Skip to content

Unpacking the Ingredients: What are the ingredients in Nutella breadsticks?

2 min read

Did you know that Nutella was invented in post-World War II Italy as a way to stretch limited cocoa supplies? This iconic spread, when paired with crispy breadsticks in the portable Nutella & Go pack, is a beloved on-the-go snack, prompting many to ask exactly what are the ingredients in Nutella breadsticks.

Quick Summary

A detailed analysis of the Nutella & Go snack pack ingredients, examining the components of the hazelnut cocoa spread and the crispy baked wheat breadsticks, and addressing common dietary questions.

Key Points

  • Nutella Spread Base: The main components of the spread are sugar and palm oil, followed by hazelnuts, skim milk powder, and cocoa.

  • Emulsifier and Flavoring: Soy-derived lecithin is used to maintain the spread's smooth texture, while vanillin provides a consistent flavor.

  • Breadstick Composition: The breadsticks are made from enriched wheat flour, palm oil, salt, barley malt extract, and baker's yeast.

  • Major Allergens: Key allergens present in the snack pack include tree nuts (hazelnuts), milk, soy, and wheat.

  • Not Vegan or Dairy-Free: Due to the presence of skim milk powder, the Nutella spread is not suitable for vegan or dairy-free diets.

In This Article

A Detailed Look at the Nutella Spread

The Nutella hazelnut spread in the snack pack is a blend of several ingredients contributing to its flavor and texture.

Core Ingredients of the Spread

The primary components include sugar and palm oil, which provide sweetness and a smooth consistency. Hazelnuts make up about 13% of the spread, contributing the key nutty flavor. Skim milk powder adds creaminess and means the product is not vegan. Cocoa provides the chocolate notes, and lecithin acts as an emulsifier to maintain texture. Vanillin, an artificial flavor, enhances the overall taste.

The Breadsticks: Simple and Savory

The breadsticks complement the sweet spread with a crispy texture.

Breakdown of Breadstick Ingredients

Made primarily from enriched wheat flour, the breadsticks also contain palm oil for texture, salt for flavor balance, and malt extract which adds subtle sweetness and aids in baking. Baker's yeast helps them rise.

Comparison: Breadsticks vs. Pretzel Sticks

Nutella & Go is also available with pretzel sticks, offering a different flavor and texture experience. The Nutella spread ingredients remain the same, but the dipping item changes.

Feature Nutella & Go! Breadsticks Nutella & Go! Pretzel Sticks
Flavor Profile Subtly savory and slightly sweet from malt extract. Salty and crunchy, with a distinct pretzel flavor.
Dipping Experience A neutral, baked crunch that lets the Nutella flavor shine. A robust salty-sweet combination that many find addictive.
Additional Ingredients Contains enriched wheat flour, palm oil, salt, malt extract, baker's yeast. Adds canola oil, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium hydroxide for its characteristic texture and flavor.
Texture Crispy, baked texture. Harder, saltier, and more dense.
Allergen Alert Contains wheat, barley (malt), milk, hazelnuts, soy. Contains wheat, milk, hazelnuts, soy, with canola oil also present.

Key Additives and Allergen Information

The snack pack contains additives for texture and flavor, along with major allergens.

Essential Additives and Their Roles

Soy-derived lecithin acts as an emulsifier to keep the spread smooth. Vanillin is an artificial flavor enhancing the taste. Barley malt extract in the breadsticks aids in baking and adds sweetness.

Important Allergen Information

The Nutella & Go! snack pack with breadsticks contains several major allergens, including hazelnuts, milk (from skim milk powder), soy (from lecithin), and wheat (in the breadsticks).

Ferrero's official Nutella website provides more information about its ingredients and nutritional value.

Conclusion

The Nutella breadsticks snack pack consists of a Nutella spread made primarily from sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, and skim milk powder, stabilized by lecithin and flavored with cocoa and vanillin. The breadsticks are composed of enriched wheat flour, palm oil, salt, malt extract, and yeast. Consumers with allergies should note the presence of hazelnuts, milk, soy, and wheat. Understanding these ingredients allows for informed snacking.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Nutella spread in the breadsticks snack pack is not vegan. It contains skim milk powder, which is a dairy-based ingredient derived from cow's milk.

No, the breadsticks are not gluten-free. They are made with enriched wheat flour, which contains gluten. While the original Nutella spread itself does not contain gluten, the combined product is not gluten-free.

No, the Nutella spread in the snack pack contains hazelnuts, but it is free of peanuts and other tree nuts.

Lecithin is a natural emulsifier, often sourced from soy, that is added to Nutella to keep its ingredients mixed together. It prevents the oil and other components from separating, ensuring a smooth and consistent texture.

The main difference is in the dipping item. The breadsticks are simply baked wheat sticks, while the pretzel sticks are saltier and have additional ingredients like sodium bicarbonate to give them a distinct flavor and texture.

The product should be stored at room temperature, ideally between 64 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It should not be refrigerated, as this can cause the Nutella to harden and become difficult to spread.

According to the manufacturer, Nutella contains no artificial colors or preservatives. The flavor additive is vanillin, which is an artificial flavor.

References

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.