We’ve all enjoyed the taste of Nutella before, but I must confess I’ve never purchased a jar because of the 200 calories, 21 grams of sugar, and 11 grams of (‘bad’) fat in just two level tablespoons.
My daughter has been wanting to make her own healthier version of Nutella for some time, so I said I’d spring for the hazelnuts if she’d make some tweaks to the recipe! Fair enough.
First, The Marketing Spin
Here’s all they tell you on their website about what’s in their iconic product:
“Nutella contains hazelnuts, cocoa powder, skim milk powder, vegetable oil, sugar, soy lecithin and vanillin.”
Yes, these are the ingredients in Nutella but not in their correct order. Nutella would like you to believe that their product is composed mainly of hazelnuts and cocoa (two healthy-sounding ingredients). So they re-arrange the true order to make a better impression. And leave out the percentage and the correct additive names.
The true list of Nutella ingredients
I actually picked up a jar of the stuff to find out the truth about the Nutella ingredients. Once you’re looking at the back of the label, you quickly see – when forced by food law – what the product really is made from:
| Sugar, vegetable oil, hazelnuts (13%), cocoa powder (7.4%), non-fat milk solids, emulsifier (soy lecithin), flavoring (vanillin). |
The list of ingredients is very revealing. On the label, by law, it MUST show them in descending order by weight from the largest down to the smallest.
Sugar is the first listed and thus the main ingredient by weight of all the Nutella ingredients. In fact, Nutella is 55% sugar! How body-aging and addicting is that?!
Why Is Our Nutella Version Almost ‘Guilt-Free’?
- This version is much lower in sugar grams instead of processed sugar (wayyy less than half) using only real maple syrup
- It is vegan, GMO-free, corn-free, dairy-free, gluten-free (with no harmful GMO vegetable oil)
- I haven’t had it tested, but it probably has half the calories
- It compares to the rich taste of the famous Nutella you find at the grocery
- What makes this so amazing in our opinion is the Madagascar vanilla bean extract and touch of coconut oil
Our Version, Nutella Recipe
Ingredients (makes one pint jar):
- 2 cups raw hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 3 TBSP raw cacao powder, slightly rounded
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (my vanilla extract recipe)
- 3/4 tsp. sea salt (Himalayan pink salt gives the highest flavor in this recipe)
- 3- 4 TBSP virgin coconut oil (melted) for extra smoothness, plus it keeps longer due to the antimicrobial nature of unrefined coconut oil. Coconut oil is good for you!
Note: I read other recipe’s comments and saw complaints of not lasting after 3-4 days, so I decided to use coconut oil (antimicrobial), vodka-based vanilla extract, and sea salt. We did not find this to be a problem at all. But just to be on the safe side, refrigerate and plan to consume what you make within 7 -10 days or freeze.
Simple Directions:
- Roast hazelnuts for 10-14 minutes in preheated 375º F oven. Take less than a minute to rub them together by hand or in a paper towel to get most of the skins off. Don’t worry about leaving a few skins.
- Once cool, place the hazelnuts in a food processor like a Vitamix (THAT IS DESIGNED FOR NUTS) and blend for 8-10 minutes until they totally break down.
- Next, add the maple syrup, cacao and all the rest of the ingredients except the water.
- Blend again before gradually pouring in the water – it’s important that everything is properly mixed before you add the water though, since you may not need it all.
- Soon you reach your desired consistency, you can easily spread this amazing mass of delectable goodness!
- Pack into glass canning jars and cap tightly.
Refrigerate and use by 7-10 days or freeze.
Since we made a triple amount, we had a tantalizing, tasty treasure trove to tuck away in the freezer for one of those times when you just want a nutritious treat as a pick-me-up with no fuss or you want to impress a guest!
We think it actually gets even better, if that could be so, with age as the ingredients blend. It is marvelously satisfying on the tongue and in the tummy.
Warning: We tripled the recipe and processed the hazelnuts all at once, which definitely was a mistake.
We will make it in separate batches the next time and achieved a creamier, more spreadable consistency. It’s certainly gentler on your nerves and equipment!
Nutella combinations that pair beautifully
Of course, you can eat it straight off the spoon as a nutrient-dense, filling snack!
But what about on apple wedges or fresh strawberries? So many ways one can use this healthier version of Nutella: to top pancakes? cake and cupcakes? to swirl warm Nutella into vanilla ice cream?
What are your Nutella go-to ideas?
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Deanna
Thanks for the recipe!
We’ll have to try it out, we love Nutella, but I would love the better ingredients!
