Nutella is a sweet and chocolatey hazelnut spread that has been popular in the US and Europe for over 60 years.
It is most popular as a spread on toast, bread, waffles, pancakes, or crepes for a sweet breakfast.
It is also popular to pair Nutella with fruit or marshmallows for an extra special snack, or to bake it into different pastries and treats like Nutella cookies, fudge, cakes, and doughnuts.
But we hate to admit that Nutella isn’t as healthy as we all wish. The spread offers little nutrition and is packed with sugars and fats that add up to a lot of calories.
Luckily, there are plenty of healthier alternatives out there, and some of them you can make yourself at home!
The best healthy Nutella alternatives include Nicciolata Organic Spread, Crema Novi, and Rawmio Chocolate Spread not only because they work great in baking and as a spread, but also because of their greater nutritional value. Our favorite nut-free Nutella alternatives are Soom Foods Chocolate Tahini Halva Spread and SunButter Chocolate for their rich flavors and simple, organic ingredients.
Healthy Nutella Substitute
1. Nicciolata Organic Hazelnut Spread – Best Nutella Alternative in Brownies
Nicciolata Organic Hazelnut Spread is a great healthy alternative to Nutella that has no palm oil. This spread is also gluten-free, Kosher, and uses Non-GMO ingredients, so this alternative works great for a variety of diets.
The organic ingredients listed in Nicciolata include cane sugar, hazelnut paste, sunflower oil, sunflower lecithin, skim milk powder, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and vanilla extract.
We recommend Nicciolata’s Organic Hazelnut Spread first because it’s probably the closest in taste to Nutella.
Nicciolata’s has the same thick, creamy texture and is a little heavier on the hazelnut flavor, which is perfect if you’re a big hazelnut fan!
2. Crema Novi – Best Nutella Alternative Without Palm Oil
Crema Novi is a rich yet healthy alternative to Nutella that has a thicker and creamier texture and a more powerful punch of hazelnut flavor.
The brand boasts that the recipe is 45% hazelnuts, which automatically adds more nutritional value to this chocolatey spread than Nutella.
Crema Novi’s listed ingredients include hazelnuts, sugar, cocoa, skim milk powder, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, and vanilla extract. This means it contains no palm oil, which makes a more sustainable version of Nutella.
Crema Novi’s hazelnut spread is very popular in Europe and has started to make its way over to the states as well.
We love this spread because it has bits of hazelnut for added texture and makes a great healthy Nutella alternative in brownies, cookies, cakes, and pies.
3. Rawmio Chocolate Hazelnut Spread – Best Low-Calorie Nutella Alternative (144 calories)
Rawmio spread makes an excellent healthy Nutella alternative with their chocolate hazelnut spread that is both vegan and organic.
It’s rich in antioxidants, uses no palm oil, is lower in calories, and contains no preservatives or processed sugars.
Rawmio is thicker than nutella, and the cocoa nibs in this spread give it a slightly bitter taste that is just perfect if you’re a big dark chocolate fan.
The only other ingredients listed in Rawmio are raw hazelnuts and coconut sugar– that’s it!
We think this spread works as the perfect Nutella alternative if you’re looking for low sugar and clean ingredients.
The dark chocolate flavor is a little stronger than the hazelnut flavor in Rawmio, so keep that in mind when substituting it in different baked goods or as a topping for people with a big sweet tooth!.
4. Pyure Organic Hazelnut Spread – Best Low-Sugar Nutella Alternative
Pyure Organic Hazelnut Spread is keto friendly, low calorie, and contains very low levels of sugar compared to Nutella.
We like Pyure as a Nutella alternative because it is perfect for gluten-free, plant-based, low carb, diabetic, and keto diets and lifestyles.
Pyure uses no palm oil in their spread, and the main ingredients in Pyure Organic Hazelnut Spread include oils like sunflower and coconut oil, cocoa butter, tapioca fiber, hazelnuts, cocoa powder, flax flour, stevia leaf extract, and other natural, organic flavors and thickeners. The added fiber is a huge bonus in this spread!
