Decadent Keto Nutella: A Guilt-Free Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

For those following a ketogenic or low-carb diet, the cravings for familiar treats can be challenging. Nutella, the classic chocolate hazelnut spread, is a definite no-no due to its high sugar content. However, with a few simple ingredient swaps and a blender, you can create a delicious and healthy Keto Nutella that satisfies your sweet tooth without derailing your diet.

Why Keto Nutella?

Traditional Nutella is loaded with sugar, with over 56% of its content being refined sugar. It also contains palm oil and only a small percentage of hazelnuts (around 13%). This makes it unsuitable for anyone trying to maintain stable blood sugar levels or reduce their carbohydrate intake.

Keto Nutella, on the other hand, uses natural, low-carb ingredients to replicate the rich, chocolatey hazelnut flavor. It's packed with healthy fats and fiber, making it a nutritious and satisfying treat. It's also very easy to make your own homemade version. Best of all, many people find that they actually like it even better than the original. Because it is less tooth-achingly sweet, the chocolate hazelnut flavor shines through even more.

Ingredients for Keto Nutella

The beauty of Keto Nutella lies in its simplicity. Most recipes require only a handful of readily available ingredients:

• Hazelnuts: The star of the show! You can purchase them with the skins on or off. Roasting them enhances their flavor.
• Unsweetened Cocoa or Cacao Powder: Provides the chocolate flavor. Cacao powder offers a slightly more intense, less processed option.
• Powdered Sweetener: Essential for achieving the desired sweetness without the carbs. Erythritol, allulose and monk fruit sweeteners are popular choices.
• MCT Oil or Coconut Oil: Adds smoothness and richness to the spread. Any neutral-tasting oil will work.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Optional Ingredients: Some recipes include additions like collagen protein powder (for added thickness and nutrition), almond and macadamia nuts (for less "hazelnutty" taste), hazelnut oil (to enhance the hazelnut flavour) or a pinch of sea salt (to balance the sweetness).

Preparing the Hazelnuts

Roasting the hazelnuts is a crucial step in developing the rich, nutty flavor of Keto Nutella. It also makes it easier to remove the skins, which can be bitter.

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Conventional Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
2. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
3. Place the hazelnuts on the prepared baking tray.
4. Roast for 10-15 minutes, turning them after 5 minutes to ensure even roasting.
5. Transfer the roasted hazelnuts to a clean kitchen towel.
6. Enclose the nuts in the towel and rub them back and forth on the kitchen counter to remove the skins. Most of the skins should come off easily. Some stubborn bits are fine to leave on.

Alternative Method:

If you bought a pack of nuts without skins, there's no need to turn on the oven. Dry-roast the hazelnuts in a frying pan on the stovetop over low heat until golden.

Alternatively, removing skin from hazelnuts can be done through 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.

Making Keto Nutella: Two Approaches

There are two primary methods for making Keto Nutella, depending on the equipment you have available:

Method 1: Using a Food Processor or High-Speed Blender

This method involves grinding the hazelnuts into a smooth butter before adding the remaining ingredients.

Steps:

1. Grind the Hazelnuts: Place the roasted and skinned hazelnuts in a food processor or high-speed blender (such as a Vitamix). Process until the nuts are finely ground and begin to form a paste. This may take several minutes, and you'll need to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically.
2. Add Oil: Add 2 tablespoons of MCT or coconut oil and continue to process until the mixture becomes a smooth nut butter.
3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the cocoa powder, powdered sweetener, collagen (if using), vanilla extract, and salt. Blend again until well combined. The mixture will likely thicken at this point.
4. Adjust Consistency: Add the remaining oil, one tablespoon at a time, until the Keto Nutella reaches your desired consistency. If the mixture is too thick, you can also add a tablespoon or two of almond milk or other low-carb milk.
5. Taste and Adjust: Taste the Keto Nutella and add more sweetener if needed.
6. Chill: Pour the Keto Nutella into a glass jar and store it in the refrigerator. It will firm up as it chills.

Method 2: The Stovetop Method (No Food Processor Required)

This method is ideal if you don't have a food processor or high-speed blender. It uses hazelnut meal (ground hazelnuts) instead of whole hazelnuts.

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Steps:

1. Roast the Hazelnut Meal: Over medium heat, dry-roast the hazelnut meal in a skillet, stirring constantly, until it becomes golden brown and fragrant. Set aside.
2. Melt the Chocolate: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut oil and olive oil until the coconut oil is completely melted. Turn off the heat and add sugar-free chocolate chips or chopped sugar-free chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
3. Combine Ingredients: Add the roasted hazelnut meal to the saucepan and stir until everything is well combined.
4. Chill: Pour the mixture into a glass container or mason jar and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or until thickened.

Tips and Troubleshooting

• Choosing a Sweetener: Erythritol-based sweeteners can sometimes recrystallize as the Keto Nutella cools, resulting in a slightly gritty texture. Powdering the sweetener helps to minimize this. Allulose is another good choice, as it tends to create a smoother texture.
• Achieving Smoothness: A high-powered blender will produce the smoothest Keto Nutella. If you're using a regular food processor, you may need to blend for a longer time and add extra oil to achieve a similar consistency.
• Troubleshooting a Dry Spread: If your Keto Nutella is too dry or not blending smoothly, add more oil (one tablespoon at a time) or a small amount of almond milk until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Adjusting the Flavor: Feel free to experiment with the amount of cocoa powder and sweetener to achieve your preferred taste. You can also add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the sweetness and balance the flavors.
• Storage: Store your Keto Nutella in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. It will firm up as it chills. You can also freeze it for longer storage.

Serving Suggestions

Keto Nutella is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:

• Spread it on keto bread, English muffins, or waffles
• Use it as a dip for berries or other low-carb fruits
• Swirl it into yogurt or smoothies
• Add a dollop to the center of almond flour muffins before baking
• Use it as a frosting for keto cakes or cupcakes
• Make Keto Nutella ice cream
• Enjoy it straight from the jar!

Nutritional Information

The nutritional content of Keto Nutella will vary depending on the specific ingredients and amounts used. However, a typical serving (2 tablespoons) contains approximately:

• Calories: 150-200
• Net Carbs: 1-3 grams
• Fat: 12-18 grams
• Protein: 2-4 grams

Always calculate the nutritional information based on the specific ingredients you use.

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tags: #keto #nutella #recipe