Families who make lots of sandwiches
If flakes are a daily sandwich topping, compare the pack size, flavour and label of products sold for this purpose. Several 300 g packs may be a better fit than one bag sold for decorating desserts.
Which option is right for you?
Dessert buffet organisers
A larger format can be handy if you’re decorating lots of cakes, ice cream or mousses. Baktotaal describes the 1 kg Callebaut Pailletés pack as suitable for these uses; check that it works with your recipes.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients and allergens
Check each flavour separately, especially if you’re serving others. For example, PLUS says its dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose; the word ‘dark’ doesn’t mean you can skip checking the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
Flakes for bread
Choose these: if the flakes are mainly for sandwiches; the supermarket products reviewed include 300 g packs.
Bear in mind: if you use a lot, you may need several packs.
Flakes for decorating desserts
Choose these: if you’re decorating lots of cakes or desserts; Baktotaal describes 1 kg Callebaut Pailletés as suitable for decoration.
Bear in mind: this intended use doesn’t automatically make the product interchangeable with flakes for bread.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Use as a bread topping | Check the product type and flavour. | If the flakes are going on sandwiches every day, I want a product sold as a bread topping. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with how much you expect to use and the storage space you have available. | When doing a big family shop, I want to know how many packs I need without opening more stock than I can store. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this kind of planning. |
| Dessert decoration | Check whether the flakes are intended for your dish and how much you’ll need. | For a dessert buffet, I’m mainly looking for enough decorative toppings for the dishes I’ve planned. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the flavour you’ve chosen. | When I’m serving others, I need to check first which ingredients and allergens are relevant to them. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a 1 kg bag is the same as flakes for bread
Baktotaal describes the 1 kg Callebaut Pailletés as being for decorating cakes and desserts. The larger pack size alone doesn’t tell you whether they’re suitable for sandwiches.
Choose according to how you intend to use them: for bread, start by looking at products sold as bread toppings.
-
Looking only at the pack size
A 200 g, 240 g or 300 g pack won’t tell you whether its flavour and intended use suit your needs.
Compare the net weight only after you’ve established that the products are suitable for the same purpose.
-
Assuming dark flakes can’t contain milk
PLUS says its dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. A flavour description is no substitute for checking the allergen information.
Check the label of the exact product you’re going to use each time you buy, especially if you’re serving guests.
-
Stocking up without a storage plan
If you buy several packs, bear in mind the storage instructions and how quickly you’ll use them.
Estimate how much you’ll use and follow the instructions on the packaging. For the flakes reviewed, PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Chocolate flakes in different pack sizes and varieties, for shoppers looking for a particular flavour or cocoa content.
- For De Ruijter Puur 300 g, Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids; for Royaal 240 g, it lists at least 40%.
- These details apply to the varieties listed, not to all De Ruijter flakes.
Jumbo
Own-brand flakes for bread, including 300 g packs of dark chocolate flakes.
- The 300 g pack gives you a useful starting point for planning how much to stock for sandwiches.
- Check the details for the flavour you’ve chosen; the packaging for the dark variety doesn’t automatically describe other varieties.
PLUS
Own-brand flakes in dark and milk chocolate varieties, in 300 g packs.
- The product information distinguishes between the dark and milk varieties and includes storage and allergen details.
- PLUS says the dark variety may contain milk and lactose; the milk variety contains milk and lactose. Check the current label.
Kiekeboe
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk or dark varieties, in 300 g packs.
- ALDI lists Rainforest Alliance certification for the product shown.
- Check the packaging of your chosen variety for its ingredients and allergens.
Callebaut
1 kg Pailletés Puur, described by Baktotaal as suitable for decorating cakes and desserts.
- The 1 kg pack is useful when planning larger quantities for dessert decoration.
- The stated use doesn’t confirm that this product is an equivalent alternative to flakes for bread; the recipe contains milk.
Products for bread and toppings
This selection of Joybuy products includes flakes and other toppings in a range of pack sizes. Check the product type before choosing chocolate sprinkles or a topping instead of flakes for bread.
Image unavailable
g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smiley faces 600 g
A good option if you’re looking for a topping for bread and would like to consider a 600 g pack. These are chocolate sprinkles, not flakes; check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Image unavailable
g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
A good option if you’re looking for flakes to put on bread. The pack contains 300 g; if you use a lot, you can work out how many packs you need and check the allergens on the label.
Image unavailable
Venz chocolate and vanilla sprinkles 400 g
A good option if you’re looking for a topping for bread or something sweet to sprinkle over desserts. The pack contains 400 g; check the exact ingredients and allergens in this combination on the packaging.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
A good option if you’d like a mix of chocolate and vanilla flakes for bread or breakfast dishes. The pack contains 200 g, so you may need several if you use a lot; remember to check the allergen label too.
Image unavailable
Sprinkles Choca Flakes 200 g
A good option if you’re looking for flakes to put on bread or stir into yoghurt. The pack contains 200 g; if you use a lot, plan how many packs you’ll need and read the allergen information on the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 1 kg flakes as a topping for bread?
Don’t assume so: Baktotaal describes 1 kg Callebaut Pailletés as suitable for decorating cakes and desserts. If you want to use them on bread, first check the intended use, ingredients and product characteristics.
How should I store several packs of flakes?
Follow the instructions on each pack and buy an amount that matches how much you use. For the dark and milk chocolate flakes reviewed, PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place; for De Ruijter Royaal, Jumbo says to press the packaging closed carefully after use.
Are dark chocolate flakes free from milk?
Not necessarily: PLUS says its dark chocolate flakes may contain milk and lactose. Check the current allergen information for the specific variety, especially if you’re buying for someone with an allergy.
What allergen information matters for a dessert buffet?
Check the allergen information for every product you use, as well as for the finished dish. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on labels; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, guests should be able to ask which allergens are present in unpackaged products.