If you want guests to help themselves to biscuits
Individual bags make portions easy to count and put out. For example, Jumbo describes a Lotus Biscoff XL pack containing ten bags, each with two biscuits.
Who are these packs useful for?
If you want to offer a choice on a platter
A mix or selection of different chocolate flavours gives guests something to choose from. If you’re serving several types, keep the packaging handy so it’s clear which ingredients are in each biscuit.
If you’re catering for guests avoiding certain ingredients
Check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re serving, even if the brand or flavour sounds familiar. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on labels for prepacked foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you mainly want to hand out portions or fill a platter. Then check how many biscuits and individual portions the pack actually contains.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Countable portions | Compare the number of biscuits and inner bags with the number of portions you want to put out; the weight alone won’t tell you how many there are. | If I’m handing them out to a group, I want to know in advance how many biscuits I can put out without mistaking packets for biscuits. For around 42% of consumers, countable portions are the main factor when choosing. |
| Variety on the platter | Check whether the pack actually contains several varieties or just one flavour in individual portions. | If I’m putting out a platter for guests to choose from, I prefer a selection of varieties to a single flavour. Around 33% of consumers prioritise variety. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for each variety you choose, including the allergen information and any warnings about cross-contamination. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to see which information applies to the biscuits being served. For around 25% of consumers, this check comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a 3-pack contains individual portions
A bundle may contain several standard packs rather than small inner bags. For example, Albert Heijn says its Lotus Biscoff Speculoos 3-pack is supplied as separate items.
Look on the label for the number of inner bags or wording such as ‘individually wrapped in pairs’. Choose separate packs only if they suit your serving plan.
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Focusing only on the flavours in a biscuit mix
If you put different biscuits on one platter, guests won’t necessarily know which ingredients are in each type.
Check the allergen information on the packs you buy and keep it available beside the platter.
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Counting on a biscuit mix you’ve seen before
Online ranges can change. Jumbo reported that its Koekjes Mix 300 g was no longer available.
Check current availability before planning your get-together. If you need an alternative, compare the serving format and number of biscuits in particular.
Brands to compare
When comparing these brands, check the pack details for the specific product: quantities and inner packaging can vary even within the same range.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries lists several speculoos pack sizes. Jumbo describes the XL 2P x 10 as a pack containing ten bags of two biscuits.
- The bags in the XL variety are easy to count and hand out individually.
- The XL variety described contains wheat and soya; check the label before offering it to guests with allergies.
Biscotto
ALDI Netherlands describes a pack of twenty chocolate biscuits in dark, white and milk chocolate varieties.
- The biscuits are wrapped in pairs, making them easy to hand out as two-biscuit portions.
- For guests with dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI Netherlands lists kruidkoek or ontbijtkoek bites in a pack of six individually wrapped pieces.
- The individual packs are easy to put out as a small extra or take away for later.
- Ontbijtkoek is a different kind of treat from a biscuit; for a larger group, six pieces will also need to be supplemented with other snacks.
Sondey
Lidl describes a Sondey range that includes cookies, biscuits, waffles and bars.
- Lidl also lists vegan options in the range.
- Check the inner packaging, ingredients and any dietary information for each biscuit you choose; these don’t automatically apply to the whole brand.
Heerlijck Banket
ALDI Netherlands lists various cookies and other sweet products under this brand, with the number of pieces stated for each pack.
- A stated number of pieces helps you plan your platter.
- Check whether the pieces in the specific product are individually wrapped and which allergens are listed on the label.
Biscuits on Joybuy for a birthday get-together
These biscuits come in a range of flavours and pack sizes for a get-together. Check how many biscuits you can actually hand out for each product: the weight or number of packs won’t always tell you how many biscuits are in a portion.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 pieces, 200 g
A speculoos option if you’d like to hand out biscuits at your get-together.
The product name states 8 pieces and 200 g. Check the pack to see how many biscuits you can offer per portion, and read the current label for guests with allergies.
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LU Scholiertje Milk Chocolate biscuits, 150 g
A milk chocolate option if you’d like to put out a platter of biscuits.
The pack states 150 g. Check the number of biscuits and whether they’re individually portioned before deciding how many packs you need; refer to the current label for allergen information.
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Ulker Halley Mini Biscuit, 3x77g
Worth considering if you’d like to serve several smaller packs at your get-together.
The product name states 3x77g. If you’re planning for a set number of guests, count the individual biscuits or portions on the pack, and check the label for allergens.
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Oreo Raspberry & Blueberry sandwich biscuits, 97 g, 2 separate packs
A fruity flavour option if you’d like to put out two separate packs alongside other biscuits.
The product name states 97 g and two separate packs. Check how many biscuits are in each pack before counting portions for your guests, and read the current label for allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
How many biscuit multipacks do I need for a birthday get-together?
Decide how many biscuits you want to put out alongside the other snacks, then divide that number by the actual contents of each pack. For example, Jumbo states that Lotus Biscoff XL contains ten bags of two biscuits, making twenty biscuits in total; ALDI Netherlands lists twenty biscuits in the Biscotto pack described.
Are biscuits in a multipack always individually wrapped?
No, a multipack may also contain several separate packs. Albert Heijn says its Lotus Biscoff Speculoos 3-pack is supplied as separate items, so check the inner packaging if you want to hand out small portions.
Are vegan biscuits suitable for guests with allergies?
Not automatically: the Lotus Biscoff XL variety described by Jumbo is listed as suitable for vegans, but contains wheat and soya. If a guest has an allergy, always check the label of the exact variety you’re serving.
What allergen information should I check on prepacked biscuits?
Read the allergen information on the label of every pack you put on the table. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed for prepacked foods; keep the packaging beside the platter so guests can check the information.