PureWow

Is This Fall Food Trend the Next Big Thing Since Pumpkin Spice? Here’s What I Think

By Katherine Gillen,

11 hours ago

It’s late August, which means you’re either hanging onto summer’s last threads for dear life, or you’re already sipping pumpkin spice lattes while sweating through cashmere in 85-degree weather. But this fall, I’m seeing a different food trend that may be poised to take over, unrelated to the gourd family or warming spices at all.

According to Pinterest’s Fall 2024 Trend Report , searches for “pistachio butter” are up 240 percent. The humble nut (technically a seed)—grown in arid climates like the Middle East and Western U.S.—has a mild, earthy flavor and can be ground into a creamy, luxurious paste that’s like a smoother, richer version of almond butter. Its uses are myriad, from drizzling on crostini to stirring into oatmeal or blending into a milkshake.

But why now? Pistachios aren’t a fall ingredient per se, although I would never complain if someone slipped a sprinkling into my annual pumpkin loaf . I suspect the most recent rise in popularity can be traced back to the TikTok trend of recreating viral Dubai chocolate bars filled with pistachio butter and shredded phyllo dough. (They’ve been dubbed “knafeh” chocolate bars, after the Palestinian dessert that combines shredded phyllo with sweet cheese, sugar syrup and crushed pistachios.)

@happytummy_702 Drooling over the VIRAL Dubai knafeh CHOCOLATE BAR I’ve been seeing on my fyp, how about you? Let’s try make it - recipe below ❤️ RECIPE👇🏼 You’ll need: Any silicone molds that have at least ½ inch (1½cm) depth. Mold I used was 6½x2¾x½ inch (16½x7x1½cm) Ingredients: - 3 tbsp (42g) butter - 8oz (227g) kataifi (shredded phyllo dough) - 4 (3-4oz) chocolate bars (340-454g), melted - 1 jar (200g) pistachio cream - 1/4 cup (56g) tahini Optional : white chocolate/colored candy melts to drizzle for decoration Instructions: 1. Remove kataifi from freezer and allow to defrost for 1 hour, this will make for easier chopping. Melt butter on medium heat and add chopped kataifi, toasting it for 8-10 mins until golden brown. Transfer to large mixing bowl and allow to cool. 2. Reserve a small handful of chocolate and melt the rest, using a microwave (30-sec increments) or over a double boiler. Once it’s melted and smooth, add the remaining handful and stir. Melt any decorating chocolate in small bowls. 3. Combine pistachio cream and tahini to cooled kataifi, and mix until well combined. 4. Drizzle any decorative chocolate into molds and chill in fridge for 10 mins. Pour in main chocolate. Tilt mold sideways or upside-down to allow excess chocolate to drip off. Chill in fridge for another 10 mins until set. 5. Spoon in filling and level. Pour more chocolate and spread evenly using an offset spatula. Chill in fridge for 30mins-1 hour, carefully detach from mold, and ENJOY. Store in fridge if you actually have any leftover 🍫 #whatsyourfix #knafeh #whatsyourfix #fixdessertchocolatier late #chocolaterecipe #cantgetknafehofit #viraldubaichocolate #chocolatebar ♬ original sound - Suzy

And honestly, this fall isn’t the first time I’ve seen mention of the ingredient as a trend. Eater called it out in February 2023, after seeing a rise in pistachio-flavored cocktails and even pistachio Dole Whip . Starbucks has been serving some version of a pistachio latte since 2021, when it added it to Reserve menus as a limited offering. This past winter, the coffee monolith added a full lineup of pistachio beverages to menus nationwide.

Here's the thing: Anyone who claims there’s a food trend that could possibly replace pumpkin spice for good is kidding themselves. I don’t think that’s what’s happening here. But could the Pinterest report mean that pistachio butter is the new cookie butter ? Now we’re talking, people.

Psst: If you want to try the trend yourself, I recommend any of the below brands. But you can also try making pistachio butter at home—give this pistachio butter recipe from Cookie and Kate a whirl.