Oh, quick breads! They’re just my absolute favorite for when you need something delicious *fast*. And when it comes to flavor, nothing quite beats that slightly nutty, totally comforting taste of pistachio. Seriously, this Pistachio Pudding Bread is a game changer. I first whipped this up on a whim when I had a box of instant pistachio pudding staring at me, and let me tell you, it was an instant hit. It’s so incredibly moist, super easy to throw together, and that pale green color just screams “special occasion,” even though it’s perfect for a Tuesday morning!

Why You’ll Love This Pistachio Pudding Bread
Seriously, this Pistachio Pudding Bread is a winner for so many reasons! Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
- Super Easy & Quick: It’s a true quick bread – no fancy techniques needed! You can have it mixed and in the oven in about 15 minutes.
- Incredibly Moist: Thanks to the instant pudding mix and oil, this bread stays wonderfully moist for days. No dry crumbs here!
- Unique Flavor: That subtle, sweet pistachio flavor is just *chef’s kiss*! It’s a delightful change from the usual banana or zucchini bread.
- Versatile Treat: Perfect for a fast breakfast, a cozy afternoon snack, or even a simple dessert. It’s a crowd-pleaser!
Gather Your Ingredients for Pistachio Pudding Bread
Alright, let’s get our pantry ready! You won’t believe how simple the ingredient list is for this amazing Pistachio Pudding Bread. It feels fancy, but it’s really just about gathering a few staples and that magical box of instant pistachio pudding. Trust me, having everything measured out beforehand makes the whole process a breeze!

For the Star of the Show: The Bread
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy base of our bread.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: For that classic sweetness that makes a quick bread so comforting.
- 1 package instant pistachio pudding mix: This is where all that gorgeous flavor and moisture comes from! Make sure it’s instant, not the cook-and-serve kind.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Our leavener for a nice rise.
- 0.5 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch to balance all that sweetness.
- 2 large eggs: They bind everything together and add richness. Make sure they’re at room temperature if you have time!
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil: This is key for keeping our bread super moist.
- 0.5 cup milk: Any kind works here – whole, 2%, even almond milk would be fine!
- 0.25 cup chopped pistachios: These are totally optional, but oh-so-good if you want that extra bit of crunch and pistachio-y goodness!
For the Dreamy Glaze
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar: The base for our sweet drizzle.
- 1-2 tablespoons milk: We’ll add this slowly to get the perfect drizzling consistency.
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You don’t need a whole lot of fancy gadgets for this Pistachio Pudding Bread, thankfully! Just a few trusty kitchen staples will do the trick. Having these ready makes the whole baking process so much smoother, I promise!
- 9×5 inch loaf pan: This is the classic size that gives you that perfect tall loaf shape.
- Large mixing bowl: Big enough to hold all our delicious ingredients.
- Whisk: Perfect for getting the dry ingredients all mixed up nice and even.
- Spatula: Handy for folding in those optional pistachios and scraping down the bowl.
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Perfect Pistachio Pudding Bread
Alright, let’s get this beautiful Pistachio Pudding Bread into the oven! Following these steps is super straightforward, and you’ll have a delicious treat in no time. It’s really just a matter of mixing, baking, and drizzling. So easy! For more ideas on quick breads, check out my zucchini cheddar quick bread – it’s another favorite!

