Vegan Nutella: Your New Favorite Spread

Jar of homemade dairy-free Nutella jar next to a plate with toast and a knife.

Do you love Nutella’s rich chocolate and hazelnut flavor but need a dairy-free option? Here’s how to make vegan Nutella that’s alpha-gal friendly while packing more protein and less refined sugar than the original.

The information provided on this site is based on my personal experience living with alpha-gal syndrome. I consistently cite and link to expert sources, but nothing published on this site should be perceived as medical advice.

Alpha-gal sensitivities vary by person. You should understand your dietary restrictions, making any adjustments needed, and directing any questions to your physician.

Nutella, the creamy, dreamy hazelnut chocolate spread, has been a breakfast staple and dessert favorite for decades. But if you follow a vegan diet or are an alpha gal who avoids dairy, you’ll need an alternative chocolate cream to spread on your toast in the morning or to dip chunks of fruit into for an afternoon snack. The good news is that making vegan Nutella at home is fast and easy. And, when you replace the original with a homemade chocolate hazelnut spread, you add more protein and less sugar to your diet.

    

In This Article

A jar of Nutella and bread on a wooden table.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

What Is Nutella?

Nutella is a popular chocolate hazelnut spread originating in Italy that has become a beloved treat worldwide. Its sweet, nutty flavor is a delightful, chocolatey alternative to peanut butter, and Nutella is used in everything from breakfast dishes to desserts.

History of Nutella

Nutella was invented in the 1940s to overcome ingredient shortages after World War II. As cocoa was extremely scarce. Italian pastry chef Pietro Ferrero created a nut paste from hazelnuts, sugar, and just a little of the rare cocoa shaped into a loaf. A few years later, the nut paste was transformed into a creamier spread named SuperCrema. And in 1965, the recipe was improved and relaunched as Nutella. Today, Nutella is enjoyed in over 160 countries, where it is a staple in many households. 

A row of Nutella jars sitting on a table in France.
Photo Credit: Sage Scott

World Nutella Day

World Nutella Day is a delicious celebration of the globally adored chocolate hazelnut spread. Established on February 5th, 2007, by Sara Rosso, an American blogger and avid Nutella enthusiast, the day quickly gained traction as fans worldwide began sharing their love for Nutella through pictures, recipes, and creative ideas on social media. The celebration became so popular that in 2015 Sara transferred the day’s rights to Ferrero, the maker of Nutella, ensuring its continued growth and global recognition. To join the festivities, encourage a newbie to try Nutella for the first time, make a recipe with Nutella, or share your favorite photo of the sweet spread. Just be sure to tag it with #worldnutelladay.

A table with a bowl of chocolate hazelnut spread and bread, surrounded by hazelnuts.
Photo Credit: Canva

Is Nutella Vegan?

Unfortunately, the beloved chocolate spread is not vegan because it is made with skimmed milk powder. So, if you’re an alpha gal who avoids dairy, Nutella is another food you’ll need to remove from your diet.

Even if you can tolerate dairy or don’t follow a vegan diet, some health- and environmental-conscious consumers may want an alternative product for other reasons. The primary ingredient in Nutella is sugar, with a two-tablespoon serving containing 21 grams of the sweet stuff. So, spreading a serving of Nutella on toast starts your day with roughly 40% of the maximum daily added sugar limit. Yikes! The second-listed ingredient on a Nutella label is modified palm oil. Palm oil cultivation has been associated with environmental concerns, including deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction. 

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

To create a delicious and vegan-friendly alternative to Nutella, gather these key ingredients.

Hazelnuts in a burlap sack on a wooden table.
Photo Credit: Canva

Hazelnuts

As the star ingredient in any Nutella-like spread, hazelnuts are essential. I like to save time by purchasing pre-roasted hazelnuts. However, if you prefer to toast your own nuts or can only find raw hazelnuts, you can easily roast them at home. Simply spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then toast the nuts for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are fragrant and brown. 

