nutella watery

Why Is My Nutella Watery? (Here’s Why and How to Fix It Quickly)

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Who doesn’t love Nutella? It is delicious, and the fact that it is in spread form makes it even better!  

If you have found yourself excited to make a Nutella sandwich, only to notice that the Nutella has turned watery, you would understandably be concerned!

Why is my Nutella watery?

Nutella turns watery when the oils separate from the solids, and sit on the top. When you open the Nutella, you will see the liquid oils at the surface, and assume the Nutella is watery. This usually isn’t bad, and the Nutella is still fine to eat.

So, to avoid having to eat watery Nutella, read on to find out why this happens, and what you can do to fix it quickly.

Why Does Nutella Go Watery?

Don’t be too alarmed if you notice that your Nutella appears watery, or more liquid than normal, this is usually not harmful and is something that happens when the Nutella sits in the pantry.

The liquid that you see when you open a tub of Nutella is the oils, which have separated from the solids. These rise to the surface and would be what you first notice when you unscrew the cap. 

You likely will not be able to see the solids below the oils, and therefore it would be easy to assume that all of the Nutella is watery.

This isn’t the case, and it really is only the top layer that would have this watery, oily texture, and the rest of the Nutella would still be fairly solid, even more so now that it has lost some oil.

How to Fix Watery Nutella Quick

You obviously would not want to use watery Nutella to make a sandwich, and instead of wasting perfectly fine Nutella, there are some ways that you can fix it.

chocolate spread

Here are some ways to fix watery Nutella:

1. Incorporate Ingredients

The first thing you can try is to incorporate the oils and solids back together again. This does mean you have to remove all of the Nutella from the jar, but it will bind it all together again.

You can either place the Nutella into a blender, and just pulse it lightly until the oils are blended in with the other ingredients again, or you can place the Nutella into a bowl and use an electric or hand whisk to gently bind the ingredients together.

You can then place the Nutella in the refrigerator to prevent it from separating again.

2. Add Some Powdered Sugar

If you are looking for a quick fix and do not want to remove all of the Nutella from the jar, you can scoop out as much as you need, and place it in a bowl.

Add a small amount of powdered sugar to the Nutella, and mix it all together with a spoon. The powdered sugar will thicken the Nutella up again, and bring it to a spreadable consistency.

Only start by adding in a small amount of powdered sugar, around ½ teaspoon per 1 tablespoon of Nutella. You can always add more in if needed, but you do not want to add too much in and the Nutella becomes thick and stodgy.

Just keep in mind that this will make the Nutella slightly sweeter, but it is a great way to thicken up watery Nutella quickly.

3. Heat the Nutella

If you are using the Nutella to make a dessert or to add it to something warm, then you can place some watery Nutella into a microwave-safe bowl (like these from Amazon), and heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds.

After 10 seconds, mix the Nutella together, and it will incorporate the liquids and solids together, and be easier to use. It will be smoother and slightly more runny than regular Nutella, but it will be more useable than watery Nutella.

Is Watery Nutella Safe to Eat?

Watery Nutella isn’t usually unsafe to eat, rather it is a natural process where the oils have separated from the solids, and form a watery layer on the top of the Nutella.

nutella watery

If the oil or liquid sitting at the top of the Nutella is clear, then it is very likely fine to eat, and you can just mix the oils back into the solids.

However, if the liquid is gray or discolored, then it could be a sign that the Nutella has gone off, and should be thrown away.

Peanut butter is another spread that forms a layer of oil on top when the liquids and solids separate, and like Nutella, this does not mean that it is unsafe to eat, and it should still taste exactly the same once you have thickened it up again.

Can Nutella Go Bad?

Nutella can go bad after some time. It does have a fairly long shelf life, up to 12 months, but eventually, it will go bad.

To tell whether Nutella has gone bad, you would need to smell for an off odor, look for a change in color, and search for a change in texture.

If you notice a sour smell, if the Nutella turns a gray color or develops gray spots, or if the Nutella turns dry and clumpy, it is safer to throw it away and buy a new jar.

Nutella which has expired can make you sick, so it is safe to be cautious if you notice any signs that the Nutella has spoiled, even if they are subtle.

Why Is My Nutella Watery?

You do not have to throw your Nutella away if you notice that it has turned watery, or if there is a liquid layer on the surface.

Usually, this just means that the oils have separated from the solids, and have settled on the top, it does not indicate that the Nutella has expired.

You just need to mix the oils back in with the solids or add in some powdered sugar to thicken up the Nutella again before using it. You could also heat the Nutella lightly and then mix it together to thicken it up.

Don’t throw out watery Nutella if there are no signs of spoiling, rather use the above guide to thicken it up, so you get to enjoy the decadent chocolate taste.

Related Questions

Why Does Nutella Not Solidify?

Nutella will never fully solidify because it is mostly made of fats, and these fats will prevent the Nutella from turning into a solid.

Should Nutella Be Kept in the Fridge?

Nutella can be kept at room temperature, between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best when stored in a cool, dry environment, away from direct sunlight, and with the lid tightly closed.

Nutella turns hard when kept in the fridge, and this makes it difficult to spread.

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