Ahhh the creamy chocolatey loveliness that is Nutella. The ingredient that goes with so many things…pancakes, toast… or even just a spoon.
But despite being largely made up of vegan ingredients, sadly this is one treat you’ll have to leave behind when transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.
We know it can be difficult when you first decide to go vegan. And whilst it’s never going to be a lifestyle of straight swaps of like for like ingredients, there are a few replacements that need finding. And fast!
A Nutella alternative is one of those and something we’re asked about on a regular basis. Almost as often as the dreaded **questions about protein or bacon…
So why isn’t it vegan? Well, as with many products, the makers of Nutella have snuck some skimmed milk powder into the recipe which helps to act as an emulsifying agent. Thus, leaving it unsuitable for vegans.
But fear not, there are many alternatives that we believe are just as good, if not BETTER, than Nutella.
We wanted to share a few of the best so you can try them out and find your own Nutella replacement.
Our top alternatives to Nutella
Mr Organic’s Dairy Free Organic Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread (200g), £3.50
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Made in Italy with roasted hazelnuts that are grown in Northern Lazio, rich cocoa and rice creamer.
This is an absolute winner with vegans and non-vegans alike. It tastes great and has a strong chocolatey flavour meaning you don’t need to use too much.
What’s extra wonderful about this one is that it creates zero air miles through production.
Ingredients: Cane Sugar, Sunflower Oil, Low Fat Cocoa (16%), Hazelnut Paste (12%), Rice Flour, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin, All from Organic Agriculture
- Organic, gluten free and palm oil free
M&S Plant Kitchen Smooth Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (200g), £2.90
If you haven’t discovered the M&S Plant Kitchen range yet, then we highly recommend it. It’s full of some absolute gems. This chocolate spread is one of them with a thick texture that tastes sweet enough but without overdoing it. We love it.
Ingredients: Sugar, Rapeseed Oil, Hazelnut Paste (15%), Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Dried Rice Syrup, Cocoa Butter, Chicory Fibre, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin, Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- Palm oil free
Vego Fine Hazelnut Crunchy Chocolate Spread (200g), £3.99
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This is a little bit different in that it has a bit of a crunch to it. In fact, it tastes exactly like the infamous and well loved Vego chocolate bar. Super sweet, this one tastes like a real treat in a jar. And not just any jar, it comes in a reusable drinking glass.
Ingredients: Raw Cane Sugar*, Hazelnuts* (22 %), Sunflower Oil*, Fat-reduced Cocoa Powder* (10 %), Shea Butter, Emulsifier: Lecithins (sunflower)*, Ground Extracted Vanilla
- Organic, Fair Trade and palm oil free
Sweet Freedom Choc Pot Chocolate Spread (250g), £3.99
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A healthier version of the traditional chocolate spread, containing 75% less fat and half the calories.
Despite not containing additional sugars other than fruit extract, it’s still a tasty, sweet and rich chocolate spread. Great for cooking or using in other conventional ways.
Ingredients: Sweet Freedom® Natural Fruit Extracts; Apples, Grapes & Carob , Water , Cocoa , Natural Flavouring , Rapeseed Oil , Sunflower Lecithin
- Gluten free, nut free, GMO free, no additives or preservatives and no palm oil
Biona Organic Vegan Dark Cocoa Spread, (350g), £3.59
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The perfect solution for anyone who loves a richer flavour. It tastes super smooth and has no bitter aftertaste that you often find with dark chocolate. Ideal as a spread or as an ingredient in baking.
Ingredients: Cane Sugar*, Sunflower Oil*, Low Fat Cocoa Powder*(12.5%), Soya Flour*, Cocoa Butter*, Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin, Bourbon Vanilla Extract*
- Organic, gluten free and wheat free
**the answer to the protein and bacon questions are 1) yes we do and 2) no we don’t
