This creamy, pistachio nice cream is made with only 3 ingredients. It's made with protein-rich creamy greek yogurt, fresh and nutty pistachios, and delicious honey for a subtle sweetness. Plus, it's gluten-free!
Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter.
This recipe is great all year round, although it would be especially refreshing in the summer. This is one of my favorite nice cream recipes that takes no time at all to make. It's packed with protein from the greek yogurt and pistachios, so it makes a great snack AND dessert. Is there anything better than that?!?
This healthy pistachio nice cream was inspired by my 3 ingredients strawberry frozen yogurt and my PB and chocolate-covered ice cream cones.
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Nice Cream vs. Ice Cream
Nice cream has a softer consistency and tastes more life soft-serve ice cream. It doesn't taste exactly the same as creamy ice cream, but it comes pretty close to regular ice cream! It's similar to pistachio gelato. You can use this pistachio nice cream to make ice cream sandwiches using two cookies, too.
Ingredients
- Greek Yogurt: plain, unsweetened greek yogurt. I use Fage.
- Unsalted Pistachios: can be either crushed or whole pistachios.
- Honey: used to sweeten the nice cream.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Method for Making Pistachio Nice Cream
Add pistachios to the food processor and pulse until almost powdery. Add the greek yogurt and honey and pulse until smooth.
The mixture should have a creamy consistency.
Pour the mixture into a metal loaf pan.
Top with crushed pistachios and a drizzle of honey.
Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and freeze in the freezer for at least 6 hours.
Remove from the freezer after 6 hours and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before scooping using an ice cream scoop.
Hint: it can be helpful to use a reusable ice cream container instead of a loaf pan. Find a great one HERE.
Substitutions
- Honey - instead of honey, use maple syrup in the same amount.
- Pistachios - use pistachio butter instead of fresh pistachios. Pistachio butter will work the same way, but pistachio butter can be hard to find. I have used pistachio butter once to replace the pistachios and the recipe turned out just as delicious!
- Vegetarian - the beef hamburger can be replaced with a plant-based burger to make this vegetarian
Variations
- banana pistachio ice cream - add frozen bananas to the yogurt mixture in the food processor. The frozen ripe bananas will give the ice cream more sweetness. You can also add other frozen fruit like strawberries.
- low-fat pistachio ice cream - use low-fat greek yogurt instead of full-fat greek yogurt.
- dairy free pistachio ice cream - use dairy-free greek yogurt like Culina instead of dairy yogurt. This will make the recipe vegan.
- almond extract - add 1 teaspoon almond extract to the mixture before freezing.
- pistachio and cookies - add ½ cup crushed gluten-free cookies to the mixture before freezing.
See this 3 ingredient strawberry nice cream recipe on my website.
Equipment
- Metal loaf pan or a high-speed blender - a high-speed blender will work just as well as a food processor. I prefer to use a food processor over a high-speed blender.
- Food processor
- Ice cream scoop
Storage
Store in the loaf pan in the freezer for one month. Make sure to cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and wrap it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. You can also store it in an airtight container like an ice cream container.
Creative Serving Suggestions
- Pistachio Nice Cream Bars: Pour the mixture into silicone molds, insert a stick, and freeze. Once solid, dip them in melted dark chocolate for a crunchy shell — a perfect grab-and-go version of your favorite nice cream.
- Pistachio Yogurt Parfaits: Layer your pistachio nice cream with fresh fruits and granola for a breakfast twist on this versatile treat. It's a refreshing start to any day, especially when you're looking for something both nutritious and delicious.
- Pistachio Frozen Yogurt Popsicles: Mix in a little extra honey and pour into popsicle molds for a lighter version that's perfect for hot summer days. Kids and adults alike will love this frozen yogurt twist on traditional popsicles.
Health Benefits of Pistachios
Pistachios aren't just tasty; they're packed with health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, these little green nuts can help improve heart health, aid in weight management, and provide a substantial amount of fiber. Adding them to your nice cream not only boosts flavor but also your daily nutrient intake.
FAQ Section
Absolutely! Swap the Greek yogurt for a coconut or almond milk-based alternative. Just keep an eye on the consistency; you may need to adjust the amount slightly to achieve the perfect creaminess.
Properly stored in an airtight container, your nice cream can stay fresh and delightful in the freezer for up to a month. Just be sure to let it soften slightly at room temperature for the best texture before serving.
Yes, in many ways it is! By using Greek yogurt, you're cutting down on fat while still getting a creamy texture. Plus, you're benefiting from the protein and probiotics found in yogurt, not to mention the nutritional perks of pistachios.
Top tip
Let the pistachios break down in the food processor first before adding the greek yogurt and honey.
3 Ingredient Creamy Pistachio Nice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened greek yogurt
- 1 cup unsalted pistachios
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
- Add pistachios to the food processor and pulse until almost powdery. Add the greek yogurt and honey and pulse until smooth. The mixture should have a creamy consistency.
- Pour the mixture into a metal loaf pan and top with crushed pistachios and a drizzle of honey.
- Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and freeze in the freezer for at least 6 hours.
- Remove from the freezer after 6 hours and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before scooping using an ice cream scoop.
Notes
FAQ
Pistachio nice cream tastes rich and sweet. It's not as sweet as traditional ice cream and is more refreshing than a normal dessert. It makes a great snack for this reason!
Plain vanilla or unsweetened greek yogurt is the best base for pistachio nice cream. The greek yogurt-based dessert is also packed with protein. These flavors let the pistachio flavor shine!
Yes, this nice cream is more savory than other ice creams. It's a great option if you don't love sweet desserts.
Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter.
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