Can You Freeze Nutella?

It’s true! Yes, you can freeze Nutella.

But should you? Well, that depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.

If you’re looking to store it longer (or if you’re like us and prefer to buy Nutella in bulk), then go ahead and put it in the freezer.

It’ll last for up to 6 months this way—that’s half a year of delicious, spreadable chocolate and hazelnut goodness.

So how do you do it?

Just make sure your jar of Nutella is tightly sealed, and then put it in a freezer-safe container.

That way, if the jar cracks due to expansion, it won’t affect the rest of your freezer (or your other food items).

Now let’s say you’ve got some Nutella in the freezer, but now you want to eat it.

How do you defrost it? It’s easy: just take your Nutella out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature for a couple hours.

If after that time it still hasn’t softened enough for your liking, try microwaving it at 15-second intervals—just don’t microwave it for too long or you’ll defeat the point of freezing it in the first place by getting rid of the creamy texture!

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Is It Okay To Freeze Nutella?

Your Nutella is safe in the fridge and can be frozen, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to thaw it out.

How you decide to freeze Nutella will seriously impact its quality once you defrost it.

If you toss a jar of unopened Nutella into the freezer, the consistency may change when you thaw it out.

When placed in cold temperatures, oil tends to separate from hazelnut paste causing a grainy texture when thawed.

However, if you opt to freeze homemade Nutella or store-bought in an airtight container, your frozen product should maintain its normal texture when thawed back out.

Either way, make sure your container is completely sealed before freezing so that no air can get inside and crystallize the mixture.

When ready to eat your now-frozen delicacy, simply transfer the container to the refrigerator until your desired consistency is achieved; this could take up to 24 hours depending on how big of a portion was frozen!

How To Freeze Nutella

You can freeze Nutella for up to 6 months in its original container if it’s unopened.
If you want to pour it into a different container, let it come to room temperature first and then freeze. Leave at least 1/2 an inch of space at the top of the jar or your other container so that the Nutella can expand in the freezer.
After thawing, give it a good stir with a spoon before using and use within a month after defrosting.

Now that you have some guidelines for freezing this delicious spread, go ahead and enjoy!

Thawing Frozen Nutella

There are a few methods you can use to thaw frozen Nutella.

Each method may give the chocolate hazelnut spread a different texture, so consider your preferences before you decide which one to go with.

Refrigerator: Transfer the container of frozen Nutella from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it sit there for 6 hours or overnight. This is your best bet if you want it to have a creamy texture, with no change in consistency — just like it was when it went into the freezer.
Room Temperature: Let your container of frozen Nutella sit on top of your counter at room temperature for 2 hours. This will give it a creamier texture than if you’d placed it directly in the microwave but not as creamy as if left overnight in the fridge.
Microwave: Remove any lid from the container and place it directly inside your microwave oven on medium heat for 30 seconds or until completely defrosted. This will yield a runny, liqueur-like consistency that’s perfect for drizzling over ice cream and other desserts.[1]

How To Tell If Your Nutella Has Gone Bad

Check the Nutella jar for any signs of mold or off-smells.

If you notice that the Nutella has an unusual smell, it’s best to throw it out.

The same goes if there are any signs of mold.

Taste the Nutella.

If you notice that your spoonful of Nutella has an unusual taste, you’ll want to discard the rest immediately.

This is likely caused by overstaying its welcome in your cabinet, but could also be a sign that it was left out for too long before being put back in the pantry (or maybe someone didn’t screw on the lid all the way after scooping some out).