Nutella Brownies (Made With a Boxed Brownie Mix)

Easy Nutella Brownies with generous swirls of chocolate hazelnut spread through out. This Nutella brownie recipe starts with a boxed brownie mix, the addition of chopped hazelnuts provide the perfect crunch, and Nutella pairs perfectly with chocolate fudge brownies.

For more Nutella recipes be sure to try my No Bake Nutella Cheesecake Pie, and these Nutella Swirl Banana Muffins are the yummiest way to use up browned bananas. 

Easy Nutella Brownies Recipe

I’ve always been a big fan of boxed brownie mixes. It’s an easy way to make brownies or there are so many ways to switch up plain brownies. These easy Nutella Brownies start with a boxed brownie mix and they have the addition of chopped hazelnuts and a generous swirl of Nutella throughout. 

Ready for the oven in just about 10 minutes!

If you love doctoring up a brownie mix then try my Monster Cookie Brownies. They have a brownie base topped with an easy homemade monster cookie dough. If you would rather make brownies from scratch then try my easy Homemade Brownies recipe. 

Ingredients You Need

Making Nutella brownies is so easy thanks to the box of brownie mix! The hazelnuts might be the hardest thing to find, but there are lots of substitution options if you can’t find them. 

• Family-Size Brownie Mix – Not all the brands will say ‘family-size’ on the package, and that’s ok, just make sure that you get the larger size box that gets baked in a 9×13 dish. I like to use a milk chocolate brownie mix when I make these, but feel free to use chocolate fudge, dark chocolate, etc. 
• Ingredients Call For – On the back of the brownie box are the ingredients you will need to make the brownies. Typically, it calls for 3 tablespoons of water, 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil, and 2 large eggs. 
• Chopped Hazelnuts – These are not the easiest to find in typical grocery stores. I always have good luck finding them in the bulk section at my grocery store. There are lots of substitution ideas below, so be sure and read on for those options. The crunchy, salty contrast really adds a lot to the overall taste of the brownies so I would suggest not leaving this out. 
• Nutella 

How To Make Nutella Brownies With a Boxed Brownie Mix

Preparation

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray OR line with parchment paper.
• I always use the pre-cut parchment paper sheets (from Reynold’s brand) and then lay it vertically in the baking dish. No need to cut it, or trim it, and you won’t end up with the bunch of parchment paper in the corners of the pan. I like to still spray the baking dish with cooking spray before laying down the parchment paper, because it helps hold the paper in place. 

Brownie Batter

• Follow the directions and ingredients on the back of the brownie box. Typically, it will call for some water (3 tablespoons), vegetable or canola oil (1/2 cup), and 2 large eggs. 
• The only addition we are stirring in are some chopped hazelnuts. 

Nutella Brownies

• Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. 
• Microwave the Nutella for 30 seconds. Dollop spoonfuls of it all over the top of the batter and then use a knife to gently make a swirl pattern. Don’t stick the knife all the way to the bottom of the pan, rather keep it shallow while you are swirling. 

Bake

• Bake the brownies for 25-35 minutes or until they are done. 
• You can tell the brownies are done cooking once the edges have pulled away from the sides of the pan, the center looks set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with dry/moist crumbs. If the toothpick comes out with wet batter then they need to cook longer. 
• Let the brownies cool in the pan, on a cooling rack, before serving. Or you can definitely serve these warm as well!

Tips For Success

Here are a few my most helpful tips that will hopefully make this recipe a success in your own kitchen!

• Microwave The Nutella : Don’t skip this step. The Nutella is so much easier to spread and swirl when it’s warmed. To get those pretty swirls you see in the pictures, it needs to be warmed. 
• Don’t Overbake : The brownies are done with the edges are cooked and pulling away from the sides of the pan. The center should also look done and a toothpick inserted into the middle should not come out with wet batter. If it does, leave them in the oven longer. You want a toothpick to come out clean or with moist, dry crumbs on it. 
• Swirl : When you are swirling be sure and not stick the knife all the way to the bottom of the pan. try to keep it shallow. This will help make the swirls noticeable instead of mixing it all into the batter.

Variation & Substitution Ideas

There are a few options for substitution for this recipe below. 

• Brownie Mix : Use a milk chocolate brownie mix, chocolate fudge, or even dark chocolate. The most important thing is to make sure that it is a ‘family-size’ box that bakes in a 9×13 pan. 
• Hazelnuts : It’s not always easy to find these at the grocery store. If your store has a bulk section, be sure and try there, because that’s usually where I can find them. Good substitutes for hazelnuts are almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts. Or you can leave them out of this recipe all together. You can usually also find a container of mixed nuts at the grocery store that has hazelnuts in it. Use mixed nuts, with the hazelnuts, or you can pick out the hazelnuts. You can also substitute the hazelnuts with milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet, or mini chocolate chips. 
• Nutella : Don’t substitute this. These are Nutella Brownies after all ?.

How To Store Leftovers

Leftovers will keep well, at room temperature, in an air-tight container for 3-4 days. We like to warm up leftovers for a few seconds in the microwave. You can also eat them at room temperature. 

Serving Suggestions

There are several delicious ways to serve this Nutella brownie recipe.

• Eat them as is
• Serve with a scoop of ice cream on top (vanilla, chocolate, etc) and then use chocolate ice creamy syrup or hot fudge and drizzle it over the ice cream. My family loves eating them this way because it’s like a Nutella brownie ice cream sundae. 
• Instead of hot fudge or chocolate sauce, try sprinkling some mini chocolate chips over top the ice cream, or chocolate/brown colored sprinkles. 
• You could also try making some brownie cake pops with this recipe. I’ve never personally done this, but they would be delicious that way!

Can This Nutella Brownie Recipe Be Made Gluten-Free?

Yes it can! Nutella is naturally gluten-free so be sure you use a Gluten-Free brownie mix for this recipe. Make sure that it’s the same size called for in the recipe below. I know King Arthur brand makes a delicious gluten-free brownie mix that bakes in a 9×13 pan. I find it on Amazon.

More Brownie Recipes You’ll Love

• Candy Bar Brownies
• Cookies & Cream Oreo Brownies
• Andes Mint Cookie Brownies
• Easy Chocolate Chip Brownies
• Hershey’s Kisses Homemade Brownies