Sage Advice: If you can’t find hazelnuts, don’t love hazelnuts, or just want to switch things up, you can substitute them for another nut, like roasted almonds, macadamia nuts, or cashews.

A sifter full of powdered sugar sitting on a dark wood table.
Photo Credit: Canva

Sugar

My sweetener of choice is organic powdered sugar because its light texture blends smoothly into the other ingredients. However, you can easily substitute another vegan-friendly sweetener, such as coconut sugar or stevia powder. I do not recommend maple syrup, agave syrup, or honey (although I know that’s not a vegan ingredient) as they can cause the Nutella to be clumpy rather than smooth.

As a dark chocolate lover, I don’t like my vegan Nutella to be too sweet. But if you want a sweeter version, add more of your chosen sweetener to suit your taste.

Roasted Cacao Beans and Cacao Powder
Photo Credit: Canva

Cacao Powder or Cocoa Powder

Using 100% unsweetened cacao powder or cocoa powder helps ensure that your Nutella is vegan and alpha-gal friendly. 

What’s the difference between cacao powder and cocoa powder? Cacao powder is derived from the cacao bean with minimal processing, preserving the rich nutrients that classify it as a superfood. On the other hand, cocoa powder undergoes extensive processing. I lean towards cacao powder when making vegan Nutella, although either can be used effectively in the recipe.

Olive oil being poured into a glass bowl surrounded by fresh olives.
Photo Credit: Canva

Vegetable Oil

Instead of the palm oil and skim milk used in regular Nutella, this vegan Nutella recipe is made with vegetable oil to give it a creamy and spreadable consistency. I recommend choosing a neutral-tasting option like olive oil, sunflower oil, or grapeseed oil. 

A jar of chocolate hazelnut spread with a spoon of cocoa powder and hazelnuts next to it.
Photo Credit: Sage Scott

How to Make Nutella

Making Nutella at home is easy when you follow these simple steps.

  1. Add roasted hazelnuts to a high-speed blender or food processor and turn them into creamy hazelnut butter.
  2. Then add the remaining ingredients and blend until incorporated.

That’s it. It’s that simple!

Best Store-Bought Vegan Nutella Brands

Although it’s fast and easy to make vegan Nutella at home, sometimes you want to skip that step and immediately dig into that creamy hazelnut chocolate flavor you crave. If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Nutella, several delicious options are available. These are some of my favorites.

A table with peaches, a toaster, and a cup of coffee, featuring tbh vegan hazelnut cocoa spread.
Photo Credit: Amazon

tbh Hazelnut Cocoa Spread

Hazelnuts as the number one ingredient and a sweet blend of organic sugar and monk fruit make tbh a delicious vegan cocoa spread. Plus, it’s got three times the protein and half as much sugar as the original. So even if you’re not an alpha gal or vegan, this store-bought Nutella alternative is much healthier than the original.

A jar of Artisana Organics hazelnut cacao spread and strawberries on a marble table.
Photo Credit: Amazon

Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread

Another delicious vegan Nutella option is Artisana Organics’s hazelnut cacao spread. It’s sweetened with coconut sugar and uses coconut oil instead of palm. And with organic hazelnuts listed as the first ingredient (rather than the sugar on the Nutella label), each serving contains twice the protein as the original chocolate spread.

A jar of KoRo Organic Crunchy Hazelnut Spread on a purple background.
Photo Credit: Amazon

KoRo Organic Crunchy Hazelnut Spread

If you’re on team crunchy (rather than team creamy), this is the store-bought vegan Nutella alternative for you. Made with hazelnut paste and cocoa powder and sweetened with coconut sugar, KoRo’s crunchy hazelnut spread features little chunks of hazelnuts.

