20 Irresistible Hazelnut Recipes: Sweet & Savory Inspiration
Level up your kitchen with 20 unique hazelnut recipes for decadent desserts, satisfying mains, and creative snacks.
From their rich, buttery flavor to their versatility in both baking and cooking, hazelnuts are an ingredient worth celebrating. Whether they’re starring in a decadent dessert, enhancing a savory sauce, or providing crunch to your favorite salad, hazelnuts add intrigue and elegance to nearly every dish they touch. This collection features 20 recipes that highlight the nut’s potential—some are classics, others creative. Ready to toss hazelnuts in everything?
Why Cook With Hazelnuts?
- Unique Flavor: Buttery, earthy, and slightly sweet, hazelnuts are as memorable as they are delicious.
- Versatile Uses: Equally at home in savory dishes, sweet desserts, spreads, or as a crunchy topping.
- Nutritional Boost: Hazelnuts are a good source of vitamin E, healthy fats, and dietary fiber.
Below, you’ll find inspired ways to bring out their best—plus FAQs, serving tips, and more.
Sweet Hazelnut Sensations
Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
Move over, peanut butter blossoms! These gianduja-inspired thumbprints use hazelnut flour for maximum nuttiness, plus both melted chocolate in the dough and a creamy Nutella center. Rolled in sugar and baked until soft with a signature thumbprint, each cookie is filled with just-melted Nutella for decadent bite-sized treats.
- Features hazelnut flour and ground hazelnuts for pronounced flavor.
- Melted chocolate incorporated into the dough for extra richness.
- Finished with a generous dollop of Nutella.
Mississippi Mud Pie
This classic American dessert gets a hazelnut twist. Imagine a layered masterpiece: graham cracker base, brownie, chocolate pudding, and billowy whipped cream, all crowned with shavings of chocolate and, of course, roasted hazelnuts. It’s decadence at its finest—perfect for impressing a crowd.
- Graham cracker crust, fudgy brownie layer, chocolate pudding, whipped cream.
- Toasty chopped hazelnuts provide crunch and elevate the dessert.
Nutella Banana Pudding
Banana pudding gets upgraded with Nutella, the world-famous hazelnut spread. Layers of vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, Nutella custard, and whipped cream make for a rich, chocolate-hazelnut treat that’s ideal for potlucks and celebrations.
Gluten-Free Hazelnut Brownies
These brownies lean on hazelnut flour for fudgy texture and a grown-up, nutty depth. Topped with chocolate chips and chopped hazelnuts, they’re an irresistible, gluten-free option for anyone looking to indulge without compromise.
Chocolate Hazelnut Granola Bars
No-bake granola bars combine hazelnuts and nut butter, oats, and chocolate for an easy snack. They’re chewy, filling, and perfect for breakfast on the go or a healthy-ish treat.
- Use chopped roasted hazelnuts for crunch and a dose of healthy fats.
- Add honey or maple syrup for sweetness and binding.
Homemade Nutella Spread
Skip the jar and make your own Nutella at home! Roasted hazelnuts are blitzed until finely ground, then blended with cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and melted chocolate. The result is a slightly rustic, deeply flavorful chocolate-hazelnut spread that’s perfect for toast, pancakes, or straight from the spoon.
- Customize sweetness and cocoa intensity to taste.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to enhance the chocolate.
Hazelnut Honey Cookies
These chewy oatmeal-based cookies are infused with honey and both finely ground and roughly chopped hazelnuts. Creamed butter and brown sugar add depth of flavor, and the double dose of hazelnuts (ground and chopped) delivers texture in every bite. For extra decadence, try adding chocolate chips.
Nutty Irishman Cocktail
Nod to hazelnuts in cocktail form! This Irish-inspired libation features hazelnut liqueur (Frangelico) and Irish whiskey, topped with luscious homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed hazelnuts for crunch and nutty aroma. It’s a dessert and a drink wrapped in one.
Hazelnut Panna Cotta
This silky Italian classic is made even more luxurious with the addition of hazelnut milk or cream and a layer of chocolate ganache. Serve with a sprinkle of toasted chopped hazelnuts for texture and presentation.
Savory Hazelnut Creations
Grilled Swordfish with Hazelnut Miso Sauce
Thick swordfish steaks are overtly simple—olive oil, salt, pepper—until they meet a unique hazelnut miso sauce. Nutty, salty, and slightly sweet, this sauce packs umami depth from miso and toasty flavors from roasted hazelnuts. Serve over simply grilled fish for a gourmet dinner any night.
- Pairs well with grilled radishes and shallots.
- Can be adapted for other grilled fishes or even chicken.
Carrot Top Hazelnut Pesto
Don’t toss those carrot greens! Blend them with hazelnuts, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon, and garlic for an eco-friendly, flavor-packed pesto. Toss with pasta, drizzle on roasted veggies, or spread on toast for a fresh, nutty zing.
