Who would find an individual portion handy?

Anyone taking one portion to a barbecue

An individual wrapper lets you take one slice or bar without opening a large cake. For the portion packs reviewed, Peijnenburg lists 28 g slices and 32.5 g pearl sugar bars.

Anyone comparing sugar content

When comparing different breakfast cake bars, check the sugar per 100 g first, then the amount per portion. For varieties labelled ‘no added sugars’, also read the ingredients and any usage warnings.

Anyone who needs to check allergens

An individual wrapper tells you nothing about gluten or other allergens. Check the current packaging of the exact variety you choose; even when a product is labelled gluten-free, other allergens still need to be considered separately.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you need a sealed individual portion. Then compare the nutritional information, ingredients and flavours of the varieties that meet that requirement.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sealed portion Look for an explicit statement that the bars are individually wrapped, and check the weight of each bar. If I’m taking one bar for myself, I don’t want to have to cut into a large cake. For around 39% of consumers, an individual portion is the main priority.
Sugars per bar Compare sugars per 100 g, then check the amount in an actual portion; read the ingredients too. I want to know how much sugar is in the bar I’ll actually eat, not just what the front of the pack says. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this comparison.
Gluten and other allergens Read the allergen information on the current packaging and, if needed, look for an explicit gluten-free label. If I need to avoid an ingredient, I can’t rely on the product category or an individual wrapper. For around 15% of consumers, checking allergens is the first selection criterion.
Sweet flavour Check the flavour variety and the sugars per bar, especially with additions such as pearl sugar. For a sweet treat after a meal, flavour matters more to me than a plain variety. This preference is the main consideration for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a multipack contains individually wrapped bars

    The number of items on a pack doesn’t automatically tell you whether you can take one sealed bar with you.

    Check that it explicitly says ‘individually wrapped’ or ‘wrapped individually’.

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    These labels don’t mean the same thing. Varieties containing sweeteners may also carry usage warnings.

    Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information, the ingredients list and any warnings on the pack you choose.

  • Assuming ordinary breakfast cake is gluten-free

    An individually wrapped bar isn’t automatically suitable if you need to avoid gluten or other allergens.

    Check the allergen information for the exact variety and don’t rely on the product name alone.

  • Assuming all breakfast cake contains iodised salt

    The name ‘breakfast cake’ doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular variety.

    If the type of salt used matters to your choice, read the ingredients list on the pack.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg lists individually wrapped plain slices and pearl sugar bars, as well as a variety labelled ‘no added sugars’.

  • The portions listed are 28 g for the plain slices reviewed and 32.5 g for the pearl sugar bars.
  • Check the sugars, ingredients and allergens for each variety; the product name alone isn’t enough.

Snelle Jelle

Jumbo lists, among other products, a five-piece pack of Snelle Jelle spiced cake.

  • A pack containing several pieces is an option if you want to take one bar with you.
  • For the variety you choose, check for individual wrappers, nutritional information and allergens.

PLUS

PLUS lists plain breakfast cake bars in a pack of six, weighing 330 g.

  • The pack of six makes it easy to compare the packaging with other multipacks.
  • Check whether each bar has its own wrapper, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose.

Goud Gebakken

ALDI describes Goud Gebakken spiced or breakfast cake as six individually wrapped pieces.

  • Individual wrapping makes it suitable for taking one sealed portion with you.
  • Compare the flavour variety you choose using the latest nutritional and allergen information.

Lidl-koekrepen

Lidl Netherlands lists cake bars in raisin and spiced cake and reduced-sugar breakfast cake varieties, with six bars per pack.

  • The varieties listed offer different flavours to compare on the label.
  • Check the wrappers and, for the ‘reduced sugar’ variety, compare the sugars per 100 g and per bar.

Breakfast cake bars at Joybuy

This breakfast cake bar is worth considering if you want to take one portion to a barbecue. Check the packaging and nutritional information for the variety you choose before deciding.

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free, 250 g pack

Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free 250 g

An individual wrapper is handy if you want one bar for a barbecue on your own; check the packaging information for this variety.

The product name lists a 250 g pack. Check the latest nutritional information for sugars per 100 g and per bar, and check the allergens on the label; the variety name doesn’t tell you these values.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Which breakfast cake bar is handy for one person at a barbecue?

If you want to take one sealed portion with you, choose a bar that is explicitly labelled as individually wrapped. Peijnenburg lists individually wrapped slices, while ALDI describes its Goud Gebakken variety as individually wrapped; then compare the flavour, portion size and label.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean a breakfast cake bar contains no sugars?

No. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘sugar-free’. Check the sugar content in the nutritional information and, for varieties containing sweeteners, also check the ingredients and usage warnings.

Can I choose ordinary breakfast cake if I need to avoid gluten?

Don’t assume ordinary breakfast cake is suitable: look for an explicit gluten-free label on the pack you choose. The gluten-free Peijnenburg breakfast cake listed by Albert Heijn is uncut, so it isn’t the same as an individually wrapped bar; check for other allergens too.

How do I compare sugars in bars of different sizes?

First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check how much sugar is in the bar you want to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g, as portion sizes can vary.

How can I tell whether breakfast cake contains iodised salt?

Check the ingredients list for the specific breakfast cake. The product category or the name of a bar alone won’t tell you which salt it contains.