Homemade vegan Nutella
Enjoy the rich and creamy homemade vegan Nutella. This dairy-free and gluten-free spread is a dream come true for vegans and those with dietary restrictions.
With the option to roast and blend your own hazelnuts or use store-bought nut butter, this versatile recipe can be tailored to your preference. Enjoy this luscious spread on toast, pancakes, or straight from the spoon. Experience the joy of guilt-free indulgence with this easy-to-make, healthier alternative to the traditional Nutella.
What is Nutella?
Nutella is a popular chocolate hazelnut spread known for its creamy texture and sweet taste. The main ingredients of Nutella include sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa solids, and skimmed milk. Specifically, Nutella is composed of more than 50% sugar and palm oil, with hazelnuts making up 13% of the recipe, and cocoa solids also included.
Additionally, it contains non-fat milk solids, soy lecithin as an emulsifier, and vanillin for flavor. Despite its delicious taste, it’s important to note that Nutella is high in calories, sugar, and fat, which should be considered when consuming as part of a balanced diet.
Why is Nutella so addictive?
Nutella can be addictive for several reasons:
- High sugar content: Nutella contains a lot of sugar, which can be addictive in itself. Sugar triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that is associated with pleasure and reward.
- High fat content: Nutella also contains a lot of fat, which can also be addictive. Fat triggers the release of endorphins, which can create a feeling of euphoria and happiness.
- Creamy texture: The creamy, smooth texture of Nutella can be very satisfying and can make it hard to stop eating.
- Sweet and salty combination: The combination of sweet and salty flavors in Nutella can be very appealing to some people, and can trigger cravings.
- Childhood memories: For some people, Nutella may be associated with happy memories of childhood or special occasions, which can make it harder to resist.
All of these factors can combine to make Nutella a highly addictive food for some people.
What nuts can be used?
Although Nutella is traditionally made with hazelnuts, which give it its distinctive flavor and texture, there are many other nuts that can be used to make a similar nut butter spread. Here are some options:
- Almonds: Almond butter has a creamy texture and a mild, nutty flavor that pairs well with chocolate.
- Cashews: Cashew butter is creamy and slightly sweet, making it a good option for a Nutella-like spread.
- Peanuts: Peanut butter is a classic nut butter that can be used to make a chocolate spread with a stronger nutty flavor.
- Walnuts: Walnut butter has a rich, earthy flavor that can balance well with the sweetness of chocolate.
- Pecans: Pecan butter has a buttery, nutty flavor that can complement chocolate nicely.
Feel free to experiment with different nuts to find the flavor and texture that you like best!
How to make vegan Nutella at home?
Creating your own Nutella at home is a healthier way to enjoy this beloved chocolate hazelnut spread. Start by roasting hazelnuts until they’re golden and fragrant, then rub them in a kitchen towel to remove the skins.
Blend the nuts in a food processor until they form a smooth paste. Add sugar and cocoa powder to the mixture. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors, and blend until everything is smooth and well-incorporated. For a touch of sweetness and depth, you can add vanilla extract to the mix.
Once done, store your homemade Nutella in a clean jar and enjoy it with bread, fruits, or even as a standalone treat. Remember, the key to a smooth spread is patience; keep blending until you reach the desired consistency.
Nutella from hazelnut spread
You can also make vegan Nutella using ready-made hazelnut spread! Just replace the hazelnuts with hazelnut spread and blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy.
If the mixture is too thick, you can add a bit coconut oil to thin it out. You can adjust the sweetness or chocolatey-ness to your liking by adjusting the amount of powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
Vegan Nutella
Ingredients
- 2 dl hazelnuts
- 1 dl cocoa powder
- 1 dl powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C. Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast them for about 10-12 minutes until they're golden brown and fragrant.
- Once the hazelnuts have cooled, rub them together in a kitchen towel to remove as much of the skins as possible.
- Transfer the hazelnuts to a food processor and blend until they form a smooth, creamy butter. This may take several minutes; be patient and scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the hazelnut butter. Blend until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness or cocoa intensity to your preference. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little more coconut oil to reach the desired consistency.
- Store your homemade Nutella in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.