Who are chocolate flakes suitable for?

Brunch organiser looking for variety

If you’re serving bread, croissants or yoghurt, you could offer milk, dark or mixed flakes as a topping or sprinkle. Check whether your preferred celebratory mix is available shortly before brunch; an earlier Jumbo listing for De Ruijter Vlokfeest said that variety was no longer part of its online range.

Host who needs to check allergens

If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen. Product information from PLUS and De Ruijter shows why a milk warning can be relevant even for dark chocolate flakes.

Planning shopping for a group

When you’re catering for several guests, pack size matters for the number of rolls or bowls you want to prepare. Albert Heijn, ALDI and PLUS list varieties including 300 g packs; choose a size only after deciding on the flavour and quantity you need.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for something to serve at brunch or a gift. If you choose flakes, think about your guests and how you’ll serve them.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Allergens and flavour Read the ingredients and allergen information, and check the packaging of your chosen variety for any may-contain warning. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether this particular milk, dark or mixed variety is suitable. For around 31% of consumers, suitability for guests comes first.
Variety and presentation Check which type of flakes you’re buying and whether your preferred mix is available; flakes are a topping or sprinkle, not a box of chocolates. I want to offer more than one flavour or colour on rolls and in bowls. Around 25% of consumers put variety first.
Quantity and packaging Compare the pack weight in grams with the number of portions you want to serve. When catering for several guests, I want to have enough flakes without judging only by the look of the packaging. For around 25% of consumers, the quantity needed is the main consideration.
Portions and nutritional information Check the nutritional information per 100 g and, where provided, per serving for your chosen variety. I want to estimate how many flakes I’ll use per roll or bowl and compare the sugars and fats on the label. Portion information is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking flakes for a box of chocolates

    Retailers including Jumbo and Albert Heijn list flakes as a sweet topping for bread or as a sprinkle. They’re not the same as gift-wrapped chocolates.

    Decide in advance whether the chocolate is for brunch dishes or as a gift. If it’s for a gift, look specifically for gift packaging.

  • Assuming dark chocolate can’t contain milk

    PLUS says its dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. According to the product information at Jumbo, De Ruijter Royaal contains soya and may contain milk.

    If your guests need to avoid certain ingredients, read the label and warnings on the exact pack you’re buying and serving.

  • Choosing a celebratory mix without checking availability

    A Jumbo product page said that De Ruijter Vlokfeest Puur & Wit was no longer part of its online range. So a celebratory variety you’ve seen before isn’t a reliable basis for planning your brunch.

    Check whether your preferred variety is available in store or on the product page shortly before you shop. If necessary, choose another milk, dark or mixed variety.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

De Ruijter offers several varieties of milk, dark and mixed flakes. Compare the specific varieties if you’re looking for a particular flavour or a stated cocoa percentage.

  • Jumbo lists Royaal and celebratory varieties, as well as milk, dark and white flakes.
  • Ingredients vary by variety: the Royaal variety listed by Jumbo contains soya and may contain milk.

Albert Heijn huismerk

Albert Heijn offers its own-brand mixed, milk and dark flakes as separate flavour options.

  • The AH varieties shown come in 300 g packs.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the product page or packaging of the variety you choose.

Jumbo huismerk

Jumbo offers its own-brand dark, milk and duo-mix flakes.

  • The varieties shown come in 300 g packs.
  • Choose your flavour, then check the ingredients on that specific pack.

Kiekeboe

ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in 300 g milk and dark varieties.

  • Milk and dark are separate options in the listed range.
  • If you need to check allergens, read the label on the pack in store.

PLUS huismerk

PLUS offers separate 300 g packs of milk and dark chocolate flakes.

  • The separate product information makes it easy to compare the two flavour types.
  • According to the product label, PLUS Puur may contain milk and lactose; PLUS Melk contains milk and lactose.

Products for brunch toppings and sprinkles

These Joybuy products are flakes or other chocolate sprinkles for your brunch table. The first two are mixed flakes; for the other varieties, check the difference between flakes and chocolate strands if you’re looking for a particular shape.

Venz Jungle Flakes, 200 g

Venz Jungle Flakes 200 g

A good choice if you want to serve mixed flakes as a sprinkle on the brunch table. The pack contains 200 g; check the label for ingredients and allergens before serving them to guests.

View at Joybuy
De Ruijter Flake Feast, 200 g

De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g

A mixed flake variety for anyone looking for a change from a single chocolate flavour. The pack contains 200 g; read the label for this variety before serving.

View at Joybuy
g'woon milk chocolate flakes, 300 g

g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g

For anyone looking for milk chocolate flakes to serve at brunch. The pack contains 300 g; check the label if ingredients are important for your guests.

View at Joybuy
De Ruijter dark chocolate strands, 390 g

De Ruijter dark chocolate strands 390 g

For anyone looking for dark chocolate sprinkles who might also consider chocolate strands instead of flakes. The pack contains 390 g; the dark chocolate description doesn’t replace checking the allergens.

View at Joybuy
De Ruijter Intense Dark chocolate sprinkles, 200 g

De Ruijter Intense Dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g

A dark chocolate sprinkle for anyone who isn’t looking for a milk chocolate flavour. The pack contains 200 g; if they affect your choice, check the product type and allergens on the packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can you give chocolate flakes as a gift instead of a box of chocolates?

Chocolate flakes aren’t the same as a box of chocolates. Supermarkets such as Jumbo and Albert Heijn categorise flakes as a sweet topping for bread; if you’re buying chocolate as a gift, look specifically for gift packaging.

How much chocolate flakes should you allow for an Easter brunch?

Base the quantity on the number of rolls or bowls you want to serve the flakes with. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre uses 15 g as a portion of milk chocolate flakes; use this as a practical starting point when comparing it with the pack size.

How should you store chocolate flakes after brunch?

Follow the storage instructions on your chosen pack and seal it properly after use. For the varieties it has assessed, PLUS recommends storing them somewhere cool, dry and dark; De Ruijter Royaal says to store in a cool, dry place.

Do you still need to check allergens in dark chocolate flakes?

Yes, you should check the allergens for the exact variety, even with dark chocolate flakes. PLUS says that PLUS Puur may contain milk and lactose; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that the 14 designated allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.