Which Spread is Better Than Nutella? Uncovering Healthier & Tastier Alternatives

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

With more than 50% sugar by weight, many are now questioning the health and ingredient quality of Nutella. Finding a high-quality, palm oil-free, and delicious alternative is easier than ever, but which spread is better than Nutella for your tastes and preferences?

Quick Summary

This article reviews and compares top alternatives to Nutella, examining ingredient quality, taste, and texture. Discover brands that offer more authentic hazelnut flavor, less sugar, no palm oil, and vegan options for conscious consumers.

Key Points

Ingredient Quality: Many alternatives offer higher percentages of hazelnuts and avoid palm oil, which Nutella contains.
Taste Profile: Premium alternatives like Nocciolata and Lindt are often praised for a richer, more authentic hazelnut and chocolate taste, with less overpowering sweetness.
Dietary Options: Brands such as Tbh provide satisfying vegan and dairy-free spreads, broadening choices for those with specific dietary needs.
Homemade Advantage: Crafting your own spread gives you complete control over ingredients, allowing for customization of sweetness, texture, and flavor.
Palm Oil Free: A significant number of competing spreads and homemade recipes are intentionally made without palm oil, addressing common health and environmental concerns.
Informed Choice: With numerous options available, consumers can now choose a spread that aligns better with their health goals and flavor preferences than Nutella.

The Case for Alternatives to Nutella

For decades, Nutella has dominated the chocolate hazelnut spread market. However, growing awareness about its high sugar content and controversial use of palm oil has led many consumers to seek out healthier, higher-quality options. Many popular alternatives boast cleaner ingredients, a higher percentage of hazelnuts, and a more balanced flavor profile that emphasizes rich chocolate and nutty notes over excessive sweetness. Whether you are avoiding certain ingredients for health reasons or simply seeking a more refined taste, a whole world of delicious spreads is waiting to be discovered.

Common Motivations for Switching

High Sugar Content: Nutella is famously high in sugar, with some recipes containing more than half the jar's weight in sugar. Alternatives often use less sugar or natural sweeteners.
Palm Oil Concerns: The use of palm oil in Nutella has raised health and environmental concerns. Many competing brands proudly advertise their palm oil-free formulas.
Desire for Richer Flavor: For many, Nutella tastes overwhelmingly sweet with a subdued hazelnut flavor. Higher-quality spreads often provide a more intense, authentic hazelnut and chocolate experience.
Dietary Needs: For those with dairy or gluten sensitivities, Nutella's milk powder and potential for cross-contamination can be an issue. Many substitutes are specifically formulated to be vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free.

Top Alternatives Reviewed

Nocciolata Organic Hazelnut Spread

Often cited as a superior alternative in taste tests, Nocciolata is a USDA-certified organic hazelnut spread from Italy. It is palm oil-free, using sunflower oil instead. Reviewers consistently praise its well-balanced flavor, which has a distinct hazelnut-forward taste and a richer chocolate note, appealing to a more mature palate. Its texture is smooth and creamy, without the oil separation sometimes found in other spreads.

Lindt Hazelnut Spread

From the renowned Swiss chocolatier, Lindt's Hazelnut Spread is another contender that is often rated higher than Nutella in taste tests. It features a significantly higher hazelnut percentage (25%) compared to Nutella's 13%, which is evident in its nuttier flavor profile. This spread is noted for being less sweet and having a denser, richer mouthfeel.

Tbh Hazelnut Chocolate Spread

For those following a vegan or dairy-free diet, Tbh is an excellent option. This spread is dairy-free, gluten-free, and kosher. Testers describe its texture as delightfully fudgy, with a taste that is both rich and satisfying, proving that plant-based spreads can be just as decadent as their dairy counterparts.

Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread

Known for its high-quality jams, the French brand Bonne Maman launched a hazelnut chocolate spread that has been met with praise. Consumers enjoy its artisanal quality and the balanced, wholesome flavor it offers, evoking a sense of homemade goodness. Its distinctive red-checkered lid is an eye-catching signature that extends to this creamy spread.