A jar of Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Blend on a pile of hazelnuts.
Photo Credit: Amazon

Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut & Almond Butter

Justin’s is a well-known brand in the world of nut butters. Founded by Justin Gold, the brand offers a wide selection of nut-based spreads and butter cups that are perfect for those following a plant-based diet. This store-bought Nutella alternative features a blend of dry roasted hazelnut and almonds sweetened with organic powdered sugar. While this vegan chocolatey nut butter packs twice the protein punch as regular Nutella, it does include palm oil.

A jar of homemade chocolate spread in a glass jar on a wooden cutting board with nuts.
Photo Credit: YayImages

How to Store Homemade Vegan Nutella

Let’s get back to homemade vegan Nutella. Once you’ve whipped up a delicious batch of this cocoa-powered nut spread, transfer it to an airtight container. This step will help prevent moisture or nearby ingredients from affecting the taste and consistency of your homemade spread. Like the jarred varieties you can purchase at the grocery store, I like using mason jars to store my vegan Nutella. 

Once properly packaged, you can store your homemade Nutella at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If you choose to store it at room temperature, keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight – like the pantry. When appropriately stored at room temperature, your homemade Nutella can last up to two weeks.

You can store your vegan Nutella in the refrigerator – which I typically do. This is an excellent idea if you live in a warm climate or want to extend its shelf life further. When you keep your homemade Nutella in the fridge, you can enjoy it for up to two weeks or even longer.

Ways to Use Vegan Hazelnut Spread

You can enjoy vegan hazelnut spread in all the delightful ways you used regular Nutella before your alpha-gal diagnosis. And, you can feel good knowing your vegan Nutella contains more protein and less sugar than the original. Here are a few suggestions.

A knife dipped into a bowl of Nutella.
Photo Credit: Canva

Spread It

Spread vegan Nutella on crusty bread, bagels, or crackers to add a delectable twist to your morning toast or afternoon snack. You can also incorporate vegan Nutella into your breakfast routine by spreading it on pancakes, crepes, or waffles. 

Vegan Nutella also makes a wonderful filling or frosting for cakes. Whether baking a cake, crafting cupcakes, or whipping up a batch of brownies, this homemade Nutella alternative adds a decadently irresistible extra touch to your creations.

Strawberry dipped in Nutella in a bowl on a wooden table.
Photo Credit: Canva

Dip It

Use vegan chocolate hazelnut spread as a dip for strawberries, bananas, apples, pineapples, or another favorite fruit. Dunk chunks of fruit in vegan Nutella or make a dip by blending it with your favorite combination of cream cheese or whipping cream, using plant-based options, as desired.

A plate of vegan pancakes with dairy-free Nutella and bananas.
Photo Credit: Canva

Drizzle It

You can also drizzle vegan Nutella over pancakes, add a spoonful to your morning smoothie, or cap off your day with a swirl over ice cream.

Bake with It

Use your homemade hazelnut spread to make cupcakes, cakes, and other delicious treats.  Add some chocolate elegance to your next brunch with this Nutella croissant recipe, or make Nutella torte for dessert.

Two wooden spoons with vegan hazelnut spread.
Photo Credit: Canva

By the Spoonful

And, of course, you can always enjoy a generous spoonful of vegan Nutella straight from the jar.

Vegan Hazelnut Spread

Made with roasted hazelnuts and rich cacao powder, this vegan spread is dairy free and a healthier alternative to Nutella.
5 from 126 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 108 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups toasted hazelnuts
  • 5 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cacao powder
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Gently rub roasted nuts in a clean kitchen towel to loosen up any skin. Remove the hazelnut skins and discard.
  • Add the hazelnuts to a blender or food processor and blend into a smooth nut butter, scraping down the sides as needed. This may take a few minutes.
  • Once the hazelnut butter is smooth and creamy, add the rest of the ingredients and blend again until fully incorporated.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tablespoonsCalories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 0.3mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Keyword alpha-gal friendly, chocolate, dairy-free, hazelnuts, nuts, sweet, vegan, vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Thank you for sharing!

