Homemade Nutella Recipe
This homemade Nutella recipe is homemade and so much richer and healthier than the store-bought stuff!
So yeah, I think I’m about to make a lot of new best friends with this homemade Nutella recipe.
It’s been so long since I’ve had real Nutella that I completely forgot just how good it is. That is until I made my own. I mentioned it just once on Facebook, and the response was overwhelming. So, I think after today, I’ll be just a tad bit more popular with the healthy recipe crowd.
It’s funny, I was so sure that Mini Chef would go crazy for this stuff. Not so!! He won’t touch it! But that’s okay. That just means there’s more for the grownups around here. Although technically, I’m not sure that’s a good thing. This is definitely a once-in-a-while treat. Not something you can eat every day, particularly if you are trying to lose any weight. But once in a while, this stuff is incredible!
My theory is that if we can sometimes enjoy the things we love and still have them be clean eating healthy foods, not only will we benefit health-wise but also emotionally. Because let’s face it. Losing weight or working on general health is all one big mental head game.
P.S. – This would make a really yummy cake frosting!
What Is Nutella?
Nutella is actually an Italian brand-name product sold in stores worldwide. It’s a hazelnut-chocolate spread typically used for spreading over toast, though it can be used in many different types of recipes. Particularly dessert recipes. It is a registered trademark. No claim is made to the name here. I use it only for reference.
What Is Nutella Made Of?
Their ingredient list states: Sugar, vegetable oil, hazelnuts, skim milk powder, fat-reduced cocoa powder, soy lecithin, and flavoring (vanillin).
The sugar is highly processed, as is the vegetable oil. The skim milk powder and reduced-fat cocoa powder are incredibly processed as well, which means they do not resemble anything close to their original states. Soy lecithin is most likely a processed GMO, and vanillin is a component of the vanilla bean, which is typically made and used as a synthetic. So, as you can probably guess, this stuff is nowhere near a truly natural hazelnut spread.
The recipe below uses real food ingredients. Actual chocolate, honey, real vanilla extract, ingredients you’ll recognize as actual food. And that’s what gets us back to good health. Choosing the right ingredients.
Is Nutella Good Or Bad For You?
Let’s face it. Most processed, sugary treats are never good for you. Sugar, in general, is never actually good for you. That’s reality. But the occasional treat is nothing to be ashamed of, providing it’s actually occasional. I’m not a fan of labeling anything made with whole-food ingredients as bad. But you also have to use good, common sense here. While this recipe is certainly better health-wise than the store-bought stuff, it still has sugar in it, which should always be enjoyed in moderation.
Ways To Use Hazelnut Spread
- Spread on toast.
- Use as frosting for cake.
- Put a spoonful in your morning coffee.
- Use as an ice cream topper.
- Use it to flavor baked goods.
What You’ll Need
Hazelnuts – These should be raw.
Unsweetened chocolate – This is unsweetened baking chocolate. Baker’s is a widely available brand, but there are others too.
Honey – You can use maple syrup as well, but you may need more of it to reach the level of sweetness you desire. If you opt for a dry sweetener, you’ll need to add more oil and milk (in equal amounts) to make up for the loss of liquid in the recipe.
Oil – This can be any oil you usually use. But make sure it’s lightly flavored so it doesn’t change the flavor of the finished recipe. I have used coconut oil and safflower oil. Grapeseed is another good choice.
Milk – This can be non-dairy or dairy. Whichever you prefer. But if you use non-dairy, make sure it’s unsweetened. I have used both unsweetened almond milk and cashew milk. Both worked well.
Pure vanilla extract – Make sure this is vanilla extract, not vanilla flavoring.
How To Make Homemade Nutella
Place the hazelnuts on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 F. for about 15 minutes. The flesh should be a nice golden brown, and the skins should be closer to black in color. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Put the hazelnuts on a dish towel and rub until the skins come off. You may need to help some of them along with your hands, but most of the skins should come off with the towel.
Put the hazelnuts in a food processor and blend until you have a nut butter consistency. It may not be perfectly smooth, but you’ll know it when you see it. It takes a few minutes in the processor, so just keep blending.