Hazelnut-Crusted Tilapia
For a crispy, nutty crust, blend roasted hazelnuts with breadcrumbs and seasonings. Dredge tilapia or other white fish in the mixture and pan-fry for a golden, flavorful finish. A squeeze of lemon and a handful of fresh herbs bring the dish together.
Flattened Chicken & Grilled Romaine with Parsley-Lemon-Hazelnut Sauce
This dish features a zesty, nutty sauce reminiscent of gremolata—packing parsley, lemon, olive oil, and chopped hazelnuts. Drizzle over grilled or roasted chicken and charred romaine for a weeknight meal that’s anything but ordinary.
Extra-Garlicky Hazelnut Romesco
Romesco, the Spanish tomato-pepper sauce, often uses almonds—but here, hazelnuts take the starring role. Roasted peppers, tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and toasted hazelnuts blend into a thick, garlicky sauce. Try it spooned over grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as a dip for bread.
Lemon Herbed Quinoa with Toasted Hazelnuts
Hearty quinoa is brightened with fresh herbs (parsley, chives, dill, oregano) and crowned with crispy toasted hazelnuts. A simple lemon-olive oil dressing ties it all together, making for a refreshing lunch or dinner side.
- Serve warm or cold—ideal for meal prep.
- Finish with extra lemon zest and cracked pepper for brightness.
More Ways to Enjoy Hazelnuts
- Candied Hazelnuts: Caramelize hazelnuts in a quick sugar syrup and use as a snappy garnish for salads, cheese plates, or desserts.
- Hazelnut Granola: Stir chopped nuts into your favorite granola base for an earthy, crunchy breakfast topper.
- Chocolate Bark: Melt chocolate, scatter with hazelnuts and dried fruit, and chill for an easy homemade candy.
- Hazelnut and Frangelico Amaretti: Italian-style cookies with hazelnut flour, Frangelico liqueur, and a crisp outside/chewy inside.
- Hazelnut & Beet Salad: Add toasted hazelnuts to salads for contrast and flavor, especially beets, goat cheese, and leafy greens.
Hazelnut Recipe Inspiration Table
| Recipe | Type | Star Ingredients | Serving Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Hazelnut Thumbprints | Dessert | Hazelnut flour, Nutella | Serve with coffee or ice cream |
| Grilled Swordfish & Hazelnut Miso Sauce | Main Course | Swordfish, hazelnuts, miso | Pair with roasted veggies |
| Homemade Nutella | Spread | Hazelnuts, cocoa, chocolate | Spread on toast or crepes |
| Hazelnut Honey Cookies | Snack | Hazelnuts, oats, honey | Add chocolate chips or dried fruit |
| Lemon Herbed Quinoa | Side | Quinoa, hazelnuts, lemon | Toss with grilled chicken or tofu |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How can I toast hazelnuts at home?
A: Spread raw hazelnuts on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes, shaking the pan halfway, until skins begin to darken and split. Cool and rub in a kitchen towel to remove skins.
Q: Can I substitute hazelnuts for other nuts in recipes?
A: Yes, hazelnuts can generally be swapped for almonds, walnuts, or pecans in most baked goods, pestos, or crusts, though their distinctive flavor may change the profile of the dish.
Q: Are hazelnuts gluten-free?
A: Hazelnuts themselves are gluten-free, making them suitable for gluten-free flours, crusts, and desserts—just check for cross-contamination if you’re highly sensitive.
Q: How do I store hazelnuts?
A: Store shelled hazelnuts in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months, or refrigerate/freeze to extend freshness and prevent rancidity.
Q: What’s the difference between blanched and roasted hazelnuts?
A: Blanched hazelnuts have their skins removed, while roasted hazelnuts are toasted for extra flavor—some recipes call for both for the best texture and taste.
Tips for Cooking & Baking With Hazelnuts
- Roast for Enhanced Flavor: Always toast hazelnuts before using to unlock their full aroma and taste.
- Grind Fresh: For recipes requiring hazelnut flour or meal, grind nuts fresh for optimal moisture and flavor.
- Pairings: Hazelnuts pair beautifully with chocolate, caramel, coffee, berries, and citrus—but also earthy greens and cheeses.
- Crush or Chop: Scatter chopped hazelnuts over oatmeal, salads, pastas, or desserts for added crunch and nutrition.
Sample Hazelnut Meal Plan
- Breakfast: Hazelnut granola with yogurt and berries.
- Lunch: Lemon herbed quinoa with toasted hazelnuts and grilled chicken.
- Snack: Hazelnut honey cookies or chocolate hazelnut granola bars.
- Dinner: Hazelnut-crusted tilapia with roasted veggies and extra-garlicky romesco.
- Dessert: Mississippi mud pie or chocolate hazelnut thumbprint cookies.
Get Creative With Hazelnuts
Whether you’re in the mood for a decadent dessert, a new weeknight dinner, or creative snacking, hazelnuts are the secret ingredient you can count on for both depth and crunch. With these ideas, you’ll discover just how easy it is to put hazelnuts on your menu—from sweets to savory to everything in between.
