Portion-conscious snackers
You want to enjoy coated peanuts during a holiday or drinks occasion and know in advance how much energy your weighed portion contains. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then use the weight of your own portion.
Who are these options for?
Fans of a crunchy coating
You’re looking for coated peanuts with a seasoned peanut coating and choose based on flavour. A flavour name or small pack doesn’t, in itself, tell you how many calories the product contains.
Hosts catering for dietary requirements
You’re sharing snacks and want to know which allergens and warnings are listed on the packaging. If someone has a relevant allergy, the ingredients and allergens for the exact variant matter more than choosing a brand in general.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide how much energy you want your portion to provide, then choose a flavour. Finally, check that the ingredients and packaging suit your snacking occasion.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Calories per portion | First compare the kcal per 100 g for the exact variant. Weigh your portion and calculate kcal per 100 g × portion weight in g ÷ 100. | If you mainly want to know how much energy is in your own weighed snack portion, this is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Flavour and crunchy coating | Choose your preferred flavour and check the nutritional information for that variant separately; a flavour name is not a nutrition claim. | If you mainly want to enjoy the flavour and crunchy texture when sharing snacks, this is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements, and compare nutritional values on the same basis. | If you need to take an allergy into account or require a particular composition, this is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
| Packaging and storage | Choose a net weight that suits sharing or several snack occasions, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | If you’re looking for a pack that suits sharing or storing for several occasions, this is the main consideration for around 16% of consumers. |
Common pitfalls
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Calling a small portion a low-calorie product
The ‘low energy’ claim refers to the nutritional value per 100 g, not the amount you put in a bowl. For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for this claim.
Don’t confuse a regular product served in a smaller portion with a product that meets the European requirements for the claim.
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Taking a Nutri-Score or vegan label as proof of low calorie content
According to the RIVM, Nutri-Score gives an overall assessment of a product’s composition; a vegan label describes a different product characteristic. Neither replaces the calorie information per 100 g.
For a calorie-conscious choice, read the nutritional information and then calculate the value for your own portion.
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Treating the whole bag as one snack portion
According to their product information, the 300 g AH and Jumbo Cocktail packs are divided into twelve 25 g portions. So the whole pack is not the same as one portion.
Decide in advance how many grams you want to eat, and follow the storage advice when you put the rest away.
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Using allergen information from a different variant
The own-brand variants reviewed have different allergen statements. AH Cocktail also lists milk and lactose, while Jumbo Cocktail lists peanuts and wheat/gluten and warns that other nuts may be present.
Each time you buy, check the ingredients list and allergen warnings on the packaging of that exact variant.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
Duyvis describes, among other products, Provencale coated peanuts with onion and garlic flavour, and Oriental coated peanuts with curry flavour.
- The manufacturer describes the crunchy peanut coating and publishes ingredients information for these flavour variants.
- Flavour descriptions and a statement about colourings don’t tell you whether a variant is low in calories; compare the nutritional values per 100 g for that.
Albert Heijn
AH Cocktail coated peanuts are an own-brand option in a 300 g pack.
- The product information lists 532 kcal per 100 g and twelve 25 g portions.
- This variant lists peanuts, wheat/gluten, milk and lactose. These details apply to this specific variant.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells 300 g packs of Cocktail coated peanuts, with nutritional values listed per 100 g and per 25 g.
- The product information lists 527 kcal per 100 g and approximately 132 kcal per 25 g portion.
- The variant lists peanuts and wheat/gluten, and warns that other nuts may be present. This doesn’t make the product low in calories.
Lidl
Lidl lists coated peanuts in its Alesto product range.
- The range information is a useful starting point if you’re looking for Alesto coated peanuts.
- A brand or product range listing doesn’t substantiate a low-calorie claim. Compare the nutritional values for the exact variant.
ALDI
The ALDI product page lists Trader Joe’s coated peanuts in bacon and cheese, poesta and paprika flavours, in 300 g bags.
- The product page lists the flavours and pack size.
- The flavour and bag size don’t tell you how many calories a portion contains; check the nutritional information for your chosen variant.
PLUS
The PLUS own-brand range includes Mild and Provencale coated peanuts in 300 g bags.
- PLUS lists Nutri-Score C and vegetarian for Mild, and Nutri-Score D and vegan for Provencale.
- These details apply to the variants listed and don’t, in themselves, mean that a product is low in calories.
Joybuy products
These Joybuy products are regular coated peanuts in a range of flavours. For a calorie-conscious choice, compare the kcal per 100 g on the packaging and calculate the amount for your weighed portion; the flavour and bag weight won’t answer that question.
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Duyvis Poeta coated peanuts 275 g
A good fit for sharing if you’re looking for seasoned peanuts with a crunchy coating.
The product description mentions a savoury seasoning. For a calorie-conscious choice, check the kcal per 100 g and weigh your portion.
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Duyvis Oriental coated peanuts 275 g
Worth a look if you’re after coated peanuts with a curry flavour.
The flavour description mentions a crunchy coating and curry. Use the nutritional information for this variant to compare calories per 100 g.
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Duyvis Bran Nuts Provencale 125 g
This pack is a good fit for a snack occasion when you’re looking for a smaller net weight.
The product description mentions a crunchy coating with onion and garlic flavour. A smaller bag doesn’t tell you how many calories you’ll get per 100 g; compare that value on the packaging.
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Duyvis Coated Peanuts Provençal 275 g
One to consider if you’re looking for coated peanuts with onion and garlic flavour.
The product description mentions a crunchy coating with this flavour combination. To help choose your portion, compare the kcal per 100 g for this exact variant.
Frequently asked questions
When can coated peanuts be called ‘low calorie’ or ‘low energy’?
For solid foods, the European Commission sets a limit of 40 kcal (170 kJ) per 100 g for a ‘low energy’ claim. The product information for AH Cocktail and Jumbo Cocktail lists 532 and 527 kcal per 100 g respectively. A smaller portion doesn’t change the requirements for this product claim.
How do I calculate the calories in my portion?
Multiply the kcal per 100 g by the weight of your portion in grams, then divide the result by 100. According to the product information, a 25 g portion contains approximately 133 kcal for AH Cocktail and 132 kcal for Jumbo Cocktail. For another variant, use the values on its packaging.
How much difference is there between AH and Jumbo Cocktail coated peanuts?
The product information lists 532 kcal per 100 g for AH Cocktail and 527 kcal per 100 g for Jumbo Cocktail. Based on the values per 100 g, that’s a difference of 1.25 kcal in a weighed 25 g portion; neither variant is low in calories.
What should I look out for when sharing coated peanuts with someone who has an allergy?
Read the ingredients and allergen statements on the packaging of the exact variant. The NVWA requires allergens to be clearly stated. Jumbo Cocktail lists peanuts and wheat/gluten; AH Cocktail also lists milk and lactose. Check for any warnings about possible allergens as well.
How should I store an opened bag for several snack occasions?
Follow the storage and resealing instructions on the packaging. AH advises storing its Cocktail coated peanuts in a cool, dark and dry place and closing the pack securely after use; Jumbo advises storing them in a cool, dry and dark place.