Name: Homemade Nutella
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups roasted hazelnuts (skins removed); 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 cup superfine caster sugar*; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract); Salt, to taste

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This homemade Nutella is ready in 10 minutes and only requires 5 ingredients. It has half the sugar per serving when compared to store-bought Nutella and contains no added oil or dairy. Plus, it tastes just as delicious!

Overhead view of nutella in a glass jar.

You might be surprised to find out that store-bought Nutella is only 13% hazelnuts by weight, and the main ingredients are sugar and palm oil. We tried to make our version as hazelnut-forward is possible, with just five ingredients: hazelnuts, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla bean paste, and salt.

We strongly recommend buying roasted hazelnuts (with the skins removed) at the store. Raw hazelnuts can be tricky to find, and despite what internet tutorials will tell you, it's incredibly annoying to try to get all the skins off of roasted hazelnuts. If you can't find them in store, you can order online.

This recipe comes together in a food processor (this is the one we use) in just a few minutes. Just blend the hazelnuts into a smooth nut butter, then add in the rest of the ingredients, and blend until everything is incorporated! It doesn't get easier than that.

We use caster sugar instead of regular granulated sugar because it has small granules that help to cut down on the graininess of the Nutella. Regular sugar will work fine as well, it just may end up a tad gritty. You can also experiment with a liquid sweetener of choice, like agave, maple syrup or honey.

This recipe is part of our Better than Store Bought series, where we faithfully recreate your favorite store bought foods, but try to make them even better. If you love baking, try our Homemade Fig Newtons or Strawberry Pop Tarts next!

Front view of homemade nutella in a jar with a spoon in it.

How to Make Homemade Nutella

STEP 1: Add roasted and chopped hazelnuts to a food processor and blend until smooth, about 3 minutes. After about 3 minutes, we found that the hazelnut butter didn't get any smoother.

For an even smoother consistency, you can use a high speed blender, but it may be more difficult to get it to blend.

Roasted and chopped hazelnuts in the food processor before blending.

STEP 2: Add cocoa powder, salt, and sugar to the nut butter and blend until evenly incorporated.

Keep your homemade Nutella stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Homemade nutella after blending hazelnuts and adding in cocoa powder.

Serving Suggestions

This homemade Nutella is perfect on or mixed with:

Toast (even better with some bananas on top!)
Croissants
Pancakes and waffles
Ice cream
Oatmeal

You can also use it in baked goods like:

Brownies
Cookies
Cheesecakes
and so much more!

Overhead view of bananas set atop nutella on toast.

For a different flavor profile, next time you make it, try using pistachios or even peanuts. If you love making your own nut and seed butters, try our homemade tahini next!

📖 Recipe