Low Sodium Nutella Bars

Indulge in the decadence of homemade Low Sodium Nutella Bars, a rich and velvety treat perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings without the extra salt. Crafted with wholesome ingredients like finely ground hazelnuts, unsweetened cocoa powder, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, these bars achieve all the creamy hazelnut-chocolate goodness you love in Nutella-inspired desserts. To keep things light and moist, unsweetened applesauce is thoughtfully included, adding a hint of natural sweetness while reducing the need for extra fats. Quick and easy to prepare in just 20 minutes, this recipe delivers 12 perfectly portioned bars baked to fudgy perfection in an 8x8 pan. Whether as an afternoon snack or a delightful dessert, these low-sodium bars provide all the flavor with none of the guilt. Perfect for anyone seeking a heart-healthy twist on a classic indulgence!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1.5 cups hazelnuts
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.

Step 2

In a food processor, pulse the hazelnuts until finely ground. Make sure to stop before they start turning into butter.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground hazelnuts, all-purpose flour, and unsweetened cocoa powder.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar until smooth.

Step 5

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and unsweetened applesauce to the butter mixture and mix until completely incorporated.

Step 6

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 7

Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 8

Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs.

Step 10

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.

Step 11

Once cooled, slice into 12 equal bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1064.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4403.4

Total Fat 290.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 108.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 477.9mg	0%
Sodium 346.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 481.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 80.5g	0%
Total Sugars 262.8g
Protein 84.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 504.7mg	0%
Iron 40.3mg	0%
Potassium 2133.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.6%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 39.5%