Pistachio Gelato (with Homemade Pistachio Paste)
The secret to outstanding pistachio gelato is homemade pistachio paste. Learn how to churn one of the most popular Italian ice cream flavors at home!
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Dreaming of travelling to Italy to spoon into a bowl of rich and intensely flavorful Pistachio Gelato? I’ll save you the plane ticket! I’ve worked hard on this recipe so you can recreate that true, deep nutty goodness, the kind the best Italian spots are famous for, without leaving home.
There’s something special about pistachio gelato, right? It’s easily one of the top flavors people crave. The downside? Pistachio gelato is probably the most faked gelato flavor out there. Why? Because quality pistachios carry a high price tag. Sadly, this leads many shops to take shortcuts. Often, what passes for pistachio gelato relies on things like inexpensive almond extract to mimic nuttiness, artificial green dyes for a color that real pistachios rarely achieve so vividly on their own, or even bulking out the product with less expensive nuts.
Trust me, though, the moment you taste authentic pistachio gelato made purely from real nuts, everything else pales in comparison. It’s a whole different world of deep, complex flavor. It takes me right back to Sicily years ago–I had this amazing scoop served in a brioche (seriously!). The flavor was so intensely pistachio, almost savory, and the texture was impossibly smooth. You just don’t forget a taste like that.
Irresistible Sicilian pistachio gelato served in a brioche, at I Dolci di Nonna Vicenza, in Catania, Sicily.
The undisputed key to unlocking that outstanding, authentic pistachio gelato flavor and texture is making pistachio paste from scratch. Forget the compromises; this is where the magic truly happens. Start with high-quality raw, unsalted pistachios for the purest flavor. While legendary Sicilian Bronte pistachios are the ultimate dream for their unique profile, any good quality raw pistachio will yield fantastic results when you prepare them yourself.
While raw pistachios are certainly an investment, crafting your own paste gives you complete control over the quality, freshness, and roast level. This often results in a far superior flavor profile than even pricey store-bought pastes, making every penny count towards incredible taste.
My pistachio gelato recipe provides detailed instructions for creating that luxurious, vibrant paste and then shows you exactly how to incorporate it into your gelato base for a truly sublime result.
Want to see the process come alive before you start? You can watch me make this very pistachio gelato from start to finish in Lesson 7 of my comprehensive How to Make Gelato video class.
In the video, I guide you through the key steps of my pistachio gelato recipe, showing you exactly how to achieve the perfect velvety pistachio paste consistency in your food processor. I also demonstrate the crucial custard coating the back of a spoon test for doneness and show you the ideal creamy, dense texture the gelato should have as it emerges perfectly churned from the ice cream maker. It’s a great way to build confidence before you dive in!
Get ready to churn: my pistachio gelato recipe will guide you step-by-step through crafting a vibrant, luxurious pistachio paste and then churning it into the most glorious gelato you’ve ever made.
Helpful Tips for Making Pistachio Gelato
Don’t Skip Soaking the Pistachios
Making truly smooth pistachio paste starts with this simple but crucial step. Plan ahead and soak your raw, unsalted pistachios in plenty of fresh water for at least 4 hours at room temperature, or ideally, let them have an overnight bath covered in the refrigerator.
Why this extra step? A lengthy soaking hydrates the nuts, softening their dense cell structure. This makes them significantly easier for your blender or food processor to break down into that dreamily smooth, velvety paste, which is the essential foundation for incredibly silky gelato.
Peel the Pistachios—If You Have the Patience!
After soaking, you’ll likely notice the thin, papery skins on the pistachios have loosened considerably. For the ultimate smooth texture and the most vibrant natural green color in your finished gelato, taking the time to slip these skins off is highly recommended. A gentle squeeze between two fingers usually does the trick!
Be warned, this does require a bit of patience! Consider it a mindful kitchen task–perhaps put on some music or your favorite podcast. Peeling about a cup of soaked pistachios might take around 15-20 minutes. For those seeking pistachio perfection, many find the results absolutely worth the effort.
However, if time or patience isn’t on your side today, you can choose to skip peeling. Your homemade paste (and the resulting gelato) will still be wonderfully flavorful! Just expect to see tiny flecks of darker skin throughout, and the final color might be a touch less intensely green. Delicious is still definitely achievable!
Make the Most of Your Homemade Pistachio Paste
Your reward for making pistachio paste from scratch is a truly luxurious and versatile ingredient! Its intense, pure pistachio flavor is obviously incredible in this gelato, but don’t let its potential stop there. Once you taste how much better homemade is compared to most store-bought options, you’ll be looking for ways to use it.
Think outside the gelato machine! Fold homemade pistachio paste into light-as-air semifreddo, swirl spoonfuls into brownie or blondie batter before baking, whisk it into pastry cream for eclairs or fruit tarts, fold it gently into freshly whipped cream for a quick mousse, add nutty depth to financiers or other small cakes, or even enrich a batch of buttercream frosting.
Raspberry Pistachio Semifreddo, made with homemade pistachio paste.
Got leftover paste? Lucky you! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it should keep well for about 2 weeks. For longer storage, you can freeze pistachio paste–consider freezing it in small, usable portions (a silicon ice cube tray works great for this!) for several months.
About the Gelato Base Used in this Recipe
To make my pistachio gelato, you can use any of my gelato base recipes: classic, Sicilian-style, or vegan. Here’s what makes each base unique:
- Classic Gelato Base: Made with an egg yolk-rich custard, this version delivers a delightfully creamy mouthfeel. Its soft, pale-yellow hue is reminiscent of a classic French ice cream. I use this base to make richer flavors like chocolate or nut-based gelatos.
