Choose the amount of coated peanuts to suit your guests, the other snacks and everyone’s taste preferences. A larger bag is handy if lots of guests want the same variety, but it could leave you with leftovers. Duyvis lists Cocktail bags in 500 g and 1000 g sizes; Jumbo has a 500 g Cocktail bag, while PLUS offers a 300 g Mild variety. If you’re sharing a bowl, check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
You want enough coated peanuts in one flavour to top up the bowl during a get-together. Duyvis lists Cocktail bags in 500 g and 1000 g sizes, while Jumbo has a 500 g Cocktail bag. The amount you need will also depend on the other snacks you’re serving.
You don’t want everyone to be tied to a single flavour, so you’d rather choose separate bags. The ranges we looked at include Cocktail, Mild, Provençale and varieties from ALDI. This gives you a choice of options, but doesn’t tell you which flavour everyone will enjoy.
You want to know what’s in the bowl before serving it. The coated peanuts we looked at contain peanuts; ingredients such as wheat, milk or celery may also be present. If a guest has a food allergy, check the information on the exact pack.
First decide how much you want to serve and whether one flavour will do. Then check the pack and any information that matters to your guests.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount to share | Check the net weight of each bag and how many bags you’re buying. Remember to allow for the other snacks, too. | If I want to have enough of one flavour to top up the bowl, I look at the amount in each bag. Around 36% of consumers prioritise quantity. |
| Flavour and variety | Read the exact flavour name and ingredients. Words such as ‘mild’ and ‘cocktail’ aren’t standard measures of flavour or heat. | If guests have different preferences, I want to decide in advance whether to choose one flavour or several varieties. Around 29% of consumers prioritise flavour. |
| Avoiding leftovers | Choose an amount that suits what you plan to serve, and consider whether you want to open the bag in stages. | If I don’t want to open more than we’re likely to eat, I look at the bag size and how to store any leftovers. Around 21% of consumers want to avoid waste. |
| Suitable for your guests | Ask about any relevant allergies and check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack. If young children are present, also look out for product warnings about choking. | If I need to consider an allergy or young children, I check the product information before serving. Around 14% of consumers prioritise suitability for their guests. |
A flavour name doesn’t tell you all the ingredients. The PLUS Mild variety we looked at contains peanuts, wheat, milk and celery, among other ingredients.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety before filling the bowl.
A bigger bag means buying more of one flavour. That may not suit the amount you want to serve or your guests’ preferences.
Compare the net weights and choose an amount that suits your group and the other snacks.
An opened bag could leave you with leftovers. Online orders may also incur order or delivery charges; check the retailer’s terms and conditions.
Duyvis lists several pack sizes in its Cocktail range. The flavour name alone doesn’t tell you how much is in the bag.
Check the net weight and variety before ordering, so the amount you receive suits your needs.
Duyvis’s official information lists several flavours and Cocktail bags in 125 g, 275 g, 500 g and 1000 g sizes.
Albert Heijn lists a 300 g bag of Borrelnoten Cocktail, described as peanuts with a crispy coating.
Jumbo lists Cocktail coated peanuts in 300 g bags and a 500 g multipack; both are described as peanuts with a crispy coating.
Lidl’s official page describes Alesto Cruspies as peanuts in a spiced batter coating.
ALDI lists Trader Joe's coated peanuts in 300 g bags, with flavours including bacon and cheese, poesta and paprika.
PLUS describes its 300 g Borrelnoten Mild as peanuts with a crispy coating and a mild flavour.
Decide how much you want to serve per person, taking the other snacks into account. Multiply that amount by the number of guests, then divide the total by the weight of each bag; round the number of bags up. This is a planning method, not an official serving recommendation: the weight on the pack doesn’t guarantee that one bag will be enough for a particular number of guests.
The products we looked at are sold as snacks to serve with drinks and can be served without any preparation. Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing them in a cool, dry, dark place. Follow the instructions on the exact pack once it’s open; these recommendations don’t specify a set shelf life after opening.
No, the flavour name alone isn’t enough to tell you. The PLUS Mild variety we looked at lists peanuts, wheat, milk and celery; the ingredients information for Duyvis Cocktail lists peanuts, wheat and milk. Check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack.
Don’t assume coated peanuts are suitable for all ages. The PLUS product page warns that young children could choke on peanuts. Bear this warning in mind if young children are present.
Check the product information for the variety you’ve chosen, especially the ingredients and allergens. Business.gov.nl states that food information in the Netherlands must be available in Dutch and provided online too; the NVWA explains that allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
