Can You Freeze Nutella?

Nutella is one of America’s favorite and most addictive snacks! You can spread it on bread, add it to baked goods and even dig into the jar with a spoon. Don’t worry, we’ve all done it.

That delicious hazelnut flavor combined with the smooth chocolate texture is mouth-wateringly good. Sometimes a little bit goes such a long way. The unique nutty taste is what makes it such a popular spread, that sometimes can make us overstock our cupboards.

If you have extensive amounts of Nutella hanging around your kitchen (totally understandable) you can freeze it for later use.

The main purpose of freezing consumable products is to maintain their longevity and freshness. Nutella is incredibly long-lasting and it is highly unlikely that you would need to freeze it for future use, but you can if you want to.

You can also freeze Nutella for a quick and easy dessert snack to enjoy. Freezing it never compromises its taste and you end up with a chilled chocolate bar style treat!

However, the high oil content in our favorite chocolatey hazelnut spread means that it is able to last for long periods of time without refrigeration and frozen.

Whilst Nutella has longlife properties that keeps it fresh and consumable for months, it can still go bad as it is made entirely from nuts, fats and dairy products. Storing your Nutella jar in a cool, dry place away from sunlight is the best way to keep it fresher for longer.

You should always avoid keeping Nutella in the fridge as it will harden slightly and will no longer have that soft, creamy spreadable texture that we enjoy.

You can pretty much freeze anything to improve its longevity, and Nutella is no exception. However, freezing for an extended period of time will affect its texture and consistency.

Best ways to freeze Nutella

You can place unopened jars of Nutella directly in your freezer if you have the space. The packaging and foil seal ensures the freshness of your Nutella and it can go straight in your freezer hassle-free.

Since the jar is usually made entirely from plastic, there is no risk of the container cracking or exploding inside the freezer. If yours is made from glass, we recommend you transfer the contents into a freezer-safe container.

You can also empty the jar of Nutella into a tupperware container or a ziploc or freezer bag. This way you may be able to fit it into your freezer better and have more room for other products (or more jars of Nutella).

Using a freezer bag is a little messier than just throwing the jar in, as you have to scoop the contents into the bag. Ensure all of the air is removed from the bag before you freeze it and you should be fine.

When using a tupperware box for freezing Nutella, always line it first. This way it will not get freezer burn after long periods of time.

Always remember to use an airtight lid and make sure every corner is sealed off perfectly. This way your spread can last longer and is safer in the freezer.

How to thaw frozen Nutella

The best and safest way to thaw Nutella is to remove it from the freezer and leave it to defrost at room temperature for a few hours. As it is made from natural ingredients such as chocolate and butter, it should thaw quite easily and maintain its flavor.

Because Nutella consists of nut oil then it may separate as it freezes and you will have to stir and mix it up to regain its original consistency. You can do this with a whisk or spoon to regain its texture. It can be quite difficult, but so worth it.

You should never change the temperatures of your Nutella. For instance, if you have kept it in the fridge for a few days, do not then keep it in the cupboard. The change in temperature can promote the growth of bacteria and mold and it will go off much sooner.

How to tell if your Nutella has gone bad

When Nutella is stored properly, it can last for many months or sometimes up to a year. But under certain circumstances, it can still go rancid.

You should always make sure your Nutella jar is sealed properly when storing, whether it has been opened or not. This will maintain the shelf life of your spread for much longer.

The packaging on the Nutella jar states that the product should be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If kept in warm temperatures, or in direct sunlight, Nutella will go bad much sooner, and the ingredients will separate and turn rancid.

Nutella is made from a blend of nut oils, butters and dairy products like chocolate. These items can all go back over time or under specific conditions. While you may not become seriously ill from eating out of date Nutella, it may taste horrible.

In order to tell whether your jar of Nutella has gone bad you should consider a few give away factors. Always check items for a repulsive smell. Your sense of smell will naturally detect whether a food item has expired.

If the Nutella has any signs of discoloration or mold, then it is probably best to throw it in the trash. In addition, you probably know by now that Nutella has a beautiful soft and creamy texture. If this has hardened and darkened in color then it has definitely gone past its sell-by date.

Why freeze Nutella?

You can also make delicious frozen treats that will please the whole family. Nutella can be scooped into little balls or strips to be frozen and enjoyed as a guilt-free snack.

From personal experience, we recommend that you always keep a jar (or two) of Nutella handy. It is a delicious and scrumptious snack that goes with anything. Literally anything. Trust us, we’ve tried it.

Knowing how to properly store, freeze and thaw Nutella means that you can keep more jars handy for whenever you want them.