Nutella Cookies (Easy, Chewy Chocolate Hazelnut)

I always keep a jar of Nutella in my pantry because it makes baking feel effortless and a little more special. Whenever friends come over or we’re craving something sweet, these Nutella Cookies are one of my favorite treats to make. They’re soft, chewy, packed with rich chocolate hazelnut flavor, and filled with melty chocolate chips. Every batch disappears fast, which is always a sign they were worth baking.

Why I Love These Easy Nutella Cookies

• Rich chocolate hazelnut flavor: The creamy Nutella adds a deep chocolate taste with a smooth hazelnut twist. Every bite of these chocolate hazelnut cookies feels indulgent without being overly complicated.
• Soft and chewy texture: I love how these cookies stay soft in the center with slightly crisp edges. The perfect balance of textures makes these soft Nutella cookies incredibly satisfying.
• Simple ingredients and easy preparation: These easy Nutella cookies are made with everyday baking ingredients and simple steps, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers.
• Perfect for sharing with friends: These cookies have become one of my favorite treats to make when friends visit. A warm batch of homemade Nutella cookies always creates happy moments and sweet memories.
• A versatile chocolate treat: Enjoy these chewy chocolate hazelnut cookies with coffee, tea, milk, or as a delicious snack whenever you’re craving something sweet.

Ingredients for Nutella Cookies

Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour (1 2/3 cups / 208 g): Provides structure to the cookie dough and helps the Nutella cookies hold their shape while baking.
• Cocoa powder (1/4 cup / 22 g): Enhances the chocolate flavor and creates a deeper, richer taste that pairs beautifully with Nutella.
• Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies spread evenly and gives them lightly golden edges with a soft center.
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate hazelnut flavor in these easy Nutella cookies.

Wet Ingredients

• Butter, softened (1/2 cup / 112 g): Creates a soft, tender cookie base and helps give the cookies their rich buttery texture.
• Brown sugar, packed, light or dark (1/2 cup / 105 g): Adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle caramel flavor that complements the hazelnut taste.
• Granulated sugar (1/2 cup / 100 g): Helps the edges become slightly crisp while balancing the sweetness.
• Nutella (1/2 cup): The star ingredient that gives these chewy Nutella cookies their signature chocolate hazelnut flavor and creamy richness.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the chocolate flavor and adds warmth to the cookie dough.
• Large egg, room temperature (1): Binds the ingredients together and helps create a smooth, soft cookie texture.

Mix-In

• Chocolate chips, plus extra for tops (1 cup / 170 g): Add melty chocolate pockets throughout the cookies and make these homemade Nutella cookies look extra bakery-style.

How to Make These Cookies Step by Step

Making these Nutella Cookies is easier than you might think. With a few simple steps, you’ll get soft, chewy chocolate hazelnut cookies with rich Nutella flavor, melty chocolate chips, and the perfect bakery-style texture.

1. Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk everything together until evenly mixed. This step helps distribute the cocoa and leavening ingredients throughout the dough, giving every Nutella cookie the same rich chocolate flavor and texture. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes lighter, creamy, and fluffy. Properly creaming the butter helps create a soft and chewy texture in these easy Nutella cookies while adding a slight crispness to the edges.

3. Add the Nutella, Vanilla, and Egg

Add the Nutella and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until smooth and fully combined. Then add the room-temperature egg and beat until the dough becomes creamy. Using a room-temperature egg helps prevent the butter mixture from becoming lumpy and keeps the cookie dough smooth.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix on low speed or stir gently with a spatula until the flour disappears. Avoid overmixing the dough because it can make the cookies dense instead of soft and chewy. The dough should look thick and chocolatey.

5. Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently fold the chocolate chips into the cookie dough using a spatula. Save a few extra chocolate chips to press on top of the cookies before baking. This gives the homemade Nutella cookies a bakery-style appearance with extra chocolate in every bite.

6. Chill the Cookie Dough

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the flavors develop and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking. This short resting time is the secret to getting thick, soft, and chewy Nutella chocolate chip cookies.

7. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Preparing the baking sheets ahead of time ensures the cookies bake evenly and release easily after baking.

8. Portion the Dough

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to divide the chilled dough into about 28 cookie dough balls, around 1 1/2 tablespoons each. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Press a few extra chocolate chips on top for a beautiful finish.

9. Bake the Nutella Cookies

Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes until the edges look set while the centers still appear slightly soft. Do not overbake them because the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool. This keeps the inside perfectly chewy.

10. Cool and Serve

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy these soft Nutella Cookies with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for the perfect sweet treat.

Expert Tips for Perfect Cookies

• Don’t skip chilling the dough: The 30-minute chill time is important because it helps firm up the butter and prevents the cookies from spreading too much. It also helps the cookies stay thick with a soft, chewy center.
• Use a room-temperature egg: A cold egg can make the butter mixture look lumpy and uneven. Let the egg sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before mixing to create a smoother cookie dough.
• Avoid overmixing the dough: Once you add the flour mixture, mix only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can develop too much gluten and make the cookies tough instead of soft.
• Watch the baking time carefully: Since the dough is dark from the cocoa and Nutella, it can be difficult to judge when the cookies are done. Remove them when the edges look set and the centers still appear slightly soft because they will continue baking on the hot tray.
• Add extra chocolate chips on top: Pressing a few chocolate chips onto the cookies before baking gives them a beautiful bakery-style look and adds extra chocolate flavor in every bite.
• Use fresh cocoa powder: Fresh cocoa powder creates a deeper chocolate taste. Older cocoa can lose its flavor and make the cookies taste less rich.
• Keep the cookie size consistent: Use about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Making smaller cookies can cause them to bake too quickly and lose their soft, chewy texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Nutella substitute: You can replace Nutella with another chocolate hazelnut spread, such as Jif Chocolate Hazelnut Spread. The flavor may be slightly sweeter or have a milder hazelnut taste, but it will still create delicious chocolate hazelnut cookies.
• Gluten-free option: For gluten-free cookies, swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend like Bob’s Red Mill. This helps maintain a similar texture without using regular flour.
• Dairy-free option: Use a plant-based butter stick and a dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spread to make these cookies dairy-free while keeping them rich and flavorful.
• Egg-free option: Replace the egg with a flax egg made from 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water. Let it rest for 5 minutes before adding it to the dough. The cookies may be slightly denser but will still hold their shape.
• Chocolate chip alternatives: Instead of chocolate chips, try adding chopped hazelnuts for extra crunch or white chocolate chips for a sweeter flavor variation.

How to Store These Cookies

• Room temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a sheet of parchment paper between layers if stacking them to prevent sticking and help keep their soft texture.

• Refrigerator: Refrigerating is not necessary, but you can store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 10 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best chewy texture.

• Freezer (baked cookies): To freeze baked cookies, arrange them in a single layer on a tray until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

• Freezer (cookie dough): You can also freeze the cookie dough for later baking. Scoop and shape the dough into balls, freeze them on a tray until solid, then place them in a freezer bag. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough directly on a baking sheet and add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.

• Reheat tip: For that fresh-from-the-oven softness, warm a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This brings back the gooey chocolate texture and makes the cookies taste freshly baked again.

More Homemade Cookies to Try

• Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Sugar Cookies
• Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
• Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
• S’more Cookies
• Red Velvet Cookies
• Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

These Nutella Cookies are the perfect treat for anyone who loves rich chocolate flavor and a soft, chewy cookie texture. I love how simple ingredients come together to create something that feels special, whether I’m baking them for my friends, family, or just enjoying a sweet moment at home. The combination of creamy Nutella, cocoa, and melty chocolate chips makes every bite full of delicious chocolate hazelnut goodness. If you’re looking for an easy cookie recipe that doesn’t require complicated techniques but still tastes bakery-worthy, these cookies are a must-try. They’re perfect for sharing, gifting, or keeping a batch ready whenever a chocolate craving hits.