39 thoughts on “Vegan Nutella: Your New Favorite Spread”

  1. 5 stars
    Yum! I stopped buying Nutella years ago due to the crazy amount of sugar and other additives so finding this healthier homemade version was awesome! It tasted better than the store-bought and I am so happy to have it back in my life. Thanks!

      1. 5 stars
        This homemade Nutella is so much nicer than the store bought version. I reduced the sugar to suit my needs. It tasted fabulous!

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for offering a less sugar Nutella recipe! I have a sensitivity to almonds and peanuts (headache trigger for me if I eat too many) so I always love spreads that include different nuts. I need good protein options for working out but want low sugar without artificial sweeteners which also happen to be another headache trigger. This is so perfect! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  3. 5 stars
    I’ve tried the tbh brand vegan Nutella and it is very good, but I’m even more excited now that I can make my own! This is so delish and I love being able to control the amount of sugar. Thank you!

  4. 5 stars
    What a simple recipe! And all with ingredients I can pronounce. That last little tsp of oil is really nice for making the texture ultra smooth and creamy.

  5. 5 stars
    I never thought I could make chocolate spread myself. This recipe is a gem. My boys love Nutella and this makes a better tasting chocolate spread than Nutella. I can see myself making it again and again.

  6. 5 stars
    This Nutella recipe was super easy to make and the kids almost finished it. Will be doubling the next batch. Thank you.

  7. 5 stars
    This was so much easier to make than I thought it would be!!
    And I love how healthy it is.
    My kids couldn’t believe I was letting them have a nutella sandwich as an after school snack 😉
    Really great recipe, thank you

    1. I’m delighted to hear that you and your kiddos enjoyed the vegan Nutella! Isn’t it amazing how something so delicious can also be so easy to whip up? The first time I made it, I had to do a happy dance in my kitchen. 💃

    1. Hey Marie! I’m thrilled to hear you whipped up the vegan nutella so quickly and loved it! Isn’t it amazing how something so simple can taste so close to the real thing? Enjoy spreading that chocolatey goodness on just about everything! 🍫

  8. 5 stars
    After seeing how much unwanted sugar was in my cupboard of goodies I am so happy I came across this recipe. The kids loved it and now it’s a family snack with strawberries when we watch movies at home. Thank you for that!

    1. Hi Celina! Wow, your comment just made my day! I’m so glad to hear that the recipe has become a family movie-night staple at your house. Strawberries and vegan nutella sound like a match made in snack heaven.

  9. 5 stars
    I can’t believe this is vegan – it tastes just like the real thing! It’s become a staple in our house for spreading on toast, pancakes, and everything in between.

  10. 5 stars
    Nutella-lover here! I will definitely give this one a try since this is also a healthier version. Yuhooo, let’s go DIY Nutella!

  11. 5 stars
    Happy to have found this! I’m a bit skeptical about the regular Nutella because of the sugar content. But with this vegan-friendly alternative, I’d be glad to serve it to my family. Thanks for this!

  12. 5 stars
    I recently made up this delightful vegan Nutella recipe, and I was thoroughly impressed! The harmonious balance between the sweetness and nutty flavors truly made it a hit in my household. Even my kids couldn’t get enough of it! This recipe is a must-try!

  13. 5 stars
    Creamy, rich, perfectly sweetened, and most of all — it’s vegan! I love that it’s packed with hazelnuts, but still easy to whip up. Making this again once I finish this batch!

  14. 5 stars
    I tried to make this one and the result is great! I think it is way more better than the original one (and a lot more healthier!). Happy to find this recipe, I’ll make another after I finish eating the remaining ones that I made!

  15. 5 stars
    The Vegan Hazelnut Spread was absolutely delicious! I enjoyed making and trying it at home. Thanks for sharing such a fantastic recipe!

  16. 5 stars
    This was amazing! It’s so great to have a healthier version of Nutella. I will be making this regularly!

5 from 126 votes (104 ratings without comment)

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