If you love the zesty aroma of orange paired with rich chocolate and crunchy nuts, then this Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles Recipe is about to become your new favorite treat. These little bites of vegan, gluten-free goodness are just perfect for gifting or indulging yourself any day of the week.

A white bowl holds seven round chocolate balls covered in dark smooth chocolate. Each ball is topped with small light brown chopped nuts, scattered unevenly on top. The balls are close together, filling the bowl, which sits on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I made these truffles on a cozy afternoon, and honestly, they disappeared faster than I expected! The combination of creamy hazelnut center with a hint of vibrant orange marmalade feels so indulgent yet simple to make.

Rich and Vegan: Indulgent chocolatey flavor without any dairy or gluten, so it fits many diets.
Easy No-Bake Treat: No oven needed—just a quick food processor spin and some rolling.
Texture Delight: Creamy centers with crunchy hazelnut coatings or smooth cocoa powder finishes.
Perfect for Sharing: These truffles make amazing gifts or party treats that everyone will talk about.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When making these Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles, it pays off to choose quality ingredients, especially the raw hazelnuts and your marmalade. A good food processor makes all the difference to get the smooth texture you want.

Flat lay of a small pile of raw hazelnuts with smooth brown shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy orange marmalade, a little white ceramic bowl holding rich dark brown cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl of golden maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl with clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse light brown coconut sugar, and a separate small white ceramic bowl filled with finely chopped hazelnuts, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Raw hazelnuts: The base of our truffle dough, providing natural oils and that wonderful nutty flavor.
Orange marmalade: Adds a bright citrus punch and a touch of natural sweetness to balance the cocoa.
Cocoa powder: Gives deep chocolate richness without adding extra fat.
Maple syrup: A natural sweetener that keeps these truffles vegan and adds subtle caramel notes.
Pure vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds warmth to the mix.
Coconut sugar: Provides texture and a mild sweetness helping the mixture bind.
Finely chopped hazelnuts or cocoa powder: For rolling the truffles, giving them that perfect crunchy or velvety coating.
Extra whole hazelnuts: The delightful surprise center in each truffle for that crunch and richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to switch up the coatings or experiment with different fruit preserves, there’s plenty of room to make these truffles uniquely yours without losing that rich, creamy charm.

Variation: I once swapped orange marmalade for raspberry jam, and it gave the truffles a lovely tartness that balanced beautifully with the hazelnuts. It’s a delightful twist if you want to try something a bit different without complicating the recipe.
Dietary twist: Since these truffles are naturally vegan and gluten-free, they're perfect for those following those diets, but you can also make them nut-free by substituting hazelnuts with roasted sunflower seeds if allergies are a concern.
Seasonal adjustment: Around the holidays, I like adding a pinch of cinnamon or ground cloves into the mixture to bring some festive warmth that complements the orange flavor wonderfully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles Recipe

The image shows several round chocolate truffles with a smooth, dark chocolate coating, topped lightly with small pieces of chopped nuts. One truffle is bitten to show its inside, revealing a thick, dense, and slightly grainy chocolate filling of a rich brown color. The truffles are set against a blurred dark brown background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Grind Hazelnuts Into a Fine Meal

Start by pulsing 1½ cups of raw hazelnuts in your food processor until they become a finely ground meal. Keep an eye on the texture—the goal is a crumbly, almost flour-like consistency without turning the nuts into butter. This forms the base of your truffle dough and gives each bite that wonderful nutty richness.

Step 2: Blend in the Flavorful Ingredients

Add ½ cup of fruit-sweetened orange marmalade, ¾ cup cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract to the hazelnut meal. Process everything together until the mixture looks smooth and well combined. You’ll notice the rich chocolate color deepening as the ingredients meld, and the sweet citrus aroma from the marmalade begins to fill the air.

Step 3: Sweeten and Bring the Dough Together

Sprinkle in ¼ cup of coconut sugar and pulse once more. At this point, the mixture should start to come together and slightly ball up when pressed with your fingers. To test, scoop a small amount and try rolling it—if it feels too wet and sticky, add a bit more cocoa powder; if too dry and crumbly, add a touch more maple syrup or marmalade and pulse again. Finding just the right texture is key to perfect truffles.

Step 4: Prepare Your Coating and Workspace

Spread ½ cup of finely chopped hazelnuts or extra cocoa powder in a shallow bowl for rolling. Line a tray or plate with parchment paper—this is where your truffles will rest after being coated. Have 15 to 18 whole hazelnuts ready for the delightful surprise center inside each truffle.

