Whisk up delicious vegan Nutella in 5 minutes with this 4-ingredient (water and salt not included), creamy, vegan chocolate hazelnut spread. This effortless recipe is not only dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, but it’s also naturally sweetened and can be made sugar-free for a low-carb keto Nutella!
Smooth, Rich Chocolate Spread In Minutes
As delicious as Nutella is – which I think pretty much the entire world can agree upon (almost!), it’s not exactly healthy, environmentally friendly, or even vegan. So, it’s not a surprise that there are tons and tons of homemade and healthy Nutella recipes available.
In fact, I even posted my own Low-Fat Chocolate Spread back in 2016. I’ve also spent lots of time in my kitchen roasting and peeling hazelnuts, blending (and blending and blending) it into butter. The results were a little grainy, it takes tons of time, not to mention it’s messy having to clean up the food processor.
Years later and I have officially come up with the homemade Nutella of my dreams. This easy Nutella alternative still contains the classic chocolate and hazelnut flavor but is practically effortless to make. There’s no roasting or peeling or blending. Instead, this recipe takes the very clever ‘cheat’ of using pre-made nut butter for a chocolate hazelnut spread that can be whipped up in minutes!
For someone who loves this spread as much as I do, it’s the ultimate ‘hack’ for making dairy free Nutella almost instantly, for whenever I need my chocolate fix.
Plus, there are still various ways to customize the recipe to your liking (e.g. making it nut-free!). AND, unlike with homemade nut butters, this recipe is less likely to ‘seize’ when you add in the extra ingredients.
Is Nutella Vegan?
Unfortunately, not only is it not vegan (as it contains skim milk), but it’s also filled with ‘less than desirable’ ingredients like unsustainable Palm Oil and tons of sugar.
Luckily, this homemade version not only skips out of the palm oil and dairy, but you can even make a low-carb, sugar-free keto Nutella, if preferred, with just a single ingredient substitute.
Here are the ingredients I used:
The Step-By-Step Instructions
I honestly couldn’t make this recipe simpler if I tried. With just TWO steps, you’ll enjoy this spread in minutes. For the full ingredients list, ingredient measurements, and nutritional information, then please read the recipe card below.
Step 1. Add all the ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
Step 2. Taste it and adjust the ingredients if necessary. Add extra maple syrup for more sweetness. If you want a thicker spread, then add extra nut butter and cacao powder; for a thinner spread, add a little water- and enjoy!
How To Store
Store this vegan Nutella in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
It may solidify slightly in the refrigerator, but just give it a good stir before using it, and you’re ready to go!
How To Serve
If you’re already a chocolate spread lover, then you probably know 1001 ways to enjoy this spread, including eating it straight from the jar with a spoon. However, if you need a little inspiration, then here are some of my top picks.
- Spread over toast – like this Gluten-Free Vegan Bread
- Lashings onto banana bread – like this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or Marbled Banana Bread (see photos above).
- Spread over other cakes – like this Marble Bundt Cake or Vegan Fruit Cake.
- Serve alongside Waffles, pancakes, and Crepes – like these Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Banana Oat Pancakes, or Chocolate Crepes With Banana.
- Spoon some into a glass with a little warmed plant-based milk for a simple yet flavorsome milkshake.
Recipe Notes
- For the closest taste to Nutella, then use a hazelnut butter base. However, if you can’t find it, then you can use your favorite creamy nut butter, such as peanut butter or almond butter.
- For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter.
- You can use any liquid sweetener of choice, e.g. rice malt syrup, agave syrup, date syrup, etc.
- For a low-carb, sugar free Nutella, Use powdered Erythritol as the sweetener. You will need to add a bit more water to thin out the spread.
- For a super-indulgent spread, you can melt dairy-free chocolate chips and stir into the spread, for ultra-rich chocolatey results.
- This recipe makes a small batch of just 200g, perfect for use throughout the week.
- If you want a low-fat version, then check out this Low Fat Vegan version.
- Add a tiny pinch of espresso powder (or room temperature espresso liquid in place of the water) to enhance the chocolate flavor without making the spread taste like coffee.
- You can use plant-based milk in place of water. However, it will slightly affect the color of the spread.
If you give this easy vegan Nutella recipe a try, I’d love a comment and recipe rating below. Also, don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan and #elavegan – I love seeing your recreations.
