Budget-conscious buffet hosts
You want to put plenty on the table and compare pack sizes and price per kilo. Compare mixed nuts with mixed nuts, and coated snack nuts with coated snack nuts: a coated snack is not the same as a bag of pure nuts.
Who is this buying guide for?
Those looking for plain nuts or a savoury snack
First decide what you want to serve: perhaps an unsalted nut mix or peanuts with a crunchy, seasoned coating. That difference matters more than the pack size alone.
Hosts catering for dietary needs
If you have guests with food allergies or young children, check the ingredients, allergen information and how you plan to serve the nuts. Unsalted does not automatically mean allergen-free.
What should you look for in buffet nuts?
First decide what kind of snack you want to serve and how much you need. Then compare packs within the same product category.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like value | Compare the price per kilo of the same type of snack. For coated snack nuts, also check the proportion of peanuts and the coating. | I want to know whether a larger bag really suits my needs, so I don’t compare a coated snack with pure nuts. Around 33% of consumers prioritise getting a comparable amount for their money. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Choose based on what you want to serve and what you’ll use afterwards. Store any leftover nuts in a sealed container in a dry place, following the instructions on the pack. | If I don’t know how much will be left over, I’d rather buy an amount that suits my buffet and how I’ll use the rest afterwards. Around 27% of consumers prioritise quantity and making good use of leftovers. |
| Type of snack | Decide whether you want plain nuts or a seasoned snack with a coating. Check the specific ingredients of the variety you choose. | I first choose the flavour and type of snack I want to serve, such as plain nuts or a crunchy, seasoned snack. Around 20% of consumers put the type of snack first. |
| Suitability for your guests | Read the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack. If you have young children, also consider how you’ll serve the nuts. | If I’m hosting guests with allergies or young children, I check the label and how I’ll serve the nuts first. Around 20% of consumers prioritise suitability for specific guests. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming a value pack contains the same amount of pure nuts
According to the PLUS product listing, Duyvis Borrelnootjes Provencale 450 g consists of 50% peanuts; the rest includes starch and flavourings, among other ingredients. So the total pack weight does not represent the weight of pure nuts.
Compare coated snack nuts with other coated snack nuts, and pure nut mixes with similar mixes.
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Automatically choosing the largest bag
A large pack is only practical if you’ll use the contents and can store any leftovers properly. Voedingscentrum recommends storing nuts in a sealed container in a dry place.
Decide in advance how much you want to serve, and follow the storage instructions on the pack for any leftovers.
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Confusing unsalted with allergen-free
The product listings reviewed name allergens in both mixed nuts and coated snack nuts. A description such as plain or unsalted does not, by itself, tell you whether a product is suitable for a guest with an allergy.
Read the allergen information and warnings on the pack of the exact variety.
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Assuming today’s online price will be the Boxing Day price
PLUS says local prices may vary and that the price at delivery applies. A current product listing does not confirm the price for 26 December.
Check the price and delivery terms again when you place your order.
Brands and product ranges for reference
Duyvis
Worth considering if you’re looking for a seasoned, coated savoury snack. The PLUS listing is for Borrelnootjes Provencale 450 g.
- PLUS states that this variety contains 50% peanuts.
- The product listing names peanuts and wheat as ingredients; it is not a pure nut mix.
Albert Heijn
The Dutch range listing includes AH Unsalted Nut Mix in a 500 g pack.
- The stated pack size can help when choosing a larger pack.
- The pack size alone does not tell you whether it offers better value than other varieties or brands.
Jumbo
The product listing is for Jumbo Unroasted Mixed Nuts Value Pack 500 g.
- The product name states the weight and that the nuts are unroasted.
- The term “value pack” is not an independent price comparison.
Lidl
The Dutch product listing reviewed is for a 200 g mix of unroasted, unsalted nuts.
- The smaller size is an option if you want to buy less at a time.
- This listing does not support a claim that it is a large value pack.
Aldi
The Dutch product page lists TRADER JOE'S Unsalted Nut Medley in a 500 g pack.
- The page lists almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- This product information applies to the named mix and does not cover the full range.
Plus
The product listings include a 500 g mix of unroasted, unsalted nuts and a 200 g variety.
- The 500 g listing states the preparation method and weight.
- Ingredient information for the 200 g variety does not automatically apply to the 500 g pack.
Joybuy products for your buffet
This selection includes large and small packs of plain nuts, a pack of macadamia nuts, coated savoury peanuts and a portion-packed nut and fruit mix.
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g'woon Unroasted Mixed Nuts, 500 g
A larger pack of unroasted, unsalted mixed nuts for a plain addition to your buffet.
The product information lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashew nuts. May contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
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BE&CHEERY Premium Macadamia Nuts, 500 g
An option if you’d like to serve macadamia nuts instead of a mixed nut selection.
The product information states that the pack contains 100% macadamia nuts and weighs 500 g. This is not a varied nut mix.
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g'woon Nut Mix Unsalted, 200 g
A smaller pack of unsalted mixed nuts if you want to buy less at a time.
The product information states that the pack contains 200 g of peanuts, almonds, cashew nuts, Brazil nuts and hazelnuts.
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Duyvis Coated Peanuts Provençal, 275 g
A seasoned, coated savoury snack if you’d like something crunchy alongside a plain nut mix.
The product information states that it contains 50% peanuts; the rest includes starch, oil and flavourings, among other ingredients. Contains peanuts and wheat; the information also notes possible traces of milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
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J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix, 750 g, 30 portion sachets
A portion-packed option if you’d like to serve the contents in individual sachets.
The product name states that there are 30 sachets of 25 g each. The product information describes a mix of nuts and dried fruit, including walnuts, almonds, cashew nuts and hazelnuts.
Frequently asked questions
How many portions can you get from a 500 g bag of nuts?
At a suggested portion size of 25 g, 500 g gives you twenty portions. Voedingscentrum uses 25 g as an example of a handful of unsalted nuts; this is a calculation, not a buffet guideline or a guarantee that twenty guests will have enough.
Does unsalted mean unroasted?
No, treat them as two separate product characteristics. Check the product name or pack for both descriptions if you’re looking for nuts that are both unsalted and unroasted.
How should you store nuts left over after the buffet?
Store nuts in a sealed container in a dry place and follow the instructions on the pack. Voedingscentrum recommends storing nuts in a cool place if possible.
Are plain nuts suitable for every guest?
No. Nuts and peanuts can be allergens, so if you have guests with allergies, check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack. Serving them in a separate bowl does not, by itself, guarantee there will be no cross-contact.
Can you serve whole nuts to children without taking any precautions?
No. Voedingscentrum warns that children can choke on whole nuts and peanuts. Consider the appropriate form and supervision for the child in question.
Is the price of a nut product already set for Boxing Day?
A current product listing does not confirm the price for 26 December. PLUS says local prices may vary and that the price at delivery applies, so check the current price and delivery terms when you order.