Pistachio Crunch Muffins
These nutty, pistachio-filled, streusel-topped muffins will make you forget all about those other muffins.
Serves12 muffins
Prep40 minutes
Cook25 minutes to 55 minutes
I’ve always loved cracking open a handful of salted pistachios here and there, but it hasn’t always been my flavor of choice. However, after tasting the most life-changing pistachio gelato at I Gelati del Bondi on my family vacation in Florence last autumn, I’m now an official member of the pistachio-flavored-everything fan club (you have to try this pistachio cake and these pistachio raspberry croissants if you are too!).
What made that gelato so memorable (aside from being incredibly creamy) was that the pistachio flavor was strong and undeniable, coming purely from the pistachio nuts. Just like that gelato, these pistachio crunch muffins get all their nutty, floral flavor from a generous helping of toasted pistachios. Incorporating the nuts into every component of the muffins in thoughtful ways ensures they come out unmistakably nutty while also perfectly plush and tender. Topping with a pistachio streusel that gets crisp-crunchy when baked to contrast the softness of the muffin only makes these muffins that much better.
Why You’ll Love It
- The flavor in these muffins comes solely from toasted pistachios. I skip the pudding mix and almond extract that some pistachio muffin recipes call for to mimic nuttiness.
- Thanks to the food processor, which does all the heavy lifting, these muffins are much easier to make than meets the eye.
- Although recipes made with nut flours can easily become dense, these muffins come out tender and plush, thanks to the oil and sour cream in the batter.
- The crunchy contrast the soft muffins get from the brown sugar-laced pistachio topping makes for the most delicious combination of textures.
Key Ingredients in Pistachio Crunch Muffins
- Pistachios are incorporated in three ways throughout the recipe: coarsely chopped for the topping, finely ground into a “flour,” and processed with the butter and oil because fat carries flavor through every bite.
- Butter provides flavor while oil yields long-lasting moistness along with a plush texture.
- Sour cream adds a bit of tang to round out the nutty, floral flavor of the pistachios as well as helps to yield a tender texture.
- Brown sugar also provides an extra bit of moisture and helps accentuate the flavor of the pistachios.
- Vanilla extract brings the pistachio flavor to the forefront as well as keeps the muffin’s flavor from falling flat.
Pistachio Crunch Muffins Recipe
These nutty, pistachio-filled, streusel-topped muffins will make you forget all about those other muffins.
Prep time 40 minutes
Cook time 25 minutes to 55 minutes
Serves 12 muffins
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the topping:
- 2/3 cup
unsalted, raw, shelled pistachios
- 1/2 cup
all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup
packed light brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons
cold unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons
vanilla extract
For the muffins:
- 2
large eggs
- 2/3 cup
sour cream
- 4 tablespoons
unsalted butter
- 1 1/3 cups
unsalted, raw, shelled pistachios, divided
- 1 1/2 cups
all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons
baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
baking soda
- 2/3 cup
neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable
- 3/4 cup
granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup
packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon
vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 drops
green food coloring (optional)
Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Place 2 large eggs and 2/3 cup sour cream on the counter and let sit until room temperature.
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Line every other well of 2 (12-well) standard muffin tins (12 lined wells total), making sure no two wells that are next to each other are both lined. (See Recipe Notes for instructions if you only have one muffin tin.)
Spread 2 cups unsalted, raw, shelled pistachios (for the topping and muffins) into an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until fragrant and just starting to turn golden, 3 to 6 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Make the topping:
Place 2/3 cup of the pistachios in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until coarsely chopped, 7 to 10 (1-second) pulses. Transfer to a medium bowl (reserve the food processor; no need to clean).
Add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Combine by hand or with a fork until the brown sugar is no longer clumpy.
Dice 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter. Add the butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the flour mixture. Use your hands to rub the butter into the flour mixture until all the butter is incorporated and the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbly, but clumps when squeezed. Refrigerate while you make the muffin batter.
Make the muffins:
Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add 1 cup of the pistachios to the food processor and process until finely ground. Add 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. Pulse 1 to 2 times to combine. Transfer to a bowl.
Place the butter, remaining 1/3 cup pistachios, and 2/3 cup neutral oil in the food processor. Process until the pistachios are broken down (some fine bits are OK) and the mixture is fragrant and tinted green, about 25 seconds. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl.
Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and whisk to combine. Add the eggs and whisk until combined. Add the sour cream and 1 to 2 drops green food coloring if desired, and whisk until combined and no streaks of sour cream remain.
Add the flour mixture and fold until just combined. Do not overmix. Scoop 1/3 cup of the batter into each lined well of the muffin tins. Top evenly with the topping (about 2 generous tablespoons per well) and very lightly press the topping into the batter to stick.
Bake for 7 minutes. Without opening the oven door, reduce the temperature to 350°F. Bake until the muffins are golden-brown, risen, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 18 minutes more, rotating the pans halfway as needed.
Place the muffin tins on a wire rack and let the muffins cool for about 5 minutes. Transfer the muffins directly on the rack and let cool completely. Lightly dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Recipe Notes
General tips: You will need about 9 ounces shelled pistachios in total.
Substitutions: Substitute the sour cream with full-fat, plain yogurt.
Ingredient/equipment variations: Using every other well of the muffin tins helps the muffins to rise more evenly while also preventing the tops from baking into each other, and using 2 muffin tins allows you to bake the entire batch at once. However, you can bake the muffins in two batches using 1 muffin tin if needed. Increase the oven temperature back up to 400ºF before baking the second batch — no need to cool off the tin before reusing.
Make ahead: The pistachios can be toasted up to 1 day ahead, cooled, and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The topping can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.
Storage: The muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.