Vegan Nutella: Homemade Decadent & Dairy-Free Chocolate Spread

It's impossible not to love the sweet combination of chocolate and hazelnuts, which is why Nutella's chocolate-hazelnut spread is everyone's favorite toast topping. If you're plant-based but want to enjoy that Nutella taste, try our simple recipe to make this healthy vegan Nutella alternative at home!

Eating chocolate on toast is one of those childhood dreams that adults never grow out of wanting, too. 

While that chocolatey-hazelnut taste is seriously addictive, it's not exactly the healthiest way to start the day, as its ingredient list contains quite a bit of sugar along with palm oil, an industry known for its problematic farming practices. 

Is Nutella vegan?

On top of the health and environmental concerns of eating Nutella products, it also contains dairy, making it unsuitable for a vegan diet or lifestyle. 

That's why we made this easy peasy and absolutely delicious healthy alternative to Nutella recipe that's entirely plant-based. Though our dairy-free Nutella still contains some sugar, we cut down the sugar by 5 g per serving and offer a sugar-free alternative, too. 

This non-dairy Nutella base is tofu, which adds a little bit of lean protein into every spoonful, so you can feel good starting your day off with this sweet treat. 

Follow our simple recipe below to make this homemade chocolate spread in under 5 minutes!

Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Spread - Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 50g 

Per serving

Calories: 156 kcal; Carbohydrate: 25.7 g; Sugar: 23 g; Fiber: 1.2 g; Fat: 5.2 g; Protein: 2.6 g; Sodium: 36 mg.

Homemade Vegan Nutella Recipe - FAQ 

Do I need to press the tofu?

Pressing the tofu isn't completely necessary to make this vegan chocolate spread, but the recipe may be a little more watery instead of thick and creamy if you skip it. 

Place your tofu block in a tofu press and leave to press for 15 minutes. If you don't own a press, wrap your tofu in some clean paper towels and place your tofu between two heavy plates or cutting boards and leave for a minimum of 2-3 hours. 

Can I use a different type of tofu?

The firmer your tofu, the better for this homemade vegan Nutella. It will thicken as it cools in the fridge, and by using firm or extra-firm, you cut down the water content to make the richest, thickest spread.

We don't recommend using soft, silken, or regular tofu because the end result will be way too watery. 

Can I make this Nutella sugar-free?

Absolutely. Omit the granulated sugar from your recipe, and instead blend 1-2 drops of liquid stevia at the end of the preparation process, then taste, and add more as needed. Keep in mind that liquid stevia is very strong, and a little goes a long way. 

You can also try using another sweetener in place of the sugar, like honey, pure maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Beware when using liquid sweeteners that they may alter the texture of the Nutella recipe. 

Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa instead?

You can use either Dutch-processed or raw cocoa for this Nutella recipe. Still, if you're using this Nutella in anything baked, it's best to stick with raw cocoa, as its chemical makeup differs from Dutch cocoa, which will affect its reaction with baking soda and baking powder.

Is this homemade Nutella healthy?

We wouldn't call this recipe health food, as it still contains over 20 g of sugar per serving unless you choose to make our sugar-free version instead. 

Hazelnuts are full of heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and plenty of antioxidants, which help slow cellular aging and fight free radicals throughout the body. 

Tofu is a high-protein, low-fat addition that replaces palm oil and other binders. 

This Nutella is absolutely something you can enjoy eating in moderation within a healthy diet. 

Storage Tips

Unlike regular Nutella, this homemade vegan Nutella is not shelf-stable at room temperature. Store your dairy-free Nutella in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 6 days.

We don't recommend freezing this Nutella recipe, as it will lose much of its creamy texture as it thaws. Instead, make it in smaller batches, a little more often to enjoy it while it's still at its freshest. 

Final Notes: Things to Eat With Nutella

Of course, we highly recommend slathering this homemade vegan Nutella on every piece of toast you can find. 

There are plenty of other deliciously chocolatey ways to enjoy your Nutella, too; here are our favorites:

• Make a hot cup of Nutella hot chocolate;
• Toast some Nutella banana nut granola;
• Add a few dollops into your chocolate chip cookies before they bake;
• Bake some homemade Nutella banana bread;
• Make Nutella "buttercream" to top some chocolate cupcakes;
• Wrap some peanut butter and Nutella in a wheat tortilla;
• Slather your banana pancakes with this chocolate spread;
• Stuff some into your favorite waffle batter.

We hope you enjoy all your rich, vegan chocolate Nutella adventures!