• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Waiting for Blancmange
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Jam, Preserves and Toppings

    Easy Pistachio Paste Recipe - Pure Pistachio Spread

    Published: Sep 13, 2021 · Modified: Sep 11, 2021 by Liz Mincin · This post may contain affiliate links


    Jump to Recipe

    If you are a pistachio lover like me, this easy homemade pistachio paste is a must! Easy, free from refined sugars and full of flavour.

    Jar full of pistachio paste.

    Tips for Making Homemade Pistachio Paste

    Homemade pistachio paste is much like any other nut paste. The key is in puréeing the nuts into a butter like peanut butter. There are a couple of tips and tricks for helping you achieve a nice smooth spread:

    1. Toast the pistachios first

    Lightly roasting your nuts prior to processing them will help to release oils. This makes the puréeing easier and also accentuates the natural flavours of the nut.

    2. Use a little sweetener

    Many recipes will call for sugar, I suggest using honey. This means that the paste is free from refined sugars and lightly sweetened. It also adds a touch of additional moisture to help the puréeing along.

    You don't want to add much though, to maintain the pure pistachio paste.

    3. Don't give up on the processing!

    Making nut pastes can sometimes be daunting because you will need to keep processing these for longer than you may be used to in your food processor. For instance, this pistachio paste took about 30 minutes to reach a nice creamy consistency.

    You can stop the food processor early, but you will have a more chalky and gritty paste rather than a spread. It is still usable in many recipes, but will not blend as nicely.

    My main recommendation: keep going until its smooth! It will get there, just give it time.

    Easy Pistachio Spread Recipe

    Ingredients

    For my recipe, you will only need two ingredients:

    • Pistachios - use shelled, unsalted pistachios.
    • Honey
    A baking tray full of lightly roasted pistachios next to a small bowl of honey.

    Two Step Process for Pistachio Paste

    The process for making pistachio spread is fundamentally 2 steps:

    1. Toast the nuts
    2. Process in a food processor

    Begin by lightly roasting your pistachios in a 350°F (175C/155C Fan) preheated oven for about 8 minutes. To ensure a nice even toasting, spread these in a single layer over a baking sheet and stir halfway through the baking.

    Holding up a handful of pistachios over top of a baking tray full of shelled unsalted pistachios.

    Next, once the nuts have toasted a bit, place these in a food processor along with your honey.

    Pouring honey into pistachios in a food processor.

    Start by pulsing this a couple of times to begin breaking the nuts down and then process on high until you have a paste. Stop every 5-10 minutes to scrape down the sides of the bowl if this is becoming coated in pistachio crumbs.

    Pistachios pureed in a food processor.

    After about 25 or 30 minutes, dependent on your food processor, you should reach a smooth nut paste.

    Spoon this into a bowl or jar and store in the refrigerator. This recipe makes enough for about 1 cup of pistachio paste, which will fit in an 8oz/half pint or 240ml jar.

    Close up of pistachio paste on a butter knife.

    Ideas for Using Pistachio Paste

    There are many uses for pistachio paste! Some ideas to try out:

    • Pistachio Ice Cream - you can use pistachio paste with any standard ice cream base (traditional or no churn) to create pistachio ice cream.
    • Pistachio Cake - try adding a tablespoon or two of pistachio paste to my Grandma's Thrifty Pound Cake recipe for an easy pistachio cake.
    • Add a tablespoon of the paste to my classic vanilla pastry cream and use in a tart of eclair. Or make a pistachio buttercream, by adding a few teaspoons to my easy American Buttercream recipe, to taste.
    • Simply spread it on toast or eat with scones.

    FAQs for Pistachio Spread

    How long does pistachio paste keep?

    Pistachio paste is best stored in the refrigerator and can keep for several weeks. I have been known to continue using it for a few months, but it does loose some of its freshness the longer it is left.

    Can I freeze nut paste?

    Yes, you can freeze nut pastes, including pistachio paste. This, however, will not normally extend their shelf-life beyond keeping them in the refrigerator as the pastes keep so well.

    Do I have to toast the nuts?

    While toasting the nuts before puréeing is recommended, it is not strictly necessary. You will still be able to achieve a nut paste without this step, but toasting does enhance the final flavour.

    Can I make this recipe without sugar?

    Yes, if you would prefer not to use any sugars in the pistachio paste, you can omit the honey.

    Jar of pistachio paste.

    If you like this recipe, you might also like:

    • Pistachio and Cardamom Challah Buns
    • Coconut and Pistachio Mini Battenberg Cakes
    • Maple Pecan Praline Paste and Eclairs
    Jar full of pistachio paste.

    Homemade Pistachio Spread

    Liz Mincin
    An easy homemade pistachio paste recipe without refined sugars.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 16 tablespoons
    Calories 62 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups pistachios, shelled and unsalted
    • 1½ tablespoon honey

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat an oven to 350°F (175C/155C Fan) and spread the pistachios on a baking tray. Roast these lightly in the oven for about 8 minutes to help release their oils.
    • Remove the pistachios from the oven and add to a foo processor along with 1½ tablespoons of honey.
    • Blend in the food processor until nuts have broken down into a paste. To get a nice smooth paste, this will take time - about 25-30 minutes on high (dependent on your food processor). Stop the machine every 5 minutes to scrape down the sides and check progress, until you reach your desired consistency.
    • Once you've achieved a spreadable paste, remove from the food processor and spoon into a bowl or jar.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 62kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1.5gFat: 3.5gSaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 40mgPotassium: 81mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 6.4gCalcium: 10mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @waitingforblancmange or tag #waitingforblancmange!
    « Pandan Rice Pudding - Fun New Fusion with Vietnamese Flavours
    Spiced Plum Sauce - Quick and Easy Cinnamon Plum Delight »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Image of Liz Mincin blogger and recipe developer behind Waiting for Blancmange.

    Hi, I'm Liz! I'm an American expat in the UK, sharing recipes and baking tips from my Italian American and Southern roots, along with a few British staples picked up from my time living across various regions in the UK.

    More about me →

    Getting Ready for Summer?

    • My Platinum Pudding - Celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in Cake
    • Strawberry Jam Cake - Light Vanilla Cake Layers with Strawberry Jam Filling
    • Blueberry Strawberry Shortcake - A Family-Sized, Layered Take on the Classic
    • Cookie Dough Cones - A Fun New No-Melt Ice Cream Treat

    Try one of my faves:

    • Cherry Panna Cotta - A New Fruity Fave
    • No Bake S'mores Cheesecake - Always More Room for S'mores
    • Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake
    • Samoas Brownies - The Ultimate Caramel Coconut Brownie

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme