Home baker decorating several oliebollen
You want enough flakes for the oliebollen you plan to serve, without opening more packs than necessary. So compare the net weight of the variants you’re considering.
Who are the flakes for?
Dark chocolate fan
You’re choosing a dark chocolate variant for decorating. If you also want to check the stated cocoa content, you could look at the label on De Ruijter Royaal, which states that it contains at least 40% cocoa solids.
Home baker who checks for allergens
You check the label on the exact pack, especially if you’re baking for others. PLUS milk chocolate flakes list milk and lactose; De Ruijter Royaal contains soya and may contain milk.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before decorating homemade chocolate oliebollen, work out how much you’ll need. Then check the label and choose your preferred variant.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net weight with the number of oliebollen you want to decorate. The own-brand packs mentioned here are 300 g. | If I’m decorating several oliebollen, I want enough flakes in one pack without having lots left over. Around 50% of consumers prioritise the quantity they need when making this choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack you choose; don’t rely solely on whether it says milk or dark chocolate. | When I’m baking for someone with a food allergy, I want to be able to check the label on the exact variant. For around 30% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
| Milk or dark chocolate | Choose your preferred variant and, if you wish, check the stated cocoa content. Sprinkle the flakes over the finished oliebol or filling. | For the finishing touch, I prefer to make a deliberate choice between milk and dark chocolate. The preferred variant is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Treating chocolate flakes as a frozen ingredient
The products mentioned are sold as chocolate flakes for bread toppings or decoration. The Koopmans recipe uses them on the filling of an oliebol that has already been baked.
Choose flakes for decorating, and follow the ingredients and method in your oliebol recipe for the batter and filling.
-
Assuming dark chocolate is free from milk or soya
De Ruijter Royaal contains soya and may contain milk. So the word ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking for allergens.
Before use, read the ingredients list and warnings on the pack you’ve actually bought.
-
Adding flakes to the batter without a suitable recipe
In the Koopmans recipe, chocolate flakes are used to decorate the chocolate filling after baking, not as a replacement for the chocolate in the filling.
Use the chocolate and method specified in your chosen recipe for the filling, then add the flakes as a finishing touch.
Brands to compare
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk and dark chocolate, both in 300 g packs.
- Choosing between milk and dark chocolate lets you match the decoration to your preference.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack for the variant you choose.
PLUS huismerk
PLUS sells Fairtrade milk chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
- The product information lists ingredients and allergens, including milk and lactose.
- If you have an allergy, check the label on the physical pack.
Jumbo huismerk
Jumbo lists milk and dark chocolate flakes in 300 g packs, as well as a 300 g duo mix.
- There are several variants to suit the finish you want.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack for each variant.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter sells milk, dark and Royaal flakes, among others. The 240 g pack of Royaal dark chocolate flakes states that it contains at least 40% cocoa solids.
- The stated cocoa content gives you a specific feature to consider when assessing this Royaal variant.
- This variant contains soya and may contain milk; check the label if allergens are important to your choice.
Lidl chocoladevlokken
Lidl lists 300 g packs of dark chocolate flakes as a shop product.
- A dark chocolate variant you can look at in store.
- Before choosing this variant, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack in store.
Albert Heijn huismerk
Albert Heijn listed 300 g packs of AH dark chocolate flakes, but marked that specific product as discontinued.
- The listing shows which dark chocolate own-brand variant was previously available.
- Look for a current alternative at Albert Heijn and check its label.
Flakes and decorations on Joybuy
These products include dark or milk chocolate flakes for decorating, plus two packs of chocolate sprinkles as an alternative type of decoration. Compare the pack sizes and exact product types: chocolate sprinkles and flakes are not the same.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Pure Chocolate Flakes 390 g
A dark chocolate variant to consider for decorating several oliebollen. The pack contains 390 g; check the label on the pack you choose for allergen information.
Image unavailable
g'woon Milk Chocolate Sprinkles with Smileys 600 g
An alternative if you’d like to use milk chocolate sprinkles rather than flakes for decoration. The pack contains 600 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the label.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
A dark chocolate variant for anyone looking for a 200 g pack for decorating. Don’t rely solely on the word ‘dark’ when choosing; check the allergen information on the pack too.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Milk Chocolate Flakes 200 g
Milk chocolate flakes for decorating, in a 200 g pack. If you have allergies, read the ingredients and warnings on the label.
Image unavailable
g'woon Milk Chocolate Flakes 300 g
Milk chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack, worth considering if you’re decorating several oliebollen. Check the exact ingredients and allergen information on the pack, especially if wheat is relevant to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I deep-fry chocolate flakes directly in oliebol batter?
If you’re following the Koopmans recipe, it’s best to use the flakes as a finishing touch: the filled oliebollen are decorated with chocolate flakes after baking. Only use them in the batter if a recipe specifically instructs you to do so.
Are chocolate flakes for oliebollen a frozen product?
No, the products discussed here are chocolate flakes for bread toppings or decoration, not frozen ingredients for oliebollen. Follow the storage and usage instructions on the pack and in your recipe.
Are dark chocolate flakes suitable if I want to avoid milk or soya?
You can’t tell from the word ‘dark’: De Ruijter Royaal contains soya and may contain milk. Check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack for every variant you choose.