What to Use Instead of Nutella: Delicious & Healthier Alternatives

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Healthline, a single serving of Nutella contains five teaspoons of sugar, making many people look for healthier alternatives. Whether you're avoiding palm oil, reducing sugar, or have a nut allergy, there are countless delicious and nutritious options for what to use instead of Nutella. This guide explores a variety of tasty substitutes, from creamy, indulgent spreads to quick, homemade recipes.

Quick Summary

This article provides a detailed guide to finding a delicious substitute for Nutella, covering both homemade and store-bought options for various dietary needs, including vegan, keto, and nut-free alternatives. It offers simple recipes and highlights key differences in flavor and nutrition to help you make an informed choice for your next snack or recipe.

Key Points

Homemade spreads offer customization: By making your own, you control sugar levels and ingredients like hazelnuts, cocoa, and oil, while avoiding additives.
Vegan alternatives are widely available: Options like Nocciolata or homemade spreads with plant-based milk allow those avoiding dairy to enjoy a rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor.
Nut-free spreads cater to allergies: Brands like SunButter and Oat Haus offer delicious and safe spreads for individuals with nut allergies, using seeds or oats as a base.
Keto options focus on low sugar: Spreads from brands like Pyure and ChocZero use alternative sweeteners to achieve the classic taste with significantly less sugar and lower carbs.
Unique spreads like chocolate tahini and hummus exist: For those seeking different flavor profiles, spreads made from chickpeas or sesame offer delicious and nutritious alternatives.
Palm oil-free choices are abundant: Many alternatives exist for those who wish to avoid palm oil for health or environmental reasons, including both homemade and store-bought varieties.
Making a banana-based spread is a quick, healthy option: For an instant, no-cook alternative, blending bananas with cocoa and nut butter provides a fast, nutritious snack.

Homemade Nutella Alternatives

Creating your own spread at home gives you complete control over the ingredients, from the type of sweetener to the oil used. Homemade options are often healthier, free of palm oil, and can be customized for taste and dietary restrictions.

Classic Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

For a taste as close to the classic as possible, a homemade version is your best bet.

Ingredients: 2 cups roasted hazelnuts, 1/3 cup powdered sugar (or desired sweetener), 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp neutral oil (like coconut or avocado).
Instructions:
1. Toast the hazelnuts at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, then rub them in a clean kitchen towel to remove most of the skins.
2. Blend the hazelnuts in a food processor until they form a smooth, creamy butter. This may take 5–8 minutes, so be patient.
3. Add the remaining ingredients and continue to blend until fully combined. Store in an airtight jar.

Quick & Healthy Banana-Based Chocolate Dip

For a no-cook, fruit-based option, this is a perfect choice, especially for a snack.

Ingredients: 2 ripe bananas, 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/4 cup nut or seed butter of choice, a dash of milk or milk alternative (as needed for consistency).
Instructions: Mash the bananas, then mix in the cocoa powder and nut butter until smooth. Add milk to reach your desired consistency. Enjoy immediately.

Store-Bought Nutella Replacements

For convenience, many brands now offer spreads that are healthier, dairy-free, or cater to specific diets.

Vegan & Palm Oil-Free Options

Nocciolata Organic Hazelnut Spread: Praised for its organic ingredients and balanced flavor, Nocciolata is a creamy, palm oil-free spread that tastes very similar to Nutella.
Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread: This raw, organic option uses simple ingredients and offers a rich, less sweet, and more intensely nutty flavor.
Valsoia Hazelnut Spread: A plant-based, palm oil-free alternative widely available in Europe and online.

Nut-Free Chocolate Spreads

Chocolate SunButter: A creamy, delicious spread made from sunflower seeds and cocoa, perfect for those with nut allergies.
Oat Haus Brownie Batter Granola Butter: Made from oats, this spread is free of the top 8 allergens and comes in a variety of dessert-inspired flavors.

Keto & Low-Sugar Alternatives

Pyure Hazelnut Spread: Offers a 90% reduction in sugar compared to Nutella, using organic, keto-friendly sweeteners like monk fruit.
ChocZero Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: Sweetened with monk fruit, this spread is a popular choice among keto dieters.

