Homemade crunchy chocolate hazelnut truffles are one of the most satisfying no-bake treats you can prepare at home. With a creamy nut-filled center, a crisp outer shell, and a rich chocolate coating studded with crushed nuts, these truffles deliver both flavor and texture in every bite. They resemble classic store-bought chocolate hazelnut balls but are even fresher, more customizable, and incredibly simple to make. This recipe is perfect for holidays, parties, gifting, or enjoying as an everyday indulgent dessert.
These truffles also perform well on food blogs thanks to their search-friendly keywords such as “no-bake dessert,” “chocolate truffles,” “easy homemade candy,” and “hazelnut recipes.” They are visually appealing, evergreen, and ideal for long-form content that helps increase page engagement and AdSense RPM. The clear ingredients list and step-by-step instructions make it an excellent recipe for readers of all cooking levels.
Ingredients
For the truffle filling:
• 1 ¼ cups crushed wafer cookies or vanilla biscuits
• ½ cup hazelnuts, lightly toasted and chopped
• ½ cup chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella or similar)
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
For coating:
• 1 ½ cups milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate, melted
• ½ cup finely chopped hazelnuts or mixed nuts
• Optional: whole hazelnuts to place in the center of each truffle
Instructions
- Place the crushed wafer cookies in a mixing bowl. Add the chopped hazelnuts, softened butter, chocolate hazelnut spread, vanilla, and salt. Mix until everything comes together and forms a thick, moldable dough.
- If using whole hazelnuts inside, take a small amount of dough, flatten it slightly, place a hazelnut in the center, and roll it into a ball. Continue shaping all the truffles, making them roughly the same size for even coating.
- Transfer the rolled balls to a tray lined with parchment paper and place them in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes. Chilling helps the truffles firm up and makes dipping easier.
- Melt the chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in short intervals, stirring until smooth. Add the finely chopped hazelnuts into the melted chocolate and stir to combine.
- Using a fork, dip each chilled truffle into the melted chocolate mixture, allowing any excess to drip off before placing it back onto the parchment-lined tray. The nut-studded chocolate will create the signature crunchy coating.
- After all truffles are coated, refrigerate them for another 20–30 minutes, or until the chocolate shell has fully hardened.
- Once set, the truffles are ready to serve. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Serving Suggestions
These truffles are beautiful on dessert platters, holiday tables, or packaged individually as gifts. You can serve them cold for a firmer bite or allow them to rest at room temperature for a softer, creamier center. Pair them with coffee, hot chocolate, or after-dinner drinks for an elegant treat.
For variation, consider using dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, adding a caramel center, or rolling the truffles in crushed nuts or cocoa powder before dipping. The recipe is flexible and allows you to create multiple versions from the same base.