Nutella Smoothie Recipe: A Creamy Chocolate-Hazelnut Drink

A Nutella smoothie is a cold, creamy blend of chocolate-hazelnut spread, banana, milk, and yogurt, served straight from the blender. The banana adds body and mellow sweetness, while yogurt gives the drink a tangy balance; the result works as a quick breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Ingredients

1 medium ripe banana, peeled (about 4 oz / 120 g)
1 cup (240 ml) cold milk, dairy or unsweetened plant milk
1/2 cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons (37 g) Nutella or another chocolate-hazelnut spread
1/2 cup (about 70 g) ice cubes
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) vanilla extract
1 small pinch fine salt (about 0.2 g), optional

Instructions

Prepare the banana. Peel the banana and break it into a few pieces. A ripe banana with brown speckles blends easily and tastes sweeter than a firm, green-tipped one. If the banana is very large, use about 120 g of peeled fruit so the smoothie does not become overly thick or strongly banana-flavored.
Load the blender. Pour in the milk first, then add the yogurt, banana, Nutella, vanilla, and optional pinch of salt. Add the ice last. Putting the liquid near the blades helps the ingredients circulate, while the ice on top is less likely to make the mixture difficult to start blending.
Blend until smooth. Start on low for a few seconds, then increase to high and blend for about 30 to 45 seconds, or until there are no visible banana pieces or ice chunks. If your blender has a smoothie setting, use it and check the texture when the cycle ends. Avoid running the blender longer than needed, since the ice can melt and make the drink thinner.
Check the consistency. Pause the blender and use a spatula to scrape down any spread clinging to the sides, keeping the blades stopped while you do so. Blend again briefly. If the smoothie is too thick to pour, add milk 1 tablespoon (15 ml) at a time. If it is thinner than you like, add a few more ice cubes or a small spoonful of yogurt and blend again.
Taste and serve. Taste a small spoonful before pouring. Add another teaspoon of Nutella for a more pronounced chocolate-hazelnut flavor, or a little more milk if it tastes too rich. Divide between two glasses and serve promptly while cold and frothy.

Tips

Use a ripe banana for sweetness and texture. A banana that is yellow with brown freckles is usually soft enough to blend and contributes a smooth, naturally sweet base. A less ripe banana can taste starchy and may leave a slightly grainy texture. For a colder, thicker smoothie, peel and freeze the banana in chunks ahead of time; if you do, reduce or omit the ice so the finished drink is not icy and overly stiff.
Adjust the thickness gradually. Different yogurt brands and bananas hold different amounts of water, so the mixture may need a small adjustment. Add milk in measured spoonfuls rather than pouring in a large splash; it is easy to thin a smoothie, but difficult to restore its body without adding more banana or yogurt. For a spoonable smoothie bowl, begin with less milk and add just enough to keep the blender moving.
Make the spread easier to blend. Nutella can cling to a spoon or the inside of a measuring spoon. Dip the spoon in warm water, dry it, then measure the spread, or use a flexible spatula to scrape it into the blender. Do not add hot water to the smoothie; it can warm the drink and loosen the texture. A powerful blender will disperse the spread quickly, but an ordinary blender works well if you start on low.
Keep the flavor balanced. The optional pinch of salt makes the chocolate and hazelnut taste more distinct without making the smoothie salty. If your spread is especially sweet, plain unsweetened yogurt and milk help keep the result from becoming cloying. Sweetened yogurt or flavored milk may make it noticeably sweeter, so taste before adding any extra sweetener; most batches do not need it.

Serving Suggestions

Pour the smoothie into chilled glasses for a thicker, colder feel, or serve it in small cups as a dessert-style treat. A thin drizzle of Nutella over the top looks appealing, but warm the spread only slightly if needed to make it pourable; let it cool before adding it so it does not warm the smoothie. A light dusting of cocoa powder or a few finely chopped toasted hazelnuts also gives a clear hint of the flavors inside. If serving chopped nuts, keep them separate for anyone who needs to avoid them.

For breakfast or a more substantial snack, pair a glass with toast, oatmeal, or a piece of fruit rather than adding many sweet toppings to the drink itself. A smaller pour alongside pancakes or waffles can work as a sweet brunch drink. If making the smoothie for children, pour a modest portion first and keep the texture easy to sip; a very thick blend can be loosened with a little extra milk. The recipe makes two regular servings, but it can be divided into smaller tasting portions when served with other food.

