Originally Created on: May 11, 2023 @ 10:37 am
Can I put Nutella in the microwave? Everyone loves Nutella! It’s one of the tasty treats most of us grew up with. And by the look of things, Nutella isn’t going anywhere.
Most people spread Nutella on toast or eat it straight from the jar. However, have you ever tried microwaving it?
When microwaved, Nutella melts into a syrup that you can drizzle over a milkshake, cake, ice cream, or any other snack that tastes better with chocolate.
Also, if you live in cold areas, microwaving Nutella makes it easier to spread. If you have never microwaved Nutella, you probably have a few questions such as is it safe?
Below, we are going to answer whether it’s okay to put Nutella in the microwave. We will also dig much deeper into the topic and educate you about everything you may need to know.
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Table of Content
Can I Put Nutella in the Microwave?
Nutella can be microwaved. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Not all Nutella jars are microwave-safe.
Therefore, to avoid unwanted incidents, always transfer the Nutella from the jar into a microwave-safe container. Then you can proceed to heat it up.
Also, as you microwave Nutella, you must be careful and avoid overcooking it. Nutella will melt into a syrup when heated.
But when it’s exposed to heat for a longer period, it sort of dries up and turns into a hard spread. You should time the heating sessions and stir after every Microwave burst.
It’s recommended that Nutella be microwaved for 20 to 30 seconds before being stirred. Immediately it starts to melt, take it out of the microwave and use it as intended.
Putting Nutella in the microwave is one of the easiest and quickest methods of heating this chocolate spread into a syrup.
Compared to other methods such as placing the jar of Nutella in hot water or heating up a knife before scooping the spread, the microwave method is more effective.
It’s worth mentioning that Nutella after it has been microwaved, will harden as the temperatures cool down.
Therefore, if you prefer runny Nutella, you can always melt it in small amounts by using your microwave.
How to Microwave Nutella?
Melting Nutella into syrup with a microwave is not rocket science. But if you are not careful, things can quickly escalate leaving you with a dry and hard lump of chocolate.
To get the job done right, follow the steps below carefully.
• Prioritize these Two Safety Measures
Do not attempt to put a Nutella jar that’s straight from the store into a microwave.
Nutella jars are often sealed with aluminum foil that can catch fire when placed in a microwave. Open the jar and remove the foil.
The other safety measure relates to the jar itself. Most Nutella jars are made of plastic. And as we all know, plastic is not microwave-friendly.
• Transfer the Nutella from the Jar into a Microwave-Safe Container
This isn’t even a debatable matter. Nutella that’s about to be melted in the microwave should be transferred into a microwave-safe container. A container made of Pyrex, ceramic, or glass should be okay.
Transfer an adequate amount. That will depend on how you intend to use the melted Nutella. If it’s for dipping, you will need more than the one needed for pouring like gravy.
• Cover the Container
To prevent the Nutella from drying out, you need to seal some moisture inside the container. A cover can help you out with that.
Don’t cover it tightly. Leave some room to let air escape. You can place the cover loosely over the container.
• Turn on the Microwave and Stir Between Bursts
Start the microwave and let it run for twenty or thirty seconds. Open the container and stir it. If it has melted enough, remove the jar and use it as you had earlier intended.
If not, run the microwave for another twenty-second burst. After 60 seconds, it should have melted perfectly and that’s when you should stop.
What Happens If You Microwave Nutella?
The results that occur when you microwave Nutella heavily depend on how long you expose it to heat.
If you follow the guide shared above, your Nutella should melt into a silky and runny consistency that you can pour or dip into.
On the other hand, when you overheat Nutella in the microwave, you will end up with a hard chocolate lump with unpleasant burnt patches.
When microwaved for around thirty seconds, Nutella turns into a smooth texture that’s easy to spread and scoop into desserts. If you keep on microwaving it for a minute, the Nutella melts into a runny and pourable consistency.
This is as runny as Nutella can get. When you heat it for more than a minute, it dries completely and becomes difficult to spread or even pour.
When you microwave Nutella, you don’t make a bigger mess compared to other methods. Because here, you only need one bowl or dish.
You can also melt a lot of Nutella within a pretty short period. Microwaving is the best method if you want to serve this treat to a lot of people.
Does Melted Nutella Harden?
Eventually, melted Nutella will harden. What makes the Nutella soft is the heat it’s exposed to. When the temperatures start to drop, the Nutella will harden from a runny consistency into a spreadable paste.
If it’s stored in the refrigerator, it will become harder and even more difficult to spread.
However, there is a way you can ensure Nutella remains soft and that’s by storing it in an airtight container. This will lengthen the duration Nutella takes to turn from a syrup into a paste.
If you are interested in hardening Nutella, you can mix it with melted chocolate and refrigerate it. That should give you a harder-chocolate consistency.
Does Nutella Separate When Heated?
Nutella doesn’t separate when heated. It only melts into a pourable syrup. Nutella only separates when it’s stored for a long time.
This is exactly what happens to the likes of peanut butter or other spreads. And when that happens, you can remix the ingredients by shaking the jar vigorously.
When Nutella is heated, it first melts. If you keep on heating, it stops melting and turns solid.
Therefore, you need to understand the difference between Nutella melting and separating.
When Nutella melts, it’s still safe for consumption. However, the same can’t be said for Nutella that’s separating after a long storage period.
Conclusion
Now that we have answered your question on – can I put Nutella in the microwave?
What are you waiting for? Start adding this runny syrup to your breakfast oats and favorite desserts.
But remember to prioritize the safety measures we listed earlier.