If you fancy something sweet on bread, yoghurt or porridge while studying, chocolate flakes are a topping to enjoy at home. If you’re looking for a snack you can eat straight from an individual wrapper without a plate or bowl, choose a different product category. When comparing chocolate flakes, check the flavour, nutritional information and allergens on the pack you’re planning to buy. Plain chocolate isn’t automatically the right choice for every preference.
You want to add something sweet to a slice of bread, yoghurt or porridge during a study session. Albert Heijn’s product descriptions recommend chocolate flakes for this kind of use, rather than as an individually wrapped bar.
You’re choosing between flavours and want to compare the sugars, fats, cocoa solids and allergens in each specific variety. This information can vary from product to product.
You often have chocolate spread or a topping on hand and want to know how much is in the pack, and how to serve yourself a portion while studying.
First, decide whether you want a topping or a snack that doesn’t need a base. If you’re choosing a topping, pick a flavour, then check the nutritional information and allergens for that variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Topping or standalone snack | Check that they’re loose chocolate flakes, and decide whether you’ll have them on bread, yoghurt or porridge. | If I want to carry on studying without using a plate or bowl, sprinkles that I need to add to something else aren’t much use to me. For around 36% of consumers, convenience comes first. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare sugars and fats per 100 g and per portion; check the allergens on the exact pack. | When I’m choosing a flavour, I want to know what my portion adds and whether the ingredients are suitable for me. Around 29% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Flavour and cocoa | Check whether it’s milk, plain, white or a mix, and only consider a stated cocoa percentage for that specific variety. | During a short study break, the main thing is choosing a flavour I enjoy sprinkling on my bread or yoghurt. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Check the pack size and whether it’s easy to serve a small amount and store the rest. | If I use chocolate flakes regularly, I want a pack that suits my needs, without having to eat straight from it every time. For around 14% of consumers, the type of packaging is the most important consideration. |
The chocolate flakes reviewed are sold loose as a bread topping or sprinkle. They serve a different purpose from a snack you can take with you and eat without bread or yoghurt.
If you want a single wrapped snack for when you’re out and about, look in a different product category. Choose chocolate flakes when you want to sprinkle them over something else.
For the two De Ruijter varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn lists 56 g of sugars per 100 g for Royaal extra plain and 70 g per 100 g for milk chocolate flakes. On its own, this doesn’t tell you about all plain and milk chocolate flakes, or which variety suits your eating habits.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and the amount you’ll actually use. Check the ingredients for your chosen flavour, too.
The allergens vary between the products reviewed. According to the product information on Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Royaal extra plain contains soya and may contain milk; Venz Tijgervlokken lists milk, soya and wheat, among other allergens.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, read the label before buying and use the information on the exact pack you’re considering.
Chocolate flakes in a range of varieties, for bread or as a topping.
Chocolate flake mixes for anyone who wants different flavours and shapes in one topping.
Cocoa-flavoured chocolate sprinkles for bread or as a topping.
Own-brand chocolate flakes in plain and milk chocolate varieties.
Milk or plain chocolate flakes listed by ALDI Netherlands in 300 g packs.
These products are suited to using chocolate flakes or sprinkles on bread, yoghurt or another base while studying at home. They aren’t individually wrapped bars; when choosing sprinkles, pay particular attention to the difference in product type.
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A flake mix for anyone who wants to sprinkle something on bread, yoghurt or porridge while studying. Serve a portion from the pack rather than treating it like a snack bar; if you have allergies, check the label on the pack you choose.
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For anyone looking for a chocolate topping to enjoy on bread or yoghurt at home. The pack contains 390 g; check the nutritional information and allergens for this product, rather than relying on details for another De Ruijter variety.
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A milk chocolate variety to enjoy on bread or yoghurt at home. The pack contains 300 g; if you need to check for allergens, read the exact pack before use.
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Chocolate flakes for anyone who wants to top bread or yoghurt during a study break. The pack contains 200 g; check the ingredients and allergens for this product if they’re important to your choice.
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For anyone looking for bread sprinkles in smiley shapes. This is a chocolate sprinkle product, not flakes or an individually wrapped snack; the pack contains 600 g.
No, the chocolate flakes discussed here are loose bread toppings or sprinkles, not individually wrapped bars. If you don’t have anything to sprinkle them on, choose a snack from a different product category.
First, spoon the amount you want onto bread or into a bowl, then close the pack. Check the label to see how the nutritional information is shown per 100 g and, where stated, per portion.
Check the label for the exact variety: the information can differ between milk, plain and mixed varieties. Depending on the variety, the product pages reviewed list allergens including milk, lactose, soya and wheat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly shown on the label.
No, the word ‘plain’ alone doesn’t determine whether a product is right for your snack break. Compare the ingredients and nutritional value of the specific variety, and first decide whether you want a topping or a snack that doesn’t need a base.
