Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts

The Pistachio Gelato Of Your Dreams

4.64 from 22 votes
My homemade pistachio gelato recipe is made with REAL pistachios for that perfect deep flavor along with being incredibly smooth & creamy!
A tub of pistachio gelato with three scoops on top.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.

Hi Bold Bakers!

Pistachio is one of the most popular flavors of gelato. I don’t know what it is about it, but everyone goes crazy for it (including me!) Storebought gelato is fine, but real pistachio gelato that you make at home, with real pistachios? It may change your life.

I really suggest going BIG here! (Don’t I always? It’s in the title!) Many people use artificial pistachio flavoring for their gelato, and it’s good, but it’s not great. And what’s the point of waiting for something to freeze before you eat it and you realize it’s good!

My homemade pistachio gelato is made with real pistachios that are popped in a food processor until a paste is formed. It gives the gelato such a deep flavor, and the texture is so smooth and creamy. I know pistachios are expensive, but this recipe is worth it! 

Pistachio gelato with 3 scoops on top, still in the tub.

What Is Pistachio Gelato?

Gelato is like ice cream, except it has less fat in it. Without that extra fat from the milk and the cream, the flavor comes through really intensely. 

This gelato recipe is made with toasted pistachios that get blended into a paste. If you love pistachio, I highly recommend you stop snacking on them and make this gelato! 

What You Need To Make Pistachio Gelato

How To Make Pistachio Gelato

Making this lovely gelato is about as easy as any other gelato — the only extra step is making that delicious pistachio paste! Here is how you make pistachio gelato (get the recipe with measurements, down below!): 

  1. Blend the pistachios in a food processor until they become smooth and a little oily.
  2. Add in the powder sugar and salt and process until it is combined.
  3. As the processor runs, drizzle in the olive oil until blended. Set the pistachio paste aside while you make the gelato base.
  4. Place a large mixing bowl with a sieve set over it near the stove.
  5. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk and cream until simmering.
  6. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together.
  7. When the milk mixture is simmer, pour one ladleful at a time into the eggs, whisking constantly.
  8. Return the milk mixture to the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook. Stir it constantly until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  9. Once thickened, immediately pour the mixture through the sieve into the bowl. Discard any solids.
  10. Whisk the pistachio paste in the custard, tablespoon by tablespoon. Taste along the way until you get the flavor you like. Cover the custard and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least four hours. 
  11. Churn the custard following the direction of your ice cream maker. Transfer the gelato to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving. 

A close up of a bowl of pistachio gelato scoops.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Pistachio Gelato

  • Be sure to measure the pistachios after they are shelled to get the correct amount. 
  • If you want your gelato to be greener, blanch the pistachios and then remove the brown skins. Place the shelled pistachios in a bowl with cold water and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain, cover with boiling water, and let sit for 3-4 minutes. Finally, rinse with cold water. You can then peel by hand or place the pistachios on a clean kitchen towel and rub the skins off.
  • Always temper the yolks by adding the hot milk slowly to the yolks instead of pouring the yolks directly into the hot milk to prevent curdling.
  • If you happen to have premade pistachio paste, use this: combine 1 1/3 cups (10½oz/295g) pistachio paste with the heavy whipping cream in a bowl and proceed with the directions starting at Step 4.
  • Serve with homemade ice cream cones!

How Do I Store Pistachio Gelato?

Homemade pistachio gelato will keep in your freezer for up to 4 weeks.

Make More Ice Cream!

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

Full (and printable) recipe below!

Pistachio Gelato Recipe Of Your Dreams

4.64 from 22 votes
My homemade pistachio gelato recipe is made with REAL pistachios for that perfect deep flavor along with being incredibly smooth & creamy!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 2 pints
Prep Time 20 minutes
freeze for 4 hours
My homemade pistachio gelato recipe is made with REAL pistachios for that perfect deep flavor along with being incredibly smooth & creamy!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 2 pints

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (5oz/142g) toasted pistachio (shelled)
  • cups (5oz/142g) powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups (16floz/480ml) whole milk
  • 1 cup (8floz/240ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup (6oz/170g) granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Blend the pistachios in a food processor until smooth and a little oily.
  • Add the powdered sugar and salt and process until combined.
  • While the processor is still running, drizzle in the olive oil until blended, and then set the pistachio paste aside while you make the gelato base.
  • Place a large mixing bowl with a sieve set over the bowl near the stove.
  • Warm the milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat until simmering.
  • Whisk the eggs and the sugar together in a medium mixing bowl.
  • When the milk mixture is simmering, pour one ladleful at a time into the eggs, whisking constantly.
  • Return the milk mixture to the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Immediately pour the mixture through the sieve into the bowl and discard any solids.
  • Whisk the pistachio paste in tablespoon by tablespoon into the warm custard until you get the nut flavor you like. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 4 hours.
  • Churn according to the directions for your ice cream maker. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving. Store in the freezer for up to 4 weeks.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

27 Comments
most useful
newest oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Samiab
Samiab
2 years ago

I made this recipe and it’s good in overall taste and texture. The only thing is the amount of sugar that overwhelms the palate. I’m trying it again with less sugar.

Oana
Oana
6 months ago

Hi Gemma,

This looks and sounds lovely, I was looking for a recipe that is using real ingredients, including egg yolks and I will give yours a go.

I have a question: I also have some pistachio cream (very good, with 45% pistachio) that I would like to add. Any advice on how to adjust the pistachio nuts and sugar quantities? The cream also had sugar it in and quite a lot. It is Pisti brand if that helps.
Thank you!!

Robin Kirkley
Robin Kirkley
1 year ago

OMG. This is so good! I made it last weekend, added a lot of extra pistachio paste and threw in some coarse chopped, toasted pistachios as it was churning. My poor husband didn’t get any because it was so yummy and I didn’t share.

Reshma Shetty
Reshma Shetty
1 year ago

Can we make this without eggs….love pistachio gelato…..but prefer an eggless recipe

Jenny
Jenny
2 years ago

I managed to make this using your no machine method, though I needed to throw it in the blender to get the pistachio paste to distribute into the custard properly. I had a hard time getting the nuts to break down in my food processor too, I think it was too big, which didn’t help. Still turned out absolutely delicious, so bad for me, but so good! Thank you 😀

mombakes R
2 years ago

How did I not see this in August??!! It was the flavor I wanted most! THANK YOU!

Valerie Sultan
2 years ago

Omg this ice cream was so delicious thanks you I loveee pistachio

Aditi
Aditi
2 years ago

Hi Gemma,
Can this gelato be made in a stand mixer?

Lori S
Lori S
2 years ago

This is absolutely delicious and so easy to make! I stirred in some toasted whole pistachios after churning before the final freezing, because well, who can say no to even more pistachios? This is just as good as a memorable pistachio gelato I had in Berlin, Germany a few years ago. Thank you for another fabulous recipe, Gemma!

Sara Oliveira
Sara Oliveira
2 years ago

Hi, Gemma!

Do you think I could do your two ingredient ice cream base and add the pistachio paste, to make ice cream?

Last edited 2 years ago by Sara Oliveira

This Recipe Made By Bold Bakers

3 Images

Lori

Valerie Sultan

Wrendymion

About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

Weeknight Family Favorites Chapter from the Bigger Bolder Baking Every Day Cookbook

Gemma's
10th Anniversary Cookbook

FREE EMAIL BONUS

 Recipes that have been loved by millions of real bakers!