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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Vegan Nutella

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Creamy, rich, easy homemade vegan nutella is made with raw hazelnuts, dark chocolate, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. It is a decadent, healthy chocolate hazelnut spread for dipping fruit, or slathering over pancakes, toast, and more!

Easy homemade vegan nutella in a glass mason jar.

When I first discovered the original Nutella as a child I thought I’d found the best-kept secret! This chocolate hazelnut spread tasted amazing on just about anything, and quickly became my new favorite treat.

It wasn’t until I got older that I wondered, “Is Nutella Vegan?” turned the jar over to look at the nutrition facts to see that not only was my favorite chocolate treat not suitable for a vegan diet, it also wasn’t healthy!

With processed ingredients and added cane sugar, a 2 tablespoon serving of traditional Nutella comes in at 200 calories and 21 grams of sugar! That’s more sugar than a full-sized Snickers bar!

And I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to only enjoy 2 tablespoons – so I always end up eating more.

I figured, there had to be a better way right? So I set out to make my own quality healthy vegan Nutella recipe. With healthy, dairy-free ingredients, this low sugar easy healthy chocolate spread can be enjoyed by all with a lot less guilt!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

  • Has all of the nutty flavor of hazelnut Nutella, but is much healthier for you!
  • Vegan, dairy free hazelnut spread with deep hazelnut flavor
  • Will satisfy your chocolate cravings
  • Simple ingredients
  • No added sugar, no artificial flavor
  • Spreadable
  • Super easy recipe, only 7 ingredients!
  • Use as a dip
  • Best homemade vegan nutella ever!

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

This vegan nutella spread requires natural ingredients easily found at your local grocery store! Here’s what you need:

Ingredients for vegan nutella recipe on a white background.
  • Raw Hazelnuts: The main ingredient in this chocolate vegan spread is lots of hazelnuts! I like to use raw because it cuts down on prep time, but roasted hazelnuts would work fine too – just be sure to dry roast them to avoid extra oils. Raw hazelnuts include natural oils so there’s no need for extra.
  • Dark Chocolate and Coconut Oil: Use good quality dark chocolate, 70% or higher. You can use either a chocolate bar or dark chocolate chips. Coconut oil, which is a better option than palm oil, helps the chocolate melt and creates a creamy texture when combined with hazelnuts. Some recipes call for cocoa powder, or cacao powder, however, I find quality dark chocolate bars yield a richer more decadent flavor in this dark chocolate nutella.
  • Maple Syrup: Instead of cane sugar, maple syrup creates a natural refined sugar-free subtle sweet flavor. Alternatively, you could use agave syrup or coconut sugar. If you want to keep this healthy hazelnut spread completely sugar free, you can use monk fruit sweetener instead of maple syrup.
  • Almond Milk: Regular Nutella uses dairy milk, this homemade Nutella recipe uses almond milk which is lower in fat and calories, and makes this recipe vegan-friendly. You can use any plant milk for this lactose free chocolate spread. For an extra decadent flavor use full fat coconut milk instead.
  • Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt: Vanilla and and a pinch of salt bring out the natural flavors in chocolate and hazelnuts, and a little bit of salt helps bring out the sweetness in this vegan hazelnut chocolate spread recipe.

🔪 Instructions

It’s super easy to make your own dairy free Nutella alternative at home! Here’s how to make the best vegan nutella:

Roast Hazelnuts: Heat your oven to 350°F. Spread the hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, and roast for 15 minutes.

Roasted hazelnuts on a baking sheet.

Blend Into Hazelnut Butter: Remove from the oven, and place hazelnuts into a food processor or high speed blender. Blitz for a few minutes, until you have thick and creamy nut butter. (You’ll probably need to stop and scrape down the sides of the container a few times until you get a creamy consistency.)

Roasted hazelnuts blended into a hazelnut butter in a food processor.

Add Melted Chocolate: While the nuts are processing, break the chocolate into small pieces and melt with the coconut oil. You can do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals, or over the stovetop on low heat. Add to the smooth butter.

Melted chocolate hazelnut spread in a blender.

Add Rest Of Ingredients: Add the remaining ingredients including the coconut oil, maple syrup, almond milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Blend for another couple of minutes, until you have a creamy hazelnut butter – everything should be completely mixed together and smooth.