Homemade Spreads

Making your own hazelnut spread allows for complete control over ingredients, sweetness, and texture. Recipes often call for simple, natural ingredients like roasted hazelnuts, cocoa powder or high-quality chocolate, a sweetener like maple syrup or dates, and a healthy oil. A homemade version is naturally free from palm oil and preservatives. You can customize the level of sweetness and intensity of the hazelnut and chocolate flavors to your liking. A basic recipe involves blending roasted hazelnuts until creamy, then mixing in the melted chocolate, cocoa, and sweetener of choice. You can find many recipes online, including one by Jamie Oliver that is palm oil-free.

Comparison Table: Nutella vs. Popular Alternatives


Feature	Nutella	Nocciolata	Lindt	Tbh (Vegan)	Homemade
Palm Oil	Yes	No	No	No	No
Hazelnuts %	13%	Approx. 16%	25%	Not specified	Adjustable
Taste Profile	Very sweet, mild hazelnut	Balanced nutty and chocolate, less sweet	Strong hazelnut, dense	Fudgy, rich, vegan	Customizable
Main Oil	Palm Oil	Sunflower Oil	Sunflower Oil	Sunflower Oil	Coconut, Avocado, etc.
Texture	Smooth, slick	Smooth, creamy, less oiliness	Dense, dry	Fudgy	Adjustable
Dairy	Yes	Yes (milk powder)	Yes (milk chocolate)	No	No (if using dairy-free chocolate)
Organic	No	Yes	No	No	Customizable

Making the Right Choice for Your Pantry

When deciding which spread is better than Nutella, your personal preferences play a significant role. If you prioritize health and environmental responsibility, choosing a palm oil-free and low-sugar alternative is an excellent step. Brands like Nocciolata and Lindt offer a more premium, nut-forward flavor profile for those who find Nutella too sweet. For anyone with dietary restrictions like veganism, a brand like Tbh provides a rich, satisfying, and ethically sourced option. Alternatively, the homemade route offers the most control over every ingredient, making it the purest and most customizable choice for discerning palates.

Ultimately, the chocolate hazelnut market is no longer a one-spread show. The increasing availability of high-quality, healthier, and more ethical alternatives means you can find a delicious option that perfectly fits your taste and values. As one reviewer noted, the best spread for you is often the one that balances flavor with ingredients you can feel good about consuming. For a deeper dive into taste tests, serious eaters can check out this article from Serious Eats which compares multiple brands and outlines the differences.

Conclusion

While Nutella remains a nostalgic staple for many, the landscape of chocolate hazelnut spreads has evolved significantly. Numerous alternatives surpass the classic in terms of ingredient quality, flavor depth, and nutritional value, many of which are free of palm oil. Whether you choose a premium store-bought brand like Nocciolata or Lindt, opt for a dietary-specific choice like Tbh, or make a custom batch from scratch, the options are plentiful and often superior. The search for a better spread is no longer a compromise, but an upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many taste testers and consumer reviews suggest Nocciolata is better. It uses high-quality organic ingredients, has a higher hazelnut content, is palm oil-free, and offers a more balanced, nutty flavor profile compared to Nutella's sugary taste.

The healthiest alternative is typically a homemade spread, as you can control the type and amount of sweetener, use natural oils like avocado or coconut, and maximize the real nut content. Some store-bought options also use lower sugar levels and healthier ingredients.

Yes, several vegan options are available. Tbh Hazelnut Chocolate Spread is one notable example specifically formulated to be dairy-free. Always check the ingredients list for milk powders and other dairy products.

Brands like Lindt and Nocciolata often taste nuttier because they use a higher percentage of real hazelnuts. Nutella's recipe relies more heavily on sugar and oil, which can mute the hazelnut flavor.

Nutella uses palm oil to achieve its smooth consistency and prolong shelf life. However, palm oil has been linked to health concerns regarding saturated fat and environmental concerns over deforestation. Many alternatives use healthier oils like sunflower or coconut oil.

A simple homemade recipe involves roasting hazelnuts, blending them into a smooth butter, and then mixing in melted chocolate or cocoa powder, a natural sweetener like maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. You can adjust the ingredients to your liking.

Yes, Lindt is considered a premium alternative. It has a high hazelnut content (25%), a stronger nut flavor, and a less sweet profile than Nutella. Many enjoy its rich, dense texture and lack of palm oil.