Warm, flaky layers of buttery pastry dripping with rich Nutella—that first bite of croissant Nutella is pure bliss. Sometimes it’s as easy as rolling out dough and spreading chocolate hazelnut filling for an easy croissant Nutella, other times it’s the slow rhythm of baking homemade croissant Nutella from scratch.
For me, this recipe is about choice. On busy mornings, a quick, three-ingredient easy croissant Nutella feels like a small luxury with coffee. But on weekends, I love turning my kitchen into a bakery, making chocolate hazelnut croissants that taste like they’ve come straight from a Paris café. Whether you’re a beginner baker craving something fuss-free or ready to dive into authentic laminated dough, croissant Nutella meets you where you are.
It’s versatile, indulgent, and endlessly adaptable—perfect as a sweet breakfast treat, an elegant brunch centerpiece, or a decadent dessert. And just like my Nutella Croissant Bread Pudding, this recipe shows how a simple pastry can be transformed into something unforgettable.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Has It All
Flaky meets creamy
The magic of Nutella croissants lies in the balance. Buttery, golden pastry gives you those delicate, flaky layers, while the chocolate hazelnut filling melts into silky ribbons. Together, they create the kind of pastry you’d expect in a café display case—yet you can enjoy it at home.
Options for every baker
Croissant Nutella isn’t one-size-fits-all. Want something quick? Reach for puff pastry or crescent roll dough and you’ll have easy Nutella croissants in under 30 minutes. Craving the authentic bakery experience? Homemade Nutella croissants let you work with yeast, butter, and patience for a stunning result. Both approaches deliver elegance in their own way.
That flexibility makes this recipe a keeper. Just like pairing Southern Peach Buttermilk Pound Cake with coffee or turning pineapple into Juicy Pineapple Heaven Cake, you can adapt croissant Nutella to your mood, your pantry, and your occasion. Sweet, sophisticated, and customizable—it’s a chocolate hazelnut pastry that never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Quick Version (Easy Nutella Croissants – 8 pieces)
- 1 sheet puff pastry (about 10 x 10 inches, thawed) or 1 can crescent roll dough
- ½ cup Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
From-Scratch Version (Authentic Homemade Nutella Croissants – 12 pieces)
For the Dough:
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon (10 g) instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons (10 g) salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warm
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) unsalted butter, softened
For Laminating & Filling:
- 1 ½ cups (340 g) unsalted butter, cold (for layering)
- ¾ cup (200 g) Nutella (or chocolate hazelnut spread)
For Finishing:
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon milk (egg wash)
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Step-by-Step Instructions
I’ll break this down into two clear methods: one quick and one more indulgent.
Quick Puff Pastry Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut puff pastry into triangles, just like traditional croissant dough.
- Spoon Nutella onto the wide end of each triangle, keeping it slightly away from the edges.
- Roll into croissant shapes, tucking the point under so they hold their form.
- Seal the edges lightly and brush with egg wash or milk.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until puffed, golden, and irresistibly flaky.
You’ll have easy Nutella croissants ready before your coffee cools.
Homemade Croissant Version
For the ambitious baker, here’s the process in broad strokes:
- Mix the dough with flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and butter.
- Laminate with butter, folding and rolling until you build layers.
- Chill and proof the dough to develop flavor and rise.
- Roll into triangles and spread Nutella inside.
- Shape into croissants, proof again until slightly puffy.
- Bake until golden, with buttery layers surrounding that gooey chocolate hazelnut filling.
It’s a labor of love, but the reward is unmatched—true homemade Nutella croissants with bakery-level flakiness.
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Croissant Nutella
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8–12 croissants 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Flaky golden croissants filled with rich Nutella. Make an easy 3-ingredient version or authentic homemade croissants.
Ingredients
Quick Version (8 servings):
- 1 sheet puff pastry (10x10 in), thawed
- 1/2 cup Nutella
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
From-Scratch Version (12 servings):
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
- 1 tbsp (10 g) instant yeast
- 2 tsp (10 g) salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warm
- 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (340 g) cold butter (for laminating)
- 3/4 cup (200 g) Nutella
- 1 egg + 1 tbsp milk (egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut puff pastry into triangles.
- Spoon Nutella onto wide end.
- Roll into croissant shape, seal edges, brush with egg wash.
- Bake 15–18 minutes until golden.
For homemade version:
- Mix flour, sugar, yeast, salt, milk, and butter into dough.
- Laminate dough with butter, folding to create layers.
