When I tell people that pesto is one of my top ten favorite foods, they are often confused at how I can enjoy it with a nut allergy. I’m here to tell you that you CAN make delicious pesto that is 100% nut-free! There are many variations of nut-free pesto: some recipes call for added avocado to make it creamier, and others use sunflower seeds to recreate the taste of nuts. My recipe is incredibly simple and easy to make! It uses only seven ingredients (including salt & pepper). All you need to start are the typical pesto ingredients: basil, garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. The only extra ingredient needed is breadcrumbs. These add a great texture to the pesto without compromising the taste!
What You Need to Make the Best Ever Nut-Free Basil Pesto
- Basil leaves: remove the stems, and finely chop, so the pesto blends easier.
- Garlic: I prefer fresh for this recipe.
- Olive oil: If your blender/food processor is on the slower side, I always recommend using more olive oil. This is the mini blender I love for making pesto!
- Parmesan cheese: You can use a dairy-free alternative to make it vegan.
- Salt and pepper: I like to season the pesto at the end, so I can adjust the taste if needed!
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs: This is the secret ingredient to making delicious pesto that’s free of pine nuts! When I make this recipe, I often use Ian’s allergy-friendly breadcrumbs, which are gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. Another great allergy-friendly option is Kinnikinnick. Both these brands make both panko and regular breadcrumbs that are free of the common allergens.
- Gluten-free pasta: Technically not part of the recipe below, but no delicious pesto would be complete without the best gluten-free pasta. In this recipe, I used Charlie’s Table Gluten-Free fresh bucatini. All their pastas are certified gluten-free, and are also clearly labeled as dairy-free, peanut-free, and kosher!
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Best Ever Nut-Free Basil Pesto
This is one of my all-time favorite recipes because it is easy and delicious! All you need to do to make your pesto nut-free is swap gluten-free breadcrumbs for pine nuts.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- ¾ cup basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor, and blend on high for 1-2 minutes. Add more olive oil if needed.
- Remove pesto from blender, and mix with a spoon to ensure it is well combined. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook your favorite gluten-free pasta, mix in prepared pesto, and top with parmesean cheese, tomatos, and extra basil leaves.