While the hazelnuts are in the processor, put the chocolate squares in a bowl and microwave for about 3 minutes. Stir, and then continue to microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each one, until the chocolate is melted.
Stop the processor and add the chocolate, honey, oil, milk and vanilla. If, after blending, it’s not as smooth as you’d like, add a little more milk and oil (in equal amounts), and blend again.
Transfer the nutella to a jar and store in the fridge.
Need Supplies For Making Homemade Nutella?
SUBSCRIBE
Remember to subscribe to my free newsletter to receive all my latest recipes in your inbox. Click here to sign up!
Homemeade Nutella
CLICK TO WATCH THIS RECIPE IN ACTION!
Equipment
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups hazelnuts
- 6 oz. unsweetened chocolate
- ¾ cup honey
- ¼ cup oil (I used safflower)
- ½ cup almond milk (unsweetened – or regular milk works too)
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I used Bourbon Vanilla from Trader Joe’s)
Instructions
- Place the hazelnuts on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 F. for about 15 minutes. The flesh should be a nice golden brown and the skins should be closer to black in color.Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Put the hazelnuts on a dish towel and rub until the skins come off. You may need to help some of them along with your hands, but most of the skins should come off with the towel.
- Put the hazelnuts in a food processor and blend until you have a nut butter consistency. It may not be perfectly smooth, but you’ll know it when you see it. It takes a few minutes in the processor, so just keep blending.
- While the hazelnuts are in the processor, put the chocolate squares in a bowl and microwave for about 3 minutes. Stir, and then continue to microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until the chocolate is melted.
- Stop the processor and add the chocolate, honey, oil, milk and vanilla. If, after blending, it's not as smooth as you'd like, add a little more milk and oil (in equal amounts), and blend again.
- Transfer the nutella to a jar and store in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 7/24/11.
You’re my new hero.
Casey – Why thank you!
You want to microwave the chocolate for 30 seconds the first time, right? Not minutes?
Amber – Yes! Somebody mentioned it on Facebook. The recipe has been updated. Thank you!!
Amber – Yes! Somebody mentioned it on Facebook. The recipe has been updated. Thank you!!
i seriously needed your post this morning. i’ve been trying for months to lose weight. i do the really good clean eating for a week. step on the scale to find that i’ve lost zippo and then cheat and fall off the wagon. i want to eat clean to be healthy and strong inside but i also want to lose weight. i want results like everyone else seems to get. when i’m eating clean i feel so good about myself and mentally and physically i’m significantly stronger. problem is i have a strong history of sugar and sweet and giving it up is like chopping off an arm. so much work. anyhow… i just wanted to thank you for sharing what you’re doing. i’m sorry you haven’t lost any weight. you’re working so hard!! i like what your friend said about scales and poop. keep on keepin on! Love your blog and all the yummy recipes I’ve been eating.
Gotberg – Believe me. I’ve been there! Something to consider is what is in your clean diet that is making you crave the sweets. Honestly, by the end of the week, you should not have those cravings. You may be very sensitive to sugar like I am. Do you eat honey/agave/any other kind of sugar? (even clean sugars can set you off when you are sensitive). Are you getting some white flour somewhere? That can set you off as well. Take a closer look just to be sure. Because after a week, those cravings should be nearly or completely gone. Not kicked up into high gear. Have a great weekend!
i seriously needed your post this morning. i’ve been trying for months to lose weight. i do the really good clean eating for a week. step on the scale to find that i’ve lost zippo and then cheat and fall off the wagon. i want to eat clean to be healthy and strong inside but i also want to lose weight. i want results like everyone else seems to get. when i’m eating clean i feel so good about myself and mentally and physically i’m significantly stronger. problem is i have a strong history of sugar and sweet and giving it up is like chopping off an arm. so much work. anyhow… i just wanted to thank you for sharing what you’re doing. i’m sorry you haven’t lost any weight. you’re working so hard!! i like what your friend said about scales and poop. keep on keepin on! Love your blog and all the yummy recipes I’ve been eating.
