Who is this choice relevant for?

Carers looking to try different flavours

If an eater rejects new flavours or textures, small mixed portions let you try different options without committing to one large pack. Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety separately.

Households with a firm favourite

If the eater already enjoys a particular type of sprinkles, a pack with just one flavour may be a better fit than a mix. Check the ingredients for the chosen variety again: the products reviewed list different allergens.

Carers thinking about the whole meal

Sprinkles can be an option for topping a rusk, but they’re no substitute for breakfast or lunch. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include sprinkles in the Dutch Wheel of Five dietary guidelines; when feeding children, consider the rest of the meal too.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you’re looking for sprinkles as a bread topping or chocolate to give as a gift. When choosing sprinkles for rusks, the main considerations are whether the flavour will be accepted, how predictable it is and how sweet toppings fit into the meal.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Trying flavours and textures Check how many portions are included and which varieties they contain. For a mix, check the ingredients and allergens for each component. If a new flavour might be rejected, I want to be able to offer a small amount first, without having lots of one type left over. Trying different options comes first for around 50% of consumers.
Choosing a familiar flavour Compare the exact flavour and check the current allergen label, even for a familiar brand. If the eater already enjoys one type, I want to avoid unexpected flavours in a mix. A familiar flavour is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Sweet toppings as part of a meal Compare the sugars and saturated fat on the label, ideally per 100 g and per portion used. Consider the rest of breakfast or lunch too. I want to be able to use sprinkles without seeing them as a solution for a complete meal. This is the top priority for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing a box of chocolates with chocolate sprinkles

    Chocolate to give as a gift and sprinkles to put on a rusk serve different purposes. Choosing a suitable pack of sprinkles tells you nothing about what’s inside a gift box.

    Decide which product you’re looking for before comparing packs. Use the criteria for portions and sprinkles only when you’re shopping for a bread topping.

  • Choosing a large pack before you know which flavour they like

    A picky eater may reject an unfamiliar flavour or texture, leaving much of a large pack of sprinkles unused.

    If you’re not sure what they like, try a small portion or a mix first. Only buy more of one type once you know they’ll eat that particular variety.

  • Guessing allergens from the flavour name

    Venz Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, as listed by Jumbo, contain milk and soya and may contain lactose. Ingredients can also vary between the different varieties in a mixed pack.

    Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack. For a mix, check each variety separately.

  • Seeing sprinkles as a meal replacement

    Sprinkles are a sweet bread topping. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre excludes them from the Dutch Wheel of Five dietary guidelines and highlights their sugar and saturated fat content.

    Consider not just the topping but also what else the eater has for breakfast or lunch. If you want to estimate how much they’re eating, compare the nutritional information for the sprinkles you’ve chosen.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

Worth considering if you want to try different sprinkles in small portions.

  • Albert Heijn lists De Ruijter Kleintjes in a pack containing eight portions.
  • The varieties in a mix may contain different ingredients and allergens; check each component separately.

Venz

Worth considering if the eater already knows and likes the dark chocolate variety and you’re looking for a pack with one flavour.

  • Venz Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, as listed by Jumbo, come in a 400 g pack.
  • According to Jumbo’s product information, this variety contains milk and soya and may contain lactose.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you’re thinking about a larger own-brand pack of a flavour the eater already enjoys.

  • Jumbo’s sprinkles range includes milk and dark chocolate varieties in 600 g packs.
  • A larger pack won’t help you try an unfamiliar flavour. Check the ingredients of your chosen variety when you buy it.

Chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can sprinkles replace a complete meal for a picky eater?

No. Sprinkles are a sweet bread topping, not a complete meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not include them in the Dutch Wheel of Five dietary guidelines, so consider what else is on the table at breakfast or lunch.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate sprinkles?

Read the allergen information for the exact variety, even if you already know the brand. The product information reviewed lists milk and soya, among other allergens; some varieties also list lactose or wheat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that prepacked products must show allergen information on the label.

Does baker’s salt in bread mean that sprinkles provide iodine?

No. The use of baker’s salt in bread tells you nothing about the iodine content of sprinkles. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre links bread baked with baker’s salt to iodine; this is something to check in the bread, not something to assume about the topping.

How do I compare the nutritional information for two types of sprinkles?

Compare the current labels for the exact varieties on the same basis, such as nutritional values per 100 g. Also consider how much you actually use, and check the ingredients and allergen information separately.