Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Vegan Nutella)

A simple yet delicious plant-based chocolate breakfast, snack, or dessert spread made of roasted hazelnuts and chocolate – great on toast, crepes, pancakes, waffles, rice cakes, sweet sandwiches, and more.

Another Nutella recipe??  

So, I’ll admit there are a lot of recipes out there to choose from.  Many contain melted chocolate bars or chocolate chips.  Several of these recipes also contain a lot of added sugars or zero-calorie sugar alternatives.  And like Nutella, most recipes contain oil – mostly coconut oil which, in addition to being unnecessary, can add a coconut flavor that doesn’t belong in this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread.  

By now, you may know that, while I do enjoy the occasional splurge, I really prefer to have more healthful options to enjoy said splurges without any negative and unwelcome side effects. And I get really excited when I can experience these treats with zero guilt.  I’m prone to feelings of self-inflicted guilt… so it’s best to avoid that horrible trap in the first place.

Enter this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread -> or what I affectionately refer to as Healthy Nutella. By now, (at least in my own mind) the trademark Nutella is more like Band-aid, Kleenex, Clorox, or Xerox. Everyone calls their home-version copycats Nutella even though it obviously isn’t the commercially produced and marketed Nutella. I’m not going to do that – not necessarily. But since I hope to share this recipe with anyone searching for a Healthy Vegan Nutella, it only makes sense to pseudo call it like it is.

With that out of the way, this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread is 100% whole foods plant-based! 

What exactly does whole foods plant-based mean?

In a nutshell (pun intended), it means that this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread only contains whole unprocessed foods. A Whole Foods plant-based diet “focuses on minimally processed foods, specifically plants, and is effective at stimulating weight loss and improving health”. (Healthline) It also means that there is absolutely zero unwanted stuff —>>> No dairy. No refined sugar. No added oil. No sugar substitutes.

So what does it contain?

The answer is simple, and hopefully the reason you are here. This Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread contains only whole plant goodness.  Hazelnuts are roasted in the oven, the outer skins are mostly removed, and cacao powder and softened dates are added with a splash of plant milk and vanilla.

That’s it! Five simple ingredients. Nothing unnecessary. Nothing distracting. And nothing to make me feel guilty about. In fact, I find it has just the right amount of sweetness and doesn’t need any additional sweeteners. I also don’t add salt. However, if you prefer, you can add a little maple syrup and salt. Both will increase the flavor and sweetness.

The two things I love most about this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread is that it is super nutritious and super delicious!! Double Goodness!!

Like most nuts, Hazelnuts, which are also known as Filberts, provide healthy fats and nutrition all on their own.

Hazelnuts contain loads of vitamins, minerals, antioxidant compounds, and healthy fats. In a one-ounce serving, hazelnuts boast 176 calories, 17 grams of fat, 4.2 grams of protein, and 2.7 grams of dietary fiber. Hazelnuts also contain vitamins E and B6, thiamin, magnesium, copper, manganese, folate, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. (Healthline)

For this reason, hazelnuts lend a hand in decreasing blood fat levels, regulating blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and improving blood sugar levels. They also help protect us from cancer and lower cholesterol, including the not-so-good LDL cholesterol. (Grand Healthcare)

I’ve posted before about the nutritional aspects of dates, but let’s do a quick recap. This low glycemic index (GI) dried fruit may contain a hefty dose of natural sugar and a relatively low amount of plant protein, but they’re actually super good for you!! Just one serving (3.5 ounces) contains 277 calories, 7 grams of dietary fiber, and 2 grams of protein. The important take away here is that the fiber found in dates can help regulate blood sugar because it slows digestion down which allows for better nutrient absorption. (Healthline)

Dates also contain important vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, and vitamin B6. They’re also high in antioxidants which help protect your body from inflammation and disease. Specifically, dates contain three powerful antioxidants: flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acid. Flavonoids help reduce inflammation, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, as well as some cancer. Carotenoids promote heart and eye health. Phenolic acid can help lower the risk of cancer and heart disease. (Healthline)

In addition to hazelnuts and dates, this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread contains a little cacao or cocoa powder, plant milk and vanilla. I don’t think it matters too much which type of cacao or cocoa powder you use, though some are more bitter or dark. Some are dutch-processed for this reason. Honestly, use whatever you have in your cabinet. I also don’t think it matters what type of milk you use. We normally have almond milk or Oat + Nut Milk in our refrigerator, so that’s what I use.

