Homemade Nutella (Chocolate Hazelnut Spread)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My Homemade Nutella is creamy, chocolaty, and nutty — a smooth, flavorful treat that’s perfect for enhancing your favorite snacks and desserts. If not better, it’s just as good as store-bought! Made in only 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients, you’ll never go back to the jarred version.

• Creamy & Indulgent – A rich texture that melts in your mouth.
• Simple to Make – Ready in under an hour with pantry-friendly ingredients.
• Versatile – Perfect for spreading, drizzling, or incorporating into other recipes.
• No Preservatives – Made with real, wholesome ingredients you can trust.

I’ve always loved the versatility of Nutella, not just as a spread, but as a secret ingredient in many of my favorite recipes. I wanted to recreate that perfect balance of creamy, chocolaty, and nutty flavors, but with ingredients I could trust and make right at home. That’s how I developed this Homemade Nutella recipe — it’s made with real hazelnuts, milk chocolate, and cocoa powder, so you know exactly what goes into it.

I’m thrilled that so many of you have embraced this recipe and made it a part of your kitchens. I’ve even learned a few tricks from all of you as you experimented with it! Whether you’re spreading it on  Homemade Crepes, Homemade White Bread or using it in Nutella Lava Cookies, I’m sure it’ll become a staple in your kitchen too. If you’re craving more homemade ingredients, be sure to check out my other recipes like Homemade Peanut Butter, Homemade Marshmallows, and more!

Bold Bakers Loved This!

“Can I rate this 10 (out of 5) stars?!? This recipe is amazing. I made this for my kids as they love Nutella. I love it so much….. there goes my Keto diet!! Yummy yum yum yum.” — Carmen Tenny

“This homemade NUTELLA is never going to last two weeks… I predict it will be all gone by tomorrow.” — Lynn Johnson

“This is absolutely awesome ! I use soy bean milk which gives a lighter taste and reduce cocoa power by 50% for kids (less bitter). We love it! Easy to make and much healthier and better than nutella sold in the stores~ Thank you so much!” –Catherine

IMPORTANT NOT: This recipe was improved on 1/9/2025, to include a NEW step-by-step tutorial video, vegan substitutes of key ingredients, make-ahead and storage instructions, most frequently asked questions, what to serve with Nutella, and Pro Chef Tips.

Table Of Contents

• What Is Nutella? 
• Tools You Need
• Nutella Ingredients and Vegan Substitutes
• How To Make Nutella
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
• Is Nutella Healthy?
• What to Serve With Nutella?
• FAQs
• More Nutella Recipes

What Is Nutella? What Does Nutella Taste Like?

Nutella is the most popular hazelnut chocolate spread in the world, known for its creamy texture and rich flavor. Created by the Italian company Ferrero in 1964 — the same company behind Ferrero Rocher — it quickly became a cultural staple.

Here’s what defines Nutella:

• Hazelnut Chocolate Base: A delicious combination of roasted hazelnuts and cocoa creates its signature nutty sweetness.
• Global Recognition: Often synonymous with “chocolate hazelnut spread,” Nutella is as iconic as asking for a Kleenex instead of a tissue or Coke instead of cola.
• Versatile Use: Perfect for spreading, baking, or enjoying straight from the jar.

When someone mentions “chocolate hazelnut spread”  for your toast, chances are they mean Nutella!

Tools You Need To Make Nutella At Home

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheet
• Cloth towel
• Food processor (alternatively, blender)
• Spatula

Ingredients and Vegan Substitutes

According to Ferrero’s website, store-bought Nutella is made with “Sugar, Palm Oil, Hazelnuts (13%), Skimmed Milk Powder (8.7%), Fat-Reduced Cocoa (7.4%), Emulsifier: Lecithins (Soya), Vanillin.”

For my recipe I use ingredients you may be a bit more familiar with and likely have in your house right now!

My Homemade Nutella is made with the following:

Hazelnuts

• Use raw hazelnuts and roast them for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
• It doesn’t just improve the taste; roasting the nuts will help draw out the natural oils and will help you achieve a smoother, creamier texture.

Milk Chocolate, Melted and Cooled

• Choose high-quality milk chocolate for a smooth and rich taste.
• To make Homemade Vegan Nutella: use dairy-free milk chocolate or opt to use a higher cocoa content chocolate. Check the labels of your chocolate — a lot of good quality chocolate has no dairy. Chocolate with 70% cocoa content will be easy to melt and should have no dairy.

Powdered Sugar

• Adds sweetness and helps create a silky texture and to avoid any grainess.
• Vegan sugar substitutes: Use powdered sugar labeled as vegan or make your own Homemade Powdered Sugar using coconut sugar, monk fruit sweetener, or date sugar.  Or use paste, maple syrup, agave syrup.
• How to make keto Nutella: For a keto-diet friendly version of Nutella, use maple syrup or sugar-free sweeteners, like xylitol or erythritol, instead of the powdered sugar.  Or opt to use dates! Dates help sweeten the chocolate hazelnut spread and give it a delightful vanilla-y flavor.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

• Enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Cacao powder also works. Dutch-process cocoa works well for a deeper taste.

Salt

• Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.

Vegetable Oil

• Helps achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
• Substitutes: Coconut oil, avocado oil, or olive oil will work well.

Vanilla Extract

• Adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile.

