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Home » Recipes » Baked Goods » Pistachio Muffins

Pistachio Muffins

July 20, 2022 by Christy, Updated January 13, 2023 1 Comment

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These quick and easy pistachio muffins are made with pistachio flour so they’re naturally gluten free and full of pistachio flavor. They’re naturally green colored by adding matcha powder and can be made entirely in a blender by grinding up pistachios to make your own flour!

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients
  • How to make pistachio flour
    • Do I really need a high speed blender?
  • How to make the best pistachio muffins
  • Variations
  • Other nut flour muffin recipes
  • FAQ
  • Pistachio Muffins
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients US CustomaryMetric
    • Instructions
    • Video
    • Notes
    • Nutrition
      • did you make this recipe?
close up of a pistachio muffin sitting on a muffin wrapper with a bite missing

It’s no secret I love all things pistachio since I sprinkle them on chocolate bites and everthing else I can. I even add them to savory dishes like lemon rice, sautéed beet greens and kale salads.

If you are a pistachio lover like me, these muffins will be your new favorite! They’re perfectly moist, just sweet enough and a healthier alternative to your standard bakery style muffins.

If you’re new to baking with pistachio nuts, this recipe uses pistachio flour, and includes instructions to use store bought or make your own. Please note that this is an original recipe, not a Jello pudding pistachio muffin recipe so save that preservative laden instant pudding mix.

This is a from scratch version that gets its pistachio flavor from the nuts themselves paired with a touch of almond extract to intensify it. Trust me, it will still rock your tastebuds and deliver a good pistachio punch of flavor.

This recipe is naturally gluten free, dairy free, and are naturally tinted green color using a secret ingredient, matcha (which is entirely optional).

Overhead of six pistachio muffins laid out on a white background with powdered sugar on top

Ingredients

This recipe uses real pistachios as the flour instead of all purpose flour which makes them naturally gluten free, kind of like a pistachio macaron. Here are some notes on the ingredients to further clarify and give some guidance on what works best.

overhead of ingredients and equipment needed for pistachio muffins on light gray background

Here’s what you’ll need for these delicious pistachio muffins:

  • pistachio flour is amazing but expensive. It is so finely ground that it creates the best consistency but if you have a high speed blender or food processor, you can make it yourself out of pistachios at no additional cost. Raw unsalted pistachios work best for this but you can use roasted, salted snack pistachios if that’s all you have. They will make the recipe more salty than it would have been otherwise but it still works. You can rinse the salt off and let them air dry overnight if you have time and this is a concern.
  • coconut flour – this helps create the best texture and without it, the muffins won’t hold together well.
  • salt – I used Himalayan pink salt but any fine baking salt will do. Leave out if making your own pistachio flour out of salted pistachios.
  • baking powder
  • matcha powder this is entirely optional for color and you can leave it out or use a drop of food coloring to get a green tint
  • eggs – use regular grade A large eggs and make sure they’re room temperature. You can speed this along by placing the eggs in warm water – not hot! – for about 5 minutes.
  • honey or agave syrup – both work well here
  • plain unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice. If substituting with vanilla nut milk, you can leave out the vanilla in the recipe.
  • melted coconut oil
  • vanilla extract
  • almond extract – this gives it great flavor but you can substitute with pistachio extract if you’d like. I haven’t found one that tastes enough like pistachio that I’d recommend.
  • pistachios – plain is best but roasted salted will be ok, just a smidge saltier. You’ll leave out additional salt if using this option. You’ll also need to reserve some pistachios to crush and sprinkle on the tops of the muffins.
  • powdered sugar – this is entirely optional but makes them look prettier
hand holding up a muffin with muffins in the background

How to make pistachio flour

To make your own pistachio flour, place 1 ½ cups pistachios, coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, matcha and salt (leave salt out if using roasted salted pistachios) into a high speed blender or food processor and pulse for short bursts until it becomes the consistency of flour.

Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the blender every few pulses to make sure it all blends evenly. Also, make sure your blender pulses are just a second or two at a time. You don’t want to end up with pistachio butter instead of flour!