Variations

Make it dairy-free: Use unsweetened oat, soy, or almond milk and a plain dairy-free yogurt. Nutella contains milk, so this combination is not dairy-free unless you also replace it with a chocolate-hazelnut spread specifically labeled dairy-free. Such spreads vary in sweetness and thickness, so blend first and adjust with a spoonful of milk if needed. For someone with a milk or nut allergy, check every product label and avoid ingredients that are unsafe for that person; a standard Nutella smoothie contains hazelnuts and milk.

Make it extra chocolatey: Add 1 teaspoon (2 g) unsweetened cocoa powder with the other ingredients. Cocoa makes the flavor darker and less sweet, and it thickens the mixture slightly. If that change makes the smoothie too intense, add another tablespoon (15 ml) of milk rather than extra spread. A few chocolate chips can be blended in, although they may leave tiny bits unless your blender is powerful.

Use frozen banana: Replace the fresh banana with about 1 cup (150 g) frozen banana chunks. Start with only 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the milk and add more as needed, and skip the ice. Frozen fruit makes a thick, almost milkshake-like texture, so use a tamper only if your blender is designed for one and follow the appliance instructions. Do not force a spoon or other utensil into a running blender.

Add coffee flavor: Blend in 1 teaspoon (2 g) instant espresso powder or 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cooled strong coffee. Coffee makes the chocolate-hazelnut flavor taste more roasted and less dessert-like. If using liquid coffee, reduce the milk by the same amount to keep the smoothie from getting too thin. This variation is best for people who enjoy coffee flavor; it is not necessary for a balanced basic smoothie.

Make a thicker bowl: Use 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk to start, omit the ice, and blend with the banana frozen. Stop to scrape down the sides as needed, adding milk only in small amounts until the blades can move the mixture. Spoon it into a bowl and add toppings just before eating. If you add lots of crunchy toppings, serve immediately so they do not soften.

Storage and Reheating

This smoothie is best immediately after blending, when the ice is still cold and the texture is aerated. If you need to make it ahead, pour it into a clean, sealed container with as little empty space at the top as practical and refrigerate it promptly. Refrigerate within 2 hours of blending, and keep it at 40°F (4°C) or colder. For the best texture, drink it within 24 hours. Banana may darken, and the liquid can separate while it sits; that is a normal change in appearance.

Shake the closed container well or stir the smoothie before drinking. If it has thickened, loosen it with a splash of cold milk. You can also freeze leftovers in an ice-cube tray for up to about 1 month, then blend the frozen cubes with a little milk when you want a quick serving. Freezing and thawing may make the texture less smooth, so reblending is more effective than simply stirring. Do not leave the smoothie at room temperature for extended periods, and discard it if it has been unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours. Reheating is not recommended; this is meant to be served cold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a Nutella smoothie without banana?
Yes. Replace the banana with about 1/2 cup (120 g) of additional Greek yogurt and add 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) of honey or maple syrup if you want more sweetness. The result will be tangier and less naturally sweet, and it may need a little extra milk to blend. For a thicker texture without banana, use a few extra ice cubes, then blend just until smooth.

Can I make it without yogurt?
Yes. Replace the 1/2 cup yogurt with another 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk, then begin blending with only about 3/4 cup (180 ml) milk total. Add more a tablespoon at a time until it pours easily. Without yogurt, the smoothie will be less tangy and a little less thick; a few extra banana pieces or some frozen banana can restore body.

Can I prepare it the night before?
You can blend it the night before and refrigerate it in a tightly sealed container, but the texture is freshest on the day it is made. The smoothie may separate or darken slightly as the banana sits. Shake or stir it thoroughly before serving, and reblend with a splash of milk if it has become too thick. Keep it refrigerated and use it within 24 hours for the best quality.

How can I make the smoothie thicker or thinner?
For a thicker drink, use frozen banana, reduce the starting amount of milk, or add a spoonful of yogurt. For a thinner drink, add cold milk 1 tablespoon (15 ml) at a time and blend briefly after each addition. Ice will thicken the smoothie while it is cold, but too much can dilute the flavor as it melts, so frozen banana is a better choice when you want a very thick result.

Is this smoothie suitable for someone avoiding nuts or milk?
No, not as written: Nutella contains hazelnuts and milk, and the recipe also calls for dairy milk and yogurt. For a person with an allergy, do not assume a different spread or plant milk is safe; check labels and cross-contact warnings carefully, and choose products suitable for that individual. A dairy-free version is possible with a dairy-free chocolate-hazelnut spread and plant-based milk and yogurt, but it still contains hazelnut unless the spread is made with another ingredient.

More recipes to cook

Safety notes: safe minimum internal temperatures from USDA FSIS; raw and undercooked fish guidance from the U.S. FDA. Food safety notes

Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it (corrections policy).