These Nutella hazelnut rolls are sweet, soft, and fluffy, with crunchy toasted hazelnuts and rich, melted Nutella in every bite. They are perfect for welcoming cozy fall recipes into your kitchen. Just a couple of days ago, we shared our decadent Ferrero Rocher Rolls recipe, which we actually made on the same day as this one.

We have shared a Nutella rolls recipe in the past that so many of you loved, and the dough for these Nutella hazelnut rolls is very similar to that tried-and-true favorite.

Everything you’ll love about these Nutella Hazelnut Rolls

• They are incredibly soft and fluffy, with rich chocolate oozing out in every bite.
• The filling is loaded with crunchy hazelnuts, adding the perfect contrast to the soft dough and melted Nutella.
• Perfect to prepare ahead of time and let rise overnight in the refrigerator, making them an ideal breakfast or brunch treat.
• Simple to make with basic pantry ingredients, yet they look and taste bakery-quality.

We are only making a couple of changes from our original Nutella rolls recipe, and they are all because we didn’t have milk in the fridge. Instead, we used water and the results were amazing. The dough still turns out incredibly soft, fluffy, and perfect for rolling, proving that this recipe is just as delicious even without dairy milk.

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Key Ingredients for the Dough

Always make sure your yeast is fresh and active if you want fluffy, soft Nutella hazelnut rolls. When you activate the yeast, you should see bubbles or foam forming on top. For best results, store your yeast in a cool, dry place to maintain its strength.

1. Water: The essential liquid that hydrates the ingredients and brings your dough together.
2. Active Dry Yeast: The magic ingredient that helps the dough rise into soft, fluffy perfection.
3. Granulated Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness to the dough and feeds the yeast for a better rise.
4. Egg: Enriches the dough, creating a tender and soft crumb.
5. Butter: Use softened butter so it kneads easily into the dough, adding richness and flavor.
6. All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough, giving structure while keeping it soft enough for rolling.

Nutella Hazelnut Dough

To prepare the dough, start by mixing warm water, a tablespoon of sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it proof for 10 minutes in a warm spot, the mixture should look bubbly when it’s ready.

Next, add the all-purpose flour, softened butter, egg, and granulated sugar to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough for about 12 to 15 minutes until it becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it proof in a warm place for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.

Nutella Hazelnut Filling

This is a very simple filling — no complicated steps required. It’s important not to melt the Nutella, as it would become too runny and messy. Keep it creamy and slightly chilled; this makes rolling and cutting the dough much easier.

For the hazelnuts, chop them roughly. You might lose a few as they scatter while chopping, so if you can find pre-chopped hazelnuts at the store, I highly recommend using those for convenience. The crunchy hazelnuts paired with creamy Nutella make every bite absolutely irresistible.

Shaping the Nutella Rolls

After the dough has finished proofing, lightly dust your work surface with flour and roll it out with a rolling pin. Check both sides of the dough — one side will be smoother, the other a bit wrinkly. Place the smooth side against the table and the wrinkled side facing you.

Spread the creamy Nutella evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the chopped hazelnuts on top. Make four even cuts across the dough to create individual rolls, and carefully roll each one up.

Place each roll into a square pan lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them so they can expand while baking. This setup ensures soft, fluffy rolls with perfectly defined swirls of Nutella and hazelnuts.

Cover the prepared rolls with plastic wrap and let them proof for about 30 minutes. Just before baking, pour some heavy cream over the rolls this helps them turn extra soft and fluffy.

Bake the rolls at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, keeping an eye on them. Check at the 20-minute mark to ensure they are baking evenly and achieving a beautiful golden color.

Once baked, you’ll see the Nutella filling beautifully oozing out of each roll. These soft, fluffy rolls are perfect served warm alongside a cold glass of milk — the ultimate cozy treat for fall or any special morning.

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Tips and Tricks

1. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 12–15 minutes. This helps create that tender, pillowy texture.
2. Let the dough rise in a warm environment to speed up the proofing process and ensure proper volume.
3. Using slightly chilled, creamy Nutella makes rolling and cutting the dough much easier and prevents a messy filling.
4. Pour heavy cream before baking: This helps keep the rolls soft and fluffy while giving a richer taste.

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