Hi, i have been checking out your site for about 1 month now – i love it – great ideas – i especially love the protein bars (did add some extra veggies) – they are a real staple in my busy life with 3 kids and a part time job – i try to eat at least 5 mini meals a day – started my weight loss journey last October and kind of stumbled into clean eating about January – it has helped me lose 80 lbs so far – about 30 more to go – i also had a very strong sugar addiction – i have hit many plateaus – can be very hard to get through – sometimes makes you want to give up – i find that planning simple options that i really like for each mini meal really works for me – like apple and almond butter or veggies and home made hummus or the protein bars or scrambled egg whites with veggies and salsa or Tosca’s oatmeal concoction – the other thing that i find really helps with the plateau is mixing up the workouts – add in an extra workout or two or add some extra intensity or go for an hour and a half workout once in a while? Just my personal experience … Sometimes – I just have what I am really craving – mostly a DQ blizzard – and then just continue on with my healthy eating like nothing happened. I feel 100% better today than I did last year at this same time – would not trade it for all of the hard work it took to get here – i now have the energy to accomplish twice as much as I could last year!
Rayan – Wow! Congratulations on your accomplishment! You’ve done such a wonderful thing for yourself! That last 30 will be the icing on the cake!
You are right. Planning your food is the only way to go. Especially when those cravings set in!
Could you use cocoa powder in this instead? I’ve made my own nutella before (Not clean mind you) and used cocoa powder.
Cher – I’ve seen recipes that use it, but if you add it to this recipe, I think it will be too dry. You’d have to also add more liquid and oil.
It does look great though, I will have to try it for sure 🙂
Cher – Let me know how you like it!
The Nutella will be fun to try later…one of those yummy things from my time in Germany (although I thought it tasted better there, all my food did 🙂 ! BUT, I wanted to comment on your picture. Look at you!! You look so happy and your skins is smooth and glowing, just beautiful! Even though you are at a standstill with weig t loss currently I see a change from your last picture, go Tiffany!! 🙂
Sarah – Awwwe, thank you!
You are so right about the food in Germany. I don’t know if it’s their soil or the lack of chemicals they use there, but their food definitely tastes better. But I find that to be the case with most of Europe. Boy do I miss it!
I’ll keep at it. Now that I’ve had a little break and vacation, it all feels a bit more doable.
Sfford – That’s awesome! You’re doing great! It’s so hard when that last bit of weight gets to be so stubborn. But it will go away when your body is ready to let go of it. Just stay on track and it WILL eventually disappear. It will.
OMG Tiffany, you must have read my mind! Big fan of Nutella and can’t wait to try this recipe. I very much look forward to your recipes in my inbox each day and am truly inspired by your work and commitment. Keep up the great work and know that we’re all supporting you and your efforts out here on the world wide web!
Sophie – Awwwe, thank you so much!
It is so much more important to look at a photo (or in the mirror) and think “Wow I look happy” rather than “Gee I look thin” don’t you think?
Joanne – I do!!
We can tell by you’re beautiful smile!
Jo – Awwwe, thanks!
I cannot wait to try this! Following your blog now!
Wetjck – Thank you!
Jenna – Good strategy! You can do this!!
Hi! I just want to say I love your blog. I have yet to try anything from it because I’ve only been eating clean (well, kind of) for a week now. I’m 24 years old (college student living at home for another 24 days before moving on my own again). I’ve lost 11 lbs. through just eating less, exercising, and a little bit on Weight Watchers. My personal trainer got me into eating clean, and I do love it, but it’s proving difficult to change my habits so much. I babysit full-time, and I’m experiencing the mother’s difficulty of not eating like her children. My problem is I’m not shopping for “my” children! Today, I had a great clean breakfast and dinner but Spaghettios and McDonald’s in between. So, needless to say, I’m not experiencing weight loss on the clean eating diet, but I hope to get this transition happening a little bit quicker so I can start losing weight again. I have about 35 more pounds I want to lose.
