Can Nutella Be Microwaved? How to Do It Properly

logo by Editorial Staff | Updated on July 1st, 2022

Nutella is a favorite in many households because of its rich chocolate flavor and nutty undertone. And while we usually carry a jar of this paste with us to spread on toast in the morning, Nutella may also be utilized in other ways.


Some claim we’ll be able to melt it! Do you want to know if it’s achievable and how to do it? Then our quick instructions for microwaving Nutella will come in the help!

nutella

Can Nutella Be Microwaved?

Yes, in general, we can microwave Nutella. And this is an excellent method for transforming the thick paste we use as a spread into a rich chocolate syrup that can be poured over practically any meal or dessert.

If you continue reading, you will discover a more extensive melting method, some secrets regarding Nutella preservation after melting it, and suggestions for serving it.

If you’ve never attempted this before, we strongly advise any Nutella-melting novice to remain tuned and keep reading. Of course, we’re not going to reveal any secrets here, but some of the tips we’ll provide you will undoubtedly be helpful one day.

What Happens When Nutella Is Microwaved?

If Nutella is properly warmed in the microwave, following all the directions and precautions, it will convert into a smooth and exceptionally tasty chocolate hazelnut syrup.

However, if something goes wrong and the paste is heated too much or too long, the undesirable transition might be seen. It will go from being thick and spreadable to a liquid, almost watery syrup to an even more horrifying phase when it becomes as hard as a rock.

Worse, it will only take a minute! This is why melting this meal correctly is an essential skill you will value for the rest of your life.

In general, we must follow a few simple guidelines and advice to melt it properly:

  • Nutella should never be cooked in its original jar since it is not intended for microwave cooking and might break, resulting in both a mess and a risk (because of the broken glass pieces)
  • The paste must be put into the microwaveable tank to be melted.
  • Always cover the tank before heating it to safeguard the moisture in the paste.
  • To achieve the best results, microwave Nutella in short bursts (twenty to thirty seconds) and properly mix between sessions.

Instructions for Melting Nutella

Those who have never attempted or had to liquify this paste may believe it is an incredibly difficult task. But, in general, the melting technique is straightforward.

However, it is critical that you follow all of the instructions provided and do them in the precise sequence recommended! If you don’t do this, you’ll wind up with a rocky sticky mess instead of a wonderful, sugary delicacy.

First and foremost, safety.

Before you microwave your Nutella, you need to take two precautions. First, it’s not a good idea to take a jar directly from the supermarket and place it in your microwave without first opening it.

This may seem apparent, but it bears mentioning.

When you first open a jar of Nutella, you’ll see that it’s wrapped in aluminum foil to keep it fresh. Metal, including aluminum foil, should never be used in a microwave.

It will pop and ignite in the best-case situation. Worst case scenario, it catches fire in your microwave and permanently ruins your Nutella… not to mention the rest of your kitchen and house.

The jar itself is the next item to be cautious about.

The majority of Nutella sold in North America is packaged in plastic. You could receive a glass jar if you buy the imported ones, but you’re more likely to get a plastic jar with your choco-nutty spread.

You should never microwave plastic containers. For one thing, it may melt, which is not suitable for long-term storage.

Furthermore, there are harmful compounds in plastic that are harmless when contained within the plastic but deadly when they seep into your food. Because heat increases this leaking, avoid microwaving plastic containers.

Finally, unless you plan on eating a whole jar of Nutella in a single sitting, leaving it in the jar it arrived in jeopardizes the quality of your spread. Heating the entire jar in the microwave and then keeping leftovers might cause the quality to decay considerably faster than required.

Control your servings.

Because melting all of your Nutella is not a good idea because it will cause the quality to deteriorate, we must plan ahead of time where we will move it. The best option is to obtain a tiny glass or ceramic container that can be microwaved. It’s even better if it comes with a cover.

If you want to utilize the melted paste, consider using a gravy boat as an alternative. However, if you intend to dip something into the melted Nutella, use a plate that is large enough.

The cover is important.

This delectable meal is quite sensitive to heat, which is why it might dry up if not properly covered. So prepare to cover it if you don’t want to end up with a chunk of hard chocolate instead of a luscious liquid delicacy.

The main purpose is to allow air to escape from the tank while keeping most of it trapped under the lid to wet the content.

To do this, place a loose cover over the tank where the paste will be melted, but do not seal it!

If the meal is cooked in a bowl, cover it with an inverted plate of the appropriate size.

Microwaving

Melt this meal in a microwave on medium power. Excessive warmth or excessive heat will result in more intense moisture loss, which we must avoid at all costs.

It should be heated for thirty seconds at a time. After this time, mix the paste and check it: if it’s liquid enough, you may stop and use it. If not, repeat the 30-second warming cycle, remembering to stir.

Check the texture of the paste as it is cooking. Turn off the microwave as soon as it’s perfectly liquid.