The texture of Pyure is a little thinner than Nutella, making it great for adding to smoothies, dipping fruit into, or just eating with a spoon right out of the jar!
Pyure is rated one the best low sugar alternatives to Nutella in terms of flavor, and it has the great mix of chocolatey and nutty flavors you’re craving.
5. Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter
Another popular alternative for Nutella, and one of our favorites, is Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter.
It’s a delicious and creamy alternative that incorporates the distinct flavor of almonds into their spread that adds an extra layer of nutty goodness.
This hazelnut chocolate spread alternative also uses ⅓ the amount of sugar as Nutella per tablespoon and real vanilla instead of vanillin.
Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter is thick and a little grainy, and it works as a perfect alternative for Nutella in almost any recipe you want to use it in, including brownies, fudge, and cookies.
6. Oat Haus Organic Chocolate Granola Butter
We definitely recommend Oat Haus Organic Chocolate Granola Butter as a completely nut-free Nutella alternative that has the same texture as a nut butter like Nutella with none of the preservatives, refined sugar, or palm oil.
Oat Haus is made with gluten-free oats, olive oil, maple syrup, coconut oil, cacao powder, rosemary extract, and salt, making this a unique, healthy alternative that is packed with flavor.
It goes great on ice cream, fruit, bread, pancakes, and anything else you can think of!
Oat Haus is a healthy Nutella alternative packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats while also being vegan, soy free, dairy free, Kosher-friendly, and free of the top 8 allergens.
7. 88 Acres Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter
88 Acres Dark Chocolate Seed Butter is a sweet and creamy alternative to Nutella that is much healthier and is free from all nuts, so it’s perfect if you or your kids have a nut allergy.
88 Acres is made with all organic ingredients including sunflower seeds, powdered sugar, sunflower oil, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and sea salt. These ingredients are so simple you probably have most of them at home!
We recommend 88 Acres because it has a great dark chocolate flavor that does great as a dip, on bread, in smoothies, or as a creamy addition to yogurt or ice cream.
8. SunButter Chocolate
Sunbutter Chocolate is a thick, creamy, and delicious nut-free Nutella alternative that’s free from top 8 most common allergens, making it perfect if you have food sensitivities or just don’t love the taste of hazelnuts with your chocolate.
This spread is a healthy Nutella alternative with only 5 grams of sugar and a whopping 6 grams of protein in every serving.
It’s not overly sweet and has a deep, rich flavor thanks to the roasted sunflower seeds. The only other ingredients are sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla flavor.
We like to use SunButter Chocolate as a spread on toast, with fruits, and even in brownies and pies, but you may want to add a little extra sugar when baking.
9. Soom Foods Chocolate Tahini Halva Spread – Best Nut-Free Nutella Alternative
Soom Foods Chocolate Tahini Halva Spread is a unique but creamy and delicious healthy Nutella alternative that contains no nuts and is also vegan-friendly and gluten free.
Soom Foods’ Spread is super smooth and we recommend it for baking, smothering, dipping, and adding to your favorite smoothies or milkshakes.
The ingredients are listed as tahini (sesame seeds), powdered cane sugar, and cocoa powder, which is so simple and pure.
Soom Foods Chocolate Tahini Halva Spread makes the perfect Nutella alternative with no hazelnuts that is still packed with a nutty flavor thanks to the sesame seed paste.
It works so perfectly in brownies, cookies, cakes, and crepes that you’ll never taste the difference.
10. Barney Butter – Best Nutella Alternative Without Hazelnuts
Barney Butter makes an Almond Butter and Chocolate spread that contains no hazelnuts.
The almonds used are skin-free for an ultra smooth and creamy texture that makes a great hazelnut-free alternative to Nutella.
Barney Butter’s ingredients include roasted almonds, sugar, natural chocolate liquor, non-dairy cocoa butter, palm fruit oil, natural vanilla flavor, and natural chocolate flavoring.
