Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you like Nutella you're going to love this healthy homemade Vegan Nutella Recipe. Naturally sweetened with dates and made with toasted hazelnuts and cocoa, this is a vegan chocolate spread you can feel good about.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (1)

When I was a kid I used to love Nutella. Love love loved the stuff.

I don't think I realized how terribly unhealthy it is until I was an adult. I thought that since it came from Europe it must be this nourishing breakfast spread that also happened to be incredibly delicious. Those clever Europeans cracked the code!

Over time as I became more interested in nutrition, and, you know, actually read the ingredients list on a jar of Nutella I realized that while it is delicious, it's not something I want to be consuming on the reg. Don't get me wrong - a warm crepe spread with Nutella is a glorious treat now and then.

But isn't it wonderful how your tastebuds can evolve and mature over time? These days, this Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe is much more up my alley. It's made from real, honest, good-for-you ingredients. Things you can actually pronounce and recognize.

And, since it's naturally sweetened with dates, this is a healthy Nutella alternative I actually feel good about giving my kids - or eating by the spoonful myself.

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (2)

What's in this vegan nutella recipe?

The list is short and sweet, my friends. Here's what you need:

  • Hazelnuts --> Either roasted or raw is fine. If you can find pre-roasted and skinned hazelnuts, even better.
  • Dates --> Some nice soft medjool dates.
  • Cocoa powder --> Or cacao if you prefer.
  • Coconut oil --> Or sub in cocoa butter if you don't like coconut.
  • Plant-based milk --> I used oat milk here, but almond is fine too.
  • Vanilla --> Just a bit of vanilla powder, a scraped out bean, or a splash of extract (try Homemade Vanilla Extract).
  • Salt --> Some nice flaky sea salt. I like Maldon.

Equipment:

You’re going to need some machinery to make this recipe. I use my trustyKitchen Aid Food Processor for making nut butters and it works great for homemade Nutella too. I have the professional model, which is a beast, but a basic one will do just fine.

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (3)

How to make this recipe:

There are detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below, but let's go through it step by step together.

Step 1: (not pictured) If you're starting with raw hazelnuts, you'll need to begin by roasting them and then removing the skins. For detailed instructions on how to roast nuts please refer to my Oven Roasted Almonds recipe.

You'll want to roast the hazelnuts for about 15 minutes. Once they are cooled, place them in a clean kitchen towel and rub them together until the skins are mostly off.

Step 2: (above) Remove the pits from the dates and place them in a small pot.Add the oat milk to the dates, and set the pot on medium-high heat.

Once the oat milk starts bubbling, turn the heat off and put a lid on the pot. We just want the dates to soften a bit while we're dealing with the hazelnuts.

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (4)

Step 3: (below) Make hazelnut butter. Put the hazelnuts in your food processor and pulse a few times, then let the motor run until you've got a smooth, slightly liquidy hazelnut butter.

Depending on your hazelnuts and your food processor, you may need to stop and scrape the sides and bottom once or twice. Note that roasted hazelnuts will break down much faster than raw.

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (5)

Step 4: Add the softened dates along with all of the oat milk, the coconut oil, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt.

Step 5: Let the food processor run until you've got a smooth, deep, dark, chocolatey hazlenut spread.

Transfer to a glass jar (or a few glass jars if you're giving vegan Nutella away as gifts) and you are done!

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (6)

Pro tips / recipe notes:

Does this taste like Nutella?

If you go into this expecting the end result to taste like Nutella, well, it doesn't. It tastes BETTER than Nutella. It tastes like real things you can actually identify, like chocolate and coconut and dates and hazelnuts.

It is seriously so good. I finished mine with a touch of Vanilla Salt, which adds something special (and also makes a great gift).

How to store vegan nutella

Because there are a lot of fresh ingredients and not a lot in the way of preservatives, I keep mine in the fridge. I believe a jar will stay fresh for a couple of months, but I've never had one last that long so can't say for sure.

If stored at room temperature I wouldn't keep this around for much more than a week or two.

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (7)

Is this recipe healthy?

Well, yes. And no. It's definitely healthier than legit Nutella, and, in my opinion, tastes a heck of a lot better, too.

Hazelnutsare high in protein and contain heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats. They're a great source of fiber, vitamin E, manganese, and magnesium.

Dates are a great source of natural sweetness, are rich in antioxidant polyphenols, dietary fiber, potassium, and manganese. Dates do contain a LOT of sugar, but unlike refined sugar, it's coupled with dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Cocoa is antioxidant rich, with aflavanoid content that appears to be helpful in protecting blood vessel linings and thus preventing high blood pressure.

This chocolate hazelnut spread is full of wholesome whole foods, but make no mistake, it's still an indulgent treat!

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (8)

Other recipes you might enjoy:

Homemade Pumpkin Seed Butter
Turmeric Latte Mix
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Maca Latte Mix

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (9)

Print Pin

4.80 from 5 votes

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe

If you like Nutella you're going to love this healthy homemade Vegan Nutella Recipe. Naturally sweetened with dates and made with toasted hazelnuts and cocoa, this is a vegan chocolate spread you can feel good about.

Course Spreads

Cuisine American

Keyword Vegan Nutella

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 48

Calories 102kcal

Author Katie Trant

Ingredients

  • 14 oz hazelnuts raw or roasted and skinned
  • 20 large medjool dates pitted
  • ½ cup coconut oil I use a scant half cup. Closer to ⅓.
  • 4 tablespoon cocoa powder or cacao
  • ½ cup oat milk or another plant-based milk
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla powder or half vanilla bean, scraped, or a splash of vanilla extract.