Kely – You can do this!! There are so many ways to substitute for the bad foods. But it all comes down to preparing your food ahead of time. If you can prepare enough small meals in the evening to get you back home again the next day, then all you have to do is prepare a clean and healthy dinner. It’s hard to plan so much, but believe me, you get used to it. And it’s soooo worth it!!
Katy – No! It’s not too much to ask for! Can the two of you go to the gym together? Maybe working that into your routine would be a fun thing for the both of you.
This looks so amazing. I can’t wait to make it . I have just started clean eating and hope for success. Thank you for your honesty about your dieting ups and downs.
Cindy – Losing weight is NEVER a straight line! Ever. Lots of ups and downs. That’s just the nature of the beast! Hope you enjoy the Nutella!
Tiffany, I have been trying your recipes as well as this new lifestyle for about a month now and I am loving it! Along with a healthy exercise program, clean eating has helped me shed 8 pounds this month. Besides losing weight, I feel great and have more confidence then ever. Thank you so much for this site. It is so much more than recipes, your testimony along with all of the other women that are on this journey has really helped me to feel encouraged during those tough days where all I want is a fat piece of white bread and butter! And to all of the other women that have started to form this pseudo-community, keep up the good work!
Nichole – How wonderful!!! Keep up the great work! I’d be wiling to be the next time you try a bite of that white bread and butter it just won’t taste the same. Our taste buds change with time. It’s wonderful. Junk food actually tastes like junk! What a concept!!
Tiffany, what kind of Baker’s Chocolate (bittersweet, semi-sweet, dark, etc,)? I want to try this tomorrow and wondered about that.
Steph – The stuff I get at Safeway doesn’t give you a choice. It just says Baker’s Chocolate. It won’t be sweet because there is no sugar in it. It’s just the chocolate with nothing added. I don’t believe it’s dark chocolate either. Sorry! Wish I could be more help, but if I understand it correctly, Baker’s chocolate IS the type of chocolate.
Hi Tiffany! I love checking out your recipes. I am actually a bodybuilder; I compete in the National Physique Committee’s Bikini division. I started using a clean-eating diet for my off-season (competition dieting is another beast entirely), and your recipes are perfect additions to my kitchen. Eating clean isn’t really about weight loss for me; it’s about being healthy and energized year-round. So many competitors divert to a poor diet off-season and only take care of themselves when contest time rolls around! I like to think I’m an example of how being fit isn’t an excuse to eat poorly.
My number one goal, of course, is to earn my Pro Card from the International Federation of Bodybuilders – proof of my hard work and dedication. But I also aim to keep myself healthy for ALL the years I’m on this planet (and my husband, too!) For me, it’s all about “pre”. Pre-planning, pre-cooking, pre-packing. I even have a specialty bag with shelves for food containers, so that no matter where I’m going for the day, I can pack my food and go. Staying full is the key to avoiding cravings!
I also plan “cheat” meals. I find that planning them avoids that crummy guilty feeling you get when you eat something “off track” and makes it easier to continue eating well.
I wish you the best in your health goals, and thank you so much for this fantastic website!
Hi Sarah – Wow! Thank you! I know that planning is everything with both health AND weight loss. As the saying goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail”. I really believe that. It all comes down to daily habits. Creating healthy ones and getting rid of bad one. I’ll get there!
Good luck with getting your Pro Card!! I wish you the best!
Hi – I know you feel that your weight loss is at a standstill but perhaps your body is adjusting to the new weight you are at. I am a Dietitian and work with people daily who are learning how to lose weight and keep the weight off. The most successful ones are those that lose the weight slowly and every 25-30 pounds stay at that weight for a while. It is important for the body to re-set. Perhaps this is a weight you were at for a while and it wants to stay here. Make sure you increase your protein intake a bit and soon enough you will see a loss. Keep up the great work!
Chgallo – Thank you! I remember reading that somewhere too. Thank you for the reminder! It’s tough sometimes when the scale gets stuck like this. But I think it’s also a necessary part of weight loss. I think if it comes off too quick, it’s likely to come back on again just as quickly. So thank you so much for your comment! It’s good to be reminded that everything (even weight loss) needs to be kept in the proper perspective.