Key findings
- 1Nutella is 57% sugar and 13% palm oil; hazelnuts comprise only about 13% of the product while hazelnuts are featured prominently on the label
- 2The vanillin is synthetic (produced from guaiacol or lignin), not natural vanilla extract
- 3A less processed alternative is grinding hazelnuts with cocoa and a small amount of sweetener at home, three ingredients in all
- 4Of the 17 Nutella products we score, 6 are Level 4 (ultra-processed) and 11 are Level 3
What goes into Nutella products?
Nutella's ingredient list is worth reading closely. The first ingredient is sugar (57%), followed by palm oil (13%), hazelnuts (13%), cocoa solids (7.4%), skim milk powder, soy lecithin (emulsifier), and vanillin (synthetic vanilla flavor, not vanilla extract). The palm oil serves as a smooth, semi-solid fat base at room temperature; without it, the product would separate. Soy lecithin acts as an emulsifier to keep the oil-sugar-cocoa system stable. The vanillin is produced synthetically from guaiacol (a petrochemical derivative) or lignin (a wood pulp byproduct). A jar of Nutella contains more sugar than cocoa, and synthetic vanillin rather than vanilla extract.
How 17 nutella products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Nutella brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a nutella label
- 1
Sugar is the first ingredient at ~57% by weight; more than half the jar is sugar
- 2
Palm oil is the second ingredient at ~13%, more palm oil than hazelnuts by weight
- 3
"Vanillin" (not "vanilla") means synthetic vanilla flavor produced industrially
- 4
Soy lecithin is an industrial emulsifier that prevents the oil-sugar system from separating
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Frequently asked questions
Is Nutella mostly sugar?
Yes. Sugar is the first ingredient at approximately 57% by weight. A 2-tablespoon serving contains 21g of sugar. The product contains more sugar than all other ingredients combined.
Is Nutella healthier than peanut butter?
Of the 17 Nutella products we score, 6 are Level 4 (ultra-processed) and 11 are Level 3. Natural peanut butter, just peanuts and salt, is far less processed. Nutella is primarily a sugar-and-oil product; natural peanut butter is primarily ground nuts.
What is a less processed alternative to Nutella?
Look for hazelnut-cocoa spreads that list hazelnuts as the first ingredient (Justin's Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, for example). Or make your own by blending roasted hazelnuts with cocoa powder and a touch of honey, three ingredients in all.
Why does Nutella contain palm oil?
Palm oil is semi-solid at room temperature, giving Nutella its smooth, spreadable texture. Without it, the product would be runny or would separate.