Choose individually wrapped portions if guests can help themselves or if you want to save unopened leftovers for lunchboxes. A large bulk pack is a better fit when you’re serving biscuits on platters and deciding how many to put out yourself. Compare both the number of packs and the number of biscuits in each, and check the current packaging for allergen information when serving.
Want guests to help themselves without having to portion out biscuits during the party? Check how many individual bags there are and how many biscuits each contains. For example, Jumbo describes a Lotus Biscoff XL pack with ten bags of two biscuits each.
If you want to send portions home after the birthday party, you can set aside unopened small packs. Albert Heijn describes a Lotus Biscoff bundle with six packs of three biscuits each: that’s six packaged portions, not eighteen individually packaged portions.
If you’re handing out the biscuits yourself, a large pack may be enough without pre-portioned servings. For example, ALDI describes a Biscotto pack with around twenty jodekoeken or coffee biscuits; if you choose this format, plan how you’ll store any leftovers too.
At a birthday party, the difference between packaged portions and a bulk pack is most noticeable when serving and storing leftovers. So decide how you’ll serve the biscuits first, then work out how many usable portions each pack provides.
Best when: guests can help themselves or you want to set aside unopened packs for later.
Consider: portion sizes are fixed; also check whether the bags are inside one pack or whether you’re buying a bundle of separate items.
Best when: you’re serving biscuits on platters at home and deciding how many to put out yourself.
Consider: you’ll need to portion out the biscuits yourself and follow the storage instructions on the pack once it’s open.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | Count the individual packs and the biscuits in each; a bag with two biscuits is one pre-portioned serving. | If guests can help themselves, you won’t want to portion out biscuits as you go. For around 36% of consumers, ease of serving comes first. |
| Quantity | Compare the total number of biscuits with the number of guests, and check whether a bundle consists of separate items. | If you’re serving biscuits on platters, you’ll want enough to put out and the freedom to decide how many. Around 29% of consumers prioritise quantity. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety on the current packaging. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, you’ll want to check before serving. For around 21% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
| Leftovers | Check which portions can stay unopened and follow the storage instructions after opening. | If you want to send biscuits home for a lunchbox after the party, portions that can be stored separately are important. For around 14% of consumers, this is their top priority. |
The same number of biscuits doesn’t necessarily give you the same number of servings: ten bags of two biscuits work differently from a pack you serve from yourself.
Count your guests first, then compare the number of bags, the contents of each bag and the total number of biscuits.
The Lotus Biscoff Belgian-chocolate bundle described by Albert Heijn consists of six packs, each containing three biscuits, and is delivered as separate items.
Check whether you’re buying one outer pack containing portions or several separate packs.
Ingredients vary by variety. Albert Heijn lists milk, cereals containing gluten and soya among the ingredients in its filled chocolate chip cookie, and also warns that it may contain nuts.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the exact variety you’re serving.
Storing an opened bulk pack calls for different considerations from keeping portions that are still sealed.
If possible, keep the portions you want to send home unopened, and follow the label’s storage instructions for an opened pack.
A useful reference for two different ways to pre-portion biscuits: bags inside a multipack and a bundle of smaller packs.
A supermarket own brand to consider if you’d also like to serve filled biscuits on a platter.
A supermarket own brand with different types of biscuits and pack sizes to compare for serving on platters.
Lidl’s own brand, with a range of biscuits, wafers and bars.
An ALDI own brand to consider when comparing larger bulk packs with smaller biscuit formats.
These Joybuy products are suited to serving smaller packs of biscuits or pre-portioned servings. Check how many packs and biscuits you can actually give to guests for each product; this isn’t a selection of large bulk packs for serving on a platter.
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An option if you want to serve speculaas in smaller portions. The product name lists 8 biscuits and 200 g; check the packaging to see how many biscuits make up a serving.
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The three smaller packs could be useful if you want to split the biscuits across different serving occasions. The pack size is 3 × 77 g; check how many biscuits are in each pack before planning portions per guest.
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The two separate packs are an option if you want to split the biscuits across two serving occasions. The total weight is 97 g; check how many biscuits are in each pack if you’re catering for several guests.
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An option if you’d like to serve chocolate biscuits in smaller portions. The pack contains 150 g; check how many portions it provides before deciding how many guests it will serve.
Yes, check the allergens for each variety you choose if this information matters to your guests. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be declared on food labels, so check the current packaging rather than assuming the information is the same as for a similar biscuit.
Use online information to compare biscuits, but also check the packaging of the product you’ve bought before serving. Albert Heijn notes that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a ‘best before’ date relates to a product’s quality, not a general safety deadline. Check the date and storage conditions for unopened leftovers; once opened, follow the instructions on the packaging.