Coconut milk and chocolate added to hazelnut butter in blender.

Blend & Finish: When finished, this hazelnut vegan chocolate spread recipe will have a thick, almond butter or peanut butter-like consistency. Transfer your low calorie nutella to an airtight jar or serve immediately.

Dairy free chocolate hazelnut spread in a blender.

💭 Expert Tips

  • For the best flavor, use raw unsalted hazelnuts and use at least 70% dark chocolate to achieve a rich chocolatey flavor in this homemade hazelnut spread.
  • Use a high-speed blender: You’ll need to allow the hazelnuts to process until they create a nut butter. This will ensure you have a creamy spread. You’ll want to use a high speed blender or a Vitamix to get the smoothest results.
  • For best results, don’t skip the coconut oil. The coconut oil helps to give this vegan hazelnut spread recipe a luscious texture that isn’t grainy.
  • Storage affects consistency: For a thinner consistency store at room temperature. For a thick consistency, refrigerate.
  • For a dark chocolate flavor: Try adding a dash of instant coffee to the recipe to further enhance the chocolate flavor in this recipe for Nutella.

📖 Variations

  • Mint Chocolate Nutella: Use vegan mint chocolate instead of regular dark chocolate for a minty flavor!
  • White Chocolate Nutella: Use vegan white chocolate and follow this white chocolate hazelnut spread recipe.
  • Add More Sweetness: You can add in a couple of dates for more natural sweetness! Be sure to soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes. Drain the water, then use in this vegan Nutella alternative. You’d add them at the same time you add the almond milk.
  • Mix-Ins: If you don’t mind a chunkier texture, try adding in cacao nibs, coconut shreds, vegan chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or crushed vegan cookies.
  • Extracts & Spices: Try adding in a dash of almond extract, maple extract, or coconut extract, or a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice to this homemade chocolate hazelnut spread.
  • 3 Ingredient Nutella: You can make a diy Nutella recipe using just roasted hazelnuts, chocolate and vanilla extract (with a pinch of sea salt as optional!) Just blend all of the ingredients until smooth and serve immediately.

🍽 How To Serve

As A Spread

My favorite way to enjoy this healthy Nutella recipe is to spread it on basically anything and everything! Try it as a base for some of these breakfast toast ideas, or just on whole-grain toast, gluten free bread, buckwheat bread, brown rice cakes, vegan bagels, crackers or vegan graham crackers. You can also use it instead of peanut butter in a classic banana peanut butter sandwich.

As A Dip

Use this vegan chocolate hazelnut spread as a dip for fruit like strawberries, kiwi, or pear!

For Dessert

Spread this non dairy Nutella on top of cupcakes, brownies, or even these air fryer cinnamon rolls instead of frosting, mix into quick breads like banana bread without butter, drizzle on top of this caramel nice cream, or make a nutella pizza with flatbread, topped with chopped nuts, fruit, and vegan marshmallows! You can also just enjoy it all on its own!

For Breakfast

Spread in between crepes, or swirl inside these vegan zucchini muffins. You can also use it as a topping for a wide variety of breakfast recipes like:

❓Recipe FAQs

Is there a vegan version of Nutella? Is Justin’s hazelnut spread vegan?

Yes! There are lots of vegan Nutella brands out there, and you should be able to easily find a dairy-free version of Nutella at the store. Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter is vegan-friendly. Other lactose free Nutella brands include: TBH Hazelnut Cocoa Spread, Nutiva Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, Fine and Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, Nocciolata Spread, and Vego Hazelnut Spread.

Why Is Store Bought Nutella Not Vegan?

Any food that uses animal products is not considered vegan. Store-bought Nutella uses powdered milk (which you’ll also see on the label as skim milk powder). Because of this ingredient, it is not vegan. There are other store-bought chocolate spreads that are vegan that do not add milk, such as Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, but I’ve found that the homemade version tastes even better than store-bought!

Is Nutella gluten and dairy free?

Nutella is gluten free! The Ferrero Foodservice website states: “Nutella does not contain any ingredients deriving from wheat, barley, rye or oats.” Unfortunately, Nutella is not dairy free, as it contains milk. Therefore it’s not both gluten free AND dairy free – it’s just gluten free.

