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About This Recipe
Move over, Nutella! We still love you, but if we can have the knock-off version of you that is still HELLA delicious for half the fat and calories, we ABSOLUTELY will!
This Homemade Nutella Spread made healthy is my new favorite way to get my chocolate fix. I love to spread a little on some toast or add a dollop to my baked oatmeal or yogurt bowl. It literally elevates everything 10 fold! And did I mention that it’s been lightened up with no sacrifice in flavor?
To make this recipe, we’ll use nut butter as the foundation for the best consistency. A powdered peanut butter mixed with water won’t cut it.
For the most real Nutella flavor, I would recommend hazelnut butter. However, cashew butter works well too because its pretty neutral in flavor compared to peanut or almond butter. Not to say those two kinds wouldn’t work in a crunch, but it would definitely change the flavor.
I also added some hazelnut extract, which is optional, but again it really elevates this spread and makes it taste like the real deal. I highly recommend using it. All you need is a few other pantry staples and you’ll be devouring this homemade Nutella recipe in no time!
If you love this Healthy Nutella, check out my Oreo Cream Filling recipe that is absolutely to die for and just as easy to make!
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Nutella Recipe
- It has half the calories and fat of regular Nutella.
- So thick, creamy, and chocolatey! It’s SO GOOD!
- Quick to make! Just mix everything together and let it thicken in the refrigerator.
- Elevates any treat to make it that much sweeter!
- So many ways to use it! Spread it on fruit, muffins, cookies, oatmeal…the possibilities are endless!
- Nut butter – Hazelnut butter would work best since Nutella is made from hazelnuts. Cashew butter would be the next best thing since it is neutral in flavor and the other ingredients can bring it to taste more like Nutella. I like using Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter when I have it. I would say almond would be the next best thing, and then peanut butter. Peanut butter flavor is just so overpowering, it would still work, you would just taste the peanut flavor coming through too. For a nut free option, use sunflower butter!
- Cocoa powder
- Pancake syrup – I used pure maple pancake syrup. You can use sugar-free syrup or honey if you prefer.
- Sweetener – I used monk fruit sweetener. Any type of granulated sweetener like sugar or coconut sugar work.
- Extracts – Grab some vanilla and hazelnut extract. These are what bring the flavor!
- Salt
- Stevia – This is optional for more sweetness but you know I like things sweet! My favorite is this liquid stevia. You can also just add more sweetener or syrup!
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. To make this Nutella Spread, add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk/stir to combine.
2. If you want to thicken it up, place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Keep stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Helpful Tips!
For a lot less sugar and calories, you can get your sweet chocolate fix in a much healthier way! Here are some tips you may find helpful when making the Nutella Spread:
- For the most similar taste as Nutella, use hazelnut butter. Other nut butters work just fine, but they will just make the spread taste like less like Nutella and more like the nut butter you are using.
- If you don’t have hazelnut butter, sunflower butter or cashew butter would be the next best thing because they are more neutral tasting butters. But again, the spread will still taste amazing with almond butter and peanut butter.
- If you need to make this recipe nut free, use sunflower butter.
- Normal cocoa powder works best for this recipe as opposed to dark cocoa powder for most authentic taste and flavor.
- Store spread in the fridge for 30 minutes after making to thicken.
- Keep stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
What To Eat With Nutella
- Rice cakes – for a healthy, low calorie crunchy snack. 10/10 on some chocolate rice cakes!
- Toasted bread – I love to spread it on toasted brioche bread.
- Fruit – strawberries, bananas, apples, pears, raspberries, you name it!
- Muffins – spread on some double chocolate protein muffins or skinny blueberry muffins!
- Pretzel Dip – use this dip for my pretzel bites!
- Cake – spread on top of any cake or cake bars.
- Baked oatmeal – HIGHLY recommend on some baked oats! My favorite is with my baked zucchini oatmeal. Makes it so indulgent!
Can I use another nut butter besides hazelnut?
Hazelnut butter would work best since Nutella is made from hazelnuts. Cashew butter would be the next best thing since it is neutral in flavor and the other ingredients can bring it to taste more like Nutella. I like using Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter when I have it. I would say almond would be the next best thing, and then peanut butter. Peanut butter flavor is just so overpowering, it would still work, you would just taste the peanut flavor coming through too.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes you can freeze this recipe in an airtight container for up to 6 months. To thaw, let it thaw in the refrigerator over night then let it sit on the counter top for a few minutes before serving.
Can this recipe be made nut-free?
Yes! To make this recipe nut-free, use sunflower butter!
More Dessert Dips and Frostings You’ll Love
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Healthy Nutella Spread
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup nut butter (84g) hazelnut or cashew butter work best*
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder (35g)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (80g)
- 2 Tbsp sweetener (24g) I used monk fruit
- 1 Tbsp water (15g)
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp hazelnut extract
- 1/2 tsp liquid stevia optional for sweeter spread
- Pinch of salt
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Instructions
- To make healthy nutella spread, add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk/stir to combine. Keep stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- To make more thin: add more water
- To thicken up:let sit in the fridge for a couple of hours.
Notes
- For a thinner consistency, add more water.
- For a thicker consistency, let sit in the fridge for a couple of hours.
- For the most similar taste as nutella, use hazelnut butter. Other nut butters work just fine! It just might have more of whatever kind of nut butter you use taste!
- If you don’t have hazelnut butter, I would say sunflower butter or cashew butter would be the next best thing because they are more neutral tasting butters. But it still tastes amazing with almond butter and peanut butter too!
- If you need nut free, use sunflower butter.
- Normal cocoa powder works best for this recipe (over dark cocoa powder) for best taste and flavor
- Store frosting in the fridge for 30 minutes after making it to thicken
- Keep stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
