I’ve been obsessed with chocolate-hazelnut spread for as long as I can remember. It's been the kind of passion that leads to spoonfuls eaten straight from the jar. For years, it was a creamy, sweet, familiar jar of Nutella that had a permanent place in my pantry. It was my comfort food, my indulgence, my excuse to turn toast into dessert at breakfast and I never really questioned it.That changed after a trip to Europe, where I discovered chocolate spreads so silky and unapologetically nut-forward, they made me pause. These weren't just sweet confections; they were thoughtfully crafted with hazelnuts topping the list, and no mention of palm oil.
Made with simple ingredients, these (sometimes healthy) Nutella alternatives didn’t just satisfy a craving, they made me rethink what chocolate-hazelnut spread could be. It begged the question: was there a world beyond the familiar jar I always reached for, one that felt more like a grown-up indulgence?This thought sparked a delicious mission: to taste my way through every chocolate-hazelnut spread I could get my hands on. From grocery store finds to imported jars found on Amazon, I set out to try as many as possible. Then, I ranked each option from worst to best. I wasn't just looking for another sweet indulgence, I wanted to find the best possible version of this classic combo. Something deliciously rich, thoughtfully crafted and fully deserving of a spot in the “eat-straight-from-the-jar” hall of fame. Related: 11 Types of Nuts to Add to All Your Meals
What Is Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread, Exactly?
Chocolate and hazelnuts have a long and delicious history together. In early 1800s Turin, a cocoa shortage during Napoleon’s blockade pushed local chocolatiers to innovate by blending cocoa with hazelnuts harvested from the nearby Langhe hills. This creative mix gave birth to gianduja, which you could call the first "nutella." The smooth, rich treat quickly became a regional favorite.
Jump ahead to 1964, when the son of Italian pastry maker Pietro Ferrero, the founder of the Ferrero company, refined the recipe and rebranded it as Nutella. It quickly became the first mass-produced chocolate-hazelnut spread or, as the label proudly claims, “the original.” More than just a pantry staple, it became the product that would define the category for generations.
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Courtesy Theresa Greco
When browsing the grocery store for jars of the confection, it’s easy to be drawn in by familiar brands and flashy packaging, but to make a more informed choice, start by flipping the jar around. Look for a short, recognizable ingredient list with hazelnuts near the top.
According to registered dietitian Maggie Michalczyk of Once Upon a Pumpkin, “grabbing jars with a simple ingredient label would be a great place to start when looking for a healthier chocolate-hazelnut spread. Ones without palm oil or ones that are lower in added sugar make good alternatives to other versions.”
She notes that palm oil, commonly used in many commercial spreads, is high in saturated fat and has been linked to increased LDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart disease.
Beyond the ingredients, price and packaging are also worth considering. Some higher-quality spreads may cost a bit more, but often deliver better nutrition and flavor, meaning a little goes a long way. Packaging can also affect both convenience and sustainability. Recyclable glass jars and secure lids may be small details, but they can enhance the overall experience.
No matter which brand you reach for, Michalczyk reminds us that "these products can be great to enjoy in moderation," but keep in mind they’re "more of a dessert than an everyday thing."
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How I Tested These Nutella Substitutes
Although Nutella set the standard, it’s clear it’s no longer the only player in the game. To find out what else is out there, I started sourcing contenders wherever I could. Some came in plastic jars with store-brand labels, others in sleek packaging that promised a more premium experience, and often delivered. There are spreads sweetened with monk fruit and some with stevia. Some are infused with real vanilla, made with or without palm oil or boasting higher hazelnut content and richer cacao, each one bringing a new spin on the classic.
I assembled a small tasting panel of fellow food obsessives. Our mission? To maybe, just maybe, redefine for ourselves and others, what the perfect chocolate-hazelnut spread could be.
To keep things as objective as possible, we blind-tasted each spread, evaluating each contender based on several criteria: texture, chocolate intensity, hazelnut clarity, sweetness and balance, along with pricing and ingredients. Some spreads were immediately divisive and others were clear favorites.
After multiple rounds of tasting, comparing notes and revisiting favorites with fresh spoons and cleared palates, a hierarchy began to emerge. Below are the standouts, ranked from good to truly exceptional, each one offering its own interpretation and nuances of the infamous chocolate-hazelnut spread.