Deanna
Laura Hodges Poole
Sounds delicious! I haven’t tried Nutella yet, but it seems like everyone loves it who has. I enjoyed your post and your photography. Great blog!
Toni
Oh my. I’m drooling.
Thank you for posting the recipe!
Jenny K
This looks delicious. I’m assuming it would have to be refrigerated? If so, does it get hard to spread once it’s cold?
susan
I make and refrigerate my own peanut butter…microwave for 10-15 seconds and it spreads very smooth and easy. Otherwise, if you let it sit out for a few minutes, it will soften up pretty easily.
Jacqueline
Hmmm…that sounds heavenly. I can almost smell it, Susan 🙂
Jodie Davis
We will have to make this! yum! I have to tell you that you are probably my most favorite blog! Thanks for doing this!
God bless your blog ministry!
Jacqueline
Jodie,
You are so kind 🙂 Thank you for those sweet words.
Allison
Do you think it would work dairy free?
Jacqueline
Yes, Allison, it can be made with coconut or rice ‘milk’:)
Jessie
Hello Jacqueline!
Please tell your daughter, I LOVE her apron! It turned out beautifully. 🙂
Also, we are very excited to see you all on Feb. 2nd.
Can’t wait!
Love, Jessie
Jacqueline
Oh, Jessie,
I can’t wait to see you, too. I promise to tell her for you, dear. Hugs and love to your whole family!!
Sara
My mom got my daughter hooked on Nutella and pb sandwiches this summer. Not too happy about that, but this would be great I instead
Do you refrigerate it afterwards because of the milk?
Jacqueline
Yes! Hi, Sara! It must be refrigerated. It is noted just before the recipe ingredients 🙂 Would love to hear back from you after you make it!
Gretchen
I am so excited to make this! Nutella is a super special treat at our house but I would love to make it healthy! Do you think it would freeze?
Gretchen 🙂
Jacqueline
Hmmm… Gretchen, I really don’t know. What you might consider doing is making a batch and taking a bit to do a test. Do please let me know here if it is good when you try it 🙂 Thanks!
Marsha
This looks so yummy! I love to cook. I saw your comment and visit to my blog. Thank you! I googled Biak and there were results and the one i selected was on images of Biak. It had a variety of pictures and a credit to each picture and a link to the site. That’s how I reached your site. I tried to go back again just now, but I didn’t see the picture that I think was yours with the link to your blog. I hope this helps. I just published ( privately) a book for my brother. I typed all the letters that my Dad wrote home while he was in the service during WWII.
Jacqueline
Marsha,
You were so kind to reply with this information. I will go see what I can find. Thank you for your time and help. What a lovely and thoughtful gift for your brother. I’m sure he is blessed to have such a sister as you <3
God bless you, new friend!
Marci Ferrell
Love this ladies ~ thank you for sharing the recipe. Did you every find the culprit? Was there a trial lol? If I was over I might of been the tempted one to dip into that container of scrumptiousness :). Love you both xo
Jacqueline
OK…..I confess!!!!! Yes, I was found out to be the scoundrel who lifted the goods! Trial? No, it was my face that gave me away ! ha!
Jean
Wonderful! Our Eldest has loved Nutella since she was tiny, but with her compromised immune system it really isn’t good for her. We’ll have to try this recipe — looks like it might be a satisfactory substitution (tastewise, and even better in terms of healthier ingredients). Thanks!
Leslie A
Looks yummy! How long does it last and should I store this in the fridge?
Jacqueline
Hi, Leslie,
This stores very well in the fridge. It took us 3 weeks to finish it off, even as rich as it was! I think it also could freeze, but I’d leave lots of head room in a jar if you tried. Just experiment with one small jar…it’s too good to waste!! 😉
Paula
I just found this post on homemade Nutella, but I can’t seem to find the ingredient list. Could you help me out?
Jacqueline
Paula, I apologize. The recipe form died! I just replaced our original recipe and added some helpful notes. Due to the fact that coconut oil is solid above 76 degrees, serve at warmer than that so the mixture won’t be so stiff. We did LOVE the TASTE, but had to play with the stiffness:)
Blessings!
Jeannette Bram
I need to try this sometime. I wonder about soaking the nuts first for better nutrition. I always have trouble with how long to roast if nuts are soaked first. Any thoughts?
Jill Coward
Jacqueline, I am one of your biggest fans❤️ I share so many of your posts with my daughter & daughters-in-love.
Where is your favorite place to buy cacao? It used to be easy to find but not so much now… & now so expensive & never in larger quantities.☹️