Nutella is the ultimate comfort food. That rich and creamy chocolate hazelnut spread has been the answer for many after-dinner cravings or Sunday morning breakfasts.
But, as we all know, Nutella isn’t exactly a poster child for healthy eating. It’s loaded with sugar and can sometimes leave us feeling a tad guilty after indulging.
So, I went on a quest to find the best Nutella alternatives that not only satisfy our taste buds but also offer a healthier option.
How to choose the best nutella alternatives
Nutella is a type of nut butter with a lot of stuff in it – sugar and palm oil are the main ingredients. One of the best alternatives is to make a healthier version at home using this homemade Nutella recipe!
But today, I’ll be focusing on store-bought chocolate-hazelnut spreads that are dupes for Nutella. If you just want pure hazelnut goodness without the chocolate flavor, check out the best hazelnut butter you can buy.
My hunt for the perfect Nutella alternative wasn’t just about taste – it was about the ingredients, consumer feedback, nutrition, track record, and of course, the price.
Here’s how I sorted through the options:
- Ingredients: The best Nutella alternatives have hazelnuts as the first ingredient. I wanted spreads that embraced quality ingredients, avoiding artificial additives or excessive sugars.
- Consumer feedback: I scoured reviews from folks who had actually tasted these spreads. Real-world experiences matter, so I paid close attention to what people had to say about taste, texture, and overall satisfaction.
- Nutrition:Â A great alternative should offer a healthier profile compared to the sugary Nutella. Lower sugar content, healthier fats, and any additional nutritional benefits were taken into account.
- Track record: Widely available brands with a history of producing quality products were given extra points.
- Price: We all love a good deal, right? I considered the price point to ensure that the alternatives were reasonably affordable for most budgets.
Top 5 nutella alternatives
Now, let’s jump into the exciting part – my top 5 Nutella alternatives!
| Overall Rank | Brand (click link to buy) | Best for |
| 1 | Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter | Overall |
| 2 | Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread | Healthy alternative |
| 3 | 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Hazelnut Cocoa Spread | Budget-friendly |
| 4 | Nutiva Organic Classic Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa | Chocolate lovers |
| 5 | Kirkland Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa | Closest flavor |
#1 Best Overall: Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter
This one had me at first taste. Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter offer a smooth, spreadable no-stir texture that’s reminiscent of Nutella. But what sets it apart is its quality. With organic ingredients, responsibly sourced palm oil and certified gluten-free and non-GMO status, it’s not only satisfying but also a higher quality option, with less than half the amount of sugar than the original.
Ingredients: Dry Roasted Hazelnuts, Dry Roasted Almonds, Organic Powdered Sugar (Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Tapioca Starch), Organic Cocoa Powder, Organic Cocoa Butter, Palm Oil, Sea Salt.
#2 Best Healthy Alternative: Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread
If you’re looking for a healthier option, Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread should be your go-to. Hazelnuts are the first ingredient, and it’s organic, palm-oil-free, sweetened with coconut sugar, and contains coconut MCT oil for that extra nutritional boost. This spread also fits into many lifestyles, being organic, vegan, kosher, gluten-free, and dairy-free!
Ingredients: Organic Hazelnuts, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Cacao Powder, Organic Coconut MCT Oil, Organic Vanilla Extract (Organic Sucrose, Organic Vanilla Oleoresin).
#3 Best Budget Option: 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Hazelnut Cocoa Spread
Trust and quality are the hallmarks of the 365 brand by Whole Foods Market. Their Organic Hazelnut Cocoa Spread lives up to these expectations. It’s a delicious, reliable choice that’s also cheaper than Nutella and other alternatives. And in my opinion, it tastes better due to the higher quality ingredients.
Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar**, Organic Hazelnuts, Organic Nonfat Dry Milk, Organic Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Organic Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Organic Cocoa Powder** (Processed With Alkali), Organic Sunflower Lecithin (Emulsifier), Organic Natural Flavor.
#4 Best for Chocolate Lovers: Nutiva Organic Classic Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa
Calling all chocolate lovers! Nutiva Organic Classic Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa is here to satisfy your deepest cocoa cravings. This vegan and dairy-free option is not only organic but also rich and creamy. It comes in both classic and dark chocolate flavors, so you can choose the intensity of your chocolate experience.
Ingredients: Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Palm Olein, Organic Oat Flour, Organic Tapioca Starch, Organic Hazelnuts, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Cocoa Powder, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Organic Natural Flavor, Organic Vanilla Extract.
#5 Closest to Nutella: Kirkland Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa
Kirkland Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa is another budget-friendly option. You get two large jars for a good deal, and I have to say, this one probably tastes and feels the closest to the original Nutella recipe. The ingredients are pretty similar to Nutella, but it’s formulated without palm oil.
Ingredients: Sugar, Sunflower oil, Hazelnuts, Cocoa, Skim milk powder, Cocoa butter, Whey powder Coconut oil, Sunflower lecithin, Artificial flavor.
Comparing nutella alternatives nutrition facts
Compared to the original Nutella, these alternatives have around the same amount of calories, less sugar, and more or less saturated fat.
Justin’s, Artisana Organics, and Nutiva contain around half the amount of sugar compared to Nutella and the other alternative brands (365 by Whole Foods and Kirkland).
365 by Whole Foods contains much more saturated fat than the original due to the high amount of coconut oil. It also contains canola oil.
Below is a comparison of each brand’s nutrition facts compared to Nutella:
| Per 2 Tbsp. | Calories | Fat (saturated) (g) | Sodium (mg) | Carbs (g) | Fiber (g) | Sugar (added) (g) | Protein (g) |
| Nutella Hazelnut Spread | 200 | 11 (4) | 15 | 22 | 1 | 21 (19) | 2 |
| Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter | 200 | 16 (3) | 90 | 11 | 2 | 8 (8) | 4 |
| Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread | 170 | 13 (1.5) | 20 | 14 | 3 | 9 (7) | 4 |
| 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Hazelnut Cocoa Spread | 200 | 12 (12) | 20 | 19 | 2 | 19 (19) | 3 |
| Nutiva Organic Classic Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa | 200 | 14 (5) | 20 | 17 | 2 | 10 (10) | 2 |
| Kirkland Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa | 200 | 11 (2) | 15 | 23 | 1 | 20 (20) | 2 |
Leave a Comment