Homemade Healthy Nutella: Your Ultimate Guide to a Delicious & Guilt-Free Spread

Say goodbye to processed, store-bought spreads and hello to homemade bliss! This recipe guides you through creating a rich, creamy, and undeniably delicious Nutella right in your own kitchen. Made with just a few wholesome ingredients, this versatile chocolate hazelnut spread tastes even better than the original, without any of the guilt.

Growing up, the allure of Nutella was irresistible. I remember easily finishing a jar, spreading it on everything from pancakes and bagels to waffles, incorporating it into various desserts, and even dipping fresh apple slices into its chocolatey goodness. The combination of hazelnut and chocolate is truly a match made in culinary heaven, a dream for anyone with a sweet tooth.

However, as I became more conscious about what I was eating, I realized that traditional store-bought Nutella comes with a list of questionable ingredients and an alarmingly high sugar content. This discovery inspired me to create a homemade version that not only rivals the flavor of the classic but also boasts a much healthier profile. Crafting it at home allows for complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a wholesome option that can be tailored to your precise taste preferences. This healthier, homemade Nutella is an excellent choice for everyone, including kids and toddlers, offering a nutritious twist on a beloved treat.

Healthy Homemade Nutella Recipe Video Tutorial

Watch this step-by-step video to see how incredibly simple it is to whip up your own batch of delicious and healthy chocolate hazelnut spread. Follow along for visual guidance and expert tips!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Homemade Nutella Recipe

There are countless reasons why this healthy homemade Nutella will become a staple in your pantry. It’s not just a delicious spread; it’s a mindful choice for a healthier lifestyle, offering benefits that extend far beyond taste:

• Dietary-Friendly Perfection: This recipe is a game-changer for those with specific dietary needs. It’s completely paleo-friendly, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and most importantly, refined sugar-free. Unlike its store-bought counterpart, which often relies on excessive amounts of processed sugars, this version is naturally sweetened, making it a much lower sugar and more wholesome option for everyone, including sensitive stomachs and growing children.
• Effortlessly Simple to Make: Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making your own spread from scratch. This Nutella comes together surprisingly quickly and easily. With the help of a good blender or food processor, you’ll transform simple ingredients into a luxurious spread in no time. It’s a truly rewarding kitchen project that yields incredible results with minimal fuss.
• Packed with Wholesome Ingredients: The biggest advantage of making Nutella at home is knowing exactly what goes into it. Store-bought versions often contain palm oil, artificial flavors, and an abundance of high-fructose corn syrup – ingredients many prefer to avoid for health reasons. Our recipe focuses on pure, nourishing components like roasted hazelnuts, rich cacao, and natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or honey, providing healthy fats, antioxidants, and fiber without the unwanted additives.
• Unleash Its Incredible Versatility: Once you have a jar of this homemade goodness, the culinary possibilities are endless! Beyond simply spreading it on toast or dipping fruit slices, you can elevate your breakfast by drizzling it over pancakes and waffles, or swap it for peanut butter in a healthier PB&J sandwich. Add it to smoothies and shakes for a creamy, chocolatey boost, stir a spoonful into your morning coffee for a mocha-inspired treat, or swirl it into yogurt or oatmeal. For an extra special indulgence, use it as a topping for your favorite ice cream, or even as a key ingredient in other delicious desserts, like my homemade Ferrero Rocher-inspired delights!

The Simple Process: How to Make Healthy Homemade Nutella

Ready to create this chocolatey masterpiece? You’ll find the full, detailed recipe card with exact measurements and instructions at the bottom of this post!

Making your own Nutella is a straightforward process, primarily relying on the power of your blender or food processor to transform roasted hazelnuts into a creamy butter, which then gets combined with your chosen chocolate element and sweeteners. It’s all about patience during the blending stage, as the hazelnuts release their natural oils to create that irresistible smooth texture.

Cacao Powder vs. Chocolate: Which Is Better for Homemade Nutella?

One of the most common questions when making homemade chocolate hazelnut spread is whether to use cacao powder or actual chocolate chips (or a chocolate bar). The good news is, both options yield a delicious result, and your choice largely depends on your desired flavor intensity and what you have on hand.

