Does Nutella Go Bad? (And How Long Does It Last)

Nutella is a beloved chocolate hazelnut spread manufactured by Italian company Ferrero. It has a rich history going back all the way to 1946. Its creamy, nutty, and chocolaty taste is popular amongst people of all ages and goes well with a variety of different foods such as bread, pancakes, waffles, crepes, fruit, and even on its own by the spoonful. Whether you eat it often or on occasion, you may have wondered about its shelf life and if it goes bad or not.

Yes, Nutella does go bad. It has a shelf life of 12 months after opening for the single serve packs, jars, and tubs. Nutella piping bags have a shelf life of 6 months. With proper storage, quality and shelf life of Nutella will be prolonged deeming it safe to consume, as long as no other signs of spoilage are present.

In this article, we will discuss if the chocolate hazelnut spread Nutella goes bad, as well as its shelf life and proper storage. Then we will review some alternatives to Nutella and what can be used in place of it. Lets dig in!

Does Nutella Go Bad Over Time?

Yes, Nutella goes bad over time. It has a shelf life of 12 months after opening for the single serve packs, jars, and tubs. Nutella piping bag has a shelf life of 6 months. If you are not familiar with Nutella piping bag, it is a pre-filled bag of Nutella that you can snip and serve directly from the bag without the use of a butter knife.

Does Nutella Need To Be Refrigerated?

Nutella should not be refrigerated, as the cold temperature will make it hard and difficult to spread. Keep it stored at room temperature between 64 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Can You Tell If Nutella Has Gone Bad?

The first visible sign of Nutella going bad is when the soft and creamy texture has turned to hard and dry. It will be very difficult to spread when it has become like this.
Another sign it has gone bad is if an unpleasant smell or taste has developed. The oils will turn rancid after a while and give off an unpleasant smell.
A third sign it has gone bad is if you see any mold growth. This is typically caused by the use of unclean utensils when handling Nutella. Always use clean utensils to prevent cross contamination and prolong its quality and shelf life.
Throw Nutella away if you see any of these signs.

Nutella does not come with an expiration date, but it comes with a best-by date. It will have the best quality and taste before that date. After that date, if Nutella was stored properly and does not show signs of going bad, it may still be safe to consume but may not have the same flavor as it did when it was first opened.

How To Properly Store Nutella

Nutella should be stored at room temperature between 64 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to maintain quality flavor.
Do no refrigerate Nutella, as it will cause it to become hard and difficult to spread.
Keep Nutella away from heat, as it will lose its flavor and cause the oils to separate.
Always use clean and dry utensils.
Store the container in an upright position.
Close the container tightly after each use.

Does Nutella Go Bad After Opening?

If stored properly, Nutella has a shelf life of 12 months after opening for the portion packs, jars, and tubs. Nutella piping bag has a shelf life of 6 months. If opened, Nutella will have the best quality and taste by the best-by date on the container. It will start to deteriorate with time, so the flavor may not be optimal as it had when it was first opened. If unopened, it will be safe to consume beyond the best-by date if is shows no signs of going bad; however, the flavor may not be the best at this time.

Can You Get Sick From Eating Old Nutella?

You will not get sick from eating old Nutella if it has been properly stored and there are no signs of spoilage. If you plan to eat Nutella after the best-by date, always check for signs of spoilage before consuming. If you see any signs of mold, discard it immediately. Mold can cause food poisoning with an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, more serious complications can occur depending on the individual and amount consumed.

Why Is There Oil On Top Of Nutella?

Nutella contains a lot of oil so when Nutella is stored or not used for a long time, the oils start to separate from the other ingredients. This may also happen if Nutella is exposed to warmer temperatures than what is recommended between 64 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The presence of oil is a natural occurrence and is no cause for concern. It just needs to be stirred thoroughly before applying it to food, and is safe to consume. The same happens to other oil-containing foods such as peanut butter and almond butter.

Alternatives To Nutella

Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter

A delicious combination of hazelnuts, almonds, and cocoa, Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut and Almond Butter is a wonderful alternative to Nutella, and healthier too. It is gluten-free, vegan, and contains only 8g sugar per serving. Compared to Nutella, which has 21g of sugar per serving, it may not be as sweet, but the premium hazelnuts and organic chocolate might just make this your go-to spread for breakfast.

Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread

Made with all organic ingredients, Artisana Organic Hazelnut Cacao Spread is another amazing alternative to Nutella. Naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and made without palm oil, it is not only delicious but is full of wholesome ingredients and only 9g sugar per serving. This spread is also gluten-free, vegan, and Kosher.

Eliot’s Oregon Hazelnut Chocolate Spread

Another healthy and all natural alternative to Nutella is Eliot’s Oregon Hazelnut Chocolate Spread. It is dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, has no palm oil, and only 2g of sugar per serving.

Made with only 5 ingredients including roasted hazelnuts, powdered sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and salt. There are so many ways to enjoy it such as on toast, apples, oatmeal, and yogurt.

BHU Keto Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

A remarkable keto alternative to Nutella, BHU Keto Chocolate Hazelnut Spread has 0g sugar and 2g net carbohydrates. It is made with clean, organic ingredients with no additives, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan.

Creamy and versatile, it can be used on crepes, croissants, waffles, toast, pretzels, cookies, fruit, and eaten by the spoonful just as you would Nutella.

Nuttzo Organic Chocolate Power Fuel – Peanut-Free

A peanut-free alternative, Nuttzo Organic Chocolate Power Fuel is a mix of cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and pumpkin, chia, and flax seeds with chocolate, coconut sugar, and sea salt. It is a delicious spread that is both savory and sweet.

It is low in sugar and packed with nutrients. Another gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, organic, and overall amazing chocolate spread alternative.

Soom Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt Tahini

For a spread that is not hazelnut based, tahini is another great alternative. Tahini is made from toasted and ground sesame seeds, and Soom Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt Tahini is made with a simple ingredient list that includes sesame seeds, pure cane sugar, cocoa powder, and sea salt.

It is creamy, with a subtle crunch from the sea salt, and gives you a rich salty-sweet flavor. It is dairy-free, vegan, nutrient-rich, and a perfect addition on ice cream, in cookies and cakes, and eating by the spoonful straight from the jar.

NutRaw Organic Pistachio Butter

Another spread that is not hazelnut based, this NutRaw Organic Pistachio Butter is a delicious and nutritious alternative to Nutella. It is made with just 3 ingredients of organic pistachios, organic vanilla bean, and sea salt.

It is packed with omega 3, 6, and 9; it is rich in antioxidants, and contains vitamins B1, B6, and E. No preservatives or anything artificial, and 2g sugar per serving. This pistachio butter has a rich, nutty flavor that can be used like any other nut butter and goes well with both sweet and savory foods.