Who is this relevant to?

Home bakers who want chocolate in their oliebollen

You’re looking for a method that explains how to mix chocolate into the batter, as in the recipe from Uit Paulines Keuken, rather than using a ready-made biscuit as a substitute.

Fans of chocolate-coated taaitaai

You want to serve taaitaai and chocolate alongside your oliebollen. Jumbo lists a milk chocolate version of taaitaai, but the product name doesn’t tell you whether it can be used in oliebol batter.

Shoppers checking allergens

You want to be able to check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on the labels of pre-packed foods.

What should you look for when choosing?

Decide whether you want chocolate in the batter or taaitaai to serve alongside your oliebollen. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients and allergens on the product you’re actually buying.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it’s most relevant to
Chocolate in the batter Choose chocolate that you can finely chop for a suitable oliebol recipe; don’t assume a chocolate-coated biscuit will work in the same way. I want to mix chocolate into the batter without relying on a biscuit as a substitute. For around 42% of consumers, having a clear method for the batter comes first.
Serving taaitaai on the side Decide whether you want plain taaitaai or a chocolate-coated version, and check the packaging of the biscuit you choose. I want a spiced pairing but would rather leave the oliebol itself as it is and serve taaitaai alongside it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this way of serving it.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current label, including the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about possible traces. If allergens are a concern, I need to be able to check the pack I’ve chosen before serving anything. For around 33% of consumers, checking the label is their main concern when buying.

Common mistakes

  • Treating a chocolate-coated biscuit as baking chocolate

    The recipe from Uit Paulines Keuken uses finely chopped chocolate in the batter. The name of a chocolate-coated taaitaai biscuit doesn’t show that it will give the same result in hot frying oil.

    If you want chocolate in your oliebol, follow a recipe that mixes chocolate into the batter. Serve taaitaai separately, or use it as a topping after frying.

  • Assuming allergens from the product name

    The plain taaitaai described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contains milk and cereals containing gluten. The figures described by Jumbo may also contain nuts and oats; this information doesn’t automatically apply to a different version.

    Check the label on the exact pack before using it, even if you’ve bought a similar taaitaai before.

  • Assuming a seasonal listing means year-round availability

    ALDI and Dirk list taaitaai among their seasonal sweets. So a product listing doesn’t tell you whether the version you want will be available when you’re making oliebollen.

    Check the range shortly before you buy. For chocolate in the batter, you can also follow a recipe that uses separate, finely chopped chocolate.

  • Overfilling the deep-fat fryer

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an overfilled deep-fat fryer can overflow and catch fire.

    Fill the deep-fat fryer no more than halfway with oil, and add the oliebollen carefully.

Brands and shops to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo lists a product called Jumbo Taai Taai Melkchocolade 250g.

  • The product listing is useful if you’re specifically looking for taaitaai with a milk chocolate coating.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack for this exact version; information about plain Jumbo taaitaai won’t necessarily apply.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes AH Taai taai, 500 g, and provides ingredient information.

  • The product information lists ingredients including wheat, rye and milk protein.
  • This is plain taaitaai; check the label of any chocolate version separately.

PLUS

PLUS lists ambachtelijke taai taai koeken, 250 g, and taai taai Sint en Piet, 500 g.

  • These listings offer two plain taaitaai options to consider serving alongside oliebollen.
  • Check the ingredients on the pack you choose; these listings don’t describe a chocolate coating.

ALDI

ALDI describes taai-taai, 500 g, with an aniseed flavour as part of its Sinterklaas range.

  • The product listing makes clear which plain taaitaai is meant.
  • Check availability around the time you plan to buy; the listing doesn’t describe a chocolate-coated version.

Dirk

Dirk’s taaitaai search results include mini-taaitaai, 500 g.

  • The listing gives you a starting point if you want to serve plain taaitaai separately.
  • Check the current packaging and availability; the search listing doesn’t describe chocolate-coated taaitaai.

Chocolate for oliebol batter at Joybuy

This milk chocolate bar is an option if you’re looking for chocolate to chop finely. The recipe from Uit Paulines Keuken uses finely chopped chocolate in oliebol batter, but it doesn’t assess this particular bar. The bar is not taaitaai.

Milka Alpine Milk milk chocolate bar, 90 g

Milka Alpine Milk chocolate bar, 90 g

A milk chocolate bar to consider if you want chocolate to chop finely for oliebol batter. Check that it suits your recipe and read the current ingredients and allergen information; the recipe doesn’t confirm that this particular bar is suitable for the batter.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I use chocolate-coated taaitaai instead of chocolate in oliebol batter?

Don’t treat chocolate-coated taaitaai as an equivalent substitute. The recipe from Uit Paulines Keuken uses finely chopped chocolate in the batter; Jumbo’s listing for milk chocolate taaitaai doesn’t suggest that the biscuit can be used in the same way.

What should I bear in mind when deep-frying chocolate oliebollen?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, fill a deep-fat fryer no more than halfway with oil to prevent it from overflowing. Add the batter carefully and follow the instructions in the oliebol recipe you’re using.

Which allergens should I check in taaitaai and chocolate?

Check the current label on both products. Albert Heijn lists ingredients including milk, wheat and rye in its plain taaitaai; Jumbo lists milk and cereals containing gluten in its taaitaai figures, with possible traces of nuts and oats. This information doesn’t automatically describe the chocolate-coated version or the chocolate bar you choose.

Can I rely on an online listing for seasonal taaitaai?

Use an online listing as a starting point, but check availability and packaging when you buy. ALDI and Dirk list taaitaai as a seasonal product; check the label on the version you choose for its ingredients and allergens.