chocolate
The most famous nut-chocolate pairing: hazelnut's toasted compounds interlock with chocolate's roasted bitterness in praline, gianduja, and the world's most popular chocolate spread.
hazelnuts
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
Buttery, intensely aromatic nuts with a distinctive toasted praline note that emerges powerfully after roasting and removing the papery skins. The defining nut…
74 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Hazelnut's (Corylus avellana) characteristic flavor compounds include filbertone (a methyl ketone specifically responsible for the roasted hazelnut aroma) and 5-methylfurfural, which emerges during roasting. Toasting is transformative and necessary: raw hazelnuts have a pleasant but muted character; roasted hazelnuts (375°F, 10–12 minutes until skins are cracked and the nut interior is golden) develop complex, rich, praline-like depth. Rubbing still-warm toasted hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel removes most of the papery skins. The combination of hazelnuts with chocolate (particularly dark or milk) is so natural it became a commercial empire — gianduja (the Piedmontese chocolate-hazelnut confection) is the ancestor of Nutella. Hazelnut butter (blended roasted hazelnuts) is a revelation. In savory cooking, hazelnuts add buttery richness and crunch to salads (particularly with bitter greens and blue cheese), sauces (romesco-style with peppers), pasta, and as a crust for fish and lamb — the fat in the nut basting the protein as it cooks.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Core pairings
chocolate
raspberries
vanilla
chocolate
The most famous nut-chocolate pairing: hazelnut's toasted compounds interlock with chocolate's roasted bitterness in praline, gianduja, and the world's most popular chocolate spread.
raspberries
Raspberries bring tart fruit that cuts through hazelnuts' toasted richness, a natural pastry and chocolate-friendly pairing.
vanilla
Vanilla rounds hazelnuts' toasted nuttiness with creamy sweetness, making the pairing especially strong in custards, cakes, and creams.
Raspberries bring tart fruit that cuts through hazelnuts' toasted richness, a natural pastry and chocolate-friendly pairing.
Vanilla rounds hazelnuts' toasted nuttiness with creamy sweetness, making the pairing especially strong in custards, cakes, and creams.
Pairs well with
almonds
apples
apricots
asparagus
bananas
beets
berries
butter, unsalted
buttermilk
caramel
carrots
cheese, feta
cheese, goat
cheese, gruyère
cheese, ricotta
cheese, taleggio
cherries
chestnuts
cinnamon
cocoa powder
coffee / espresso
cognac
cranberries
cream and ice cream
cream cheese
custard
dates
figs
garlic
ginger
grapefruit
grapes
hazelnut oil
honey
kirsch
kiwi
lemon
liqueur, almond
mango
maple syrup
mascarpone
mint
nectarines
nutmeg
oats
orange, juice
orange, zest
pastries
peaches
pears
pecans
persimmons
plums
prunes
pumpkin
quail
raisins
rum
sauces
soups
strawberries
sugar, brown
sugar, confectioner's
sugar, granulated
sweet potatoes
tea
vegetables
walnuts
wine, red
wine, sweet
wine, white
almonds
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that complements hazelnuts's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
apples
Apples adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
apricots
Apricots adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
asparagus
Asparagus adds complementary vegetable character, giving hazelnuts more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
bananas
Bananas adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
beets
Beets adds complementary vegetable character, giving hazelnuts more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
berries
Berries adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
butter, unsalted
Butter, Unsalted adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
buttermilk
Buttermilk adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
caramel
Caramel adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
carrots
Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving hazelnuts more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cheese, feta
Cheese, Feta adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, goat
Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, gruyère
Cheese, Gruyère adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, ricotta
Cheese, Ricotta adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, taleggio
Cheese, Taleggio adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cherries
Cherries complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
chestnuts
Chestnuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements hazelnuts's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds warm spice complexity that plays against hazelnuts's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
cocoa powder
Cocoa Powder complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
coffee / espresso
Coffee / Espresso complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
cognac
Cognac adds aromatic warmth that helps bridge hazelnuts into sauces, desserts, or sweeter preparations.
cranberries
Cranberries adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
cream and ice cream
Cream And Ice Cream adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
cream cheese
Cream Cheese adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
custard
Custard complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
dates
Dates complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
figs
Figs adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
garlic
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens hazelnuts's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
ginger
Ginger complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
grapefruit
Grapefruit brings acidity and brightness that cuts through hazelnuts's richer, sweeter, or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner.
grapes
Grapes adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
hazelnut oil
Hazelnut Oil adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
honey
Honey adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
kirsch
Kirsch complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
kiwi
Kiwi complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
lemon
Lemon brings acidity and brightness that cuts through hazelnuts's richer, sweeter, or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner.
liqueur, almond
Liqueur, Almond adds aromatic warmth that helps bridge hazelnuts into sauces, desserts, or sweeter preparations.
mango
Mango complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
maple syrup
Maple Syrup adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
mascarpone
Mascarpone complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
mint
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping hazelnuts from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
nectarines
Nectarines complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
nutmeg
Nutmeg adds warm spice complexity that plays against hazelnuts's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
oats
Oats complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice brings acidity and brightness that cuts through hazelnuts's richer, sweeter, or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner.
