Nutella Alternative Without Palm Oil: Top Picks for 2026
Looking for a Nutella alternative without palm oil? This guide compares the best palm-oil-free chocolate hazelnut spreads by taste, texture, ingredient quality, price, and nutrition, and it includes a DIY recipe you can make in about 30 minutes. I highlight Sweet Nuthings, our vegan spread with 50% hazelnuts and real chocolate, so you can see how a premium, palm-oil-free option compares. Below I explain the testing criteria, including ingredient transparency, hazelnut percentage, mouthfeel, sugar-to-fat balance, and value per ounce, so you can choose a jar or make your own.
The bottom line
Read the label: Check the full ingredient panel rather than front-of-jar claims. Marketing copy can gloss over oils or low nut counts, and the ingredient list reveals oils and nut percentages so you can reliably compare products.
Choose hazelnut content: Prefer spreads that list a higher hazelnut percentage (30%+ when available) for a genuinely nutty flavor and a better fat profile. More nuts usually mean less relative sugar and a more natural texture.
Avoid vague oils: If a jar lists "vegetable oil" or omits ingredients online, skip it. Named oils such as rapeseed, sunflower, or cocoa butter tell you more about the formulation than unspecified blends that often hide palm oil.
Pick transparent brands: Favor makers that publish full ingredients and sourcing. Sweet Nuthings, with 50% hazelnuts and real chocolate, is an example of a clean-label approach that makes it easier to know what you are spreading.
What to expect from palm-oil-free spreads
Many brands now label themselves palm-oil-free, but only a few publish full ingredient panels you can verify. Take Nusco as an example: its label lists sugar, rapeseed oil, hazelnuts 13%, low-fat cocoa powder 7.5%, rice syrup powder, cocoa butter 4%, inulin powder, soy lecithin, and Bourbon vanilla extract. That lineup shows how some makers replace palm oil with rapeseed or sunflower oil and use cocoa butter or extra nuts to improve mouthfeel and flavor.
Other palm-oil-free options you may see include CRAVERS Cacao Hazelnut Spread, Nucolato Vegan Hazelnut Spread, Bonne Maman Hazelnut Chocolate Spread, Nocciolata (including the dairy-free version), and Sweet Nuthings Artisan Chocolate Hazelnut Spread. Availability and exact SKUs vary by region, so verify the jar or manufacturer site before you buy. I tested and scored products on ingredient transparency, declared hazelnut percentage, texture on toast, sweetness balance, and value per ounce. Those criteria shaped the recommendations below. For a deeper dive into palm-oil-free options and how we evaluate them, see our Palm Oil Free Chocolate Spreads: Clean Indulgence guide.
How to read labels
Label clarity is the fastest way to tell whether a jar truly avoids palm oil. A trustworthy product will publish a full ingredient panel and, ideally, a hazelnut percentage so you can compare jars side by side. Brands that list both nut percentage and named oils make shopping straightforward.
When you read labels, watch for explicit words such as "palm" or "palm kernel". If you only see "vegetable oil" or no ingredient panel on the product page, treat the claim with caution and check the physical jar. If uncertainty remains, contact the manufacturer or consult retailer images that show the full label before you buy.
Why fat source matters
Fat source affects how a spread tastes and feels. Palm-free jars often use fats from whole hazelnuts and cocoa butter, which can produce a fuller, creamier mouthfeel and a longer nutty finish than processed palm oil. That difference explains why some palm-oil-free spreads taste nuttier and feel less greasy than classic spreads.
Nutrition panels reflect formulation choices. Some palm-oil-free formulas keep sugar and total fat near Nutella levels, while higher-nut options shift calories toward monounsaturated fats and provide slightly more protein. To evaluate tradeoffs, compare the hazelnut percentage, listed oil type, and grams of sugar per two-tablespoon serving rather than relying on front-of-jar claims.
Texture and how you'll use it
Texture determines how you'll use a jar. Nut-butter-style brands like Justin's tend to be thicker and spoonable, while creamier options such as Nocciolata and Bonne Maman spread more easily and resemble the classic Nutella experience. If you want near-identical spreadability on toast, prioritize jars that list cocoa butter or a neutral oil and advertise a smooth texture.
For baking or mixing into yogurt, a denser, higher-nut spread delivers stronger hazelnut flavor and less overt sweetness. Taste tests usually favor palm-oil-free jars for clearer hazelnut aroma and reduced greasiness, so choose based on whether you want a spread that behaves like a nut butter or one that mimics Nutella's lighter, glossier profile.
How brands compare
Brands that call themselves palm oil free differ in transparency and nut percentage. Sweet Nuthings lists 50% hazelnuts and real chocolate, while Nusco lists 13% hazelnuts; those gaps create noticeable contrasts in flavor, texture, and value. For independent rankings that compare many store-bought hazelnut spreads side-by-side, check this store-bought hazelnut spreads ranking to see how mass-market and artisan jars stack up.
Checklist: pick a Nutella alternative without palm oil
Check the ingredient panel for "palm" or "palm kernel". If those words are missing, confirm which oils are listed by name. Named oils like rapeseed, sunflower, or cocoa butter suggest a cleaner formulation than unspecified blends.
Look for a hazelnut percentage on the label; higher percentages give a stronger nut-forward flavor and better nutritional balance. If no percentage appears, check the ingredient order — hazelnuts near the top usually mean more nuts and fewer fillers.
Avoid vague "vegetable oil" listings and prefer specific oils such as rapeseed, sunflower, or cocoa butter. If the label only says "vegetable oil" or the product page omits an ingredient list, contact the brand or choose a different jar.
Compare grams of sugar and total fat per two-tablespoon serving to assess sweetness and calorie tradeoffs. Higher-hazelnut spreads often shift calories toward monounsaturated fats and add a bit more protein, which can matter for snacks and baking.
Consider price per ounce and SKU differences, since the same brand can vary by country. Check product images and ingredient lists before buying from an export seller, and weigh whether paying more for a higher nut percentage fits your priorities.
Final thoughts on choosing a palm-oil-free spread
Rely on ingredient order and the full ingredient panel rather than front-of-jar claims. Many jars advertise "no palm oil," but only some publish full panels and nut percentages that explain why they taste different.
Sweet Nuthings is transparent and has a richer nut profile, with 50% hazelnuts, real chocolate, and organic vanilla powder, and it is vegan, gluten-free, palm-oil-free, and free of fillers, emulsifiers, and seed oils. Try a jar of Sweet Nuthings Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Spread from a brand that names its oils and lists a hazelnut percentage. Find Sweet Nuthings online or at select stores in the Pacific Northwest and across the United States. If you'd prefer to make your own at home, this healthy DIY Nutella recipe walks through a simple 30-minute method you can adapt to taste.
For a broader look at recommended Nutella alternatives and how they compare, see our full roundup in The Best Nutella Alternative.