- Chill, roll into triangles, spread Nutella.
- Shape into croissants, proof until puffy.
- Bake until golden and flaky.
Notes
Store croissants in an airtight container up to 3 days.
Freeze baked croissants for up to 2 months.
Reheat in oven or air fryer for crisp flakiness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croissant
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Pro Tips for Flakiness & Gooey Goodness
Chill your dough and pastry
Whether you’re working with puff pastry or homemade croissant dough, keeping it cold is key. Chilled butter creates distinct, airy layers, which is what makes croissant Nutella irresistibly flaky.
Keep Nutella away from the edges
I learned the hard way that if you spread chocolate hazelnut filling too close to the seam, it leaks and burns. Leave a half-inch border for neat, bakery-style croissant Nutella .
Use high-quality butter
When making homemade Nutella croissants, use European-style butter with higher fat content. It gives a richer flavor and that satisfying, crisp edge you’d find in a French pastry shop.
Reheat the smart way
If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), skip the microwave. Reheat flaky Nutella croissants in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes. They’ll come out as crisp as when they were first baked.
Delicious Variations
Croissant Nutella is endlessly customizable, making it one of the best Nutella dessert recipes for experimenting.
Nutella + Banana
Lay a few banana slices inside before rolling. They caramelize slightly in the oven, giving you a gooey, naturally sweet chocolate banana croissant.
Nutella & Berry Jam
A spoonful of strawberry or raspberry jam adds fruity brightness. It’s like a chocolate hazelnut pastry twist on PB&J.
Nutella & Nuts
Sprinkle chopped hazelnuts or pistachios over the Nutella filling. The crunch against the buttery pastry makes these homemade Nutella croissants even more satisfying.
Savory Twist
Yes, savory! Try a touch of Nutella with crispy bacon bits or a pinch of sea salt. The sweet-and-salty balance surprises guests every time.
Mini vs. Large Format
Hosting brunch? Bake mini croissant Nutella bites for easy sharing. Want indulgence? Make bakery-sized chocolate hazelnut croissants that steal the spotlight on the table.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
One of my favorite things about baking is knowing tomorrow’s breakfast is already waiting. Croissant Nutella holds up beautifully if you store it right.
Room Temperature Storage
For easy croissant Nutella made with puff pastry, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay soft, though the outer flakes may lose some crispness. If you’re curious about how these pastries fit into your day nutritionally, I’ve broken it down in my Nutella Croissant Nutrition Facts guide.
Freezing Baked Croissants
Homemade croissant Nutella freeze well. Once cooled, wrap each croissant in foil, then place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Reheat at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, and they’ll be flaky and warm again—almost like fresh from the oven.
Prepping in Advance
If you’re making authentic chocolate hazelnut croissants, you can prepare the dough a day ahead. Chill it overnight for better flavor development. You can also shape and freeze unbaked croissants; just thaw and proof before baking. That way, your kitchen smells like a French bakery whenever you want.
FAQs: Croissant Nutella
Can I use frozen Nutella straight from the fridge?
Nutella spreads best at room temperature. Cold Nutella tends to tear the dough, so let it soften a bit before filling croissants.
Crescent dough vs. puff pastry – what’s the difference?
Puff pastry creates flaky croissant Nutella with distinct layers, while crescent dough bakes softer and bread-like. Both make delicious chocolate hazelnut croissants, so it depends on the texture you love.
Can I omit the egg wash?
Yes, but you’ll miss that golden shine. If you want a softer finish, brush croissants with milk instead of egg wash.
Is the air fryer safe and better?
Absolutely! Air fryers make easy Nutella croissants extra crisp. Cook at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, and you’ll have flaky, golden pastries without heating up the oven.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about biting into a warm croissant Nutella—the crisp, golden pastry giving way to a silky, chocolate hazelnut center. It’s proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you make an easy Nutella croissant with puff pastry or devote a weekend morning to crafting homemade Nutella croissants, the result is always indulgent and rewarding.
This recipe is more than a sweet bite—it’s a memory-maker. I love serving Nutella croissants with a strong latte or cappuccino, pairing the buttery richness with a little bitterness. For brunch, a platter of flaky Nutella croissants alongside fresh berries feels elegant yet inviting. And for dessert, dusting them with powdered sugar turns them into a pastry that rivals any café treat.
So the next time you’re craving comfort, reach for this recipe. A chocolate hazelnut croissant isn’t just food—it’s a hug in pastry form. Bake them, share them, and let your kitchen carry the joy of Paris to your own table.
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