Irresistibly Bright Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread — 9 Powerful Reasons This Zesty Loaf Starts Your Day Right

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By Gianna Poulef

Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread

Thank you so much for being here . I’m genuinely excited to share this one because this Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread is sunshine baked into a loaf. It’s soft and tender thanks to yogurt, bursting with fresh lemon zest, and studded with finely chopped pistachios that give every slice a gentle crunch and nutty richness.

Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread is a moist quick bread made with yogurt, lemon zest, and pistachios, finished with a bright lemon glaze and crunchy pistachio topping. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon coffee.

If you love bakery-style loaves that feel special but are easy to make, don’t forget to subscribe by email — I only send recipes worth baking again and again.

Overview of Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread

This loaf is elegant enough for brunch guests, yet cozy enough for a quiet weekday morning.

Why you’ll love it

  • Moist, tender crumb
  • Bright lemon flavor without being sour
  • Nutty pistachio crunch in every bite
  • Simple pantry ingredients
  • Stays soft for days

What it tastes like

Lightly sweet, citrusy, and buttery with pops of toasted pistachio. The lemon glaze adds just the right tangy finish, while extra pistachios on top make it bakery-beautiful.

Ingredients

This Now, Make It Later!

For the Bread

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 large lemon

For the Lemon Glaze Topping

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, extra bright)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios (for topping)

Tools You’ll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • 9×5-inch loaf pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Microplane or zester

Substitutions & Additions

  • Swap vegetable oil for light olive oil
  • Use Greek yogurt for extra richness
  • Add a splash of lemon extract for bolder citrus
  • Try orange zest for a twist

You may also love these related recipes:

Pinterest inspiration lives here https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/

How to Make Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread

Step-by-Step

  1. Preheat & Prep
    Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients
    Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and chopped pistachios.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients
    In another bowl, whisk eggs, oil, yogurt, milk, vanilla, and lemon zest.
  4. Combine
    Gently fold wet ingredients into dry until just combined.
  5. Bake
    Pour batter into pan and bake 50–55 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Glaze
    Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over cooled loaf and sprinkle with pistachios.

What to Serve with Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread

  • Hot coffee or espresso
  • Green tea or chamomile
  • Fresh berries
  • Yogurt with honey

Tips for Making It Perfect

  • Don’t overmix — keep the crumb tender
  • Let loaf cool fully before glazing
  • Toast pistachios lightly for deeper flavor
  • Use fresh lemon zest, not bottled

Storage Instructions

  • Room temperature: 3 days, wrapped
  • Refrigerator: Up to 6 days
  • Freezer: Slice and freeze up to 2 months
  • Serve: Room temperature for best flavor

General Information

Pistachio-based baked goods are popular across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, often paired with citrus. This breakfast bread brings that timeless flavor pairing into a cozy American-style loaf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead?
Yes — it tastes even better the next day.

Can I skip the glaze?
Absolutely, but it adds brightness and moisture.

Can I use almond flour?
Not as a 1:1 swap — this recipe is designed for all-purpose flour.

Is this dessert or breakfast?
Both! That’s the magic.

Conclusion

This Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread is bright, nutty, and joyfully moist — the kind of loaf that makes mornings feel special. Whether glazed generously or enjoyed plain, it’s a keeper.

If you loved this, try my Flourless Almond Lemon Sunshine Cake next — another citrus favorite.

Interactive Elements

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Nutritional Information (Per Slice – Approx.)

NutrientAmount
Calories320
Fat18g
Carbohydrates36g
Sugar22g
Protein6g
Sodium180mg
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Irresistibly Bright Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread — 9 Powerful Reasons This Zesty Loaf Starts Your Day Right


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  • Author: Gianna Poulef
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 10 slices 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread is moist, bright, and nutty with fresh lemon zest, yogurt for tenderness, and a tangy lemon glaze topped with crunchy pistachios. A bakery-style loaf perfect for breakfast or brunch.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Bread:

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

½ cup vegetable oil

½ cup plain yogurt

¼ cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Zest of 1 lemon

For the Lemon Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

23 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

2 tablespoons chopped pistachios


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a loaf pan.

2. Whisk flour, pistachios, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Whisk eggs, oil, yogurt, milk, vanilla, and lemon zest.

4. Fold wet ingredients into dry just until combined.

5. Bake 50–55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Cool completely.

7. Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over loaf.

8. Sprinkle with pistachios before serving.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter.

Cool before glazing for best finish.

Store tightly wrapped to retain moisture.

Toast pistachios lightly for deeper flavor.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
Irresistibly Bright Pistachio Lemon Breakfast Bread — 9 Powerful Reasons This Zesty Loaf Starts Your Day Right
Gianna Poulef
CEO, Chef & Recipe Creator at BLYNO LLC | Website

I’m Gianna Poulef from Poulef Recipes. I love sharing perfected dishes from my kitchen. I’m sure they’ll earn a spot in your heart. Let’s savor this journey together!.

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