Chocolate-flavored hazelnut spread
Whole food · Sweets
Photo: Wikipedia
A rich, creamy spread made from roasted hazelnuts and cocoa, known for its velvety, sweet, and nutty flavor. It delivers a dense, indulgent texture that is both smooth and slightly gritty from nut particles. Nutritionally, it is an energy-dense food, providing over 500 kcal per 100g, with a significant portion coming from sugar and fats.
💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its decadent, comforting flavor that perfectly balances sweet chocolate with earthy, roasted nuts. Its incredible versatility makes it a beloved ingredient for everything from breakfast toast to gourmet desserts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its very high sugar and calorie content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and is a concern for weight management. It is also a common allergen due to hazelnuts and often contains palm oil. To enjoy it mindfully, practice strict portion control (e.g., a thin scrape), pair it with protein-rich foods like Greek yogurt or whole-grain toast, and choose brands with no added sugars when possible.
Key benefits
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates and fats.
- Contains some dietary fiber from hazelnuts.
- Offers a small amount of plant-based protein.
- Source of antioxidants from cocoa.
- Hazelnuts contribute vitamin E and healthy monounsaturated fats.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The most famous brand, Nutella, was created in Italy in the 1960s as a response to a post-WWII cocoa shortage, stretching scarce chocolate by blending it with abundant hazelnuts.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 1.1 g |
| Energy | 539 kcal |
| Energy | 2254 kj |
| Protein | 5.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 29.7 g |
| Ash | 1.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 62.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 5.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 54.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 108 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 4.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 64.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 152 mg |
| Potassium, K | 407 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 41.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.47 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.87 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.09 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.17 mg |
| Niacin | 0.43 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.36 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.08 mg |
| Folate, total | 14.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 14.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 14.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 17.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.27 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 3.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 10.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 5.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.9 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 28.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 15.9 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 5.6 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 1.9 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 3.7 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 1.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 7.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 230 mg |
FAQ
Is chocolate hazelnut spread healthy?
It is an energy-dense food high in sugar and fats, so it's best considered an occasional treat rather than a health food. Its nutritional value is limited compared to whole foods like nuts or dark chocolate.
Can I use it in baking?
Yes, it's excellent in baking. It can be swirled into batters, used as a filling for pastries, or melted into frostings. Be aware it adds significant sugar, fat, and moisture to recipes.
What's the difference between it and peanut butter?
While both are nut/legume-based spreads, chocolate hazelnut spread typically has a much higher sugar content, a sweeter flavor profile, and a smoother, more buttery texture compared to most peanut butters.