Vegan Nutella
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (70 g) nut butter of choice (*see notes)
- 4 tbsp (80 g) maple syrup (*see notes)
- 3 tbsp (18 g) cocoa powder unsweetened
- 2 tbsp water or plant-based milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of sea salt
- 1 dash of instant coffee optional
Instructions
- You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and stir with a whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste it and add more maple syrup if you want it sweeter! Add more nut butter and cocoa powder for a thicker cream or more water for a thinner chocolate spread. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a similar taste to "Nutella", I would recommend using hazelnut butter, however, if you can't find it, then simply use creamy peanut butter or your favorite nut butter. Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
- Use your favorite liquid sweetener instead of maple syrup. Some examples are rice malt syrup, agave syrup, date syrup, etc. Or use powdered Erythritol for a sugar-free, low-carb Nutella. You might need to add a little more water to thin out the spread.
- You can melt dairy-free chocolate chips and add a few tablespoons for an ultra-rich and chocolatey spread!
- Add a tiny dash of instant coffee (or room temperature espresso liquid in place of the water) to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- If you prefer a low-fat spread, then check out this Recipe.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Read the blog post for serving suggestions, tips, and variations.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:
Love this recipe, I always make extra!
I am so glad you like it, Michelle. 🙂
Can’t get enough of it! So tasty, so smooth. I used organic hazelnut butter, found it in a D&M store. Best “Nutella” of my life! Thanks!
So happy you like it! 🙂
It was I’m that good as I expected
My children love it, and so do I.
Hi Marti, I am so glad you like it! 🙂
Amazing recipe! My friends and family were impressed!
Happy to hear you like my recipe, Sami. 🙂
Which hazelnut butter do you use to get such a smooth consistency?
I often make my own. But when I can’t get hazelnuts I use any other nut butter like peanut butter (that’s what I used in the video). It still tastes delicious! 🙂
I just made it and LOVE it! I roasted hazelnuts and used it instead of a nut butter.
Can I use it as a filling for croissants and bake it? Is it gonna behave well in the oven?
Thank you so much for this recipe!
Hi Agata, yes, you should be able to bake it. 🙂
This is THE best thing I’ve ever tasted!! I use it as frosting on brownies and cakes. I make it with peanut butter. Thanks for the AMAZING recipe!
You are very welcome, Diane! 🙂
This is so easy to make and so delicious. I used peanut butter, then filled crepes with some of this spread and some bananas. So decadent and yummy! Thanks!
Happy you loved it, Colleen! Thanks for your great feedback. 🙂
I used smooth peanut butter. So simple, yet so good!!!
Thank you for another great recipe 🙂
You are very welcome, Brook! So happy you liked it. 🙂
Hey, Michaela! What a lovely recipe, everyone at my place went crazy about it, thanks a bunch! I’d like to ask if it can be placed in the freezer to be consumed like ice cream with a scoop; will it freeze correctly?
Hi Foulla, I am so glad everyone loved it! That’s a good question about consuming it like ice cream, however, I never tried that, so not sure how it will turn out.
But I think it could work just fine. 🙂
So good!! I have to make mini batches so I don’t sit there and eat it! I used Justin’s Hazelnut spread!
Big hit at our house. We have eliminated many allergens and this gave us all the Nutella feels. Our favorite is on rice cakes with fresh raspberries on top. Delish! Thank you for the recipe.
You are very welcome, Jazmin! So happy it turned out delicious. 🙂
It’s so good!! i use peanut butter and i put it on whole wheat pancakes. a new favorite<3 thanks!
So glad you love it, Annie! Thanks for sharing your favorite combo. 🙂
Hi
Can this be frozen ? If I want to use it in the center of cookies ?
I never tried it, but I think it should be fine. However, I also have a recipe for Chocolate Stuffed Cookies 🙂
Hi ! The recipe is delicious and so easy to make. Thanks a lot ! I made it twice already: once with crunchy peanut butter and yesterday with half peanut butter / half tahini. The unsweetened cocoa powder I used yesterday wasn’t very strong so I added 5 tbsp in total.
I will definitely make the recipe again 🙂 !
That sounds great with tahini! Thanks for your feedback, Alia. 🙂
I made it with cashew butter was so delicious and super easy to make x
Fantastic! I am so glad you liked it, Ravita. 🙂
Oh my wonderful!!! Hopped right up & whipped up this yummy treat in just minutes. All ingredients were waiting in the pantry. Kiddo had on his toast this morning. We gave up Nutella years ago due to palm oil (due to possible unsustainable resource) & he was so surprised at breakfast! Thanks for such amazing recipes!
You are very welcome Melissa! I am so glad you and your kid enjoyed it. 🙂