What's a Healthy Substitute for Nutella?

December 25, 2025 •

4 min read

Over half of Nutella's composition is sugar, with another 30% being palm oil, making it less of a health food and more of a candy. This reality has many people searching for a healthier substitute for Nutella that provides the same creamy, chocolatey satisfaction without the nutritional drawbacks.

Quick Summary

This article explores nutritious homemade and store-bought alternatives to Nutella, detailing recipes for healthy chocolate hazelnut spread, nut-free options, and other delicious spreads. We compare key nutritional differences and provide tips for making a healthier choice.

Key Points

High Sugar and Fat: Traditional Nutella is over 50% sugar and 30% palm oil, making it an ultra-processed food with minimal nutritional value.
Homemade is Healthier: Making your own chocolate hazelnut spread allows for full control over ingredients, eliminating refined sugar and palm oil in favor of whole nuts and natural sweeteners.
Nut-Free Options Exist: For those with nut allergies, sunflower seed butter with cacao powder is a simple and nutritious alternative that delivers a great chocolatey flavor.
Shop for Better Ingredients: When buying store-bought, look for products with short ingredient lists, a high percentage of nuts, and low sugar content, like Pyure or Nocciolata.
Boost Your Nutrients: Healthy homemade and store-bought alternatives offer more protein, fiber, and healthy unsaturated fats compared to Nutella.
Versatile and Delicious: Healthy chocolate spreads can be used in many ways, from toppings for fruit and whole-grain toast to ingredients in smoothies and baking.
Reduce Processed Foods: Choosing a healthy substitute is a step toward reducing overall consumption of ultra-processed foods and added sugars in your diet.

Why Find a Healthy Substitute for Nutella?

While Nutella has been a beloved pantry staple for decades, its nutritional profile is far from ideal for daily consumption. The high concentration of sugar and processed palm oil, along with a minimal amount of actual hazelnuts, makes it an ultra-processed food with minimal health benefits. Regular intake can lead to high sugar consumption, which is linked to weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and an increased risk of chronic diseases. By seeking out a healthier substitute for Nutella, you take control of your ingredients, reduce your sugar intake, and often boost your fiber, protein, and healthy fat consumption.

Homemade Healthy Nutella Alternatives

Making your own healthy chocolate spread at home gives you complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to use whole foods and natural sweeteners. This approach eliminates the need for palm oil and excessive refined sugar, replacing them with more nutrient-dense ingredients.

Classic Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

This recipe mimics the traditional Nutella flavor but is far more wholesome. You can control the sweetness and ensure a high hazelnut content for maximum nutritional value.

Ingredients: 1.5 cups roasted, skinned hazelnuts, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2-3 tbsp maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste), 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of sea salt, 2-4 tbsp unsweetened plant-based milk (e.g., almond or oat milk), and 1 tbsp coconut oil (optional, for creaminess).
Instructions:
1. Start with roasted hazelnuts. Roasting enhances the flavor and makes the nuts easier to process.
2. Process the roasted hazelnuts in a high-speed blender or food processor until a creamy butter is formed. This may take 5-10 minutes and require scraping down the sides.
3. Add the remaining ingredients: cocoa powder, sweetener, vanilla, salt, and milk. Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. If the spread is too thick, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time. For extra richness, add a little coconut oil.

Nut-Free Sunflower Seed Chocolate Spread

For those with nut allergies, sunflower seed butter is an excellent base for a chocolatey spread. It’s rich in nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Ingredients: 1 cup roasted sunflower seeds, 1/3 cup cacao powder, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and 1-2 tbsp oil (coconut or sunflower).
Instructions:
1. Toast sunflower seeds in the oven until fragrant. Let them cool completely.
2. Process the seeds in a food processor until a smooth, oily butter forms, scraping down the sides as needed.
3. Add the cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and oil. Blend until the mixture is smooth and consistent.

Store-Bought Alternatives and Their Benefits

Not everyone has time for homemade spreads. Fortunately, many companies now offer healthier, pre-made alternatives. When shopping, look for options with minimal ingredients, low sugar content, and no palm oil.

Nocciolata by Rigoni di Asiago

This organic hazelnut spread from Italy focuses on high-quality, natural ingredients, resulting in a richer, less cloyingly sweet flavor than traditional Nutella. It is made with real hazelnuts and cocoa, though it is not sugar-free.

Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread

For a raw, organic, and minimally processed option, Artisana offers a spread with a simple ingredient list. It has a more intense nutty and cacao flavor and is often less sweet, appealing to those on raw food diets.

Pyure Hazelnut Spread

This keto and vegan-friendly option uses organic, sugar-free sweeteners to significantly reduce sugar content—up to 90% less sugar than Nutella. It's a great choice for those monitoring their sugar and carb intake closely.

Comparison of Spreads


Feature	Traditional Nutella	Homemade Healthy Alternative	Store-Bought Alternative (e.g., Pyure)
Primary Ingredients	Sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts (low percentage)	High percentage of hazelnuts/seeds, natural sweeteners, plant-based milk	Hazelnuts, organic/sugar-free sweeteners, oil (often less processed)
Sugar Content	Very high (21g per 2 tbsp)	Customizable; typically low or uses natural alternatives like dates/maple syrup	Very low or sugar-free with organic sweeteners
Fat Source	Processed palm oil	Healthy fats from nuts/seeds and coconut oil	Often uses healthier oils or natural nut/seed oils
Nutrient Density	Low, minimal vitamins/minerals	High in fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals	High in nutrients, depending on ingredients
Additives	Contains emulsifiers (soy lecithin) and synthetic vanillin	None	Minimal, focuses on natural and organic options
Dietary Suitability	Not for keto, vegan, or low-sugar diets	Easily adaptable for vegan, keto, and paleo diets	Options available for vegan, keto, and organic diets

How to Use Healthy Chocolate Spreads

Making the switch is easy and doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor. Here are a few ways to incorporate these healthier spreads into your diet:

On Toast: Spread it on whole-grain toast or gluten-free bread for a delicious, fiber-rich breakfast.
With Fruit: Use it as a dip for apple slices, strawberries, or banana rounds.
In Smoothies: Add a spoonful to a chocolate smoothie for extra protein and healthy fats.
In Oatmeal: Swirl a bit into your morning oatmeal for a rich, satisfying flavor.
For Baking: Use it as a healthier filling for baked goods or as a topping for pancakes and waffles.

Conclusion

While a store-bought jar of Nutella is a sugary, ultra-processed treat, a healthier substitute for Nutella is easy to find or make. Whether you opt for a homemade version with natural ingredients and sweeteners or choose a low-sugar, organic alternative from the store, you can enjoy that familiar chocolate-hazelnut flavor without the guilt. By prioritizing whole foods and simple ingredients, you can satisfy your cravings while fueling your body with healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients.

Discover more healthy alternatives

To learn more about wholesome food options and balanced eating, explore resources from organizations like the American Heart Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

Regular Nutella is considered unhealthy due to its very high sugar content and the use of processed palm oil, which make up the majority of the product by weight. A typical serving contains a surprisingly low percentage of hazelnuts and minimal nutritional value.

Natural almond butter is often considered one of the healthiest nut butters due to its high levels of calcium, iron, and vitamin E. Many natural nut butters contain only nuts and salt, providing excellent nutrients with very little or no added sugar.

Yes, you can make a sugar-free homemade Nutella substitute by using pitted Medjool dates or sugar-free sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia to add sweetness. This allows you to control the ingredients completely for dietary needs.

For those with nut allergies, sunflower seed butter is an excellent alternative. By blending roasted sunflower seeds with cacao powder and a natural sweetener, you can create a delicious and safe chocolate spread.

To make a vegan and dairy-free chocolate spread, simply use a plant-based milk like almond, oat, or coconut milk in your homemade recipe. Ensure all other ingredients, including chocolate if you use it, are also dairy-free.

Yes, many store-bought healthy alternatives, such as Pyure or Artisana spreads, are genuinely better because they contain significantly less sugar, more whole-food ingredients (like higher percentages of nuts), and often exclude palm oil. It's still wise to check labels for added sugars and fats.

Absolutely. Homemade and healthier store-bought chocolate spreads can be used in a variety of baking applications, such as fillings for cupcakes, swirl-ins for brownies, or toppings for cookies. Their rich, wholesome flavor can enhance any dessert.