- Sicilian-Style Gelato Base: This method, popular in Sicily, uses cornstarch instead of egg yolks as a thickener. The result is a bright white gelato with a smooth, almost velvety texture. Because pistachio gelato is such an iconic Sicilian treat, this is the base I usually use to make pistachio gelato.
- Vegan Base: I’ve dedicated serious time to creating a fully plant-based gelato base that’s surprisingly creamy and indulgent. The process to make it is very similar to my Sicilian-style base, but it uses plant-based products and, of course, no eggs at all. To make vegan gelato, I usually recommend a combination of oat milk and coconut cream, but the flavor of coconut cream would overpower delicate pistachios. To make vegan pistachio gelato, I recommend combining oat milk with soy cream in half and half proportions. Get all my tips for making outstanding vegan gelato.
Whichever gelato base you choose to work with, you’re bound to churn a memorable treat!
Chill Your Pistachio Gelato Custard Thoroughly (Overnight is Best!)
A properly, deeply chilled custard base is absolutely key to achieving that dense, smooth, minimally icy texture that defines authentic gelato. Please don’t rush this cooling step!
Aim to refrigerate your freshly made pistachio gelato custard for at least 4 hours, but an overnight chill (8 hours or longer) in the refrigerator truly yields the best results. This extended time makes a noticeable difference in the final texture.
Why is longer better? This extended chilling period does more than just lower the temperature. It allows the fats in the mixture (from milk, cream, and the pistachios) to fully solidify and the complex flavors to meld and deepen. A thoroughly cold base churns more efficiently and encourages the formation of much smaller ice crystals–the ultimate secret to scoopable, silky creaminess!
Plus, planning for an overnight chill breaks down the gelato-making process nicely. Making the custard one day and churning the next makes whipping up homemade pistachio gelato feel much less daunting and easier to fit into your schedule. You can even make the custard up to 2 days before you plan to churn, just keep it well-covered in the fridge.
How to Serve Pistachio Gelato
One last super important tip! Home freezers are way colder than commercial ones. So, always pull your pistachio gelato out of the freezer 10-15 minutes before you plan to scoop. Trust me on this: it makes scooping way easier (since gelato has less fat, it freezes rock hard) and, more importantly, lets it soften to that perfect, luscious texture you get in Italy. This ‘tempering’ wakes up the flavors and brings out that creamy dreaminess.
Sprinkle crushed toasted pistachio nuts over each serving for a bright green touch and some extra crunch.
Want to pretend you’re in Sicily for a bite or two? Serve pistachio gelato in your favorite bakery brioche. Many Sicilians have this for breakfast! It’s one more Italian tradition I’m happy to make my own.
Additional Ressource: A Guide to Making Italian Ice Cream at Home
If you’ve never made gelato before, don’t miss my detailed guide to making Italian ice cream at home. The guide contains ALL the information and tips I’ve gathered through 20 years of gelato-making. You’ll learn what sets gelato apart from American-style ice cream, the difference between a classic gelato base and a Sicilian-style gelato base, why you do need an ice cream maker to make the best Italian ice cream, and get access to all of my colorful gelato recipes in a single spot. Happy churning!
Video Masterclass
If you enjoy watching cooking classes, don’t miss my free gelato video masterclass! In it, you’ll find out what makes gelato different from ice cream, how to make a versatile gelato base you can turn into various flavors, and all my secrets and tips to churn and serve outstanding gelato. You’ll even learn how to make dairy-free, vegan gelato! In short, it’s a comprehensive, colorful class that will quickly turn you into a gelato master. Watch Now!
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For the gelato base: Make the gelato base of your choice, then strain into an airtight container. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight. The gelato base must be very cold before churning: this will produce the smoothest, silkiest texture.
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To make the pistachio paste: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the shelled pistachio nuts and simmer for two minutes. This is going to blanch the nuts and make them easier to peel and grind later on. After two minutes, drain and rinse the nuts under cold water to cool them completely.
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Dry the nuts with paper towels. If the nuts still have their skin on, I strongly recommend peeling them for the best texture and color. To peel a pistachio, simply pinch it between your fingers: the skin should come right off. This steps take a bit of work, but it’s worth it. Alternatively, you can buy pre-peeled pistachios, which are more expensive, but will save you the extra step. (Note that you still must blanch peeled pistachios).
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Put the blanched and peeled nuts in the bowl of a high-speed blender or food processor, then add the sugar. Pulse until the nuts are finely ground, stopping from time to time to scrape down the sides of the container or bowl.
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Add the whole milk and the pistachio or almond extract, if using, and process until the mixture is as smooth and creamy as your appliance will make it (some tiny pistachio bits will remain but that’s ok). If you’re using a food processor and want to reach an even smoother texture, transfer the pistachio paste to a tall cup and blend it further using a stick blender.
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To make the pistachio gelato: Whisk the pistachio base into the cold gelato base. Pour the mixture into the bowl of an ice cream maker. Freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Stop the machine when the gelato is icy but still soft.
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STORAGE: Transfer the pistachio gelato to an airtight container and freeze until firm, about two hours.Pistachio gelato is at its creamiest and best if enjoyed within 2 weeks. Past that, some ice crystals will inevitably start forming (especially if the gelato is kept in the freezer section of a regular fridge, as opposed to a chest freezer) and the texture won’t be quite as smooth. The gelato will still be perfectly edible for up to 2 months, but my advice is: enjoy it as quickly as possible after churning.
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SERVING: Always take pistachio gelato out to room temperature 20 minutes before serving to make it easier to scoop. This will also allow you to enjoy the treat at its ideal temperature and texture.
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More Gelato Recipes
Browse through all my gelato recipes for inspiration! You’re sure to find a new favorite.
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