Step 5: Form and Fill Your Truffles

Using your hands, scoop out 1 to 2 tablespoons of the truffle mixture and roll it into a ball. Press one whole hazelnut firmly into the center, then roll the ball again to seal the nut inside snugly. This step is so satisfying—the creamy chocolatey shell hiding a crunch of nutty goodness is what makes these truffles truly special.

Step 6: Coat and Chill

Roll each truffle generously in your chosen coating until fully covered, then place them on the parchment-lined tray. Once all are coated, pop them into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set. The chilling helps the truffles firm up nicely, making them easier to handle and giving you that perfect texture when you bite in.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy

Store your chocolate orange hazelnut truffles in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature if you plan to enjoy them within a day or two, but I find refrigeration keeps their texture and flavor at their best. For longer storage, these freeze beautifully—just thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Top Tip

These tips come from my own kitchen experiments to help you perfect your Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles Recipe and make the process smooth and enjoyable.

Use a Good Food Processor: A sharp, high-powered processor makes all the difference for getting that hazelnut meal super fine, which results in a silky smooth truffle texture.
Test the Dough Consistency: Rolling a tiny ball before you start shaping the truffles saves you from frustration—if it’s too crumbly or too sticky, a quick tweak with cocoa powder or maple syrup can fix it right away.
Chill the Mixture: If the dough feels too soft while shaping, pop it into the fridge for 10-15 minutes. It firms up the mixture and makes rolling truffles a breeze.
Seal the Center Hazelnut Well: When placing the whole hazelnut in the center, make sure to pinch the mixture tightly around it. This spares you from hazelnuts poking out during coating or chilling.

How to Serve Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles Recipe

A clear glass bowl shows a mixture of light brown liquid with white foam on top, sprinkled with small dark brown chocolate pieces and powder floating throughout. The bowl is placed on a wooden surface that contrasts with the creamy texture of the mix inside. The top view highlights the swirling patterns created by the chocolate blending with the frothy liquid, giving a marbled effect in the center. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

These truffles are lovely on their own but can be dressed up beautifully. Try sprinkling extra cocoa powder or finely chopped toasted hazelnuts on top for an elegant touch. You could also dust them lightly with edible gold dust or powdered sugar for a festive glow. For a citrusy burst, a tiny twist of orange zest on each truffle adds a fresh and aromatic note that pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate and hazelnut flavors.

Side Dishes

While these truffles are often enjoyed as a sweet bite on their own, they also complement dessert platters beautifully. Serve alongside vegan dark chocolate squares, fresh berries, or a scoop of coconut milk ice cream for a refreshing contrast. A warm cup of espresso, black tea, or herbal orange blossom tea pairs wonderfully, enhancing those chocolate orange notes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles are made, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For best texture and freshness, refrigeration is recommended; they’ll keep beautifully for up to a week. Just bring them to room temperature before serving to enjoy their creamy centers.

Freezing

These truffles freeze like a dream! Lay them out on parchment-lined trays and freeze individually for about an hour before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw them gently in the refrigerator overnight for best texture or enjoy them chilled straight from the freezer on a hot day.

Reheating

No reheating needed here since these are no-bake truffles. However, if you prefer them a little softer, simply leave them at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute orange marmalade with another jam?

Absolutely! While orange marmalade adds a lovely citrus zing, you can swap it for other fruit jams like raspberry, apricot, or even cherry. Just choose a fruit-sweetened jam to keep the flavor balance just right.

Are these truffles suitable for people with nut allergies?

Unfortunately, no. The recipe relies heavily on hazelnuts both inside and on the coating, so it’s not safe for those with nut allergies.

How do I know when the mixture is the right consistency to roll?

Test by rolling a small amount into a ball. If it crumbles or falls apart, add a touch more maple syrup or jam to moisten it. If it’s too sticky, a sprinkle of cocoa powder helps dry it out. The mixture should hold together well enough to roll without sticking excessively.

Can I make these truffles ahead for gift-giving?

Definitely! They keep well refrigerated for up to a week and freeze beautifully for longer storage. Pack them in a pretty box with parchment liners, and they make a thoughtful, homemade gift full of flavor.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed discovering how to make these rich, vegan Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles. They’re one of my favorite indulgences — comforting, elegant, and just the right touch of citrus and nuttiness. Whether for a special occasion or a little everyday treat, these truffles are sure to bring a smile with every bite. Happy truffle making!