Using raw cacao powder typically results in a more intense, slightly bitter chocolate flavor, reminiscent of dark chocolate. Raw cacao is also lauded for its high antioxidant content, making it an excellent choice for those focused on nutrient density. If you prefer a richer, smoother, and perhaps slightly sweeter profile, incorporating melted chocolate chips or chopped chocolate is an excellent route. The sweetness level can be further adjusted based on whether you choose dark, semi-sweet, or even milk chocolate. I often go back and forth between these two methods, depending on my mood and pantry stock. Rest assured, both versions are incredibly delicious, and you’ll find detailed recipes for both options in the recipe card below!

Essential Equipment for Your Homemade Nutella

While the process is simple, having the right tools can make all the difference in achieving that perfectly smooth and creamy consistency:

• High-Powered Blender or Food Processor: This is arguably the most crucial piece of equipment. A high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix (which I personally use and love daily!), with a tamper is highly recommended. The tamper allows you to push the hazelnuts down into the blades continuously, significantly speeding up the process and ensuring the creamiest texture. A good food processor can also work, though it may take a bit longer and require more frequent scraping of the sides.
• Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting your hazelnuts to perfection, enhancing their flavor and making skin removal easier.
• Storage Container: An airtight jar or container is necessary for storing your homemade Nutella, keeping it fresh and delicious for longer.

Key Ingredients to Craft Your Wholesome Homemade Nutella

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture:

• Raw Hazelnuts: The star of the show! Starting with raw hazelnuts allows you to roast them yourself, which brings out their intensely nutty flavor and helps them release their natural oils more readily during blending. While skinned hazelnuts can save a step, roasting and then removing the skins yourself often yields the freshest flavor. You can often find them at the best prices on Amazon or in bulk at specialty stores.
• Raw Cacao Powder or Quality Chocolate Chips/Bars:
  • Cacao Powder: I personally favor raw cacao powder for its rich, deep chocolate flavor and impressive antioxidant properties. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder also works wonderfully.
  • Chocolate Chips/Chopped Chocolate: If opting for chocolate, choose a high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for a richer taste. Vegan chocolate chips are widely available if you’re keeping it strictly plant-based. The recipe card below provides instructions for both methods.
• Natural Sweetener: To keep this Nutella refined sugar-free, I recommend using sweeteners like coconut sugar, monk fruit sweetener, maple syrup, or honey. These natural alternatives provide a balanced sweetness without the processed sugars found in commercial products. Adjust the amount to your personal preference.
• Pantry Staples:
  • Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla deepens the chocolate and hazelnut flavors, adding a layer of warmth and complexity.
  • Sea Salt: A pinch of sea salt is essential. It balances the sweetness, enhances all the other flavors, and prevents the spread from tasting flat.
  • Coconut Oil (for cacao powder version): A small amount of melted coconut oil can help achieve a smoother consistency and adds a lovely richness when using cacao powder.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Homemade Nutella

Follow these detailed steps to create your perfect batch of healthy chocolate hazelnut spread. Remember, a little patience goes a long way!