orange, zest
Orange, Zest brings acidity and brightness that cuts through hazelnuts's richer, sweeter, or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner.
pastries
Pastries gives hazelnuts a neutral or savory base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
peaches
Peaches adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
pears
Pears adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
pecans
Pecans adds nutty richness and texture that complements hazelnuts's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
persimmons
Persimmons complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
plums
Plums adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
prunes
Prunes complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
pumpkin
Pumpkin complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
quail
Quail complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
raisins
Raisins complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
rum
Rum adds aromatic warmth that helps bridge hazelnuts into sauces, desserts, or sweeter preparations.
sauces
Sauces adds seasoning, contrast, or temperature logic that helps hazelnuts make sense in a complete dish rather than wandering around unattended.
soups
Soups complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
strawberries
Strawberries adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sugar, confectioner's
Sugar, Confectioner'S adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sugar, granulated
Sugar, Granulated adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sweet potatoes
Sweet Potatoes gives hazelnuts a neutral or savory base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
tea
Tea complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
vegetables
Vegetables adds complementary vegetable character, giving hazelnuts more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
walnuts
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements hazelnuts's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
wine, red
Wine, Red adds acidity and aromatic depth that balances hazelnuts and helps it work in sauces, dressings, and cooked preparations.
wine, sweet
Wine, Sweet adds acidity and aromatic depth that balances hazelnuts and helps it work in sauces, dressings, and cooked preparations.
wine, white
Wine, White adds acidity and aromatic depth that balances hazelnuts and helps it work in sauces, dressings, and cooked preparations.
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that complements hazelnuts's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
Apples adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Apricots adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Asparagus adds complementary vegetable character, giving hazelnuts more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Bananas adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Beets adds complementary vegetable character, giving hazelnuts more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Berries adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
butter, unsalted
Butter, Unsalted adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Buttermilk adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Caramel adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Carrots adds complementary vegetable character, giving hazelnuts more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Cheese, Feta adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Gruyère adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Ricotta adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Taleggio adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give hazelnuts more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cherries complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Chestnuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements hazelnuts's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
Cinnamon adds warm spice complexity that plays against hazelnuts's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
cocoa powder
Cocoa Powder complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Coffee / Espresso complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Cognac adds aromatic warmth that helps bridge hazelnuts into sauces, desserts, or sweeter preparations.
Cranberries adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
cream and ice cream
Cream And Ice Cream adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Cream Cheese adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
custard
Custard complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Dates complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
figs
Figs adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens hazelnuts's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Ginger complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Grapefruit brings acidity and brightness that cuts through hazelnuts's richer, sweeter, or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner.
Grapes adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
hazelnut oil
Hazelnut Oil adds richness and helps carry hazelnuts's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Honey adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
kirsch
Kirsch complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
kiwi
Kiwi complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
lemon
Lemon brings acidity and brightness that cuts through hazelnuts's richer, sweeter, or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner.
liqueur, almond
Liqueur, Almond adds aromatic warmth that helps bridge hazelnuts into sauces, desserts, or sweeter preparations.
mango
Mango complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Maple Syrup adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Mascarpone complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping hazelnuts from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Nectarines complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Nutmeg adds warm spice complexity that plays against hazelnuts's natural base notes and pushes the pairing toward deeper, more layered dishes.
Oats complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice brings acidity and brightness that cuts through hazelnuts's richer, sweeter, or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner.
orange, zest
Orange, Zest brings acidity and brightness that cuts through hazelnuts's richer, sweeter, or earthier notes, making the pairing feel cleaner.
pastries
Pastries gives hazelnuts a neutral or savory base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
Peaches adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Pears adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Pecans adds nutty richness and texture that complements hazelnuts's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
Persimmons complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Plums adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Prunes complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Pumpkin complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Quail complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Raisins complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Rum adds aromatic warmth that helps bridge hazelnuts into sauces, desserts, or sweeter preparations.
sauces
Sauces adds seasoning, contrast, or temperature logic that helps hazelnuts make sense in a complete dish rather than wandering around unattended.
soups
Soups complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Strawberries adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sugar, confectioner's
Sugar, Confectioner'S adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
sugar, granulated
Sugar, Granulated adds sweetness or fruitiness that softens hazelnuts's sharper edges and creates a more rounded sweet-savory balance.
Sweet Potatoes gives hazelnuts a neutral or savory base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
tea
Tea complements hazelnuts by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
vegetables
Vegetables adds complementary vegetable character, giving hazelnuts more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that complements hazelnuts's softer, fresher, or earthier side.
wine, red
Wine, Red adds acidity and aromatic depth that balances hazelnuts and helps it work in sauces, dressings, and cooked preparations.
wine, sweet
Wine, Sweet adds acidity and aromatic depth that balances hazelnuts and helps it work in sauces, dressings, and cooked preparations.
wine, white
Wine, White adds acidity and aromatic depth that balances hazelnuts and helps it work in sauces, dressings, and cooked preparations.