How to Make Nutella

Prepare the hazelnuts

1. Roast: Place hazelnuts on a tray and bake at 350ºF (180°C) for 10-15 minutes until very fragrant and well roasted.
2. Remove skin: While still warm, rub them vigorously in a kitchen towel to remove as much of the skins as possible.

3. Blend: Place the hazelnuts in a food processor and blend until it forms a very smooth peanut butter-like paste, about 4 minutes. Note: While it is processing, make sure to scrape down the bowl so that all of the nuts get blended up well. You need the nut paste to be very smooth.

Add flavors

4. When the paste is smooth and shiny on top, add in the cooled melted chocolate, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.

Full (printable) recipe below! 

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Homemade Nutella

• Did your Homemade Nutella set up in the fridge? Simply pop it in the microwave for a few seconds or stand the jar in a bowl of warm water to resolve it!
• Want a vegan substitute? Try my Healthy Nutella (Vegan) recipe! Alternatively, you can use vegan chocolate or a higher cocoa content chocolate.
• For sugar substitutes, check out The Best Sugar Substitutes for Baking & FREE Substitutes Chart!
• Although vanilla extract packs a stronger flavor since it comes directly from the beans, vanilla essence will work in a pinch!
• If you’re using a blender instead of a food processor, blend the nuts in smaller amounts, so they don’t bind the motor.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

Make-ahead

• You can prepare Homemade Nutella ahead of time and store it in an airtight jar for up to a week. The flavor improves as it rests!

Storage

• Room Temperature Storage: Keep your Nutella at room temperature for up to 1 week. If the oil separates, just give it a quick stir before using.
• Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 1 month. When ready to use, let it warm to room temperature for the smoothest, spreadable consistency.
• Freezing: If you want to store it for even longer, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then stir before use to restore its creamy texture.

Is Nutella Healthy?

What to Serve With Nutella

Nutella is incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of foods for a delicious treat. Here are some ideas:

1. Toast or Bread: Spread Nutella on a warm slice of toast, croissant, or your favorite homemade bread for a quick breakfast or snack.
2. Pancakes or Waffles: Drizzle Nutella over pancakes or waffles for a rich, chocolatey breakfast.
3. Fruit: Dip sliced fruits like strawberries, bananas, or apples into Nutella for a sweet, healthy snack.
4. Crepes: Spread Nutella inside a freshly made crepe, fold, and enjoy for a decadent dessert.
5. Donuts: Use Nutella as a filling for doughnuts or as a topping for a sweet finish.
6. Ice Cream: Swirl Nutella into vanilla ice cream or drizzle it on top of your favorite scoop.
7. Rice Cakes or Crackers: Spread Nutella on rice cakes or crackers for a crunchy, creamy snack.
8. Cake or Cupcakes: Use Nutella as a filling between cake layers or as frosting on cupcakes for added richness.
9. Granola or Oatmeal: Stir Nutella into oatmeal or sprinkle over granola for a chocolatey twist to your morning meal.
10. Smoothies: Add a spoonful of Nutella to your smoothies for a creamy, chocolatey flavor.

Homemade Nutella FAQs

What do I do if I don’t have a food processor? Can I use a blender or vitamix to make Nutella?

• If you do not have a food processor, you can use a blender to make Homemade Nutella instead.
• Just as you would while using a food processor, be sure to scrape down the sides of your blender to ensure all the hazelnuts get blended for a smooth texture.

How do I make my Nutella smooth?

To make your Nutella smooth, try these tips:

• Blend Well: Use a food processor to blend the hazelnuts until smooth. The longer you blend, the creamier it gets.
• Add Oil: Gradually add vegetable or flavorless oil while blending to help smooth out the texture.
• Melt Chocolate: Melt and cool the chocolate before adding it to the hazelnut paste for better mixing.
• Strain if Needed: If it’s too chunky, strain the mixture to remove large pieces for a smoother spread.
• Adjust Consistency: Add more oil or melted chocolate if it’s too thick to reach your desired smoothness.

Can I use other nuts to make Nutella?

Yes, you can use other nuts to make a Nutella-style spread! Here are a few alternatives:

• Almonds: Use roasted almonds for a similar texture, with a slightly sweeter taste. They make a delicious, creamy spread.
• Cashews: These provide a rich, smooth texture and a mild flavor. Cashew Nutella will be extra creamy.
• Pecans: Roasted pecans give a deep, buttery flavor and work well for a unique twist on Nutella.
• Macadamia Nuts: These will create a rich, buttery spread with a smooth texture, perfect for an indulgent nutty treat.

Just follow the same process as with hazelnuts — roast, blend, and add the other ingredients! Keep in mind that different nuts will give your spread a unique flavor, but the basic steps remain the same.

Is Nutella vegan?

My Homemade Nutella is vegetarian but not vegan, as I use milk chocolate in my recipe.

• You can, however, make vegan Nutella, as well as keto Nutella, by reading more about Ingredient Substitutes above.
• Be sure to check out my Homemade Vegan Nutella recipe, too!

Try More Nutella Recipes!

• Fluffy Nutella Buttercream Frosting
• 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies
• 3 Ingredient Nutella Brownie in a Mug
• Healthy Nutella Recipe (Vegan)
• Crazy Dough Braided Nutella Bread

IMPORTANT NOT: This recipe was improved on 1/9/2025, to include a NEW step-by-step tutorial video, vegan substitutes of key ingredients, make-ahead and storage instructions, most frequently asked questions, what to serve with Nutella, and Pro Chef Tips.

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