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

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.)

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.