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 150°C / 300°F.

  • Spread the hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place them int the pre-heated oven, and toast for 20-30 minutes, until fragrant and the skin is starting to crack. Watch them carefully to avoid from burning.

  • Remove the nuts from the oven and let cool slightly.

  • Place the nuts in an old kitchen towel, and rub to remove the skin. You may need to do this in batches, or stop and pick out those that are skinned and then do a second round with those that aren't. I never get all of the skins off, and I never stress about it.

  • Pit the dates and place in a small pot together with the oat milk.

  • Place the pot on medium high heat. Once the oat milk starts to bubble, turn the heat off and place a lid on the pot to soften the dates.

  • Place the hazelnuts in a food processor, pulse a few times, and then process until a completely smooth hazelnut butter forms - you may need to scrape down the sides a couple of times. How long this takes will depend on how powerful your food processor is, and how old your nuts are. In my food processor I have hazelnut butter in about five minutes.

  • Add the coconut oil, cocoa powder, dates along with all of the oat milk, salt, and vanilla. Process until smooth.

  • Transfer the chocolate hazelnut spread into clean airtight glass jars.

Notes

  • Nutrition values are an estimate only and are based on two jars with 24 servings each.
  • Vegan Nutella will last approximately one week at room temperature or two months in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 134mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally published December 1, 2014. It was retested, re-photographed, and most recently updated on December 11, 2020.

Explore More Recipes

Gluten FreeVegan

Healthy Vegan Nutella Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is there a healthier option for Nutella? ›

Pyure Hazelnut Spread: The Leading Alternative to Nutella

In contrast, Pyure Hazelnut Spread emerges as a low-carb and low-sugar alternative. Its standout feature is its extraordinary 90% reduction in sugar compared to Nutella, with just two grams per serving.

Can I eat Nutella and still be healthy? ›

But chocolate hazelnut spread is most definitely not a food that I would recommend trying to get more of in your diet (like blueberries or black beans). There's room for improvement in the ingredients and there are healthier options available.

Is there a vegan alternative to Nutella? ›

Nutiva Organic Hazelnut Spreads

Both varieties are made with sustainably sourced ingredients like organic cocoa powder, hazelnuts, and oat flour—we even love it by the spoonful! These vegan hazelnut spreads are perfect for adding a little sweetness to your work and school lunches.

Is Nutella good for Vegans? ›

Vegans are strict vegetarians who don't eat meat but also don't eat any animal by-products such as dairy or eggs. Nutella is not vegan because it does contain skim milk powder, which is made from cow's milk.

Is it OK to have Nutella everyday? ›

Like any high-sugar food, Nutella should be viewed as a treat. The problem is that people often use it more as a breakfast spread than as a dessert. Consuming Nutella every day will increase the amount of added sugar in your diet, and most people already consume much more added sugar than is recommended.

Why do fighters eat Nutella? ›

For hard-training athletes seeking enhanced recovery post-strenuous exercise, Nutella can be beneficial. With 21 grams of sugar per serving, it assists in replenishing muscle glycogen stores.

Can I eat Nutella while losing weight? ›

If you're looking to lose weight, Nutella may not seem like the best option due to its high calorie and sugar content. However, Nutella can still be included in your diet in moderation as part of a well-balanced meal plan. You can use it to sweeten up desserts or to add flavor to healthier food choices.

Why is Nutella not vegan? ›

Sorry to be the ones to break it to you, but no, Nutella is not vegan. This is because it contains skimmed milk powder which is an animal-derived ingredient, so is therefore not made solely from plants.

What is vegan Nutella made of? ›

Making vegan Nutella

chocolate hazelnut spread - all you need are raw hazelnuts, maple syrup, a little coconut oil, a vanilla pod (or vanilla extract / paste), a dash of salt, and some dark chocolate.

Is there a vegan chocolate spread? ›

Fabalous Organic Chocolate Spread (Hazelnut & Cocoa Spread) Vegan, Dairy Free, No Palm Oil, Less Sugar, More Protein 200g.

What is healthier Nutella or avocado? ›

Avocado has 20 important nutrients and provides antioxidants and health-protective fat, she said. Nutella contains more additives — including sugar — than it does hazelnuts, she said. "Comparing these two is like comparing 1 cup of fresh blueberries (85 calories) to 10 gummy bears (85 calories)," she said.

Are Oreos vegan? ›

Many vegans refer to Oreos as “accidentally vegan,” meaning they don't contain animal products — but they weren't created to be a specifically vegan treat. Oreos do not contain milk, eggs, or any other animal-derived products, so they are technically vegan in that sense. Plant-based cookies and cream lovers rejoice!

What is a good substitute for Nutella without nuts? ›

Chocolate SunButter

This is the spread with the most similar consistency (and taste according to my sisters) to Nutella. It's creamy, buttery, and just sweet enough without being too overpowering.

Can I eat Nutella when trying to lose weight? ›

If you're looking to lose weight, Nutella may not seem like the best option due to its high calorie and sugar content. However, Nutella can still be included in your diet in moderation as part of a well-balanced meal plan. You can use it to sweeten up desserts or to add flavor to healthier food choices.

Is Nutella better for you than peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter is generally considered healthier than Nutella as it contains more natural ingredients like peanuts and has higher protein content, while Nutella has higher levels of sugar and saturated fat due to its chocolate and palm oil content.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 6156

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.