Decadent Keto Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: A Guide to Homemade Sugar-Free Nutella

For those following a ketogenic or paleo lifestyle, finding suitable alternatives to beloved treats can be challenging. However, this homemade keto chocolate hazelnut spread, a sugar-free version of the classic Nutella, offers a delicious and healthy option. This article will guide you through creating your own keto-friendly Nutella, exploring its nutritional benefits, various preparation methods, and tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor.

A Brief History

Before diving into the recipe, it's interesting to note the origins of hazelnut-chocolate spread. Italians have been crafting this delightful concoction, known as gianduja, since the era of Napoleon's regency in the 1700s. This rich history adds a touch of tradition to our modern, health-conscious adaptation.

Why Hazelnuts? The Nutritional Powerhouse

Hazelnuts are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. They are an excellent source of healthy fats, high in the antioxidant vitamin E. A single serving provides nearly all your daily requirement of manganese and is rich in magnesium.

Ingredients: What You'll Need

Here is a list of what you will need to make your own homemade low carb nutella. All the ingredients are readily available at most supermarkets.

• Hazelnuts: You can purchase skin on or off hazelnuts. If using skin-on hazelnuts, roasting and removing the skins is necessary.
• Unsweetened Cocoa or Cacao: Available in the gluten-free/health food aisle of most supermarkets. Both work great, just know that quality really matters here.
• Sweetener: A powdered sweetener is recommended to avoid grittiness. Options include powdered erythritol, allulose, or a stevia-based sweetener like stevia glycerite. Note that some find stevia-based sweeteners accentuate the aftertaste when combined with chocolate.
• MCT Oil or Coconut Oil: Any neutral-tasting oil is suitable.
• Vanilla Extract: Always check the ingredients to ensure quality.
• Optional Ingredients: Almonds and macadamia nuts can be added for a unique flavor profile. A pinch of sea salt can also enhance the sweetness.

Essential Kitchen Gadgets

• Food Processor: A good food processor is essential for achieving a smooth hazelnut butter.
• Kitchen Towels: Good tea towels are useful for drying the hazelnuts after roasting and for removing the skins.
• Spatula: Silicone one-piece spatulas are ideal for scraping down the sides of the food processor.

Step-by-Step Recipe: Keto Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

Here are two primary methods for making keto chocolate hazelnut spread: the conventional method and the thermal method.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Preparing the Hazelnuts

The first step in making a hazelnut butter recipe is to roast the hazelnuts. Roasting the nut gives a whole new dimension to flavour to the humble hazelnut.

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 300°F/150°C.
2. Roast the Hazelnuts: Place the hazelnuts in a rimmed baking tray and toast them until lightly golden and fragrant (10-14 minutes).
3. Remove the Skins: While still warm, wrap them in a kitchen towel and rub vigorously to remove the skins (some bits will remain, worry not!). Alternatively, you can remove the skin from hazelnuts can be done through roasting or soaking in boiling water. If you do prefer the boiling water method it is best done the day before and leave the nuts on a wire rack before roasting.

Conventional Method

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F). Line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Roast Hazelnuts: Place hazelnuts onto the prepared baking tray. Roast for 10-15 minutes, turning them after 5 minutes.
3. Remove Skins: Transfer hazelnuts to a clean kitchen towel. Enclose in the towel and rub back and forth on the kitchen counter to rub the skins off. Most of the skin should come off but if there are some still covered just rub between your fingers. Skin that won’t come off is fine anyway.
4. Process Hazelnuts: Place hazelnuts into a food processor and pulse until it turns to a meal.
5. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add remaining ingredients and process on high speed in 3-minute spurts. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue to mix until the hazelnut spread is smooth and glossy.

Thermal Method

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F). Line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Roast Hazelnuts: Place hazelnuts onto the prepared baking tray. Roast for 10-15 minutes, turning them after 5 minutes.
3. Remove Skins: Transfer hazelnuts to a clean kitchen towel. Enclose in the towel and rub back and forth on the kitchen counter to rub the skins off. Most of the skin should come off but if there are some still covered just rub between your fingers. Skin that won’t come off is fine anyway.
4. Mill Hazelnuts: Place hazelnuts into mixer bowl and mill 5 sec/speed 10.
5. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add remaining ingredients and mix 3 min/speed 6.

