Name: Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1/2 cup honey; 1/3 cup brown sugar (lightly packed); 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup shelled pistachios (roughly chopped); Flaky sea salt for topping

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If you crave the perfect blend of sweet and salty, these Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies are about to become your new favorite treat. Imagine a cookie with a chewy interior, toasty pistachios in every bite, and a heavenly hint of honey that sets these apart from any ordinary cookie. Finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, these cookies deliver a flavor journey that’s just as delightful with a cup of tea as they are at the center of a festive cookie tray. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or just a cozy evening in, this recipe promises to impress every time.

Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of classic pantry staples can come together to create such unforgettable Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies. Each ingredient works its magic, adding finesse to the flavor, texture, or irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen as you bake.

Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Softened butter blends smoothly with sugar and honey, making the cookies soft and chewy.
Honey (1/2 cup): This is the ingredient that distinguishes the cookies with its floral sweetness and beautiful golden hue.
Light brown sugar (1/3 cup, lightly packed): Adds a hint of caramel flavor and enhances the cookies’ moistness.
Large egg (1): Binds everything together while contributing to the tender crumb.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors with warm, aromatic notes.
All-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups): Creates the sturdy base for the cookies, keeping them soft but not crumbly.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Gives the cookies a gentle lift, ensuring they spread perfectly as they bake.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the delicious flavors and balances the sweetness.
Shelled pistachios (3/4 cup, roughly chopped): The star of the show! These add crunch, flavor, and a lovely pop of green color.
Flaky sea salt (for topping): The finishing touch that creates that addictive sweet-salty contrast.

How to Make Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Set yourself up for success by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so the temperature is steady when your cookies are ready to slide in. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, which ensures easy cookie removal and a fuss-free cleanup.

Step 2: Cream the Butter, Honey, and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, honey, and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer if you have one, and beat on medium speed until the mixture looks fluffy and light. This step dissolves the sugar and helps create the signature chewiness of Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat again, making sure everything is fully incorporated. You’ll notice the mixture becomes silkier and a little paler, signaling that air and moisture have been perfectly combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separately helps avoid lumps and ensures even distribution—so every bite of your cookies is equally tender and flavorful.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, blending just until no dry spots remain. You don’t want to overmix here; stopping as soon as the flour is integrated keeps the cookies soft. Then, fold in the chopped pistachios, distributing those nutty gems all throughout the dough.

Step 6: Scoop and Shape Your Cookies

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out dough balls onto your baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each cookie—this helps them bake evenly and gives the perfect canvas for your finishing salt.

Step 7: Salt and Bake to Perfection

Sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of flaky sea salt before sliding the tray into the oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges turn golden and the centers look just set. This is where the magic happens: the honey caramelizes, the pistachios toast, and that aroma fills your kitchen.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Once your Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies look irresistible, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so they firm up. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely—assuming you can resist sneaking a warm one!

How to Serve Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies

Garnishes

These cookies already glisten with flaky sea salt, but if you want to take things up a notch, add a drizzle of extra honey or a scattering of finely chopped pistachios on top. The golden finish and green flecks make your presentation pop.

Side Dishes

For an afternoon pick-me-up, Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies are lovely with a chilled glass of milk, a creamy latte, or a fragrant herbal tea. If you’re serving them at a gathering, offer alongside a platter of fresh fruit for a vibrant, well-balanced dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Gift a stack of these cookies in a decorative box tied with twine—they’re perfect for sharing! Arrange them in a circle on a pretty platter for a party, or crumble a couple over vanilla ice cream for a sophisticated sundae that no one will forget.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies at their best by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to four days—if they last that long!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! Simply place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment. They’ll keep for up to two months. For an even easier treat, freeze unbaked dough balls and bake straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two.

Reheating

For warm, just-baked flavor, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or briefly in a low oven. This revives the soft, gooey texture and makes the honey aroma burst forth once more.

FAQs

Can I substitute other nuts for pistachios?

Absolutely! Chopped almonds or walnuts work beautifully if you don’t have pistachios on hand, though the signature Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies flavor comes from that unique pistachio crunch and color.

Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Chilling is optional but highly encouraged if you want extra chewy, thick cookies. Even thirty minutes in the fridge helps deepen the flavors and improve the texture.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to compensate. The end result will still hit that sweet-salty balance that makes these cookies irresistible.

What’s the best way to achieve a truly chewy cookie?

The combination of honey and brown sugar already gives these Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies plenty of chew, but a slightly underbaked center and a quick chill of the dough before baking can make them wonderfully chewy every time.

Can I make these Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies gluten-free?

You can try swapping in a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend—most work well, though the texture may be a bit softer. Always check that your other ingredients are gluten-free, especially baking soda.

Final Thoughts

If you love cookies that offer something truly special, don’t let another day pass without giving these Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies a try. Their distinctive flavors and plush texture win hearts everywhere they go. So grab your apron, share them with friends, or savor them all to yourself—the only thing better than smelling them bake is tasting that first sweet, salty, nutty bite.

Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 20 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and salty with these Salted Honey Pistachio Cookies. Each bite offers a chewy texture, nutty flavor, and a hint of sea salt for that irresistible combination.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Additional:

3/4 cup shelled pistachios (roughly chopped)
Flaky sea salt for topping

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Cream butter, honey, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture.
Finish Dough: Fold in chopped pistachios. Spoon dough onto baking sheet, flatten, and sprinkle with sea salt.
Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until golden. Cool on sheet before transferring to a rack.