Quick answer: Nutter Butter cookies do not contain gluten. Nutter Butter cookies are made by Nabisco and are gluten-free. The main ingredients in Nutter Butter cookies are enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), sugar, peanuts, partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil, corn syrup, dextrose, whey, eggs, salt, baking soda, and soy lecithin. Wheat flour contains gluten, but Nutter Butter cookies use enriched flour instead. This means the brand has removed the gluten from the wheat flour through processing. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can safely eat Nutter Butter cookies.
What is Nutter Butter?
Nutter Butter is a brand of peanut butter sandwich cookie produced by Nabisco. The cookies have been around since 1969 and are made with a peanut butter filling between two round, wheat-based biscuits. The cookies are coated on the top and bottom with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. Nutter Butter are a crispy, crunchy cookie on the outside with a smooth, creamy peanut butter filling on the inside. They come in packs of 6 or 15 cookies and are sold in grocery stores, mass retailers, convenience stores, and online. Nutter Butter cookies are kosher dairy, peanut butter sandwich cookies that are suitable for vegetarians.
Nutter Butter Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in Nutter Butter cookies:
- Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Sugar
- Peanuts
- Partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Whey
- Eggs
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Soy lecithin
The main ingredients are enriched flour, sugar, peanuts, oils, corn syrup, eggs, and leavening agents like baking soda.
Does Nutter Butter Contain Gluten?
No, Nutter Butter cookies do not contain gluten. While the cookies are made with wheat flour, Nutter Butter uses an enriched flour that has had the gluten removed. This allows people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to safely consume Nutter Butter cookies.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Normal wheat flour contains gluten. When wheat flour is processed to remove gluten, it becomes enriched flour. The processing removes the gluten proteins, leaving a wheat flour that is gluten-free. This enriched, gluten-free wheat flour is used to make Nutter Butter cookies.
Nabisco clearly labels Nutter Butter as being gluten-free right on the packaging. The Nutter Butter website also states that the cookies are gluten-free. People who need to follow a gluten-free diet can enjoy Nutter Butter cookies without concern over gluten content.
Why Nutter Butter Has No Gluten
There are a few reasons why Nutter Butter cookies are able to be gluten-free:
- Nabisco uses an enriched wheat flour that has had the gluten removed through processing
- Gluten is removed from regular wheat flour through mechanical processing and filtration
- The gluten protein strands are extracted, leaving behind a gluten-free wheat flour
- This enriched wheat flour allows the cookies to have a wheat-based taste and texture while being gluten-free
- Nabisco clearly labels the cookies as gluten-free and confirms the gluten-free status online
The use of enriched, gluten-free wheat flour is the primary reason Nutter Butter cookies do not contain gluten. Nabisco is transparent in communicating that Nutter Butter cookies are gluten-free and safe for gluten-free diets.
Other Gluten-Free Nabisco Cookies
In addition to Nutter Butter, Nabisco makes several other cookie varieties that are gluten-free:
- Chips Ahoy! (original chocolate chip, chewy, crunchy, and more)
- Oreo (original, Double Stuf, Golden, and more)
- Barnum’s Animal Crackers
- Honey Maid Grahams Original
- Ritz Crackers
- Triscuit Crackers
Like Nutter Butter, these cookies and crackers use enriched wheat flour that has had gluten removed. This allows people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity to enjoy these classic cookie brands from Nabisco gluten-free. Always check the label to confirm gluten-free status, as ingredients can change.
Nutrition Facts for Nutter Butter
Here are the nutrition facts for a 2-cookie (28g) serving of Nutter Butter cookies:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 5mg |
| Sodium | 115mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 9g |
| Includes 0g Added Sugars | 0% |
| Protein | 3g |
Nutter Butter cookies are high in calories, fat, and added sugars. The cookies provide 3g of protein per serving and are low in fiber. The cookies are made with partially hydrogenated oils, so they contain trans fats. Overall, Nutter Butter cookies would be considered more of a treat food rather than a nutritious daily snack.
Where to Buy Nutter Butter
Nutter Butter cookies are widely available at most grocery stores and major retailers. Here are some places you can find Nutter Butter cookies:
- Grocery stores – Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, etc.
- Mass merchandise stores – Target, Walmart, Kmart
- Convenience stores – 7-Eleven, Wawa, Circle K, etc.
- Drug stores – CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid
- Dollar stores – Dollar Tree, Dollar General
- Online – Amazon, Boxed, Instacart, Nabisco website
Nutter Butter typically comes in packs of 6 or 15 cookies and may be found in the cookie aisle or sometimes the peanut butter aisle. Larger packs for home or office may be available at big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. Compare prices at different stores to find the best deal on Nutter Butter cookies.
