Nosrat was born in San Diego, California, on November 7, 1979.[6] Her parents emigrated from Iran to the United States in 1976.[7] Her family are of the Baháʼí Faith.[8][9] Nosrat grew up in University City, San Diego and attended La Jolla High School.[5] She grew up eating mostly Iranian cuisine, and she did not learn to cook until she was an adult.[7]