If using roasted salted pistachios instead of raw unsalted, the end result will just be saltier than it would be otherwise so you’ll need to exclude the added salt in the recipe. If you want to reduce the salt in the recipe and have the time, you can rinse the nuts and let them sit and dry overnight before grinding.

overhead shot of pistachio flour in a blender

Do I really need a high speed blender?

For the best consistency in making your own pistachio flour, you will need a high speed blender or food processor. A low quality blender may not get the flour fine enough.

I use a Vitamix but the Ninja Mega Kitchen System is going to be my next blender purchase. It does everything a Vitamix can do and has cups too for small batches which the Vitamix struggles with. If you’re in the market for a Vitamix though, they sell refurbished ones on their website and I was able to get mine half price and it still works great!

Hand grabbing a pistachio muffin that has a bite taken out of it

How to make the best pistachio muffins

These are easy muffins to make, regardless of whether you’re making your own pistachio flour or not. If making in a bowl, it is a one bowl recipe where you can mix the wet right into the dry ingredients.

Same goes for if you’re using a blender to make your own pistachio flour. The rest of the ingredients can get added right into the blender. No need to get a separate bowl dirty!

Here are the basic condensed steps for making this recipe:

  1. Mix the dry ingredients (either whisking in a bowl or pulsing in a blender)
    Blender with green batter inside
  2. Add the wet ingredients and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
  3. Then scoop batter or pour into a muffin tin lined with paper liners. The batter will be very thick and cooking spray isn’t the best option here. If you don’t have liners, grease using a paper towel to add a thick layer of butter or coconut oil. Go around each of the muffin cups using a rubber spatula about 5 minutes after removing from the oven to prevent sticking.
    Unbaked green muffin batter in muffin tray
  4. Chop up some pistachios and sprinkle chopped pistachios on the muffin tops to create that crunchy muffin top we all love.
    two images side by side, first of hand chopping pistachios and second of them being sprinkled on top of muffins
  5. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 20-24 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the inside comes out clean.
    overhead of muffins in a muffin tin with crushed pistachios sprinkled on top
  6. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove and let fully cool on a wire rack.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar if desired (completely just for aesthetics) and serve!
    Hand using small sieve strainer to sprinkle powdered sugar on muffins

Variations

If you love the recipe and are looking for some fun ways to switch things up, here are some ideas:

  • Mix whole or crushed pistachios into the batter. If they’re salted, rinse first so the end result isn’t too salty.
  • Add chocolate chips! Everything is better with chocolate right?
  • Want to make it more decadent? Make a glaze by whisking together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of almond milk and 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract in a small bowl. Use a teaspoon to drizzle the glaze over the muffins.
  • Sprinkle with turbinado sugar before baking instead of powdered sugar after.
  • Don’t like crunch or have a nut hater in the house? Leave out the crushed pistachio sprinkle for a smooth consistency.
  • For a fun holiday muffin and a tart twist, add a cup of dried cranberries. They’re also perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
Muffin on a white background with other muffins and flowers in background

Other nut flour muffin recipes

If you like this recipe, check out these other almond flour muffin recipes:

  • Blueberry almond flour muffins
  • Almond poppy seed muffins
  • Banana almond flour muffins
  • Coffee cake muffins
  • Almond flour coconut muffins

FAQ

Can the pistachio muffins be vegan?

Yes, to make vegan, swap honey for agave syrup or pure maple syrup and the eggs for an egg replacement like Ener-G.

Are the muffins high protein?

Yes, each muffin has 6 grams of protein. The protein comes from the pistachios, egg, and almond milk mostly.

How should I store them?

Once fully cooled, the muffins will keep in an airtight container on the counter for up to three days and 4-5 days in the refrigerator. As with most baked goods, they are best eaten within the first 3 days and best stored on the counter since the refrigerator can alter the texture.

Can pistachio muffins be frozen?

For longer storage, freeze the muffins for up to two months in a tightly sealing freezer bag. To defrost, either allow the muffin to defrost in the refrigerator overnight or microwave for about 45 seconds. If microwaving, eat while warm after removing from the microwave or the texture will get dry and not retain moistness as the muffin cools.

Can I use a mini muffin tin? 