Versatile Spreads for Any Need

Beyond specialized diets, several other spreads can serve as excellent Nutella alternatives.

Chocolate Hummus: A sweet version of hummus made with chickpeas, cocoa, and sweetener. It is high in protein and fiber and a great nut-free option.
Chocolate Tahini: Blends sesame paste with cocoa for a uniquely rich, savory-sweet spread.
Almond Butter with Cocoa: Simply mixing cocoa powder and a little sweetener into natural almond butter creates a quick and wholesome spread.

Comparison Table: Nutella vs. Key Alternatives


Feature	Nutella	Nocciolata	Pyure Hazelnut Spread	Chocolate SunButter	Homemade Hazelnut	Chocolate Hummus
Dietary Suitability	N/A (High sugar, dairy)	Organic, Palm Oil-Free	Keto, Low-Sugar, Vegan	Nut-Free, Vegan	Customizable	Vegan, Nut-Free
Flavor Profile	Very sweet, less nutty	Rich, balanced chocolate & hazelnut	Sweet, low-sugar	Creamy, chocolatey, distinct sunflower seed flavor	Fresh, rich hazelnut & cocoa	Sweet, creamy, savory notes
Consistency	Smooth, thick	Creamy, slightly thinner	Smooth	Thick, creamy	Varies (smooth to grainy)	Smooth, thick
Ingredient Focus	Sugar, palm oil, low hazelnut content	Quality organic ingredients, no palm oil	Low sugar, monk fruit sweetener	Sunflower seeds, cocoa	Whole hazelnuts, customizable	Chickpeas, cocoa, tahini

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Nutella Replacement

The quest for a perfect Nutella alternative is not just about finding a replacement; it's an opportunity to discover healthier, more ethical, and delicious spreads. Whether you prefer the control of making your own spread from scratch or the convenience of a specialized store-bought option, the market is rich with choices. By considering your dietary needs—be it vegan, keto, or nut-free—and prioritizing high-quality ingredients, you can find a spread that not only satisfies your chocolate and hazelnut cravings but also aligns with your health goals. Trying different options, from a classic homemade hazelnut butter to a unique chocolate tahini, is a rewarding journey for any food lover.

Here is a recipe for a delicious homemade nutella that is free of palm oil and additives.

A Note on Palm Oil

For many, the search for a Nutella alternative is motivated by a desire to avoid palm oil due to its environmental impact. Many brands now offer delicious spreads that are explicitly palm oil-free, allowing for a more sustainable choice without sacrificing flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

The healthiest alternative to Nutella is often a homemade spread, as you can control the amount of sugar and use high-quality ingredients like real nuts and natural sweeteners. Store-bought options with a short, simple ingredient list, such as Artisana Organics or Pyure's low-sugar spreads, are also excellent choices.

Yes, several great nut-free alternatives exist. Some popular options include Chocolate SunButter (made from sunflower seeds), Oat Haus Brownie Batter Granola Butter (made from oats), and sweet Chocolate Hummus (made from chickpeas).

Absolutely. A classic homemade recipe involves blending roasted hazelnuts, cocoa powder, a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and a little oil until smooth. For a quicker option, you can mash bananas with cocoa and nut butter.

For a vegan diet, you can use homemade chocolate hazelnut spread with a plant-based milk substitute or opt for a store-bought vegan and palm oil-free spread. Brands like Valsoia and Pana Organic offer dairy-free and organic chocolate hazelnut spreads.

Several brands offer keto-friendly spreads with no added sugar, sweetened with alternatives like monk fruit or erythritol. ChocZero and Pyure Hazelnut Spread are popular keto choices that provide a similar flavor profile without the high sugar content.

People seek alternatives for various reasons, including Nutella's high sugar and palm oil content. Concerns over the environmental impact of palm oil and the desire for a healthier, more nutrient-rich spread also drive the search.

Many people find that some alternatives taste even better than Nutella because they contain more high-quality cocoa and a higher percentage of nuts, resulting in a richer, more authentic flavor profile. Premium organic and homemade options often use better ingredients.