Healthy Homemade Nutella (Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)
Craving Nutella? Try this Healthy Homemade Nutella! Made with only 5 ingredients, this creamy chocolate hazelnut spread is vegan, naturally sweetened with dates, and so easy to make!
Chocolate and hazelnut is one of my all-time favorite flavor combinations. Anyone else? I still remember the first time I had Nutella. I was around eight years old and my dad brought home a glass jar of it (back when they still used glass!) and I decided to smear that creamy chocolate hazelnut spread on a croissant…needless to say I was hooked.
So I knew I had to create a homemade nutella recipe with healthier ingredients, because have you ever checked the ingredients in store-bought Nutella? It’s loaded with palm oil, sugar, artificial preservatives…yikes!
But this homemade nutella is made with simple, whole-food ingredients like roasted hazelnuts, cocoa powder, and is naturally sweetened with dates and maple syrup. It’s rich, creamy, and perfect for spreading on everything! Oh and if you love hazelnuts as much as I do, you’re going to love my homemade hazelnut butter.
Why I Love Making Homemade Nutella
- Tastes like Nutella, but better: since it’s made with simple, whole-food ingredients, it’s much lower in sugar and obviously free from artificial preservatives.
- Rich, creamy & spreadable: perfect for spreading on sourdough, dipping fruit, or enjoying straight from the spoon!
- Easy to make: once the hazelnuts are roasted, just blend everything in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
- Incredible flavor: nothing beats homemade! A rich, nutty, chocolatey flavor that’s irresistible!!
- Dairy-free & vegan-friendly: oil-free and gluten-free, too!
Ingredients Needed
- Hazelnuts: Just raw hazelnuts.
- Medjool Dates: I love using dates to add natural sweetness to recipes! The dates also help create a smooth, creamy texture. If your dates are hard, soak them in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- Cocoa Powder: For chocolate flavor.
- Non-Dairy Milk: Adds richness and helps blend everything together.
- Maple Syrup: Another natural sweetener. Agave would work fine here too.
How To Make Healthy Nutella
- Roast the Hazelnuts: Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Process the Hazelnuts: Add the roasted hazelnuts (and a pinch of salt) to a food processor. Process for 5-7 minutes and scrape down the sides as needed. The mixture will go from crumbly to creamy as the natural oils in the hazelnuts release.
- Add the Other Ingredients: Add the pitted medjool dates, cocoa powder, non-dairy milk, and maple syrup. Process for another 5-7 minutes. It may start to form a ball—don’t worry, keep blending! As the liquids blend, it’ll turn creamy. Patience is key here!
- Store the Nutella: Transfer your homemade Nutella to glass jars (my favorite way to store it).
Megan’s Tips
- Adjust the Sweetness: This recipe isn’t overly sweet, so feel free to add a little more maple syrup or cocoa powder. Add a splash of vanilla extract for a depth of flavor!
- Use Fresh Medjool Dates: Medjool dates are the sweetest variety of dates, so I recommend you use those. If you only have dried dates, no worries! Soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes to soften, then drain and pat dry before using.
Enjoying Your Homemade Nutella
Enjoy this chocolate hazelnut spread just like you would regular Nutella! Some of my favorite ways to eat this Nutella is:
- On toast with sliced strawberries or bananas
- Dipped in fruit like strawberries or apples
- With pretzels for the perfect sweet and salty combo
- Mixed into yogurt or oatmeal (like these nutella overnight oats)
- Drizzled on pancakes or waffles
- By the spoonful (no judgment here—it’s too good not to!)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does homemade Nutella last?
Store your homemade Nutella in the fridge for 10-12 days (note that it may harden in the fridge).
What should I do if my Nutella is too thick?
If your Nutella is too thick, add a little more non-dairy milk and process again until it reaches your desired consistency.
Can I adjust the sweetness?
Yes! Once everything it blended, taste and adjust for sweetness. This recipe isn’t overly sweet, so feel free to add a little more maple syrup.
More Nut Butter Recipes
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and ★★★★★ star rating below letting me know how you liked it! This helps others find my recipes. I appreciate your support, as always. xo, Megan
Healthy Homemade Nutella (Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw hazelnuts
- 3-5 medjool dates, pitted, see note
- ½ cup non-dairy milk
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet.
- Roast the hazelnuts for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
- Add the roasted hazelnuts (and a pinch of salt) to a food processor. Process for 5-7 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. The mixture will go from crumbly to creamy as the natural oils in the hazelnuts release.
- Once the hazelnuts turn into creamy nut butter, add the pitted medjool dates, cocoa powder, non-dairy milk, and maple syrup.
- Process for another 5-7 minutes. The mixture may form into a ball—don’t worry, keep blending! As the liquids blend, it’ll turn creamy. Patience is key here!
- Once creamy, taste and adjust for sweetness and flavor.
- Transfer your homemade Nutella to glass jars (my favorite way to store it). Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- This recipe isn’t overly sweet, so feel free to add a little more maple syrup or cocoa powder.
- Add a splash of vanilla extract for a depth of flavor.
- Highly recommend using medjool dates since they’re the sweetest variety of dates. If your dates are hard and dry, soak them in hot water for 10-15 minutes to soften, then drain and pat dry before using.
This was very good Nutella. Since I have such a sweet tooth, I added 4 extra TBS of maple syrup and to be honest, I could have added even more. LOL I had it on rice cakes. Looking forward to trying it on other things, like sourdough toast, your banana bread, will be having the chocolate overnight oats tomorrow with it, etc. Good job! 🙂
I am adding #happyholidays for the giveaway. 🙂 I keep forgetting.
I’m so happy you loved it Amy! And yes, feel free to add as much maple syrup as your sweet tooth likes (lol!). Thanks for sharing your review 🙂
I thought it was very tasty. I took a bite plain and then I had it on rice cakes which added a lot of flavor to the rice cakes. I would definitely make it again.
So happy you loved this vegan nutella, Marcia! Thanks for sharing 🙂
#happyholidays
Yaayyyyy!!! I just made it! Been trying to my healthiest Nutella for many times but it was always failed! Almost gave up but it’s I tried your recipe and it’s the best decision ever! Thank youuu sooooo much!  I just have 1 question , should I kept it in the cupboard or fridge? Thank you
Awe yay, I’m so happy you loved it, and now you’ve got a go-to healthy Nutella recipe! 💛 For best freshness, store it in the fridge. It may firm up a bit when chilled, but if you let it sit at room temp for a bit, it’ll go right back to being perfectly spreadable. Enjoy every spoonful! 😊
Delicious recipe! Thank you for sharing.
I’m so happy you loved it! Thank you for sharing your review 🙂