I haven’t had Nutella since I was a student traveling in Europe decades ago with a EuroRail pass, sleeping in youth hostels. Back then we used to eat this incredible chocolate spread for breakfast. Because I now find the real thing way too sweet for my taste, I’ve created my own healthy homemade Nutella.
Like everything I create, this is another easy paleo recipe with only 6 ingredients. To make it you’ll need hazel nuts, cacao powder, hazelnut oil, honey, vanilla, and salt. Simply throw the ingredients in a food processor and you’ve got a healthy homemade version of Nutella that kids and adults love!
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Ingredients
- 1 cup hazelnuts
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 5 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon hazelnut oil
- pinch celtic sea salt
Instructions
- Roast hazelnuts at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until they turn golden and smell fragrant
- Transfer hazelnuts to a towel and rub skins off
- In a food processor, grind hazelnuts 5 minutes until a smooth butter, scrape sides as needed
- Add cacao, honey, vanilla, oil, and salt and process until well blended, about a minute
- Store in a one quart mason jar in refrigerator
- Bring to room temperature prior to serving
I decided to make my own homemade Nutella, after seeing Amy Scattergood’s recipe in the Los Angeles Times. The consistency of my chocolate hazelnut spread is a bit thicker than peanut butter. If you want to thin out your spread, add more hazelnut oil. I think this treat has a very similar taste to Nutella, though find the consistency not as creamy.
Everyone in my house loved this homemade hazelnut chocolate spread and it vanished quickly. Even though it’s not exactly the same thing, I like having a decadent treat and at the same time knowing exactly what’s in it!
We’re off to baseball practice. It’s a gorgeous 70 degree day perfect for our first day of spring training in Boulder!
Tracee says
Wow, I haven’t had this since my college Eurotrekkin’ days as well. I was excited to see this recipe! I loved this stuff on pretzels, but now I know I am allegic to gluten and yeast, so I’ll have to find an alternative to dip into it.
WheatFreeMeatFree says
Looks great, I really like the little jar you put it in, how cute!
Debbie says
Last week we found out that our son is highly reactive to peanuts and this would be a treat for him. He was asking for something with chocolate and now we have your delightful recipe to try! A big thank you!
Beth says
My husband used to eat Nutella all the time as a child. Every time we see a Nutella commercial he is whisked away to happy memories.
Now I’ll be able to provide him with a healthier version.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
VeggieGirl says
HOMEMADE NUTELLA???? Pure bliss!!
Alyse says
a trick I learned from my chocolate truffle making days for removing hazelnut skins: Save one of those plastic net bags, Whole Foods produce section uses to bag their lemons and limes. After you toast the hazelnuts and cool them. Pour into the plastic net bag and rub the net bag full of hazelnuts between your hands over the sink or cookie sheet pan until pretty much all of the skins flake off. It works quickly and easily.
Trish says
Wow-thanks! That is a great tip – just what I was looking for!
Trish
Jenni says
I was just wondering how to make this a few weeks ago! Your recipe looks amazing – I can hardly wait to try it.
CoconutGal says
Oh. my. goodness. Excuse my drool!! I’ve longed over and wished I could try those chocolate swirled peanut butters and the grind your own almond butter mixed with chocolate chips for so long!! I never thought of using cocoa powder!
Way to go Elana for eliminating the dairy and cane sugar from this treat! You have made my week… no month :-)
gfe--gluten free easily says
Wow, looks impressive and delicious! I’d love to make my own version of Nutella. :-) Where do you get hazelnut oil? Do upscale grocery stores carry it?
Thanks,
Shirley
Hayley says
I like my nut butters with a little texture, so this is perfect. Thanks for sharing!
leonardo says
Just created one – it’s Divine!!!