A quick and easy chocolate spread made with hazelnuts to resemble 'Nutella' spread and without processed sugar or unhealthy oils. It's also a dairy and gluten-free Nutella for kids with a limited diet. Enjoy!
We all know how busy life is when you have children and how easy it is to indulge in store-bought, convenient food and snacks. This homemade chocolate spread, a healthier twist on 'Nutella,' can last up to two weeks in your fridge and takes just 15 minutes to prepare.
Instead of processed sugar, I’ve used dates, so it’s not as sweet as the store-bought version. The texture is thick and smooth, making it perfect for spreading on bread or even piping onto cupcakes for decoration.
If you are looking for more healthy chocolate treats for your little ones, have a look at my puff pastry chocolate twists or my sugar-free chocolate biscuits.
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👩🏻🍳 Why you should try my recipe
- Easy and quick to prepare.
- Healthier than store-bought 'Nutella'.
- Ready in about 15 minutes.
- Can last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Dairy-free & gluten-free.
- Suitable for babies that follow BLW method or are transitioning to solids.
🥘 Ingredients
To make this sugar-free Nutella spread, we are going to need hazelnuts, cocoa powder, dates, vanilla extract and vegetable oil.
All the sweetness of the chocolate spread comes from the dates. For the vegetable oil, you can use avocado oil, coconut oil, light olive oil, or any other oil of your choice.
For full quantities and to print the recipe, see the recipe card below.
🔪 Step-by-step Instructions
So get your ingredients ready and let's get started!
01. I begin by spreading the hazelnuts on a baking tray and roasting them in the oven for 10 minutes—just enough to release their natural oils and enhance their flavor. Alternatively, you can toast them on the stovetop. If you choose this method, be sure to stir them frequently with a spatula to prevent burning.
While the hazelnuts are in the oven, I cut the dates in half and add half a cup of boiling water, and let them rest.
02. Once the hazelnuts are ready, I transfer them to a container with a lid and give it a good shake several times. This helps remove their skins easily. Alternatively, you can rub them in a kitchen towel, but I find that method a bit messier.
03. I transfer the roasted hazelnuts to a blender. Careful not to add any of the hazelnut skins from the container or the towel. Then I add one tablespoon of oil and start the blending.
04. Take little breaks to scoop the sides back in and give the blender a break to prevent breaking it. The hazelnut spread is ready when it's smooth and creamy.
05. Now it's time to add the rest of the ingredients. I add the vanilla extract, cocoa powder and the soaked dates with the water.
06. I start blending again with the food processor until I get the texture I like. The 'Nutella' spread should be thick but creamy and easy to spread. If you like it more runny or even creamier, you could add a tablespoon of oil at a time, until you get the texture you want.
HealthyBitesForKids Product Picks
Great for Mincing, Chopping, Grinding, Blending and Meal Prep.
Buy On Amazon📖 Substitutions & Variations
- You could leave out the vanilla extract if you don't have any.
- For a more runny chocolate spread texture, add a tablespoon of oil and blend again.
- The more you blend, the smoother it will get. Make sure you give your blender a break to prevent overheating.
🍽 Serving suggestions
We love having it on a slice of bread or on top of waffles. You could also use this healthy 'Nutella' spread on muffins and cupcakes with a piping bag or on a cake.
HealthyBitesForKids Product Picks
Easy to clean stainless steel trays. I have a couple of those for roasting veggies or baking cookies.
Buy On Amazon🧰 Storage
The recipe makes about a cup of homemade Nutella. I store it in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
❓ FAQ
To get a creamy, smooth result, you will need to blend the roasted hazelnuts for at least 2–3 minutes with a few stops in between to avoid overheating the blender. Make sure your blender is strong and you could add one more tablespoon of oil for extra moisture.
If you tried this easy and healthy Nutella for kids or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
📋 Recipe
Easy Nutella For Kids (Chocolate Spread)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup hazelnuts
- 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder
- 6 dates (pitted)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the hazelnuts on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated oven to 350℉ / 180℃.
- Cut the dates in halves and add them to a bowl. Add ½ cup of boiling water and let the rest while you are roasting the hazelnuts.
- Add the roasted hazelnuts to a bowl. Cover with a lid and shake well to remove most of the skin.
- Add the hazelnuts to a blender along with the oil. Blend them until smooth and creamy.
- Add the dates with the water, vanilla extract, cocoa powder. Blend until smooth.
Video
Notes
- Take small breaks with the food processor or blender to avoid overheating.
- If you'd like a more runny texture, add a tablespoon of oil and blend again.
Nutrition
🥣 More to try
If you liked my chocolate hazelnut spread recipe, you should try some of these recipes too:
Julia Droulia
My kids love this chocolate spread on top of bread, in crepes, pancakes and waffles! If you tried it and liked it too, give me a comment and rating here.