Lemon pistachio dessert bars are both sweet and tart with a bit of crunch!

Pistachio lemon bars are sweet and lemony and perfect for picnics or parties. They are tasty and sturdy with a mouth-puckering lemon flavor.

a woman's hand holding a lemon pistachio bar

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Lemon and pistachio are the perfect flavors to celebrate spring, but they taste great all year round.

These sweet and tart Pistachio Lemon Bars have a tender and zippy filling, a cookie-like crust and the crunch of pistachios throughout.

If you’re looking for something decadent but not overly sweet, you will want to add these lemon and pistachio nut bars to your dessert rotation.

Add a little sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top for a dessert bar that is perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, a church picnic, or just to snack on at home.

The only excuse you need to make these is that they taste good!

Making Easy Lemon Bars with Pistachios

Almost a cross between a cookie and a pie, these dessert bars are creamy in the middle and sturdy on the bottom.

They can be easily cut and stacked on a plate. They are so sturdy you can eat them with your hands–fork and plate are totally optional!

If you love lemon and pistachio, try these desserts:

side view of a lemon bar with pistachios in it

Lemon Pistachio Bars For The Win

If you wonder when you can serve these yummy lemon bars, wonder no more because you can serve these dessert bars with ANYTHING!

Baby shower? Yes!

BBQ dinner? You bet! And serve them with pistachio ice cream or lemon ice cream for a cool treat.

Afternoon tea? They are perfect with a cuppa Earl Gray.

Church picnic? Pile them on a tray and watch them disappear.

A nice dinner? Pair with a sweet dessert wine and enjoy.

How to Make Pistachio Lemon Bars

It’s really easy to make this simple crust and lemony filling.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Shelled pistachios
Flour
Powdered sugar
Salt
Butter
Granulated sugar
Eggs
Lemon zest
Lemon juice

two lemon pistachio bars on a plate, with a fork next to it.

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe is available below)

Make the Crust. First, you’ll process 1/3 cup of pistachios in a food processor until it is the consistency of graham cracker crumbs.

Add in the flour, powdered sugar and salt and process to combine.

Next, add in the cold butter and process until a crumbly dough forms. Press that into a parchment-lined dish.

collage image showing the steps to processing the pistachios, sugar, flour, salt, butter into the dough for the crust of the lemon bars.

Prebake the Crust. Next, you’ll bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.

freshly baked pistachio shortbread crust for lemon bars

Prepare the Filling. Then, you’ll make the filling by whisking together sugar and eggs.

Mix in the flour, lemon zest and juice and then stir in the pistachios.

collage image showing four photos that demonstrate how to mix the filling, with eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped pistachios

Fill and Bake the Bars. Last, you’ll pour the filling over the hot crust and return it to the oven to bake for 20 minutes or until set.

Cool completely before cutting into bars and serving.

a woman's fingers holding a lemon pistachio bar.

Notes and Adaptations:

Feel free to try changing up the citrus flavor with oranges or Meyer lemons. I haven’t tried it, but I bet grapefruit would be delicious, too!

Recommended Equipment:

Yield: 16 bars

Mouthwatering Pistachio Lemon Bars

Name: Mouthwatering Pistachio Lemon Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Crust:; 1/3 cup shelled pistachios; 1 cup flour; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 cup butter, cold, cut into cubes; For the Filling:; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 2 TBSP all-purpose flour; 1 tsp lemon zest; 4 TBSP fresh lemon juice; 1/4 cup chopped pistachios

These pistachio lemon bars are the perfect combo of zippy lemon custard with the nutty crunch of pistachios. The perfect spring time dessert!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the Crust:
1/3 cup shelled pistachios
1 cup flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter, cold, cut into cubes
For the Filling:
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 TBSP all-purpose flour
1 tsp lemon zest
4 TBSP fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped pistachios

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F and line an 8" baking dish with parchment paper.
Prepare the crust by adding pistachios to the bowl of a food processor. Process until fine, similar to the consistency of graham cracker crumbs.
Add flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Process to combine.
Add butter and process until a crumbly dough forms.
Press this mixture into the prepared pan, flattening to form a crust. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Meanwhipe, prepare filling by whisking together sugar and eggs.
Add flour, lemon zest, and lemon juice, whisking to combine. Stir in the pistachios.
When the crust has finished baking, pour the filling over the hot crust and return to the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until set and no longer jiggly.
Cool completely before lifting from pan and slicing into bars.

Notes

Inspired by The New York Times Cooking

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 214Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 168mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 0gSugar: 15gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.