Detailed Instructions

1. Roast the Hazelnuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast them for 12 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Remove the hazelnuts from the oven and let them cool for five minutes.
2. Process Hazelnuts into Butter: Add the still-warm hazelnuts to your food processor's bowl. Process them on high until the nuts turn into loose, fairly liquid butter, about 10 minutes, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the food processor bowl a few times during this process.
3. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the remaining ingredients (cocoa powder, sweetener, oil, vanilla, and salt) to the food processor.
4. Process to Combine: Process them on low for a few seconds, then process on high until very smooth, about 3 more minutes, scraping the sides and bottom twice.
5. Adjust Sweetness: Taste and adjust the sweetener if necessary.

Alternative Recipe with Mixed Nuts

For a slightly different flavor profile, consider using a mix of nuts.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peeled hazelnuts (150 g/ 5.3 oz)
• 1 cup macadamia nuts (130 g/ 4.6 oz)
• 1/2 cup almonds (75 g/ 2.6 oz)
• 1 bar dark chocolate, 85-90% cacao (100 g/ 3.5 oz)
• 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil (15 g/ 0.5 oz)
• 2 tbsp powdered Erythritol or Swerve (20 g/ 0.7 oz)
• 1 tbsp cacao powder (5 g/ 0.2 oz)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla powder or or 1-2 tsp sugar-free vanilla extract
• Optional: few drops liquid stevia, to taste, and a pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 190 °C/ 375 °F (fan assisted), or 210 °C/ 410 °F (conventional).
2. Roast Nuts: Spread the hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and almonds on a baking tray and transfer to the oven. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned.
3. Remove Skins (if necessary): If using whole unpeeled hazelnuts: Once roasted and cooled, rub the hazelnuts together in your hands to remove the skins.
4. Melt Chocolate: Meanwhile, melt the chocolate with coconut oil in a water bath. Place a bowl over a pot with boiling water and let the chocolate melt while stirring.
5. Process Nuts: Place the nuts into a food processor and process until smooth.
6. Combine Ingredients: When the mixture seems runny, add the melted chocolate, coconut oil, powdered erythritol, cacao powder and vanilla powder. Optionally add a pinch of sea salt.

Sugar-Free Nutella with Coconut Milk

For a dairy-free and paleo-friendly version, coconut milk can be used.

Ingredients:

• Butter
• Sugar substitute
• Creamy coconut milk (canned with 15-18% fat)
• Cocoa powder

Instructions:

1. Melt Butter: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
2. Add Sweetener: Add the sugar substitute of your choice and mix well.
3. Incorporate Coconut Milk: Add the coconut milk and mix well.
4. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and continue cooking (at least 15 minutes), stirring every couple of minutes until the mixture has reduced and slightly thickened.
5. Cool Slightly: Remove from the heat and pour it into a mixing bowl to cool down a little bit.
6. Add Cocoa Powder: When the mixture is warm but not completely cooled, add the cocoa powder to the coconut mixture and mix well using a hand mixer or whisk until it's a homogenous dark brown color and no clumps are left.

Achieving the Perfect Texture

• Patience is Key: You need patience when processing the hazelnuts because it takes a while for them to turn into smooth, loose butter. Depending on your food processor, this can take up to 10 minutes.
• High-Speed Blender vs. Food Processor: A high-speed blender like a Vitamix will yield a smoother result compared to a regular food processor. If using a food processor, you may need to add additional liquid.
• Troubleshooting Dry Spread: If the mixture does not become smooth, add one additional tablespoon of coconut oil or up to 2 tablespoons of nut milk (almond milk is a good low-carb option).

Sweetener Options and Considerations

• Stevia Glycerite: The glycerite formulation minimizes the aftertaste typical of stevia products. A full tablespoon is needed because of the large amount of unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Powdered Erythritol or Allulose: If using erythritol, ensure it is powdered to avoid a gritty texture. Allulose tends to create a smoother result.
• Adjust to Taste: Sweetness preferences vary, so adjust the amount of sweetener to suit your taste.

Storage and Freezing

• Storage: Store the Keto Nutella in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Note that homemade Nutella will be firmer when refrigerated.
• Freezing: Keto Nutella can be frozen for longer storage. Consider freezing in an ice cube tray for convenient single-serving portions.

Serving Suggestions

• Spread: Spread on a slice of low-carb bread, keto pancakes, waffles, or almond flour bread.
• Dip: Serve as a dip for strawberries or other keto-friendly fruits.
• Ingredient: Add a dollop to the center of almond flour muffins before baking.
• Yogurt: Mix a spoonful into plain yogurt for a delicious treat.

Nutritional Information

The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. This information is provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. Please verify it independently.

Is it Really Like Nutella?

While this keto Nutella may not taste exactly like the original, many find it even better. It offers a richer, nuttier flavor with a deep chocolate essence, without the excessive sweetness of traditional Nutella.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #chocolate #hazelnut #spread