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13 Popular Nutella Alternatives, Ranked from Worst to Best
13. Kroger Hazelnut Spread With Cocoa
This store-brand contender didn’t win over a single taster on our panel. Right from the start, the texture was oily, uneven and difficult to stir into something cohesive. The flavor did nothing to redeem it. The taste was artificial, with a lingering aftertaste that left most of us repeatedly reaching for a glass of water.
A quick glance at the ingredient list revealed maltodextrin as the first ingredient, with hazelnuts buried in the fourth spot. That likely explains the artificial aftertaste that no one could quite identify, but everyone agreed was unpleasant. Despite its relatively low sugar content (just 8 grams per serving), this spread fell flat in nearly every other category.
At $4.29 a jar, it might seem like a budget-friendly choice. But it didn’t pass the toast test, the spoon test or any test, really.
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12. Amazon Grocery Hazelnut Spread with Cocoa
Unfortunately, Amazon Grocery proved to be another letdown. The team immediately picked up on an off-putting, almost stale flavor, reminiscent of past their prime nuts blended with low-quality chocolate. The ingredients list includes both palm and canola oils, along with artificial flavors, which we can only assume contributed to its underwhelming taste.
While the texture was smooth and the price point attractive at under $5 (plus, it’s easy to find on Amazon), the taste simply didn’t measure up. As one taster put it, “With so many better options available, this one isn’t worth choosing.”
11. Choc Zero Milk Cocoa Hazelnut Spread
ChocZero has built a loyal following as a sugar-free alternative, especially popular among those following keto, low-carb or diabetic-friendly diets. Sweetened with monk fruit instead of added sugars or sugar alcohols, it’s a smart option for people with specific dietary needs. But how does it hold up for the average chocolate-hazelnut spread fan? That’s where opinions were divided.
While the taste was rich and satisfying enough for a low-sugar product, our tasters felt that it lacked the creamy indulgence and depth found in traditional spreads. It's a good option if you're specifically avoiding sugar—however, if you're not, it doesn’t quite justify the $10 price tag we spotted on Amazon.
Related: The Clever Recipe That Has Us Rushing Out to Buy Nutella
10. 88 Acres Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter
88 Acres presents a thoughtful, allergy-friendly alternative to Nutella and other nut-based spreads. However, the flavor received mixed reviews. While some tasters enjoyed its richness, others felt the strong sunflower seed flavor overpowered the chocolate, making the overall taste a bit intense. In the end, the team agreed it leans more toward a nut butter than a true dessert spread.
At $20 for a two-pack (14 ounces each) on Amazon, it’s a bit of a commitment, especially for a product that doesn’t quite match the indulgence of more traditional chocolate-hazelnut spreads.
9. Peanut Butter & Co. Hazelnut Spread
We all agreed that Peanut Butter & Co.’s hazelnut milk chocolate spread landed solidly in the “just okay” category. The texture was thicker than expected, lacking the smooth, indulgent quality we were looking for. Flavor-wise, it wasn’t offensive, but it wasn’t memorable either.
I think what really threw the team off was the claim of “25% less sugar" on the jar. With 15 grams of sugar per serving, it’s not exactly a low-sugar or healthy option. In the end, this landed in the forgettable middle—not the worst we tried, but far from a standout.
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8. Good Good Choco Hazel
As a no-added-sugar option, this one stood out. It’s distinctly hazelnut-forward, with a natural, satisfying flavor that you’d never guess is sweetened with stevia (at least, we didn’t). It’s a great pick for anyone looking to cut back on sugar without compromising on taste. Perfect for low-carb, low-sugar and keto-friendly diets, it’s readily available on Amazon for around $13. Bonus: They also offer a white chocolate version, if that’s more your thing.
7. Sprouts Organic Hazelnut Spread With Cocoa
This milk chocolate-style spread from Sprouts is light in color and creamy in texture, which were qualities some tasters appreciated more than others. The ingredient list also sparked some concern. Vague terms like “natural flavors” and a general reference to “organic ingredients” left the team wondering about the product’s transparency. Additionally, its 21 grams of sugar per serving didn’t sit well with everyone.
At $7 a jar, it’s not a terrible buy, but it didn’t deliver anything particularly notable either. While we liked the milky smoothness, there are simply better options at the same price point, with more flavor, more transparency and more personality.