Is European Nutella vegan?

Nutella sold in Europe lists its ingredients as follows (sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, milk, cocoa, soy lecithin, and vanillin.) Therefore, it is not vegan because it contains milk. It is labeled as vegetarian, but not vegan.

How Do You Store Vegan Nutella?

Transfer this dairy free chocolate spread to an airtight container, and store at room temperature or in the fridge for a thicker texture. It will keep for a month in the fridge, and for a week at room temperature.

Healthy homemade vegan nutella in a glass mason jar.

🍫 More Vegan Chocolate Recipes!

Love this plant based dessert? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page!

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📋 Recipe Card

🎥 Watch How to Make It

https://youtu.be/D_HGtnGA_k8
Easy homemade vegan nutella in a glass mason jar.
Print Recipe
5 from 15 votes

Vegan Nutella

Dark, rich, creamy vegan nutella is made with raw hazelnuts, dark chocolate, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. It is a decadent chocolate hazelnut spread for dipping fruit, or slathering over pancakes, toast, and more!
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Condiment, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Italian, Vegan
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 16
Calories: 187kcal
Author: Anjali Shah

Ingredients

  • 2⅔ cups unsalted raw hazelnuts
  • cup 70% dark chocolate
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil use up to 2 tbsp for even more richness
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup use up to 4 tbsp if you want it to be sweeter
  • ½ cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 1 date optional

Instructions

  • Heat your oven to 350°F.
  • Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet, and roast for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, and place into a food processor or high-speed blender. Blitz for a few minutes, until you have a thick and creamy nut butter. (You'll probably need to stop and scrape down the sides of the container a few times.)
  • While the nuts are processing, break the chocolate into small pieces and melt with the coconut oil (can be done in the microwave or on the stovetop).
  • Once the nut butter is ready, add the melted chocolate and coconut oil, maple syrup, almond milk, vanilla extract, and salt. If using a date (for more sweetness), add at this time. Blitz for another couple of minutes, until everything is completely mixed together and smooth.
  • Transfer to an airtight jar, and store at room temperature or in the fridge for a thicker texture. It will keep for a month.

Notes

  • Use raw unsalted hazelnuts for the best flavor and health benefits.
  • Use at least 70% dark chocolate to achieve a rich chocolatey flavor.
  • Be sure to allow the hazelnuts to process until they create a nut butter. This will ensure you have a creamy texture.
  • Don’t skip the coconut oil. The coconut oil helps to give this healthy nutella a luscious texture that isn’t grainy.
  • For a thinner consistency store at room temperature. For a thick consistency, refrigerate.
  • Try adding a dash of instant coffee to the recipe to enhance the chocolate flavor even more.
  • Nutritional info calculated using 88% dark chocolate and 1 date.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3.5g

Posted In…

Plant Based Desserts ·

Indulge your sweet tooth with some of my delicious, lightened-up treats! From vegan vanilla pudding to gluten-free brownies to microwave peanut butter fudge, there’s something for everyone!

All of these desserts are healthier than their traditional counterparts, and many have gluten free and/or vegan alternatives. But the most important part is that they are all so tasty, so satisfying, and are total crowd pleasers!

Be sure to try other reader favorites like this healthy hot chocolate, our healthy edible vegan cookie dough, and these peanut butter bliss balls!

28 responses to “Vegan Nutella”

  1. Love homemade Nutella as you can control how sweet you want to make it too and use natural sweeteners. Roasted hazelnuts for me all the way, love that extra toasted nutty flavor.5 stars

  2. I love that this is sweetened with dates and maple syrup – both healthier and great flavors too. Look forward to trying soon!5 stars

  3. This Nutella looks SO easy and so yummy! I love that it uses only natural ingredients. I can’t wait to make it and spread some on my morning toast!5 stars

  4. I admit that the texture is not as smooth as Nutella but it tastes way better and feels healthier thanks to the superfoods ingredients. No more Nutella now.5 stars

  5. This is so delicious and tempting. Love that it is Vegan and so easy to make. Creamy and Chocolaty. I am drooling.5 stars

  6. This turned out soooo good. We love Nutella in my house and I was excited to find a recipe that uses natural ingredients.5 stars

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