According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 25 g handful of coated peanuts provides 3.3 g of protein and 133 kcal. This is an average for the category, not a value that applies to every brand. So choose based on the nutritional information for your portion and your overall diet, rather than the snack’s protein image alone: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, recreational athletes generally don’t need special protein products.
You want to know how a snack portion contributes to your protein intake, without automatically treating coated peanuts as a recovery food. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between recreational sport and intensive exercise.
You’re looking for a savoury snack and also take into account the energy and salt in the amount you eat. A handful and a whole bag aren’t the same basis for comparison.
You’re choosing a snack for a TV night with others and considering flavour, pack size and dietary requirements. Always check the allergens for the exact variety.
A good fit if: you’re mainly after a savoury, crunchy snack and want to take its protein contribution into account as part of your usual diet.
The trade-off: average nutritional values won’t necessarily apply to a specific flavour or brand.
A good fit if: you’re happy to go without the crunchy coating and want to compare unsalted peanuts as an alternative.
The trade-off: for a 25 g handful, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average values of 6.3 g of protein and 157 kcal for unsalted peanuts, compared with 3.3 g of protein and 133 kcal for coated peanuts.
A good fit if: you want to consider a specific claim on the packaging alongside the nutritional values for your portion.
The trade-off: a nutrition claim doesn’t prove that you need extra protein or that the snack will improve your recovery.
For coated peanuts, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre also gives an average of 0.41 g of salt per 25 g; for unsalted peanuts, it gives 0 g of salt. Don’t compare these averages with a branded product without checking the nutrition table for the exact variety.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein contribution | Compare protein per 100 g or per equal-sized portion, then work out how much you’ll get from the amount you eat. | After exercise, I want to know how much protein my portion really provides, without treating a savoury snack as a recovery food; around 36% of consumers give protein contribution the highest priority. |
| Energy, salt and portion size | Check energy and salt on the same weight basis and take your own portion size into account. | If I’m keeping track of how much I snack on, I want to be able to assess the values for my portion; around 29% of consumers focus primarily on energy, salt and portion size. |
| Flavour and sharing | Check the flavour and pack size for the TV night you’re choosing the snack for. | For an evening with others, I want to choose a variety and quantity that suit the group; around 21% of consumers prioritise flavour and sharing. |
| Dietary suitability and allergens | Check the claims and allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety. | If I need to consider a dietary requirement or allergy, I want to be able to check the specific packaging; around 14% of consumers choose primarily based on dietary suitability. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, an average 25 g handful of coated peanuts contains 3.3 g of protein. This doesn’t prove that you need extra protein or that the snack will improve your recovery.
Assess how your portion contributes to your overall diet and check the nutritional information for the variety you choose.
For every 25 g, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average values of 6.3 g of protein and 157 kcal for unsalted peanuts, and 3.3 g of protein and 133 kcal for coated peanuts.
Compare protein and energy for the same weight, then work out the values for the amount you’ll actually eat.
Duyvis lists Cocktail packs of 125, 275, 500 and 1000 g; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s average nutritional values are for a 25 g handful.
Choose a pack that suits how you’ll use it, and decide separately how much you want to eat.
The vegetarian claim for PLUS Mild Coated Peanuts and the vegan and vegetarian claims for PLUS Oriental-style Coated Peanuts apply to those specific varieties. A claim like this doesn’t automatically answer questions about allergens.
Check the allergen information and dietary claim on the packaging for the exact flavour.
Duyvis Cocktail is a classic coated-peanut variety, available in several listed pack sizes.
AH Cocktail Coated Peanuts is a supermarket own-brand variety in the range mentioned.
Jumbo Cocktail Coated Peanuts are described as peanuts with a crunchy batter coating.
Lidl has a Dutch product page for coated peanuts among the supermarket ranges mentioned.
ALDI lists TRADER JOE’S Coated Peanuts in Oriental, Provençal or Cocktail varieties.
The varieties mentioned are PLUS Mild Coated Peanuts and PLUS Oriental-style Coated Peanuts.
This selection includes plain peanuts as a point of comparison alongside coated peanuts. Compare the nutritional values for the same quantity and see which variety suits your snacking preferences.
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An option if you want to compare plain, unsalted peanuts with coated peanuts.
Per 100 g: 27 g of protein and 0.02 g of salt. The ingredients list 99% peanuts and sunflower oil.
Contains peanuts and may contain cashews.
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A comparison option if you’d prefer unsalted, plain roasted peanuts instead of coated peanuts.
The product information lists 100% peanuts. Per 100 g: 26.0 g of protein and 0.02 g of salt.
Contains peanuts.
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An option if you’re looking for seasoned coated peanuts with a crunchy exterior.
Per 100 g: 15 g of protein, 539 kcal and 1.4 g of salt; the product information lists 51% peanuts.
Contains peanuts, milk, gluten (wheat) and celery; may contain traces of soya, mustard and other nuts.
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An option if you’re looking for coated peanuts with a mild curry flavour.
Per 100 g: 15 g of protein, 539 kcal and 1.4 g of salt.
Contains peanuts, gluten (wheat and barley) and soya; may contain milk, nuts and mustard.
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An option if you’re looking for peanuts with a crunchy coating and Provençal flavour.
Per 100 g: 15 g of protein, 542 kcal and 1.3 g of salt.
Contains peanuts and gluten (wheat); may contain milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
No, not as a special recovery product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, recreational athletes don’t need special protein products; assess a snack as part of your usual, varied diet.
No, the figures for coated peanuts and unsalted peanuts are category averages from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Check the nutrition table for the exact variety; Albert Heijn also warns that product information can change.
No, according to the European Commission, nutrition claims must be on the approved EU list and meet the relevant conditions. This alone doesn’t confirm that a specific variety of coated peanuts meets the conditions for a protein claim.
No, a vegan claim doesn’t replace checking for allergens. Check the information on the packaging for the exact variety; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) requires allergens to be declared clearly and correctly.
The Jumbo Cocktail and PLUS varieties mentioned say to store them in a cool, dry and dark place. Also follow the use-by information and any after-opening instructions on the packaging for your variety.