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6. Good & Gather Hazelnut Spread With Cocoa
At just $3 a jar, Target’s Good & Gather spread is undeniably budget-friendly and the taste wasn’t bad. The texture is thicker than some of the others we tried, but still spreadable and enjoyable.
When it came to sweetness, the team was split. Some found it satisfyingly sweet, while others felt it was too sugar-forward—and with sugar listed as the first ingredient, that makes sense. The overall flavor profile is pretty standard, with an ingredient list similar to many mainstream options. It wasn't a standout, but not a flop either. While it lacks the depth and nuance of premium spreads, it delivers a familiar, kid-friendly taste that gets the job done.
5. Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut & Almond Butter
As the name suggests, Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut & Almond Butter leans more toward a nut butter than a classic dessert spread, with a thick, slightly grainy texture that puts roasted hazelnuts and almonds front and center. The tasting team appreciated its wholesome, earthy character, especially compared to some of the sweeter, more processed options.
Although it's not a direct replacement for traditional chocolate-hazelnut spreads, it stood out to the team as a healthier upgrade, especially if paired with apple slices or whole-grain toast. While it’s made mostly from whole nuts and contains more protein and far less sugar than mainstream spreads like Nutella, it’s not without caveats. It still contains added sugar and palm oil.
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4. Milka
Founded in Switzerland and produced in Germany, Milka consistently ranks among my favorite chocolate brands, and this spread is no exception. While availability can be a bit limited, I was thrilled to find this import at World Market for only $6.99.
The chocolate taste is the star here, enhanced with a subtle hazelnut note. One taster suggested it would make an amazing hot chocolate and honestly, I can’t wait to try that. Although sugar tops the ingredient list, the flavor is well-balanced and not overwhelmingly sweet. The consistency is on the thinner side; some might even call it runny, but the team agreed that wasn't necessarily a drawback. In fact, we thought it was perfect for dipping straight from the jar.
3. Fratelli Carli Hazelnut and Cocoa Spread
A clear favorite among the tasting team, Fratelli Carli distinguishes itself with its short ingredients list, exceptional quality and bold, authentic hazelnut flavor. From the first spoonful, it delivered a rich, nut-forward profile with just the right amount of chocolate. The texture is indulgent without being overly heavy and overall, it feels more elevated than most on the market.
Several tasters described it as tasting, "like something made in a small kitchen, not a factory." It’s the kind of spread that makes you stop mid-bite and appreciate what you're eating. However, as much as we loved it, accessibility matters and its limited availability and high price point (about $19 a jar) are two reasons holding it back from a higher ranking. That said, we’re not ashamed to admit that it's so good that some of us have shipped it in from abroad.
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2. Pan di Stelle
Imported from Italy, Pan di Stelle offers the signature flavor of their beloved chocolate cookies with a rich, chocolate-forward taste, a creamy texture and just the right hint of sweetness. The hazelnut is present but subtle, resulting in a thoughtfully combined spread the team genuinely enjoyed.
The defining detail? The tiny bits of Pan di Stelle’s iconic biscotti blended into the smooth base. The cookie pieces add a light chewiness, striking a satisfying balance between indulgence and playfulness. One taster called it “comfort food with a twist.”
Nutritionally, it also got high marks. With just 160 calories, 9.4 grams of fat and 15.4 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving, it was the lowest in calories, fat and sugar among all the spreads we tried. Available online for less than $8, it feels like a smart and satisfying indulgence.
1. Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
This French import, best known for its iconic checkered lids and signature fruit preserves, made a surprisingly strong showing in the chocolate-hazelnut category. From the moment we opened the Bonne Maman jar, a warm, nutty aroma stood out and the flavor delivered the same cozy feeling. We found it impressively hazelnut-forward with a texture that's silky-smooth and effortlessly spreadable straight from the jar. One taster summed it up perfectly: “It’s creamy with a bold nutty taste.”
At 180 calories and 11 grams of fat per 2-tablespoon serving, it’s noticeably lighter than many others we tried, with a moderate sugar content to match. Readily available at Walmart for around $8, it offers excellent value and is a premium-tasting spread without the premium price tag.
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Maggie Michalczyk, registered dietitian of Once Upon a PumpkinHence then, the article about 13 popular nutella alternatives ranked worst to best was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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