What if you don’t have a microwave but need some melted Nutella? Then use the traditional hot water melting trick: place the jar or paste in a basin of hot water and wait for it to melt!

Alternative Nutella Heating Methods

Although Nutella can be microwaved, there are several better solutions if you don’t require it to melt.

  1. The Hot Knife

Nutella can easily scoop out with hot forks.

After 10 seconds in boiling water, a knife will easily scoop out and spread your chocolate hazelnut spread. Ice cream shops use this basic procedure to make scooping their product into cones considerably easier.

  1. A bath in water

How water softens the hazelnut spread.

Fill a basin halfway with boiling water and immerse the full Nutella container in it for one minute. This is a milder kind of heating that softens the entire tub.

How to Increase the Liquidity of Nutella

When liquifying Nutella, a typical concern is that the melted paste tends to revert to its previous thick condition.

And, because microwaving it all the time is not a suitable answer because it might just spoil the meal, everyone wonders how this delectable paste can be liquified without destroying its texture.

In reality, other than heating, there are various methods for making the consistency of this paste more liquid.

  • Try to add some oil with a neutral flavor, but just a tiny amount at a time; otherwise, the meal will become overly greasy.
  • Add some chocolate syrup to the mix. This is very useful since the chocolate flavor of the paste will not be compromised, and the consistency will become more liquified.
  • If none of those above solutions suit you, try a different approach. Prepare thick chocolate milk with cocoa powder and dilute it with Nutella.

In any case, they are far superior solutions than the repeated warming up, which will ultimately cause the taste and general quality to deteriorate.

How to store Melted Nutella

If you have leftover Nutella after microwaving it, store it in an airtight container that is not made of plastic.

Returning it to the original container, on the other hand, will spoil what’s left of your fresh Nutella and jeopardize the quality of your melted Nutella.

When your Nutella returns to room temperature or colder, it will thicken back to its former consistency.

It may be runnier or slightly tougher than natural Nutella, depending on how long it was microwaved for and how it was kept.

Every time you melt and store Nutella, the results will be different.

Does Nutella go bad?

Yes, Nutella can go bad. The longevity of this paste is not specified, however it will often remain edible for many months after the best-by date when opened.

Do you keep Nutella refrigerated after opening it? This paste should not be cooled since the cold will cause it to stiffen and become ineffective as a spread.

To maintain its high quality, the paste must be firmly packed and stored away from light and heat at 18-20 degrees Celsius. Then, transfer the melted food to the hermetic tank and store it in the pantry. The melted paste will solidify if it is cold, so try not to cool it.

Also, remember that when Nutella is melted, it hardens quickly. Its ability to become rock-solid is dependent on how well it is supplied.


Pantry
Nutella unopenedBest by + 6-12 months
Nutella opened6 months

How to use Nutella

Of course, you can use this delectable liquid delight any way you see fit based on your unique preferences. Because Nutella, when melted, resembles chocolate syrup and is sweet, we have various suggestions for how it might be used in the kitchen:

  • But drizzle it over your ice cream (chocolate or not).
  • Melted Nutella is perfect as a dip for various fruits. Strawberries, grapes, pears, and peaches go very well with it.
  • Instead of maple syrup, try it on your pancakes or waffles.
  • After all, why not just sprinkle it over your french toast for breakfast in the morning?
  • Melted Nutella is a popular addition to various hot beverages, including coffee, cacao, and others.
  • This liquid chocolate sauce is ideal for puddings and porridge.
  • Finally, dip a tough cookie into it if you can’t think of anything else!

So, that’s all we wanted to tell you. You learned about microwaving Nutella and how to prepare for the operation to perform it effectively.

We also discussed the fundamental preventive steps that must be followed when melting this mean and what should never be done to avoid harming your health.

Now that you know how to melt it and how to use it, we are confident that your culinary skills will improve, providing you with new ideas on how to offer various meals and desserts with melted Nutella.

FAQs

Is it possible to re-use melted Nutella?

If you have any leftover runny chocolate spread, put it in an airtight jar in the pantry. The Nutella will solidify but will not have the same texture as the original, so do not return it to the jar it came in.

Is it possible to microwave Nutella in its jar?

The producer of Nutella does not advocate microwaving the spread in its original plastic container. So even though the chocolate spread is wrapped in glass, it may not be appropriate for microwaving. Your best bet is to move it to a different dish. If you disregard the warnings and put the entire container in the microwave, remove all of the foil seals since it is a fire danger.

Can Nutella be used as a healthier alternative to peanut butter?

Although both spreads may be used in the same ways at the table, peanut butter is the healthier alternative. It is lower in sugar and greater in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Does Nutella harden once it has been melted?

Melted Nutella has a light and syrupy consistency. This can alter when it comes into contact with something cold; when the temperature drops, the melted Nutella hardens.

Is Nutella free of gluten?

Nutella contains no glutenous cereals, nor are its components derived from glutenous cereals. So, sure, Nutella is free of gluten.

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Editorial Staff

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