Anyone catering for a crowd
You want enough flakes for a big snack night or a large family, so you’re looking at the amount in each pack and how many packs you’ll need.
Who are these options for?
Anyone catering for allergens or dietary requirements
You’re buying for a mixed group and want to check before serving whether an option contains, or may contain, milk, lactose, soya or wheat.
Anyone choosing flavours and toppings
You want to decide whether milk, dark, white or a mix will suit your planned snacks, and whether to serve chocolate flakes or another type of topping.
What should you look for when buying?
For your snack night, first work out how much you need and what type of product you want. Then choose the flavours and check that the ingredients, allergens and purchasing options for each pack suit your plans.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per pack | Compare the pack weights and decide how many packs you’ll need for your group. | If I’m expecting a crowd, I don’t want to run out of topping halfway through. Around 40% of consumers put the amount they need first. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement for each option you choose. | For guests with an allergy or dietary requirement, I want to know what’s in each pack. For around 30% of consumers, checking this is their first concern. |
| Flavour and product type | Choose between milk, dark, white or a mix, and distinguish chocolate flakes from chocolate sprinkles and cocoa fantasy flakes. | If the topping is also part of the presentation, I want to choose a flavour and product type that suits the snacks. Around 20% of consumers give this their highest priority. |
| Where to buy | Check that you can get the number of packs you want from your chosen shop, for delivery or for collection. | If I want to buy everything at once, the option I choose needs to be available through my preferred channel. This is the main requirement for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means dairy-free
According to the product information on Jumbo, De Ruijter Dark Flakes contain soya and may contain milk. PLUS describes its dark chocolate flakes as vegan, but says they may contain milk and lactose.
If you’re catering for allergies or dietary requirements, check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statement on the exact pack you’ll be serving.
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Planning to order a shop-only product online
Lidl says its 300 g dark chocolate flakes included in this review are only available in store. ALDI directs customers to its shops for the 300 g Kiekeboe flakes included in this review.
Before deciding how much to buy, check which channels stock the option you want.
You may need to make an extra trip to the shop if you were counting on delivery or collection.
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Confusing cocoa fantasy flakes with chocolate flakes
The Choca Flakes included in this review are cocoa fantasy flakes. PLUS lists ingredients including wheat starch and soya for this option.
Check the product type and ingredients before buying several packs for the whole group.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a specific option, such as milk, dark, white or Royaal.
- For De Ruijter Royaal Chocolate Flakes 240 g, Jumbo states that the product contains at least 40% cocoa solids.
- Check allergens for each option: Jumbo says its 300 g dark flakes contain soya and may contain milk.
PLUS
Own-brand dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
- PLUS describes this dark option as vegan.
- According to PLUS product information, the same option may contain milk and lactose; if you’re catering for an allergy, check the warning separately.
Kiekeboe
ALDI own-brand milk or dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
- An option to consider if you want to buy several packs of the same type at ALDI.
- ALDI’s product page directs customers to buy in store; check your chosen branch before planning your shop.
Jumbo
Own-brand range that includes 300 g packs of dark chocolate flakes.
- The pack weight makes it easy to work out how many packs you need.
- Check the information for your exact choice of product for ingredients and allergens.
Albert Heijn
The range reviewed includes own-brand 300 g packs of milk and dark chocolate flakes.
- You can choose the flavour before deciding how many packs you need.
- Check the ingredients and allergens in the individual product information or on the packaging.
Choca
200 g packs of cocoa fantasy flakes for anyone specifically choosing this type of product instead of chocolate flakes.
- This product type is distinct from ordinary chocolate flakes.
- For the option reviewed, PLUS lists wheat starch and soya; the product may contain milk.
Products for your snack night
This selection of Joybuy products includes chocolate flakes and other chocolate toppings in a range of pack sizes. Check the product type if you specifically want to serve flakes, and work out how many packs you need for each option.
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g'woon Hagelslag Milk Chocolate With Smileys, 600 g
For anyone looking for a pack of chocolate sprinkles with decorative shapes, rather than chocolate flakes.
The pack contains 600 g; choose how many packs to buy based on what you plan to serve.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks, 390 g
For anyone wanting to serve chocolate pieces as a topping; check that this type of product suits the snacks you have planned.
The pack contains 390 g. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information before serving.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking for this flavour in a topping, rather than a pack of chocolate flakes.
The pack contains 390 g. Don’t assume ‘dark’ means dairy-free: check the label for any guest with an allergy or dietary requirement.
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g'woon Milk Chocolate Flakes, 300 g
For anyone wanting to serve milk chocolate flakes and work out the amount they need using 300 g packs.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before serving the flakes to your guests.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles, 200 g
For anyone wanting to offer a separate dark chocolate sprinkles option alongside other toppings.
This pack contains 200 g; you’ll need more packs to get the same total amount as with a larger pack. Check the allergen information for the exact option.
Frequently asked questions
How do I buy enough flakes for a big snack night?
Decide how much you want to serve and work out how many packs of your chosen option you’ll need. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, for example, offer 300 g consumer packs of chocolate flakes; check the weight of each product you’re combining.
Are dark chocolate flakes automatically vegan or dairy-free?
No, the word ‘dark’ alone doesn’t confirm this. PLUS describes its dark chocolate flakes reviewed here as vegan, but says they may contain milk and lactose; according to Jumbo, De Ruijter Dark Flakes contain soya and may contain milk. Check the latest label for the option you choose.
Can I check allergen information before ordering online?
Yes. According to Ondernemersplein, mandatory labelling information for pre-packed foods must also be available online. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, then read the label on the packaging when it arrives.
How should I store any packs left over after snack night?
Follow the storage advice on each pack and check the best-before date. Follow the packaging instructions for opened packs too.