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Americans love pistachios. Over the past year, pistachios have hit top food trends. When we debuted Pizza Today’s 2026 Pizzeria Trends Report, pistachios were among the top ingredients that pizzeria creatives were adding to the menu and experimenting with in their test kitchens this year.
Pistachios are unique and provide a toasty and buttery flavor with sweet and earthy notes. With their bright green hue and unique flavor profile, pistachios have risen in the rankings of favorite nuts. There are many applications to explore with them in your pizzeria.
Pistachios’ Origin
Though they are trending now, pistachios have been a star of the world’s palate for thousands of years. Origins can be traced back to Central Asia as early as 6,000 BC. The nut was introduced to Europe by the Romans in first century AD. Pistachios were considered a luxury ingredient that symbolized wealth and status, often used in desserts, sauces and meat preparations.
The ancient tress made their way to America in the 1850s. Today, the United States is the world’s largest producer, exporter and consumer of pistachios. U.S. pistachio consumption reached 225,000 metric tons in 2024, according to RaboResearch.
The nut’s popularity has reached new heights, according to various food trend reports. Pistachios also have gone viral on TikTok. Customer demand is high for the favored nut. You can incorporate pistachios onto your pizza menu in several ways, from pizzas and salads to sandwiches and desserts. Explore a few unique ways to use pistachios.
The Italian Favorite
Pistachios are treasured in Italian cuisine and found in many Italian dishes, especially Italian pizza. When we think of pistachios and pizza, an Italian trifecta comes to mind: mortadella, burrata and pistachios. The combination provides a perfect balance of flavors. Add your own spin to the Italian classic with chili oil, lemon zest, balsamic glaze or roasted tomatoes.
On Chris Bianco’s episode of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, he made his famous Pizza Rosa. The pizza featured Parmigiano-Reggiano, red onion, rosemary extra-virgin olive oil and pistachios.
Dusting of Pistachio
Pistachio dust is a favorite among bakers for its vibrant green color, salty flavor and wow factor.
To make pistachio dust, first inspect your shelled pistachios for any off-color or unsavory nuts. Blanch the nuts in water for up to 30 seconds and drain. This will help retain the bright green color. Spread pistachios on a sheet pan and dry in an oven at 200 F for 20 to 30 minutes. Using a food processor or coffee grinder, pulse until you get the desired dust. You can go an added step and sift out large, course pieces.
A perfect time to test your new pistachio dust is this month’s St. Patrick’s Day. While many restaurants will be coloring their beverages green, you can introduce a pizza special with a pistachio-dusted cornicione. Elevate the flavor by mixing the dust with Parmesan and olive oil.
Pistachio dusts also can be blended into sauces, added to salads, finished over a pasta dish and offered as an add-on condiment.
