Choose flavours based on what your guests enjoy, then check the ingredients and allergen information on each pack. A variety described as mild isn’t automatically suitable for every dietary requirement; PLUS Borrelnoten Mild, for example, lists milk, celery, peanuts and wheat. Serve flavours separately and open packs as needed, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises when storing opened cocktail nuts.
You want to serve familiar and more distinctive flavours side by side, without assuming that everyone will enjoy the same variety. The Dutch range includes cocktail, Provençal, mild, BBQ paprika and chilli flavours.
You check the ingredients and allergen information on each pack, rather than relying on the flavour name alone. Even a variety labelled mild or vegetarian may contain milk, wheat, peanuts or celery.
You tailor the amount to your guests and the other snacks you’re serving, and want to keep unopened packs rather than opening every flavour at once. The packaging and storage method also matter.
Start by choosing flavours your guests will enjoy, then check the ingredients and allergen information, and match the pack size to your gathering. That way, you can offer a variety of flavours without opening more packs than you need.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and variety | Choose by flavour name and serve flavours separately; the name isn’t an objective measure of heat. | If your guests have different tastes, offering more than one flavour profile can help; around 34% of consumers prioritise variety. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients on each pack and distinguish between ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’. | If a guest needs to avoid an allergen, check the specific pack rather than relying on terms such as ‘mild’ or ‘vegetarian’; around 20% of consumers prioritise suitability for their diet. |
| Pack size | Compare the weight in grams and consider the number of guests and the other snacks you’re serving. | If you want to serve enough without creating unnecessary leftovers, match the pack size to your gathering; around 20% of consumers focus on quantity and buying the right amount. |
| Storage after opening | Open packs as needed and store the remainder in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. | If you’re shopping in advance or want to top up during the party, you’ll want to store opened packs properly; around 13% of consumers prioritise crunchiness and storage. |
| Nutritional information | Compare nutrition tables on the same basis, such as per 100 g, if salt, energy or saturated fat matters to you. | If you choose a snack based on its nutritional values, the information on the pack is more useful than the flavour name; around 13% of consumers start with the nutritional composition. |
A variety labelled vegetarian may still contain milk. PLUS Borrelnoten Mild also lists celery, peanuts and wheat; Jumbo BBQ Paprika contains milk, wheat and peanuts, among other ingredients.
Check the full ingredients list and allergen information on the specific pack before choosing a variety for your guests.
Once opened, the remaining contents need to be sealed properly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened cocktail nuts keep for 2–5 days in a kitchen cupboard and advises storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Open packs as needed, refill smaller bowls and seal the rest properly.
Snackspert’s personal Provençal flavour test from January 2025 doesn’t tell you which flavour all your Christmas guests will enjoy, and it isn’t a comparison of every variety currently available.
Use this kind of verdict as a flavour pointer at most, and choose based on your own guests’ preferences and the current packaging.
‘Mild’ describes a flavour profile; it isn’t a nutritional claim. PLUS Borrelnoten Mild lists 1,438 g of salt per 100 g.
If salt, energy or saturated fat matters to your choice, compare the nutrition tables on the same basis.
The manufacturer describes separate Borrelnootjes and Tijgernootjes ranges. For Cocktail, Duyvis lists several pack sizes and a savoury coating.
Albert Heijn’s product page lists AH Borrelnoten cocktail as a 300 g pack containing 51% peanuts.
Jumbo lists several flavour profiles, including cocktail, Provençal, BBQ paprika, bacon and cheese, and chilli.
Lidl Netherlands lists cocktail nuts in its range.
Under TRADER JOE'S, ALDI lists paprika, poesta, bacon and cheese, oriental, Provençal and cocktail flavours, including 300 g packs.
The PLUS product page describes Borrelnoten Mild 300 g as a mild variety and labels it vegetarian.
This selection focuses on flavoured cocktail nuts for a festive spread.
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The product information describes this seasoned variety as a snack for gatherings.
The pack contains 275 g. According to the product information, this variety contains peanuts, milk, wheat and celery, and may contain traces of soya, mustard and other nuts.
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This spicy variety is a good option if your guests enjoy a bold, seasoned flavour.
The product information lists chilli, paprika, garlic and cumin. The pack contains 300 g; according to the allergen information, this variety contains peanuts, wheat and lupin, and may contain traces of other nuts.
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The BBQ paprika flavour adds another option to a spread with a range of varieties.
The pack contains 300 g. According to the allergen information, this variety contains peanuts, milk and wheat, and may contain traces of nuts.
Multiply the number of grams you’re planning per guest who’ll be eating by the number of guests, then divide by the weight of one pack. Round the number of packs up. Albert Heijn lists a 25 g serving for AH Cocktail and Duyvis lists a 30 g serving for Duyvis Cocktail, but these product serving sizes don’t predict how much your guests will eat alongside other snacks.
Yes. PLUS Borrelnoten Mild is labelled vegetarian, but the product information lists milk, wheat, peanuts and celery. Check the ingredients and warnings on the specific pack separately to meet vegan, gluten-free or allergen-related requirements.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing opened cocktail nuts in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, and says they keep for 2–5 days in a kitchen cupboard. Follow the advice on the pack too; Albert Heijn’s product page for Duyvis Cocktail recommends an airtight, light-proof container.
No, don’t assume they are. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that whole nuts and peanuts can pose a choking risk. A soft or mild flavour doesn’t mean the snack is suitable for a baby or toddler.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses that sell food to consumers must provide information about any allergens present. For non-prepacked food, including catering, this information can be given in writing or verbally. If it’s given verbally, a notice must tell customers that they can ask for it. This business requirement doesn’t automatically apply to someone hosting a party at home in a private capacity.
