Why Love Homemade Nutella and How to Easily Prepare It

How to Make Homemade Nutella That Tastes Good and Does Good

Few treats are as iconic as Nutella – the creamy chocolate hazelnut spread that has captured hearts worldwide. While its taste is undeniably delicious, its nutritional value and ingredients are less celebrated. The amount of sugar, palm oil, and minimal nut content are reasons why more people are seeking healthier alternatives. And the best way to control the ingredients is to make your own homemade Nutella.

You might be surprised, but creating your own chocolate spread at home is easier than it seems – and it can be a fun and creative activity for the whole family. Whether you prefer the classic version with hazelnuts or are looking for a nut-free version, there are options that taste great and are much kinder to your health and the planet.

Why Does Homemade Nutella Make Sense?

Let's take a moment to look at the label of store-bought Nutella. Sugar comes first, followed by palm oil, and then hazelnuts – often less than 15%. Add artificial flavors and emulsifiers, and suddenly, this delight becomes a less welcome guest in our diet.

Homemade Nutella offers a way to enjoy a similar taste but with ingredients you choose yourself. You can use quality nuts, real cocoa, natural sweeteners, and healthy fats. The result is a spread that not only tastes great but can also provide valuable nutrients to the body, such as healthy unsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, or fiber.

Moreover, the homemade version is more eco-friendly. By skipping palm oil, you contribute to protecting rainforests, and if you buy ingredients in a package-free store, you can also reduce plastic waste.

The Best Homemade Nutella from Hazelnuts

If you're craving the classic taste but in a healthier form, the ideal choice is homemade Nutella from hazelnuts. It's the hazelnuts that give it its characteristic flavor and aroma. The key is to roast them until golden, which enhances their aroma and makes them easier to blend into a smooth texture.

What Will You Need?

For this homemade hazelnut spread, you only need a few goodies – roasted hazelnuts, some quality cocoa, sweeten to taste with maple syrup or honey, add a tablespoon of coconut oil, a pinch of salt, and don't forget vanilla, either extract or seeds from a pod. If the mixture is too thick, feel free to thin it with plant-based milk, like almond or oat milk.)

The process is simple: blend the nuts into a fine butter (allow several minutes, depending on the blender's power), then add the other ingredients and blend until a smooth cream forms. If the texture seems too thick, add a bit of plant-based milk. Store in a jar in the fridge – it lasts up to two weeks, but it usually disappears much sooner.

What if You Can't Have Nuts? Great Homemade Nutella Without Them

Allergy to nuts, or just a limited budget? No problem! There are great recipes for homemade Nutella without nuts that are just as tasty and completely safe. Seeds are often used – such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds – or even legumes, like chickpeas. It might sound unusual, but with a bit of cocoa and sweetener, they can transform into a fluffy and smooth spread that tastes surprisingly good.

Craving something sweet, but nuts aren't your friend? Try this simple chocolate spread without nuts – just use chickpeas (canned is fine), a few tablespoons of cocoa, maple syrup or date paste, a tablespoon of coconut oil, a bit of vanilla, a pinch of salt, and finally some water or plant-based milk for a nice consistency. Just blend it up and it's ready!

Rinse the chickpeas thoroughly to remove the typical "legume" aroma. Then blend all ingredients until smooth. The spread has a creamy texture and is ideal on toast, pancakes, or even in porridge.

Tips and Variants for Perfect Homemade Nutella

What makes the best homemade Nutella truly exceptional? Besides quality ingredients, it's also an openness to experiments. Everyone has a different idea of the perfect taste – some want more pronounced cocoa, others more sweetness, or a softer, creamier texture. So don't be afraid to adjust the recipes to your liking.

An interesting variant can be adding:

• Coconut milk, which adds an exotic touch
• Dates, which naturally sweeten and smooth the spread
• Ground flaxseed for higher fiber content
• Coffee or a pinch of chili, which enhances the cocoa flavor

In the winter months, it's nice to add a bit of cinnamon or gingerbread spice – creating a festive version that's ideal in hot porridge or as an edible gift.

And if you're making Nutella for kids, you can replace part of the cocoa with carob, which is sweeter and caffeine-free.

Homemade Nutella as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle

The idea that chocolate spread can be part of a healthy diet might seem paradoxical. But the homemade version, prepared sensibly, can offer a great compromise between taste and nutrition. When spread on sourdough bread or added to oatmeal instead of store-bought sweeteners, it can be part of a balanced breakfast or snack.

An example is young mom Jana from the Liberec region, who was looking for a way to offer her son a treat without added sugar. "I tried different recipes for homemade Nutella, but the one with dates and almond butter worked best. My son puts it in yogurt and is happy – and I have peace of mind knowing what he's eating."

This philosophy is supported by many nutrition experts. Nutrition therapist Karolína Fořtová stated in an interview for the magazine Vitalita: "Homemade sweets, such as a nut spread with cocoa, can be a great way to enjoy taste without unnecessary additives. The basis is quality fat, natural sweetener, and ingredients in the least industrially processed form."

A Small Step Toward a Healthier and More Sustainable Life

Making homemade Nutella is a great example of how small changes can affect not only our health but also the world around us. By prioritizing clean ingredients, local or organic products, and packaging in reusable jars, we support a more sustainable way of life.

And a bonus? Homemade Nutella tastes so good that you'll be reluctant to share it with others. Or the opposite – you can make it as an original gift that will delight any sweet lover. Just a nice jar, a custom label, and a wish – and it's a gourmet experience with an impact.

So next time you crave something sweet, reach for the blender instead of the supermarket shelf. You might discover that the best Nutella is the one you make yourself.