Creamy Homemade Pistachio Butter (Better Than Store-Bought!)

Get ready to upgrade your pantry with the most vibrant, luxurious spread imaginable. This recipe for Homemade Pistachio Butter is a total game-changer for your breakfast toast, oatmeal, or baking projects.

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A jar of vibrant green Homemade Pistachio Butter with a spoon.
This Homemade Pistachio Butter is vibrant, creamy, and so easy to make.

It is rich, velvety, and has a stunning green color that you just don’t get from other nut butters. Plus, making it yourself saves a significant amount of money compared to the gourmet jars at the store.

Once you taste the fresh, nutty flavor of this Homemade Pistachio Butter, you will never want to be without a jar in your fridge.

A Little Story About This Dish

I admit it, I used to spend a small fortune on those tiny jars of artisan nut butters. I loved the unique, slightly sweet flavor of pistachios, but my wallet did not love the price tag.

I finally decided to try making it myself. I was shocked to discover that Homemade Pistachio Butter requires nothing more than nuts, a blender, and a little bit of patience.

The first time I made it, the smell of toasting nuts filled the kitchen, and the result was smoother and fresher than anything I had ever bought. It is now a staple in my kitchen, and I put it on everything from apples to ice cream.

Get Ready to Cook!

You are about to blend up a batch of liquid gold. Making Homemade Pistachio Butter is incredibly satisfying, but it does require trusting the process.

What to Expect

Time: About 20 minutes.
Difficulty: Easy! Your food processor does all the heavy lifting.

A close-up of toast spread with Homemade Pistachio Butter.
The perfect breakfast spread: Homemade Pistachio Butter.

Before You Begin

The most important step is toasting the nuts. Even if you bought roasted pistachios, popping them in the oven for a few minutes to warm them up releases their natural oils. This helps them blend into Homemade Pistachio Butter much faster.

Patience is your best friend here. The mixture will look like crumbs for a while, then a thick ball, before it finally relaxes into smooth butter. Do not add liquid like water or milk, or the mixture will seize up and become unusable.

If you want an ultra-smooth texture, you can rub the skins off the toasted pistachios with a towel before blending, but it isn’t strictly necessary for a delicious result.

The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are the simple ingredients you need for this vibrant spread.

IngredientAmount
Shelled Pistachios (roasted, unsalted)2 cups
Honey or Maple Syrup (Optional)1-2 teaspoons
Vanilla Extract (Optional)½ teaspoon
Sea Salt (Optional)Pinch

Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps to create your own jar of green goodness.

1. Warm the Nuts:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the shelled pistachios on a baking sheet. Roast them for 8–10 minutes until they are fragrant. Let them cool slightly, but they should still be warm when you start blending.

2. Start Blending:
Add the warm pistachios to a high-speed blender or food processor. Process on high for 1–2 minutes. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything blends evenly.

 Pistachios being blended in a food processor.
Blending the nuts takes patience, but the result is worth it.

3. The Transformation:
Continue blending for another 5–7 minutes. You will watch the nuts transform from dry crumbs to a thick, clumpy paste. Keep going! Suddenly, the oils will release, and it will turn into smooth, creamy Homemade Pistachio Butter.

4. Flavor and Finish:
Once the butter is runny and smooth, add the optional honey, vanilla, and sea salt if you are using them. Blend for another 30 seconds to incorporate the flavors.

Smooth and creamy Homemade Pistachio Butter in a blender.
Keep blending until your Homemade Pistachio Butter is glossy and smooth.

5. Store:
Transfer your fresh Homemade Pistachio Butter to a clean, airtight jar. Store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store

Here are a few final tips to ensure your nut butter is perfect.

Pointers for Perfection

If your blender seems to be struggling or the butter isn’t getting quite smooth enough, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil to help it along. This adds creaminess without affecting the flavor.

A close-up of toast spread with Homemade Pistachio Butter.
The perfect breakfast spread: Homemade Pistachio Butter.

How to Store

Homemade Pistachio Butter will thicken up when chilled. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. To serve, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or stir it vigorously to soften it up. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

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A close-up of toast spread with Homemade Pistachio Butter.

Creamy Homemade Pistachio Butter (Better Than Store-Bought!)


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  • Author: Helen Lois
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cup 1x

Description

This Homemade Pistachio Butter is liquid gold! Made with just roasted pistachios and a touch of salt, it is creamier, cheaper, and more delicious than any store-bought version. Perfect for toast, oatmeal, or baking.


Ingredients

Scale

2 cups shelled pistachios (roasted, unsalted)

12 teaspoons honey or maple syrup (optional)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Pinch of sea salt (optional)


Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the pistachios on a baking sheet and roast for 8–10 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool slightly but keep them warm.

2. Add the warm pistachios to a high-speed blender or food processor. Process on high for 1–2 minutes, then stop to scrape down the sides.

3. Continue blending for 5–7 minutes. The nuts will turn from crumbs to a thick ball, and finally release their oils to become a smooth, creamy butter. Be patient!

4. Once smooth, add the honey, vanilla, and salt if using. Blend for another 30 seconds to combine.

5. Transfer to an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

Storage: The butter will thicken in the fridge. Stir or let sit at room temperature to soften before using.

Creaminess Hack: If your blender is struggling, add 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil to help smooth it out.

Avoid Water: Never add water or milk, as this will cause the butter to seize and clump.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Condiment, Breakfast, Snack
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 170
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 50mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Take a look at these recipes for some wonderful gluten-free cooking inspiration:

Your Burning Questions Answered!

Here are answers to common questions about this unique spread.

1. Is Homemade Pistachio Butter healthier than peanut butter?

Pistachio butter is a nutritional powerhouse. It is generally lower in calories and higher in fiber than peanut butter. It is also rich in antioxidants (which give it that green color), Vitamin B6, and potassium. Making Homemade Pistachio Butter allows you to control the sugar and salt, making it a very heart-healthy choice.

2. What is the difference between pistachio cream and pistachio butter?

This Homemade Pistachio Butter recipe is made primarily of ground nuts, similar to almond or peanut butter. Pistachio cream (often found in Italian markets) is usually a dessert spread that contains a lot of added sugar, milk powder, and white chocolate or vegetable oils to make it very sweet and spreadable, more like a frosting.

3. Why is my pistachio butter not creamy?

If your butter is dry or crumbly, you likely just haven’t blended it long enough. It takes time for the oils to release! If you have been blending for over 10 minutes and it is still dry, the nuts may have been old or too dry to begin with. Adding a teaspoon of neutral oil or coconut oil will fix this instantly and give you that creamy Homemade Pistachio Butter texture.

Dig In & Enjoy!

You are now ready to enjoy a gourmet treat made right in your own kitchen. Whether you spread it on toast or eat it by the spoonful, enjoy your delicious Homemade Pistachio Butter!

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