Who are flakes suitable for?

At-home shopper who checks pack size

If you use flakes on bread or occasionally on a dessert, check how much is in the pack and whether that amount suits your needs. The varieties reviewed don’t all come in the same pack size.

Host putting the finishing touch to a dessert

If you’re serving a dessert or brunch dish alongside a drink at home, you can use flakes as a topping. Albert Heijn lists desserts and small cakes among their uses, while PLUS also suggests yoghurt and desserts for De Ruijter flakes.

Shopper who checks the label

If ingredients or allergens matter to you, read the information on the packaging. PLUS states that its pure product with a vegan label may contain milk and lactose. The De Ruijter milk variety reviewed lists milk, lactose and soya.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide what you want to serve the flakes on. Then compare the flavour and pack size, and check the label if ingredients or allergens are important to you.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Pack size Compare the size of varieties you plan to use in the same way. The packs reviewed range from 200 g to 300 g. If I use flakes regularly on bread or desserts, I want to choose a pack size that suits my needs. Pack size is the top priority for around 34% of consumers.
Flavour and use Choose between milk, dark or mixed, and decide whether you want to serve the flakes as a spread or a topping. For a dessert served alongside a drink, I want a flavour that goes with the dish, not flakes to put in the drink. Around 33% of consumers prioritise how they’ll serve them.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and allergen information. Don’t assume a product is suitable based on the words ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ alone. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I check the pack before choosing based on flavour. For around 33% of consumers, checking the label is the main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Thinking flakes are made to go in a drink

    The chocolate flakes reviewed are sold as a spread or topping. If you’re looking for something to put in a drink or a ready-to-eat snack, these aren’t the product you have in mind.

    Before buying, decide whether you want to serve bread, brunch or a dessert alongside your drink. For a different use, choose a product category made for that purpose.

  • Overlooking the pack size

    The varieties reviewed include 200 g, 240 g and 300 g packs. So, products in the same category don’t necessarily come in the same quantity.

    Check the pack size of the specific flavour you want to use.

  • Assuming ‘dark’ or ‘vegan’ means allergen-free

    The pure PLUS variety reviewed has a vegan label, but also states that the product may contain milk and lactose. Allergen information varies from product to product.

    Check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging every time you buy.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers, among other things, dark and mixed chocolate flakes to use as a spread or topping.

  • For the varieties reviewed, Albert Heijn suggests using them on bread, crispbread, desserts and small cakes.
  • Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for your chosen variety.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers its own chocolate flakes in dark, milk and mixed varieties.

  • The varieties reviewed come in 300 g packs.
  • A mixed variety isn’t the same flavour choice as milk or dark on its own, so check which one you’re buying.

ALDI / Kiekeboe

ALDI offers Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk and dark varieties.

  • The pack reviewed contains 300 g.
  • Check which flavour is available in store.

PLUS

PLUS offers, among other things, its own-brand dark chocolate flakes, as well as the De Ruijter and Choca varieties reviewed.

  • The pure PLUS variety reviewed is labelled vegan.
  • The same variety also states that the product may contain milk and lactose. Check the label if this matters to you.

De Ruijter

The De Ruijter products reviewed are 200 g milk chocolate flakes and 240 g Royaal Extra Puur.

  • For the milk variety, PLUS suggests using it on bread and in yoghurt and desserts, among other things.
  • Allergen information varies: the milk variety reviewed contains milk, lactose and soya; the Royaal variety contains soya and may contain milk.

Lidl

Lidl lists 300 g milk and dark chocolate flakes on product pages for in-store sales.

  • You can look specifically for the milk or dark variety you want.
  • Check whether your chosen variety is available when you visit the store.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are chocolate flakes suitable for putting in a drink?

The chocolate flakes reviewed are intended as a spread or topping, not as an ingredient for drinks. They’re a good choice to serve alongside a drink at home with, for example, a dessert, small cake or brunch dish.

How do the pack sizes reviewed differ?

Pack size varies by product and variety: the De Ruijter milk flakes reviewed contain 200 g, Royaal Extra Puur contains 240 g, and several own-brand varieties reviewed contain 300 g. Check the flavour and ingredients too; pack size alone doesn’t make products interchangeable.

Can I assume dark or vegan flakes don’t contain milk?

No. Those descriptions alone don’t confirm that a product can’t contain milk. The pure PLUS variety reviewed has a vegan label but states that the product may contain milk and lactose, so always check the current packaging.

Where can I check the allergens in packaged flakes?

Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be declared on the label. Information from a product page you viewed earlier isn’t a substitute for checking the packaging.