How to Store Nutter Butter
To maintain optimal freshness and quality, store Nutter Butter cookies in a cool, dry place:
- Pantry or cupboard – Store unopened packages in a pantry or cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Fridge – For longer storage, unopened packages can be kept in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- Freezer – To freeze, place unopened pack in freezer bag or airtight container. Will keep for 2-3 months frozen.
- Counter – Once opened, keep package tightly sealed and store at room temperature.
- Airtight container – For best quality, place opened cookies in airtight container or bag.
Avoid storing Nutter Butter cookies in areas that may be hot, humid, or exposed to direct sunlight. This will cause the cookies to get stale and lose their signature crunch. Follow package instructions for maximum freshness.
Does Nutter Butter Need to be Refrigerated?
Nutter Butter cookies do not need to be refrigerated for safety, but refrigeration can extend their shelf life. Unopened packages of Nutter Butter cookies have a long shelf life of around 8-10 months at room temperature. Keeping an unopened pack in the fridge or freezer can prolong freshness and quality to around 11-12 months. Once opened, Nutter Butter cookies will stay fresh for about 1 month at room temperature stored in a tightly sealed package. For best results after opening, keep Nutter Butter refrigerated or even freeze a portion for longer storage. The low moisture content allows the cookies to remain shelf stable, but refrigeration is optimal to maintain peak texture and taste.
How Long Do Nutter Butter Last?
Here is how long Nutter Butter cookies last given various storage methods:
- Pantry – Unopened pack lasts 8-10 months past the printed “best by” date.
- Fridge – Unopened pack lasts 11-12 months past the printed date when refrigerated.
- Freezer – Unopened pack lasts 12+ months frozen.
- Counter – Opened pack lasts around 1 month stored at room temperature.
- Fridge – Opened pack lasts 2-3 months refrigerated.
- Freezer – Opened pack lasts 4-6 months frozen.
The shelf life of Nutter Butter depends on whether the package is opened or not and how the cookies are stored. For maximum freshness, keep Nutter Butter in the fridge or freezer. Look for signs of staleness like crunchy texture fading or oil seeping out when determining if opened cookies are still good. Use your senses – if cookies smell or taste off, throw them out.
How to Tell if Nutter Butter is Bad?
Here are signs that Nutter Butter cookies have gone bad and should be discarded:
- Hard, stale texture – Cookies lose signature crispiness and become hard.
- Crumbling – Cookies fall apart easily and crumble when handled.
- Soft texture – Cookies become mushy and soft instead of crunchy.
- White spots – Mold growth visible on the cookies.
- Off smell – Smell is stale, musty, or unpleasant.
- Off taste – Nutter filling no longer tastes creamy or sweet.
- Discoloration – Cookies appear dull and colors look faded.
- Oil leaking – Greasy spots visible on packaging.
Check packaging for expiration date and inspect cookies thoroughly before eating. Do not consume Nutter Butter cookies past the printed expiration date on the package or if you notice any signs of staleness. When in doubt, throw the cookies out.
Nutter Butter Recipes and Uses
Beyond enjoying Nutter Butter cookies straight from the pack, there are creative ways to use them in recipes:
- Cookie crumb crust – Crush cookies to make crust for pies and cheesecakes.
- Ice cream topping – Crush cookies into chunks as an ice cream topping.
- Milkshake – Blend cookies into milkshakes for extra thickness and peanut butter flavor.
- Cookies and cream dip – Layer crushed cookies and whipped cream for a tasty dip.
- S’mores – Use Nutter Butter instead of graham crackers when making s’mores.
- Cookie butter – Blend cookies into a smooth peanut butter to use as a spread.
- Cupcakes – Frost cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and top with crumbled Nutter Butter.
Get creative in the kitchen with Nutter Butter cookies! Their crunchy texture and dynamic peanut butter and sweet flavors lend well to recipes beyond just eating them whole.
Conclusion
Nutter Butter cookies are a delicious gluten-free treat that are safe for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Nabisco uses enriched wheat flour that has had the gluten removed through processing to make these cookies gluten-free. Nutter Butter provide a nutritious peanut butter filling sandwiched between sweet vanilla cookies dusted with powdered sugar. Storing Nutter Butter properly by keeping the package sealed and refrigerating opened cookies will maintain optimal texture and taste. Beyond enjoying them as a snack, Nutter Butter can be incorporated into recipes from crusts to milkshakes for a hit of peanut butter flavor. When craving a gluten-free cookie packed with peanut butter goodness, reach for a tasty pack of Nutter Butter.
