If you want a set portion
You want to be able to take one slice or bar without opening a larger pack. The individually wrapped slices of Peijnenburg ontbijtkoek are an example of this type of portion, according to product information from Jumbo.
Which portion works best for you?
If you want guests to help themselves
You want to put out portions that guests can easily pick up themselves. Small packs and individually wrapped chocolate minis make this possible, but check how many pieces each pack contains.
If you want to check the label first
You want to check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact flavour and packaging. This is especially important if guests need to avoid certain ingredients; a claim on the front of the pack doesn’t replace the full information.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking the contents of the inner packaging: one slice, one bar and a pack containing several biscuits are different buffet portions. Then consider whether the packaging suits how you’ll serve them and your guests’ preferences.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| One clearly defined portion | Count the pieces in each inner pack: one slice or bar is different from two or three biscuits. | I want to take one piece without having a second one left over from the same pack. For around 36% of consumers, a clearly defined portion comes first. |
| Serving on the buffet | Check whether guests can pick up an individual pack and how many pieces it contains. | When I’m setting out the buffet, I don’t want everyone reaching into one opened pack. That’s why around 29% of consumers prioritise individually portioned treats for sharing. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the exact variety, including allergens, possible traces and any sweeteners. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to show them the packaging before they choose. For around 21% of consumers, the label is the first priority. |
| Flavour and type of product | Choose between options such as ontbijtkoek, speculoos and chocolate-caramel minis; compare the nutritional information per portion if you like. | For a sweet treat corner, I’m looking for something different from a simple biscuit break. For around 14% of consumers, flavour is the deciding factor. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small pack contains one biscuit
According to product information from Jumbo, each Lotus Biscoff XL pack contains two biscuits; Sultana FruitBiscuit Naturel comes in portions of three biscuits. So a pack may contain more than you want to offer as one piece.
Check how many pieces each inner pack contains. Choose an individually wrapped product if every guest should be able to take exactly one piece.
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Judging allergens by product type alone
Ingredients and allergens vary between biscuits and varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Keep the original packaging by the buffet so guests can check the ingredients and allergens in their chosen product for themselves.
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Treating a claim on the front of the pack as full nutritional information
A claim such as ‘no added sugars’ doesn’t tell you what other ingredients are in a product. According to product information from Jumbo, the Peijnenburg variety in question contains xylitol and carries a warning about excessive consumption.
Read the ingredients and compare the nutritional values per portion on the label for the exact variety.
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Assuming a product you found will always be available for the buffet
The range can change. On the page it found for Jumbo Reep Koekjes, Jumbo says that the product is no longer in its online range.
Check which products are available shortly before you shop, and have an alternative with the portion size you want in mind.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
A speculoos option in small packs: the XL pack described by Jumbo contains ten packs, each with two biscuits.
- Guests can pick up a sealed pack.
- Each pack contains more than one biscuit. If anyone has allergies, check the exact packaging for ingredients including wheat and soya.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes different types of products: according to Albert Heijn, AH Kruidkoekreep naturel contains six 65 g portions, while AH Chocolade mini’s karamel biscuit is individually wrapped.
- The individually wrapped chocolate minis are designed for sharing.
- A spiced cake bar and a chocolate-caramel mini aren’t interchangeable choices. Check the ingredients, allergens and portion size for each product.
Jumbo
As well as branded products, Jumbo sells its own-brand biscuits. Check the portion size for each product.
- Product information can help you compare different types of packaging.
- According to Jumbo, the Jumbo Reep Koekjes product we found is no longer in its online range; check what’s currently available before you shop.
Biscuits for the buffet on Joybuy
This selection includes wafers, biscuit sticks and biscuits for a sweet buffet treat. Check whether each product contains one piece or a portion with several pieces.
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NABATI Strawberry Wafer 12x27g
A strawberry wafer to serve as a buffet portion. The product name states 12 × 27 g; check the packaging for nutritional information per portion and allergen details.
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Glico Pocky Cookie Bar Chocolate Flavor 47g IN
An option if you’d like to serve biscuit sticks instead of slices of cake. For this 47 g pack, check how many sticks it contains, how they’re wrapped and which allergens are listed on the label.
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Lu Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits 150 g
For anyone who wants to offer a pack of two biscuits as a buffet portion, rather than exactly one biscuit per guest. If any guests have allergies, check the label on the pack you choose.
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Fruit Biscuit Forest Fruits 5x3 Pack 5 pcs
A fruity biscuit option if three pieces make the right buffet portion. The product name states 5 × 3; choose a different portion size if you want to put out one biscuit per guest, and check the label if anyone has allergies.
Frequently asked questions
Does a small pack always contain one biscuit?
No, a small inner pack may contain several pieces. According to product information from Jumbo, a Lotus Biscoff XL pack contains two biscuits, while a portion of Sultana FruitBiscuit Naturel contains three; the Peijnenburg ontbijtkoek mentioned comes individually wrapped by the slice.
What should I check if a buffet guest has a food allergy?
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging for the exact variety, and keep the packaging by the buffet. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Does ‘no added sugars’ also mean sugar-free?
No, these claims don’t mean the same thing. According to product information from Jumbo, the Peijnenburg variety mentioned contains naturally occurring sugars and xylitol; also read the product warning about excessive consumption.
How should I store packaged biscuits for the buffet?
Follow the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging for the exact product. For the AH Chocolade mini’s mentioned, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place.