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This panna cotta pistachio recipe was first published on September 1st, 2025.

If you told me I would one day try my hand at making a panna cotta pistachio recipe, I would have probably scrunched my nose and said no straight away! And instead, this pistachio panna cotta really did a trick with me. Imagine a delicious dessert made with pistachio cream, delicate and silky, so easy to make, all you have to do is mix everything and wait for it to set!

panna cotta pistachio on a glass cake stand, a hand with a spoon touching it, more panna cotta in the background, plant with a blue pot and pistachios around

Table of Contents

What is panna cotta? Where is it from?

Panna cotta is an Italian dessert originating from the Piedmont region in Northern Italy. Its history is not very clear; some trace it back before the 1900s, and some say it was invented by a Hungarian woman residing in Italy. Nonetheless, we know for sure that this dessert started appearing in cookbooks and restaurants around the 1960s.

This Italian dessert made of sweetened cream thickened with gelatin and then moulded has a silky texture that melts in your mouth. It is often flavoured with coffee, vanilla, or other flavourings like limoncello or, in this case, pistachio panna cotta.

The name comes from the Piedmontese words ‘panera cheuita’, which means ‘cooked cream’. It is nowadays enjoyed worldwide and often used as a versatile base to play with, with both toppings and flavouring. (Wikipedia)

What are pistachios? Are they good for you?

These small green ‘nuts’ are not botanically considered as such. Pistachios are actually seeds of the pistachio tree (Pistacia Vera), encased in a shell (fruit flesh) that is later discarded.

These plants originated in Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan. These trees were then introduced from Asia to Europe by the Romans in the first century AD, and then spread the production from there. (Wikipedia) Pistachios’ benefits are:

rich in nutrients like: copper, vitamin B6, phosphorus and manganese;
high level of potassium and unsaturated fatty acids,
can lower the chances of cardiovascular disease;
can help with blood sugar, blood pressure and keep cholesterol in check;
high in antioxidants;
high in protein and low in calories;
promote healthy gut bacteria;
may promote blood vessel health. (Healthline)

What ingredients do I need to make this panna cotta pistachio?

This pistachio panna cotta recipe requires very few ingredients:

whipping cream: the base of your panna cotta pistachio recipe and what will give its signature silky and creamy texture. Some recipes call even for heavy cream but we prefer whipping one;
granulated sugar: sweetens and balances the nutty flavor of pistachios;
pistachio cream: adds that distinctive nutty taste and delicate green shade, as well as used for garnish on top;
unflavored gelatin sheets: setting agent that transforms the cream into a smooth dessert;
crushed pistachios: crunchy garnish on top that adds texture.

from top panna cotta pistachio on a plate with a blue towel on the side and pistachio grounds

How do I make panna cotta pistachio?

Making this panna cotta dessert is actually very easy! Start by soaking the gelatin sheets in a small bowl with cold water for about 10 minutes. In the meantime, in a small saucepan, heat the cream and granulated sugar over medium heat. Whisk until all the sugar has dissolved.

Then stir in the room temperature pistachio cream and bring the cream mixture to a gentle boil. Remove from the heat, squeeze out the gelatin sheets, and whisk them into the hot cream until fully melted.

Pour the mixture into moulds or serving glasses and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until set. When ready to serve, unmold the panna cotta pistachio, garnish with a drizzle of pistachio cream and chopped pistachios for a creamy, nutty finish.

Can I make pistachio cream at home?

You absolutely can and that’s what we used! You can find the full recipe with ingredients here. Start off by mixing the sugar and pistachios until they are reduced to powder in a food processor. Melt the white chocolate in a small pot with the milk, then pour it into the blender and blitz. Add the butter and blitz until fully incorporated. Pour into a clean jar and place it in the fridge until cold.

How to serve panna cotta desserts?

Panna cotta pistachio is best served chilled from the fridge so that it keeps its sily texture. You can unmold it on a plate or leave in ramekins or serving glasses. You can add a sprinkle of crushed pistachios, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, or a few fresh berries on top adds color and flavor contrast.