Preparing the Pan and Oven
First things first, let’s get your oven nice and hot. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Then, grab your 9×5 inch loaf pan and grease it really well, followed by a good dusting of flour. This is so important to make sure your beautiful bread doesn’t stick!
Combining Dry Ingredients for Pistachio Pudding Bread
In your big mixing bowl, let’s combine all the dry goodies. You’ll add your flour, granulated sugar, that amazing instant pistachio pudding mix, the baking soda, and the salt. Give it all a really good whisk. This makes sure everything is distributed evenly, so you get that perfect pistachio flavor and rise in every single slice.
Mixing Wet Ingredients
Now, in a separate little bowl, take your eggs, that lovely vegetable oil, and the milk. Just give them a quick whisk together until they’re nicely combined.
Combining Wet and Dry Mixtures
Here comes the magic part! Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with your dry ingredients. Now, gently mix it all together. And here’s my big tip: do not overmix! Seriously, just mix until it’s *just* combined and you don’t see any big streaks of flour. Overmixing can make your lovely quick bread tough, and we definitely don’t want that. We’re going for tender and moist here!
Adding Optional Pistachios
If you decided to go for those extra chopped pistachios, now’s the time to gently fold them into the batter with your spatula. Just enough to distribute them throughout.
Pouring Batter into Pan
Carefully pour all that gorgeous green batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use your spatula to spread it out evenly, making sure it fills the pan nicely.
Baking the Pistachio Pudding Bread
Time to bake! Pop that pan into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 50 to 60 minutes. How do you know it’s ready? The best way is the skewer test! Stick a wooden skewer or a toothpick right into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it (no wet batter!), then it’s perfect. Ovens can be a little quirky, so keep an eye on it towards the end!
Cooling the Bread
Once it’s out of the oven, let the bread hang out in the loaf pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it set up a bit. Then, carefully flip it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here – trying to glaze a warm bread is a melty mess!
Making and Applying the Glaze
While your bread is cooling, let’s whip up that simple, sweet glaze. Grab a small bowl and put in your powdered sugar. Start adding the milk, just a tablespoon at first, and whisk it all together. Keep adding milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you get a nice, smooth, drizzly consistency. You want it thin enough to drizzle but not so thin that it just runs right off. Once your bread is totally cool, drizzle that lovely glaze all over the top. It looks so pretty and adds that extra touch of sweetness!
Tips for the Best Pistachio Pudding Bread
You know, baking is often about the little things, and with this Pistachio Pudding Bread, a few simple tricks can make all the difference between good and *really* good. I’ve learned a couple of things over the years that I think really help! If you’re loving this quick bread vibe, you should totally check out my recipes for chocolate espresso banana bread or this super cozy maple bourbon banana bread!
Don’t Overmix!
I know I mentioned it in the steps, but I’m saying it again because it’s that important. When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, just mix until everything is *barely* incorporated. Seriously, a few little streaks of flour left are totally fine! Overmixing develops the gluten too much, and that turns a wonderfully tender, moist quick bread into something a bit tough. We want it melt-in-your-mouth tender!
Room Temperature Eggs, Please!
This is a little thing, but it’s a biggie for quick breads. Using room temperature eggs helps them emulsify better with the oil and milk. It creates a smoother, more cohesive batter, which can lead to a more even bake and a finer crumb. If you forget to take them out, just pop them in a bowl of warm water for about 5-10 minutes. Easy peasy!
Glaze Consistency is Key
For the glaze, remember that powdered sugar can vary in how much moisture it absorbs. Start with just one tablespoon of milk. Whisk it in well. If it’s still too thick, add another tablespoon, or even just a teaspoon at a time. You want it pourable and drizzly, but not so thin that it’s watery and just soaks into the bread unevenly. A nice thick drizzle is so pretty!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You know, sometimes you glance at a recipe and think, “What if I don’t have exactly that?” I totally get it! For this Pistachio Pudding Bread, let’s chat about a couple of things. That instant pistachio pudding mix is really the magic ingredient here – it gives us that gorgeous color and a big punch of flavor. If you absolutely can’t find it, you *could* try a vanilla or even a butterscotch instant pudding and add a good few drops of pistachio extract, but honestly, the pistachio one is best!
As for the oil, vegetable oil is my go-to because it’s neutral, but you could totally use canola oil, or even a light olive oil if you don’t mind a super subtle hint of it. Some folks even use melted coconut oil, just make sure it’s cooled slightly. And if you spotted that pistachio extract note in my recipe? A few drops in the batter really amps up that nutty flavor – it’s optional, but a fun little boost!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This Pistachio Pudding Bread is a dream because it stays lovely and moist for a few days! Once it’s completely cooled, I like to wrap it up snugly in plastic wrap and then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely at room temperature for up to 3 days. Honestly, it doesn’t usually last that long in my house, but that’s the general rule!
Thinking about reheating? For a little refresh, you can gently warm up a slice. Just pop it in the toaster oven on a low setting for a few minutes until it’s just slightly warm through. It really brings back that fresh-from-the-oven feel!
Frequently Asked Questions about Pistachio Pudding Bread
Got questions about making this delightful Pistachio Pudding Bread? I’ve got answers! It’s pretty straightforward, but here are a few things folks often wonder about. For more fun baking ideas, check out my zucchini cookies recipe – they’re surprisingly good!
Can I make Pistachio Pudding Bread gluten-free?
You sure can try! For a gluten-free version, you’ll want to use a good quality all-purpose gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Just swap it cup-for-cup with the regular flour. Keep in mind that the texture might be a little different, but it should still be super tasty!
What if I don’t have instant pistachio pudding mix?
That’s a tough one, because the pudding mix is really the star here for flavor and moisture! If you absolutely can’t find it, you could try using an instant vanilla pudding mix and adding about 1 teaspoon of pistachio extract to the wet ingredients. It won’t be quite the same, but it’ll still be a yummy quick bread!
Can I add other nuts besides pistachios?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the pistachios for chopped walnuts or pecans if that’s what you have on hand. They’ll add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor, though they won’t give you that signature green hue. It’s your bread, make it how you love it!
How do I know if my Pistachio Pudding Bread is fully baked?
The best trick is the toothpick or skewer test. Just insert one right into the deepest part of the bread. If it comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs attached, it’s ready! If there’s wet batter on it, give it a few more minutes in the oven and test again. Remember, ovens can be a little finicky!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Alright, for those who love to know what they’re eating, here’s an estimated breakdown per slice of this delicious Pistachio Pudding Bread. Keep in mind these numbers are just a guide, because actual values can wiggle around depending on the brands you use and how perfectly you measured everything (which we always do, right?!).
- Calories: Around 300-350 kcal
- Fat: Approximately 15-18g
- Protein: About 4-6g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 40-45g
- Sugar: Around 25-30g (this includes the sugar in the pudding mix and glaze!)
- Fiber: About 1-2g
So, while it’s a treat, it’s also a pretty satisfying one that won’t break the calorie bank if enjoyed in moderation!

Pistachio Pudding Bread
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, instant pistachio pudding mix, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and milk.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chopped pistachios, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the bread cools, prepare the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread.