We all know and love Nutella – that smooth, chocolatey hazelnut spread that adds instant bliss to anything it touches. Whether you’re spreading it on toast, drizzling it over pancakes, or simply enjoying a spoonful straight from the jar, Nutella holds a special place in many kitchens. However, the store-bought version, while delicious, is often loaded with sugar, processed ingredients, and calories.
What if you could enjoy all the rich, creamy goodness of Nutella without the guilt? Enter this Homemade Nutella recipe – it’s just as indulgent but with 50% fewer calories, cleaner ingredients, and customizable to your taste. Plus, it’s super easy to make with only a handful of ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Say goodbye to store-bought Nutella and hello to a healthier, homemade version!
Why Make Homemade Nutella?
1. Healthier Ingredients
One of the biggest benefits of making Nutella at home is that you control what goes into it. Store-bought Nutella typically contains a lot of sugar and unhealthy fats like palm oil. With this homemade version, you can use natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey and opt for heart-healthy oils such as coconut oil.
2. Lower in Calories
This homemade Nutella has 50% fewer calories than the commercial version. Instead of relying on processed sugars, it’s lightly sweetened with maple syrup or honey, which are not only healthier but also provide a rich, natural sweetness. This makes it a much more waistline-friendly option without compromising flavor.
3. Customizable to Your Tastes
One of the most enjoyable parts of making your own Nutella is that you can tweak the recipe to suit your preferences. Want it sweeter? Add more syrup. Prefer a stronger chocolate flavor? Add more cocoa powder. Love a creamier spread? Stir in some milk or non-dairy milk. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients for Homemade Nutella
To get started on your healthier version of Nutella, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups hazelnuts (raw or roasted)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: 1/4 cup milk or non-dairy milk (for smoother consistency)
These ingredients are not only simple but much cleaner and healthier than what you’ll find in store-bought spreads. The hazelnuts provide healthy fats and a rich, nutty flavor, while cocoa powder gives you that deep chocolatey taste. Coconut oil helps create a smooth texture, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey provide a hint of sweetness without overwhelming the flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Roast the Hazelnuts
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread your raw hazelnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast them for about 10-12 minutes. Roasting brings out the rich, nutty flavor of the hazelnuts, which is essential for that authentic Nutella taste. Keep an eye on the nuts while they roast; you want them lightly toasted and fragrant, but not burned.
Tip: Stir the hazelnuts halfway through to ensure even roasting.
Once done, remove the hazelnuts from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. To remove the skins, place the hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel and rub them together vigorously. Most of the skins will come off, but don’t worry if a few remain – they won’t affect the final taste.
Step 2: Process the Hazelnuts
Once your hazelnuts are roasted and mostly skin-free, it’s time to turn them into hazelnut butter. Place the nuts in a food processor and blend them until they form a smooth, creamy paste. This can take 5-10 minutes depending on the strength of your food processor, so be patient! Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything blends evenly.
At first, the hazelnuts will turn into a fine powder, but keep going – the natural oils will eventually release, and you’ll be left with a buttery texture.
Step 3: Add the Rest of the Ingredients
Once you’ve made your hazelnut butter, it’s time to transform it into delicious homemade Nutella. Add the cocoa powder, melted coconut oil, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the food processor. Blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
If you want a silkier, more spreadable Nutella, you can add 1/4 cup of milk or non-dairy milk at this stage. This step is optional, but it can help create that luxurious, velvety texture that store-bought Nutella is known for.
Tip: Taste your Nutella as you go! You can adjust the sweetness, saltiness, or chocolate intensity to suit your preferences. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more maple syrup or honey. If you want a richer chocolate flavor, toss in a little more cocoa powder.
Step 4: Store and Enjoy
Once your Nutella is perfectly blended, transfer it to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. It’s now ready to enjoy! You can store your homemade Nutella at room temperature for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Note: If you store it in the fridge, it may firm up slightly, but you can easily soften it by letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or warming it up gently in the microwave.
How to Use Homemade Nutella
The best part about homemade Nutella is that it’s incredibly versatile. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy it:
- On toast: Spread a generous layer on whole grain or sourdough toast for a decadent, yet healthier, breakfast.
- With fruit: Use it as a dip for apple slices, bananas, strawberries, or even pears. The combination of fruit and Nutella is a match made in heaven.
- In desserts: Stir it into brownie or cookie batter, or use it as a filling for crepes and pastries.
- With pancakes or waffles: Drizzle it over pancakes or waffles for a sweet start to your day.
- In smoothies: Add a spoonful to your morning smoothie for a chocolate-hazelnut twist.
- By the spoonful: Let’s be honest, sometimes the best way to enjoy Nutella is straight from the jar!
Nutritional Information (Per 1 Tablespoon)
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 1.2g
Compared to store-bought Nutella, which has about 100 calories and 11 grams of sugar per tablespoon, this homemade version is a much healthier alternative. You get all the flavor with half the calories and none of the unhealthy additives.
Tips & Variations for Customizing Homemade Nutella
1. Nut Options
While hazelnuts are the traditional base for Nutella, feel free to experiment with other nuts. Almonds, cashews, or even pecans can make fantastic alternatives or additions. You can even create a blend of nuts for a more complex flavor profile.
If you’re looking for a lower-calorie option, try replacing some of the hazelnuts with chickpeas. Yes, you read that right! Chickpeas can add creaminess without too many extra calories.
2. Sweetener Alternatives
Maple syrup and honey are great natural sweeteners, but there are other options if you’re aiming for an even lower-calorie version. Try using stevia, monk fruit sweetener, or erythritol for a sugar-free Nutella. Just be mindful that these sugar alternatives are much sweeter, so you’ll need less.
3. Chocolate Intensity
If you’re a true chocoholic, you can easily ramp up the chocolate flavor by adding more cocoa powder. For an even more decadent experience, try using melted dark chocolate instead of or in addition to the cocoa powder.
4. Smooth vs. Chunky
If you like your spreads with a bit of texture, blend your hazelnuts until they’re just shy of turning into butter, leaving a few chunks behind for a crunchy version of Nutella.
5. Vegan & Dairy-Free Option
To keep this Nutella vegan and dairy-free, simply use non-dairy milk like almond, oat, or soy milk if you’re adding milk to the recipe. Also, be sure to use maple syrup instead of honey if you’re adhering strictly to a vegan diet.
Storage Tips & Leftover Ideas
Storing Your Homemade Nutella
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to one week at room temperature. This is perfect if you like your Nutella soft and spreadable.
- Refrigerator: For longer storage, refrigerate your Nutella for up to one month. Keep in mind that it will firm up slightly in the fridge, but you can easily soften it by letting it sit out for a bit or warming it up briefly.
Leftover Nutella Ideas
If you find yourself with extra Nutella, you can incorporate it into various recipes:
- Baked Goods: Use your homemade Nutella in brownies, cookies, or as a swirl in banana bread for an extra layer of indulgence.
- Ice Cream Topping: Drizzle warm Nutella over ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- Nutella Hot Chocolate: Stir a spoonful of Nutella into warm milk for an instant hazelnut hot chocolate.
- Nutella Overnight Oats: Mix a spoonful into your overnight oats for a breakfast treat.
- Gift Idea: Homemade Nutella makes for a thoughtful, delicious gift. Just jar it up and tie it with a ribbon!
Cultural Background & Origins of Nutella
Nutella as we know it was created in the 1960s by Ferrero, an Italian company founded by Pietro Ferrero. However, the roots of this chocolate-hazelnut spread can be traced back to Piedmont, Italy, during the 1800s. Hazelnuts were widely available in the region, and chocolate was a luxury item, so locals began mixing the two to stretch their supply of chocolate.
This creation became known as Gianduja, a chocolate-hazelnut paste. Over time, the recipe was perfected and eventually became the Nutella we know and love today.
