Deliciously Simple Recipes

This simple homemade Nutella recipe is a healthier dupe of store bought ones. It’s rich, creamy and preservative free made from roasted hazelnuts. Cacao powder and powdered sugar are added to achieve the chocolate hazelnut taste. It is perfect to use on pancake’s or on a toast as a guilt free indulgence.

The roasted hazelnuts give it a deep, nutty flavor and form the creamy base when blended. Cacao powder adds an intense chocolate taste—slightly bitter and more “dark chocolate” in profile. The powdered sugar balances that bitterness with sweetness, while the maple syrup adds a subtle caramel-like depth and helps soften the texture.

The coconut oil makes the spread silky and helps it firm up slightly when cooled, giving it that classic spreadable consistency. Finally, the vanilla extract rounds everything out with a warm, sweet aroma.

This homemade chocolate–hazelnut spread offers several nutritional benefits compared to typical options like Nutella. The hazelnuts provide heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin E for skin and immune support, and minerals like magnesium along with fiber for digestion. Cacao powder adds powerful antioxidants (flavonoids) that may help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and even improve mood. The small amount of maple syrup contributes trace minerals such as zinc and manganese and is a more natural sweetener than refined sugar, while coconut oil offers quick energy through medium-chain fats and helps keep you feeling full. Vanilla extract enhances flavor so less sugar is needed overall. Altogether, this spread is made with cleaner, more nutrient-dense ingredients and healthier fats, though it is still calorie-rich and should be enjoyed in moderation.

Procedure:

• Start by roasting the hazelnuts in a pan on medium heat to enhance their deep and buttery taste. You can also roast them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool down.
• Add them to the blender along with cacao powder, sugar, vanilla extract, coconut oil and maple syrup.
• Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the blender.
• Top with some crushed hazelnuts and enjoy!
• Transfer your homemade Nutella to a clean dry jar.
• Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
• Use a powerful blender to achieve the smooth texture. If using a less powerful blender, adding a bit of coconut oil can help create a smoother texture.
• You can also use other sweeteners like coconut sugar or monk fruit extract.

Ingredients:

• roasted hazel nuts 1/2 cup
• cacao powder 1/4 cup
• powdered sugar 1/2 cup
• maple syrup 1 tbsp
• vanilla extract 1tsp
• coconut oil 1tbsp