Yes, this recipe will make 20 mini muffins using a silicone mini muffin cup tray like this. Follow all other recipe instructions but only bake for 10-12 minutes

hand grabbing a pistachio muffin on white background
Recipe
close up of a pistachio muffin sitting on a muffin wrapper with a bite missing
Recipe
5 from 1 vote
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Pistachio Muffins

Created by: Christy Gurin
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 22 mins
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 22 mins
12
These quick and easy pistachio muffins are made with pistachio flour so they're naturally gluten free and full of pistachio flavor.

Equipment

  • 1 Bowl or can use blender or food processor
  • 1 Hand mixer or wire whisk or stand mixer
  • 1 Rubber spatula
  • 1 Muffin Tin
  • 12 Muffin liners oil or butter can be used instead

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups pistachio flour or 1 1/2 cups pistachios, see notes
  • 1/3 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt leave out if making your own pistachio flour out of salted pistachios, see notes
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ – 1 teaspoon matcha powder optional for color, can use a drop of food coloring instead or leave out
  • 3 eggs room temperature
  • 1/3 cup honey or agave syrup
  • 2/3 cup plain unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 Tablespoons pistachios coarsely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).
  • Line a muffin tin with 12 liners or grease each nonstick muffin indent liberally with oil, coconut oil or butter.
  • Add pistachio flour, coconut flour, salt, soda, baking powder, and matcha (if using) to a small sized bowl and use a wire whisk to mix together. See notes for instructions on making in a blender and/or making pistachio flour from pistachios.
  • Into the same bowl add eggs, honey, almond milk, coconut oil, vanilla and almond extract and whisk until well incorporated.
  • Pour batter into prepared muffin tin or use a measuring cup to drop in, evenly distributing between all 12 holes.
  • Sprinkle crushed pistachio on top of each one, dividing between the 12 muffins.
  • Place muffin tin in oven and bake for 20- 24 minutes until muffins are cooked through (if needed, test by sticking a toothpick into the center – it will come out mostly clean when muffins are ready).
  • Remove muffins from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing and letting cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
  • OPTIONAL: once cool, use a fine mesh sieve to dust powdered sugar over the top of the muffins for visual appeal.

Video

Notes

To make in a blender – replace steps 3 and 4 with the steps below.
3. Place 1 ½ cups pistachios, coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, matcha and salt (leave salt out if using roasted salted pistachios) to a high speed blender or food processor and pulse for short bursts until it becomes the consistency of flour. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the blender every few pulses to make sure it all gets blended evenly.
4. Add eggs, honey, almond milk, coconut oil, vanilla and almond extract and pulse until mixed in, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to make sure it gets evenly mixed (don’t over mix). Follow the rest of the recipe as written.
If using roasted salted pistachios: it is ideal to use pistachio flour or unsalted raw pistachios to make your own but the roasted salted kind that is sold for snacking will work, the end result will just be saltier than it would be otherwise. To make this work, leave out the added salt in the recipe. Don’t rinse the salt off the nuts being used for flour unless you have enough time to let them sit and dry overnight before grinding. You can rinse the salt off of the 2 Tablespoon of nuts that are crunched for topping though to reduce the salt a little bit.
Storage – once fully cooled, muffins will keep in a sealed container on the counter for up to three days and 4-5 days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze for up to two months in a tightly sealing freezer bag. To defrost, either allow the muffin to defrost in the refrigerator overnight or microwave for about 45 seconds. If microwaving, eat quickly after or texture will not retain moistness.
To make vegan – to make vegan, swap honey for agave syrup or pure maple syrup and the eggs for an egg replacement like Ener-G.
For mini muffins – this recipe will make 20 mini muffins. Bake them for 10-12 minutes.
Muffin liner substitute – if you don’t have muffin liners grease each muffin cup using a paper towel to add a thick layer of butter or coconut oil. Use a rubber spatula to carefully go around each muffin about 5 minutes after removing from the oven to prevent sticking.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffin | Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg

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posted in: Baked Goods, Blender, Dairy-Free, Egg, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Oven, Paleo, Quick and Easy, Recipes, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

    Comments & Reviews

  1. Salazar says

    July 26, 2022

    5 stars
    I had some extra pistachios from Costco and tried this recipe. I rinsed the salt off and let them sit overnight to dry like you suggested and it worked great! It didn’t have the pistachio flavor that pudding mix has but I’m happy not to be putting that junk into my body. Thank you for the recipe.

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