We all remember prowling the supermarket in search of a delicious weekend treat. For some, that treat would be a chocolate bar. For others, a thick and creamy chocolate spread. Nutella has dominated the chocolate spread market since it was invented back in 1964, and it continues to be every child’s perfect weekend treat.
However, there are far more uses for Nutella than simply spreading it on toast or eating it straight out of the jar. You should try using your microwave to help you get your money’s worth out of the well-loved spread.
To microwave Nutella, remove it from the jar and into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl before microwaving the Nutella on low for 20 seconds to melt it.
How to Microwave Nutella
When you need a quick chocolate fix, your microwave can come in handy for creating a variety of filling treats, from a chocolate mug cake to 2-minute pancakes.
But easier than all those treats is using your microwave to melt Nutella. In fact, the best method for melting Nutella in your microwave could not be more simple:
- Move To A Bowl
Don’t just shove your Nutella jar into your microwave and hope for the best. First measure out as much Nutella as you want to use with a tablespoon and transfer it to a microwave-safe bowl. - Cover
Use a large plate or a kitchen towel to cover the Nutella. This will prevent the top of the chocolate from burning straight away. - Set The Microwave
Program your microwave to its lowest heat setting and set the microwave’s timer for 20 seconds. - Microwave
Place your covered bowl of Nutella directly into the microwave and press start. - Check And Mix
After 20 seconds, use a spoon or whisk to mix up the Nutella. If the chocolate has started to melt, take it out. - Microwave Again
If the Nutella still has not started to melt, then continue to microwave it in 10-second intervals, stopping to stir the Nutella each time. - Use
As soon as your Nutella has melted enough to use as you want, do not hesitate to enjoy it before it starts to harden once more.
How to Microwave Nutella Successfully
There are very few instances where someone would not enjoy Nutella. However, when you microwave Nutella, there are a few tips and tricks you can keep in mind to ensure that the delicious chocolate remains exactly that – delicious:
- No More Than 1 Minute – The most significant issue you will encounter when microwaving Nutella is overcooking it. No matter how much Nutella you are microwaving, do not heat it for more than 1 minute. Otherwise, the Nutella will burn into a solid chocolate block and become unusable.
- Mix Without Heat – You do not need to microwave your Nutella until it is liquid to have a perfectly smooth spread. As soon as the Nutella starts to soften, use a spoon or whisk to mix the Nutella, and the residual heat will smooth out the spread.
- Skip The Jar – Not all Nutella jars are microwave safe. To bypass any safety hazard, transfer the Nutella to a microwaveable bowl before heating it.
Why You Should Microwave Nutella
Microwaves have been used for years to help make your time in the kitchen just so much simpler. It is for similar reasons that you should choose to microwave your Nutella. For example:
Less Mess
Though there are other ways to heat Nutella, most methods require a double broiler which requires dirtying more dishes than you want to clean. When microwaving Nutella, you need little more than a serving bowl and a spoon.
More Ways To Serve
Microwaving your Nutella is not just a convenient way to melt the chocolate spread but also helps to make it a more versatile ingredient for your kitchen.
With just a few seconds in the microwave, you can have a hot chocolate syrup or an instant sweetener for any recipe with much less effort than melting a whole bar of chocolate.
Very Efficient
You will not have to wait for water to heat up or a bowl to get hot enough when you decide to microwave our Nutella. In 30 seconds or less, you can have perfectly melted chocolatey goodness.
Why You Shouldn’t Microwave Nutella
Nutella is not really intended to be melted, never mind microwaved.
Most recipes that incorporated Nutella use it straight out of the jar instead of requiring a microwave. As such, using a microwave for your Nutella can cause some issues:
Burning Possibilities
Like with all chocolate-based products, there is a very high chance that you will burn your Nutella when you microwave it.
The chocolate used in Nutella is quite temperamental and does not react well to intense heat, increasing the likelihood of ruining your Nutella’s taste and texture completely.
Change Of Texture
You should expect your Nutella to change consistency when microwaved, as it will melt with heat. This may be your intention anyway. However, you also run the risk of changing the texture of your Nutella.
It may develop some burnt lumps or begin to curdle and seize up, depending on the heat of your microwave, which will alter the texture of your original recipe.
Need To Be Quick
Nutella can quickly go from being the perfect smoothness to being a burnt, hard, gross mess.
You need to keep as close an eye as possible on the Nutella itself when you microwave to avoid ruining the spread, which is not always possible when you need to focus on other kitchen tasks, which can cause more of a hindrance than a help.
Microwaving Nutella FAQs
If you have further questions about microwaving or melting Nutella, then these might help you out:
Yes, you can melt Nutella using a bowl of boiling water. Pour the water into a large bowl and then place a smaller bowl into this water without submerging it fully. Add the Nutella to this smaller bowl and stir it until it melts.
Although some jars might be microwave safe, it’s far better to remove the Nutella from the jar and then melt it in something you know is 100% safe to use.
Acacia may be a freelance writer by day, but they are a food fanatic by night. They are always trying out new recipes or finding different ways to elevate classical dishes. But their biggest culinary aim is to educate others on the basics of the kitchen so that they too can enjoy delicious food.
