Making dessert shouldn’t feel like a chore. If you’re short on time but big on cravings, these 3-ingredient Nutella croissants are your new go-to treat. Using store-bought puff pastry, a swipe of Nutella, and an egg wash for golden edges, you can whip up a buttery, chocolatey snack in minutes. This article shares the story behind the recipe, explains why it works, how to get that perfect flaky texture, and how to customize it for more flavor and fun. We’ll also answer your top questions about baking croissants with Nutella at home.
The Backstory Behind These 3-Ingredient Nutella Croissants
From Flop to Favorite: My First Attempt at Croissants
Hi, I’m Marlene Quinn, baker, mom, and sourdough lover from foggy Mendocino, California. Years ago, I tried to impress a date by making croissants from scratch. The result? Dense dough, a burned tray, and a guy who ghosted. That failed croissant haunted me until I realized I didn’t need to master lamination to enjoy buttery layers. One rainy morning, in a burst of curiosity and chocolate cravings, I grabbed a sheet of puff pastry, slathered it with Nutella, and rolled it into a crescent. That was my first batch of 3-ingredient Nutella croissants, and they changed my baking game forever.
These croissants bake up golden, flaky, and filled with warm chocolatey bliss. They’ve become a weekend favorite in my kitchen, especially when Clementine (my sourdough starter) needs a break. I’ve even served these 3-ingredient Nutella croissants at our bakery’s poetry night, yes, someone rhymed “hazelnut delight” with “bite after bite.”
Whether you’re a beginner or just in a hurry, you’ll love how quick and crowd-pleasing these croissants are. For more fun pastry inspiration, you can also try these mini croissants with chocolate or explore flaky croffles for a twist on tradition.
Why These 3 Ingredients Make All the Difference
This recipe proves that good things don’t need to be complicated. With just puff pastry, Nutella, and an egg wash, you create magic in under 30 minutes. The 3-ingredient Nutella croissants deliver layers of crunch and melt-in-your-mouth filling without any rolling pins or stress. That’s what makes this recipe so addicting, you get all the bakery vibes, minus the hours of effort. Serve them at brunch, pack them in lunchboxes, or treat yourself with one at midnight (no judgment).
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3-Ingredient Nutella Croissants , Stunning Easy Recipe in 30 Min
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 mini croissants 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Golden, flaky, and gooey in the center, these 3-ingredient Nutella croissants are the ultimate shortcut dessert. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, or sweet cravings.
Ingredients
1 package (2 sheets) store-bought puff pastry, thawed but still cold
3/4 cup Nutella
1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Cut puff pastry into triangles.
3. Add 1 teaspoon Nutella to the wide end of each triangle.
4. Roll from wide end to tip to form croissants.
5. Place seam-side down on the sheet.
6. Whisk egg with water and brush over each croissant.
7. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until puffed and golden.
8. Cool for 5 minutes and serve warm.
Notes
Do not overfill with Nutella or it may leak.
Keep puff pastry cold while working.
Add chopped hazelnuts or drizzle with melted chocolate for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croissant
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 18mg
Keywords: 3-ingredient Nutella croissants, easy croissant recipe, puff pastry Nutella
How to Make 3-Ingredient Nutella Croissants Step-by-Step
Foolproof Steps for Irresistible Croissants
Making 3-ingredient Nutella croissants is easier than you think, and the results are bakery-level. First, let your puff pastry thaw just enough to unfold it easily, but keep it chilled. Cold dough helps it puff up beautifully in the oven. Lay it flat on a lightly floured surface and slice into triangles, around 6 per sheet is ideal for small croissants.
Spoon Nutella at the base of each triangle. A modest teaspoon is enough, you want the filling to stay inside as it bakes. Gently roll each triangle from the wide end toward the tip, shaping it into a neat curl. Arrange them on a lined baking tray with the pointed side down so they stay closed.
Whisk one egg with a splash of water, then lightly coat the tops of each croissant. This gives them that irresistible golden glow after baking. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C), and bake for about 18–20 minutes until golden, crisp, and puffed.
The smell alone will pull people to your kitchen. Let your croissants rest for a few minutes before serving, they’ll be molten inside!
Tips to Upgrade Your 3-Ingredient Nutella Croissants
Keep your pastry dough cold for maximum rise and flake. If it softens too much while working, slide it into the fridge for 10 minutes. For richer flavor, you can sprinkle a few chopped hazelnuts inside before rolling.
