What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the biscuits will be one shared supply or whether everyone needs their own portion. Then the number of individual packs, when you’ll eat them and the ingredients will help you make your choice.
Large pack or several rolls
Best for: a group sharing biscuits from a communal supply when you get there. ALDI lists four 200 g rolls for its María biscuits; Albert Heijn lists two 200 g packs for AH Marie biscuits.
Consider: you’ll need to keep any opened contents dry yourself and protect loose biscuits in your bag.
Multipack with individual portions
Best for: group members who each need their own individually wrapped portion. Jumbo describes the Lotus Biscoff XL 2P x 10 as ten bags, each containing two biscuits.
Consider: the number of bags determines how many people you can serve without dividing the biscuits up yourself.
| What to consider |
What to check when buying |
Who it matters to |
| Shared supply |
Check the net weight and the number of rolls or individual packs. Think about how you’ll seal an opened pack. |
When I’m bringing something for several sportspeople, I want enough biscuits without having to open everything at once. For around 31% of consumers, a shared supply is the top priority. |
| Individual portions |
Count the bags in a multipack and the biscuits in each one; the number of biscuits alone doesn’t tell you how many portions you can hand out. |
I want to be able to give everyone their own pack, so there isn’t an opened roll left in the bag. Around 25% of consumers give these portions top priority. |
| When you’ll eat them and nutritional information |
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion. Also consider when you want to eat the biscuits. |
Around my training session, I want to know how much I’m actually eating and how that portion fits into my snack. For around 25% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens |
Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current packaging. |
When I’m handing out biscuits, I need to check whether the variety I’ve chosen is suitable for the people eating them. For around 19% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
Brands and retailers compared
These examples show the types of packaging you can compare. The details apply to the products mentioned, not to a brand’s or retailer’s entire range.
Lotus Biscoff
Worth considering if you’re choosing between one pack of speculoos to share and individually portioned bags.
- Albert Heijn lists around 32 biscuits in its 250 g pack of Biscoff Speculoos; Jumbo lists ten bags, each containing two biscuits, for Biscoff XL 2P x 10.
- The specific products and their allergens differ. Check the label of the variety you buy.
Albert Heijn
Its own-brand AH Marie biscuits are an example of a larger pack split into two parts.
- According to Albert Heijn, the pack contains 400 g, divided between two 200 g packs.
- For AH Marie biscuits, the product information lists wheat and gluten-containing cereals, and possible traces of barley, oats and rye. Check the current pack before buying.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s biscuit range includes pack sizes you can compare side by side.
- The category page includes, among other products, Jumbo Krokante Digestive Biscuit, 400 g, and Bakkers Speculaas, 600 g.
- The weight doesn’t tell you how the biscuits are divided inside the pack, so check the specific packaging.
Biscotto (ALDI)
ALDI’s own brand is a useful comparison for larger packs and other biscuit formats.
- ALDI lists a 400 g pack of Biscotto oat biscuits containing around 22 biscuits, and also lists 500 g sandwich biscuits in its brand range.
- Pack size and ingredients vary by variety, so check the packaging when buying for a group.
Lidl / Sondey
Lidl is another retailer to check for biscuit and cookie packs, including products under the Sondey name.
- The Lidl overview includes Sondey products, among others.
- For temporary in-store offers, check the packaging and availability of the specific product when you buy.
Biscuits for different sharing situations
This selection of Joybuy products includes smaller biscuit packs, a pack with two individual packs inside and a pack with more loose biscuits. Choose based on how many people you want to cater for, and check how the contents of your chosen pack are divided.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
This 150 g pack is a handy option if you want to take a smaller quantity of biscuits with you. Check how many individual portions it provides before choosing it for several sportspeople, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
View at Joybuy
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Oreo Raspberry & Blueberry Flavor Sandwich Cookies, 97 g
The 97 g pack contains two individual packs, making it a good option to share between two people or save for two different occasions. If you want to hand out a set portion, check how many biscuits each pack contains, and check the allergens too.
View at Joybuy
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos, 250 g
This 250 g pack is an option if you want to share biscuits from one pack. Albert Heijn lists around 32 biscuits for this variety; check how to keep them dry and whole once opened, and read the allergen information on the pack.
View at Joybuy
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Lu Prince Ministars Cookies Black & White, 187 g
This 187 g pack is better suited to sharing with a small group than as a communal supply for a larger one. Check how many biscuits it contains and whether you’ll need to protect them in your bag; take care in warm weather because of the chocolate coating.
View at Joybuy
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Oreo Birthday Cake Flavored Cookies, 97 g
At 97 g, this is a small pack for anyone who doesn’t want to take a large shared supply. Check the packaging for the number of biscuits and any individual packs you can hand out, and check the allergens for the group.
View at Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Are biscuits a good choice just before exercise?
That depends on factors such as the portion size and what they contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against having a large portion just before exercise and recommends avoiding foods high in fat, protein or dietary fibre. Check the label and consider when you plan to eat them.
Are biscuits enough on their own after an intense training session?
Don’t assume biscuits alone are a complete post-exercise snack and drink after intense exercise. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends having something containing both protein and carbohydrates, as well as plenty to drink, so think about what else you’ll have alongside the biscuits.
How do I compare packs of different sizes?
Compare the nutritional values of biscuits per 100 g, then check how much you eat per portion, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you’re sharing them from a gym bag, the total weight matters too, as does the number of individual packs you can hand out.
Where can I find the allergen information for biscuits?
Check the allergen information on the packaging of the variety you’re handing out. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly identified in the ingredients information; also check for any ‘may contain’ warnings.
How do I take an opened large pack in my gym bag?
If needed, divide the biscuits into clean, dry, sealable containers beforehand and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. For its Marie biscuits, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening; this advice doesn’t automatically apply to other products.