• Prepare the Hazelnuts: First, address the hazelnut skins. If your raw hazelnuts still have their skins, you’ll need to remove most of them after roasting. While a few stubborn skins are fine, removing the majority ensures the smoothest texture and prevents a slightly bitter taste.
• Roast for Flavor: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the raw hazelnuts evenly in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast them for about 10 minutes, or until they are fragrant and their skins look slightly cracked. This step is crucial for enhancing their nutty flavor and aiding in skin removal.
• Remove Skins (if necessary): Once roasted, immediately transfer the warm hazelnuts to a clean kitchen towel. Fold the towel over the nuts and rub them vigorously. The friction will help loosen and remove most of the skins. Discard the skins.
• Transform into Butter: While the hazelnuts are still warm (this helps them release oils more easily), transfer them to your high-powered blender or food processor. Begin blending. This stage requires patience! The hazelnuts will first turn into a coarse meal, then a finer crumb, and eventually, a thick paste. Keep blending, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor with a spatula. Continue this process until the hazelnuts transform into a super smooth, creamy, and fluid hazelnut butter. Depending on your machine’s power, this can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Don’t give up – it will get there!
• Incorporate Remaining Ingredients (Cacao Powder Version): Once you have a perfectly smooth hazelnut butter, add the raw cacao powder, vanilla extract, chosen sweetener (coconut sugar or monk fruit work well here), melted coconut oil, and sea salt. Blend again until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is uniformly chocolatey and creamy.
• Melt & Combine (Chocolate Chip Version): If using chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, prepare it while the hazelnuts are blending. Gently melt the chocolate using a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until completely smooth. Once your hazelnut butter is ready, add the vanilla extract and sea salt. Then, with the blender running, gradually pour in the melted chocolate a little at a time, blending until fully incorporated and smooth.
• Taste and Adjust: Now for the best part! Taste your homemade Nutella. This is your chance to customize it. Add a little more sweetener if you prefer it sweeter, a pinch more salt to enhance the flavors, or an extra splash of vanilla for added depth. Blend briefly to combine any adjustments.
• Store Your Creation: Transfer the finished Nutella to an airtight container. It can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks. If you prefer a firmer consistency or plan to store it longer, it can be refrigerated, but note it will firm up considerably and may need to sit at room temperature for a bit before spreading.

Expert Tips for Your Best Homemade Nutella

Even though this recipe is simple, these expert tips will ensure your homemade chocolate hazelnut spread turns out perfect every time:

• Embrace Patience During Blending: This is the golden rule of nut butters. Hazelnuts contain natural oils that need time to release. It might seem like they’ll never transform from coarse crumbs into a smooth butter, but they absolutely will! Keep blending, scraping the sides down often, and trust the process. A powerful blender will significantly reduce this time, but even with a food processor, persistence is key.
• Proper Storage and Natural Separation: Store your homemade Nutella in an airtight container at room temperature. Since this recipe doesn’t use artificial emulsifiers, some oil separation is completely natural and expected. Simply give it a good stir before each use to reincorporate the oils and restore its creamy texture. While it can be refrigerated for longer storage, be aware that it will firm up and become much thicker, similar to a solid chocolate bar. For easy spreading, let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before serving if refrigerated.
• Warm Nuts are Key: Blending the hazelnuts while they are still warm from roasting helps them release their oils more efficiently, leading to a smoother, creamier butter in less time.

Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Healthy Homemade Nutella

Your homemade chocolate hazelnut spread is incredibly versatile! Here are some delightful ideas to incorporate it into your daily meals and treats:

• Elevate Your Breakfast: Drizzle generously over warm pancakes, fluffy waffles, or crispy French toast for an indulgent start to your day.
• Classic & Comforting: Spread it thickly on a slice of toasted bread, a bagel, or an English muffin for a simple yet satisfying snack.
• Gourmet Dessert Topping: Spoon it over your favorite ice cream, frozen yogurt, or a fruit parfait for an instant upgrade.
• Healthy Fruit Dip: Pair it with apple slices, banana chunks, strawberries, or other fresh fruits for a wholesome and delicious snack.
• Yogurt & Oatmeal Booster: Swirl a spoonful into your morning yogurt bowl or a warm bowl of oatmeal for added flavor, healthy fats, and a touch of sweetness.
• Smoothie & Shake Enhancer: Add 1-2 tablespoons to your favorite protein shakes or fruit smoothies for a creamy texture and a delightful chocolate-hazelnut flavor.
• Morning Coffee Upgrade: Stir about half a tablespoon into your hot coffee for a homemade mocha without the extra sugar and artificial flavors.
• Baking Secret Ingredient: Use it as a filling for pastries, spread it between cookie layers, or incorporate it into brownie or cake batters for a unique twist.
• Decadent Sandwich Spread: Replace peanut butter with this Nutella for an extra special PB&J.

More Wholesome & Healthy Recipes to Try

If you loved making this healthy Nutella, you might enjoy exploring some of my other popular healthy recipes:

• Healthy Ferrero Rocher
• Whipped Honey
• Strawberry Whipped Honey
• Healthy Homemade Affogato

If you try this delightful recipe and love it as much as I do, it would mean the world to me if you left a star rating and review below! Don’t forget to tag me in your delicious creations on Instagram @danishealthyeats!