If you’re curious about fun twists, try this croissant sourdough bread recipe, or explore this croissant loaf variation that turns your oven into a Parisian café.
Why 3-Ingredient Nutella Croissants Are the Ultimate Quick Dessert
The Perfect Fix for Last-Minute Sweet Tooth Moments
Some desserts are a whole production. These 3-ingredient Nutella croissants aren’t. When you’re craving something warm, gooey, and just sweet enough, they hit every note, without the stress of complicated steps. You don’t need a mixer, a timer app, or even a pastry mat. Just thaw, spread, roll, and bake.
The secret? Puff pastry. It delivers flaky, buttery layers that mimic traditional croissants without lamination. Add Nutella’s rich hazelnut chocolate and a glossy egg wash, and you’ve got a dessert that looks fancy but takes less than 30 minutes. It’s a dream for busy bakers and impatient snackers alike.
They’re ideal for brunch trays, midnight treats, after-school snacks, or anytime you want to feel a little fancy with minimal effort. Want a slightly indulgent twist? Serve them warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a side of strawberries. These croissants are just as perfect with your morning espresso as they are as an after-dinner surprise.
And if you’re watching calories but still want a treat, check out this guide to Costco croissant nutrition to stay balanced. You can also find more flaky inspiration in this post on almond croissants from Hannaford, a nuttier cousin worth exploring.
Easy Ways to Customize the Recipe
Once you master the base recipe, it’s fun to experiment. Swap Nutella with cookie butter, peanut butter, or fruit jam. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking, or drizzle melted chocolate on top after they cool. You can also tuck in a few mini marshmallows for a s’mores version that kids will love.
These 3-ingredient Nutella croissants are endlessly flexible, but always crowd-pleasing. Keep puff pastry and a jar of Nutella in the freezer and pantry, and you’ll always be five steps from warm, flaky joy.
Conclusion
There’s something undeniably comforting about a recipe that feels luxurious but takes almost no effort. That’s the charm of 3-ingredient Nutella croissants, they transform everyday ingredients into bakery-worthy bliss. Whether you’re baking for a brunch, treating your kids after school, or just sneaking one with your morning coffee, this recipe is ready whenever your sweet tooth strikes.
Flaky puff pastry, rich Nutella, and a glossy golden finish make these croissants look elegant, taste indulgent, and satisfy instantly. You don’t need special skills, just the joy of rolling something up and watching it rise into something spectacular.
So next time you’re craving chocolate and crunch, skip the fuss. Grab a sheet of pastry, a jar of Nutella, and an egg. Let the oven do the magic.
Your Top Questions About 3-Ingredient Nutella Croissants
How to make Nutella croissants easy?
The easiest way to make Nutella croissants is to use store-bought puff pastry. Just cut it into triangles, spread Nutella on each, roll them up, and bake. That’s the beauty of 3-ingredient Nutella croissants, they require no yeast, no rising time, and no stress. If you’ve ever made mini croissants or crescent roll-ups before, the process will feel very familiar.
You can also prep them ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. That makes them perfect for parties, holidays, or spontaneous sweet cravings.
What is a 2-ingredient dessert with Nutella?
A super simple 2-ingredient dessert with Nutella is Nutella mug cake, just Nutella and eggs whisked together and microwaved. Another popular one is puff pastry and Nutella baked into pinwheels or rolls, omitting the egg wash for simplicity. While not as shiny or flaky, it still delivers big flavor.
Still, adding one egg takes your treat from good to golden. That’s why the 3-ingredient Nutella croissants win for both ease and elegance. And if you love creative shortcuts, this croissant sourdough hybrid will inspire your next bake.
What is the secret to a good croissant?
It all comes down to three things: cold dough, layering, and patience. With puff pastry, the layering is already done for you, making it the best shortcut. Keep your pastry cold before baking, and don’t overwork it. That’s how your 3-ingredient Nutella croissants puff up tall and flaky.
For added lift, preheat your oven fully and avoid opening the door during the first 15 minutes. And always use an egg wash, it gives the croissants that crisp, glossy crust.
What are the three ingredients in Nutella cake?
Nutella cake is another viral delight. The classic three-ingredient version uses Nutella, eggs, and flour. Some recipes swap flour for self-rising flour or almond flour. Just like 3-ingredient Nutella croissants, it proves that minimal ingredients can deliver maximum flavor.
Pair a slice of Nutella cake with a croissant for the ultimate chocolate fix, or serve both at your next brunch for a decadent spread everyone will remember.