super simple in your pistachio paste latte, smear a little bit of the nut butter on the inside of your cup before pouring your espresso and frothed milk. This allows the flavors to mix and meld together into a delicious drink that doesn’t require any special skills or steps.

Just like you’d use peanut butter in a cake or brownie recipe, you can also turn to pistachio butter to enhance your baked goods. It makes a nice substitute whether you’re mixing it into batter, making frosting, or using it as a ganache. If you want to go all in, do all three and add chopped pistachios on top as a garnish.

Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the ratio of other ingredients, especially if you’re trying to incorporate pistachio butter in a recipe that does not already call for nut butter. If you’re substituting it for another nut butter, use a one-to-one ratio. But if you’re swirling in some pistachio butter as a new addition, reduce your other wet ingredients to balance out the texture.

Pistachio butter also makes a great addition to transform boxed brownies into a more unique dessert that will certainly have people (and their taste buds) take notice of your cooking skills. The vibrant green color of the pistachio butter certainly doesn’t hurt either, particularly if you add chopped or ground nuts on top. Turn any cake or brownie into a St. Patrick’s day-themed dessert with this simple ingredient.

Get creative and swap out peanut butter for pistachio butter when making homemade peanut butter cups. It has a creamy texture similar to other nut butters, plus a mildly sweet flavor. Note that depending on how sweet you like your chocolates, you may want to mix a little bit of sugar or sugar syrup into the mixture. For a little extra crunch, mix in some chopped pistachios as well. You don’t need to stick with the classic cup shape but can also experiment with fun holiday and seasonal shapes.

You can also use this creamy nut butter for other types of chocolate-based candies. Keep an eye out for chocolates with pistachio filling during your next trip to the grocery store or bakery, as this is a great way to try these flavors together before diving head first into a recipe. Additionally, pistachio is a popular Middle Eastern flavor and you can find it in candies coated in milk chocolate or dark chocolate. Dubai knafeh chocolate bars, for instance, combine pistachio cream, tahini, and kataifi, which is a thin pastry that is shredded and mixed with the other ingredients. The entire mixture is coated in rich chocolate. To make your own knafeh bar, look for a food-grade silicone mold like the Fimary Chocolate Bar Mold, and don’t forget to sneak in a dollop of pistachio butter in the process.

For a more savory alternative, emulsify any nut butter with some oil for a creamy and delicious salad dressing. Add salt to pull all of the flavors together and a little bit of acid for brightness. Pistachio dressing can be used with leafy green salads or other vegetable bowls for a sweet, nutty flavor, along with nutritional benefits. Pistachio butter also adds fat and protein to your dish, which is perfect for rounding out a vegetable-rich salad. Toss in some pepper and spices to really boost the flavor.

Pistachio butter may be too thick on its own to drizzle over a salad, so don’t be afraid to play with other add-ins like olive oil or infused oil. You can even pair it with other dressings like creamy ranch or tahini. One great aspect of using nut butters like pistachio in dressing is that you can easily use it as a base for other flavors and styles of cuisine. 

Pistachios and chocolate make a powerhouse combination, especially when you use creamy pistachio butter in a rich pudding or mousse. You can whip up a vegan chocolate pudding using pistachio butter, tofu, and melted chocolate. While the dominant flavor and look of the pudding is still chocolate, the pistachio butter adds complexity to a simple and tasty dessert, while tofu brings in a silky texture that is accentuated by the creamy nut butter.

Just like with other pistachio desserts, a dusting of ground pistachio powder or a few chopped pistachios on top adds a decorative garnish that provides clues to the rich flavor in store. Keep things rustic with larger chunks or use a stencil to create a specific design on the top; pistachios make great visual additions either way thanks to the vivid green color. Serving this pudding in individual cups is also a fun and tasty way to end a special meal.