We like Barney Butter’s almond chocolate spread as a rich and thick alternative to Nutella in baked goods, as a dip, in a smoothie, on ice cream, or any way you want to use it.
11. Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Making your own homemade chocolate hazelnut spread is a great alternative to Nutella because you can control exactly which ingredients you use for a perfectly customized experience.
This spread goes great with everything, and it even works great in brownies and other baked goods.
Start by roasting about 2 cups of hazelnuts at 400°F for 5-7 minutes until they’re slightly browned. Rub the skins off using a paper towel and blend in a food processor for 2-3 minutes.
Then add 2 tsp vanilla extract, a dash of salt, 4-6 tbsp of cocoa powder, and ⅓ cup of milk. You can use regular dairy milk, or substitute it for a plant-based milk of your choice.
After blending for another 2 minutes, add ⅓ cup of sugar, or substitute the sugar for a ¼ cup of a healthier alternative like maple syrup, agave, date syrup, or honey. We even like to replace the hazelnuts with almonds or cashews!
You can adjust the amount of chocolate and sweetness according to your tastes, and add a little coconut oil or more milk to smooth it out if the texture is too thick or coarse.
Store your hazelnut spread for up to a week in a sealed jar, or for a month in the refrigerator.
12. Homemade Nutella With Dates – Best Nutella Recipe with Dates
To make a healthy nutella recipe with dates, simply use the recipe above but replace the sugar/sweetner with 16-18 medjool dates and the ⅓ cup of milk with about 1 cup of milk. You may need to add more milk for a smoother consistency.
What is Nutella?
Many people assume Nutella is a lot like peanut butter, or a regular chocolate spread.
Nutella is actually the perfect combination of both nut butter (hazelnuts in this case) and chocolate spread that results in a unique, rich experience.
Nutella goes great with a variety of foods and snacks, but sometimes it’s nice to have a lighter, healthier alternative to Nutella to accommodate different diets, preferences, and availability.
Nutella’s Ingredients
Nutella’s listed ingredients include: sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, milk, cocoa, lecithin, and vanillin.
If making this delicious spread at home, you can easily replace most of these ingredients for a healthier version, as seen above. You can even make Nutella without nuts!
Nutritional Information: 2 Tbsp of Nutella
| Calories | 200 |
| Total Fat | 11 g |
| Total Carbs | 22 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Sodium | 15 mg |
| Total Sugars | 21 g |
Check out our Healthy Nut-Free Nutella recipe below!
Healthy Nut-Free Nutella
Make your own version of creamy Nutella at home, without any nuts! This chocolatey and delicious nut-free Nutella recipe is made with sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead of hazelnuts. It’s perfect if you have a nut allergy or want to make a special treat for a nut-free friend.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds
- ½ cup milk chocolate, melted
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp honey or agave
- 2 tsp vanilla
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Toast the pumpkin or sunflower seeds over medium-high heat for about 5-7until slightly browned. Stir frequently! Remove the toasted seeds from the pan and let cool.
- Blend cooled seeds in a food processor or blender for 2-5 minutes until thick paste forms. It’s okay if it’s a little clumpy at this stage.
- Add the coconut oil, honey, vanilla, and salt and blend for about 1 minute until the mixture is completely combined.
- Pour in the melted chocolate and blend for a final 1-2 minutes until the mixture is thick and creamy. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- To melt the chocolate:
- Place a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water, add the chocolate, and stir occasionally until completely melted, OR
- Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 10-second increments until melted. Stir between each increment.
- To toast your seeds in the oven instead of on the stove top, preheat your oven 350°F and toast seeds for 8-10 minutes. Keep the seeds in one layer with some space between them.
- Substitute milk chocolate with 2 tbsp cocoa powder and ¼ cup of milk if necessary.
- If the spread isn’t as smooth as you’d like, add coconut oil or milk 1 tsp at a time as needed.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 746Total Fat: 51gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 31gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 3947mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 9gSugar: 46gProtein: 17g
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