Now that we’ve talked a little about the ingredients, let’s chat a minute about the process. First, I like to soak the dried dates since it softens them up a bit and tends to be a little easier on your blender. While the dates are getting soft, you’re going to roast the hazelnuts. This does two things. First, the roasting process intensifies the flavor and aroma of the hazelnuts. And second, the process of heating and cooling the hazelnuts helps loosen the skins. While there is quite a bit of nutrition in the skin, they can be somewhat bitter.

This next step can be kind of fun! Once the hazelnuts have cooled to room temperature, transfer them onto a large clean towel. Gather up the corners of the towel into your hand and twist, ensuring the hazelnuts remain inside. Then shake vigorously together to remove the skins.  Reference the pictorial illustrations above. It may sound a bit nutty (pun intended), but it really works.

You can massage them slightly with your hand to help the process along. The important thing here is that you don’t need to get all of the skin off, just the majority of them.

Transfer the mostly naked hazelnuts into a high-speed blender or food processor and process them until they’re all crumbly, about 30-60 seconds.  If you’re using a regular blender or food processor, this may take 3-4 minutes. Take your time and scrape the sides down, as needed.

Now it’s time to add the rest of your ingredients. Take a moment to drain the dates. (You can use the drained date water in a smoothie or oatmeal, if you like.). Then, add the remaining ingredients and blend the mixture until very smooth. This normally takes one to two minutes.  You may want to add in a little plant milk, if needed, to achieve desired consistency.  It should be thick and smooth. And your blender may yell at you. I know mine does. Serious attitude, that one.

Once the mixture is nice and smooth, you should taste it to make sure you’re satisfied. If you want your Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread to be more chocolatey, add in a little more cacao or cocoa powder. If you prefer it sweeter, add in a little maple syrup or agave.  If you prefer more vanilla flavor, add in a little more vanilla.  If you think it needs a boost in flavor, add a pinch of salt.

Seriously, you’re in charge of the flavor composition here. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise… unless you have a sous chef. Then you may have to compromise.

Once you’ve achieved the flavor and consistency you’re happy with, transfer the Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread to a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. I’m going to now share a secret with you. Mine doesn’t make it to the fridge – not initially anyway. I simply have to spread it on warm toast or enjoy it with fresh crepes first. These are my two absolute favorite ways to enjoy this spread.

In fact, this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread can be used just as you would use Nutella, almond butter, or peanut butter.  As I mentioned, it is fantastic on toast and makes an incredible toasted breakfast sandwich with sliced bananas or fresh raspberries.  But it’s also a delicious accompaniment for waffles, pancakes, crepes, french toast, rice cakes, and more!!

But wait, there’s more!! Similar to a dessert hummus, this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread isn’t just good for breakfast, it makes a super nutritious mid-day or evening snack!  Don’t believe me?  Go ahead and pile the fresh fruit right on top or use it as a dip for fresh strawberries or apples in it!! It’s delicious!

Now tell me, how do you plan to use this chocolatey-hazelnut spread?

I hope you enjoy this Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread as much as I do.  

I would love to see your results! Please leave a comment and rate it down below, tag a picture @pebblesandtoast and #pebblesandtoast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!   Enjoy!!   

And don’t forget to subscribe for new plant-based and vegan recipes today!! Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

Ingredients

• 9 oz (2 cups) hazelnuts* (filberts)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2-3 Tbsp cacao or cocoa powder
• ½ cup dates, soaked in hot water for at least 20 minutes
• ½ cup plant milk
• 1-3 Tbsp Maple syrup (optional)
• ¼ tsp salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.  Evenly scatter the hazelnuts* on a baking sheet and roast for 13-15 minutes. 
2. Allow the hazelnuts to cool to room temperature.

1. Then transfer to the center of a large cloth towel.  Gather up the corners, ensuring the hazelnuts remain inside, and shake vigorously together to remove the skins.  Refer to the pictorial illustrations below.

1. In a high-speed blender, process the mostly naked hazelnuts until crumbly, about 30-60 seconds.  (If you’re using a regular blender or food processor, it may take as much as 4 minutes. Scrape the sides down, as needed.)

1. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth, 1-2 minutes.  Add in a little plant milk, as needed, to achieve desired consistency.  It should be thick and smooth.
2. Taste and adjust flavors, as desired.  If you prefer it sweeter, add a little maple syrup or agave.  If you want more chocolate flavor, add more cacao or cocoa powder.  If you prefer more vanilla, add in a little more vanilla.  
3. Transfer to a sealed container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

* Hazelnuts are also known as Filberts.  If you are able to find roasted hazelnuts, roasting in the oven is unnecessary.  Simply proceed to blending.

I do not add any sweeteners (other than the dates) and no salt, but feel free to add either or both for your personal taste preference.

Adapted from The Big Man’s World.