We went simple with some more pistachio paste and crushed pistachios on top. But you could also add some fresh berries on top, a drizzle of honey or even pair it with some citrus zest or chocolate shavings.

Can I make this panna cotta pistachio vegan?

You can absolutely turn this panna cotta into a vegan one! All you have to do is swap the whipped cream for vegan one and use an alternative to gelatine like agar agar. Our pistachio butter though, is not vegan, so in that case you will have to find a vegan version, but there are plenty on the market. And get ready to taste the best pistachio panna cotta vegan!

Do you have more pistachio recipes?

We do indeed, and they are still not enough in my opinion, so this pistachio panna cotta recipe easy won’t be the last! In this house, we live and breathe pistachio, so here are some of our favourite pistachio recipes from both our blogs:

pistachio granita: This is literally my childhood memories in a cup. I used to spend all summers in Sicily when I was a kid, and I could never have enough of granita and brioche!
pistachio cream: The best family heirloom I can have! My aunt makes this delicious pistachio cream, and it’s so rich, buttery and indulgent. The perfect homemade gift!
pistachio liqueur: Indulgent, delicious and rich! If you love to try your hand at homemade liqueur, you can’t miss this version with the green gold.
pistachio panettone: getting closer to Christmas, all I can think about is this delicious pistachio panettone, a bit lengthy to make, but oh so worthy it and the best way to welcome December!
pistachio lasagna: forget about the traditional lasagna and make space for the queen of them, or how I like to call this!
pistachio lemon loaf: if you love something easy and quick to make, this pistachio and lemon loaf cake is one for the books!
pistachio amaretti cookies: a classic with a modern twist! These amaretti are so easy and quick to make, and devour!

Do you have more easy Italian dessert recipes to share?

We have plenty more dessert recipes for every taste if you wnat to want a good companion to this panna cotta pistachio recipe:

pineapple tiramisu – a take on a classic like tiramisu but with a refreshing take!
lemon granita – be ready to be refreshed with another summer dessert that will rock your world and basically all my july were all about growing up!
torta paradiso – heavenly and fluffy sponge with cream in between for an easy yet indulgent dessert recipe;
macedonia di frutta – refreshing and so easy to whip up, macedonia is the perfect way to enjoy fruits all year round!
amarena gelato – nothing beats a refreshing ice cream, and even better when you have a ninja creami where all you have to do is wait for it to freeze, and then in less than 5 minutes you have fresh gelato in hand!
coffee cream – quick and so delicious, the perfect dessert for any coffee lover!
biancomangiare – naturally vegan, this Sicilian speciality is easy and quick to make, plus so versatile everyone will love this dessert. Similar to panna cotta in some ways;
almond granita – another Sicilian recipe and one that goes hand in hand with this recipe for lemon granita;
gelo al limone – another easy no bake dessert that is full of citrus and gets back to our Sicilian roots;
pistachio granita – I know, how many granita recipes can you need? Endless, thatàs the right answer! This pistachio granita will rock your socks off!

panna cotta pistachio on a glass cake stand, a hand with a spoon with a piece on it, more panna cotta in the background, plant with a blue pot and pistachios around

Pistachio Panna Cotta

This pistachio panna cotta is creamy, nutty, and irresistibly elegant. A simple yet indulgent dessert that feels like a touch of Italy in every spoonful.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Resting Time 3

Total Time 3 30

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

400 ml whipping cream
60 g white sugar
40 g pistachio cream
6 g gelatin sheets
20 g crushed pistachios to garnish

Instructions

Soak the gelatin sheets in cold water for 10 minutes.
In a saucepan over medium heat, add the cream and sugar. Whisk until the sugar dissolves.
Stir in the pistachio cream and bring to a gentle boil.
Remove from heat, squeeze out the gelatin sheets, and whisk them into the hot cream until melted.
Pour the mixture into molds or serving glasses. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Unmold and garnish with a drizzle of pistachio cream and chopped pistachios before serving.

Keyword pistachio panna cotta

SHOP THE PISTACHIO PANNA COTTA RECIPE