Who is each option best for?

If you want one treat per compartment

A mini bun can be handy if you don’t want to cut up a standard bun for every occasion. Both PLUS and Lidl list packs of nine mini buns, but check that a bun will fit in your calendar.

If you’re planning several days ahead

Storage advice matters as much as size. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened currant buns in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Check the date and any freezing instructions on your pack.

If you’re buying for someone with specific dietary needs

Check the current ingredients list and allergen information for the bun you choose. A label such as ‘mini’ or ‘wholemeal’ won’t, by itself, tell you whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy, intolerance or other dietary preference.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the space in each compartment and how you plan to serve the treats. Then consider storage options and check the label of the bun you’re thinking of buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Size and portions Compare mini and standard buns, the number in each pack and the space in each calendar compartment. If you want to put a whole bun in each compartment, it needs to fit without being cut up. An estimated 42% of consumers say this is their main consideration.
Storage and preparation Check the date and storage advice, and whether and when you can freeze the buns you’ve chosen. If you want to share out the treats over several days, you won’t want to leave them unrefrigerated for all that time. Around 33% of consumers put storage first.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients, allergens and any wholemeal information on the current packaging. If the recipient needs to avoid certain ingredients or prefers wholemeal, the label will determine your choice. An estimated 25% of consumers say this matters most.

Common mistakes

  • Filling every compartment with fresh buns straight away

    The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened currant buns in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days. That’s not the same as storing them at room temperature throughout the advent period.

    Fill compartments a few days ahead, or freeze portions for later if the packaging says you can. Also check the date and storage advice for the product you’ve chosen.

  • Assuming ‘medium sliced’ tells you the size of a pack of currant buns

    That search term doesn’t tell you how many buns you’ll get, how big they are or whether they’re pre-sliced. For a calendar, those details are what matter.

    Compare the specific product description and the number of buns in the pack. Measure the compartment if the bun needs to fit in whole, and check separately whether you’ll need to cut it up.

  • Relying on the product name to check for allergens

    Currant and raisin buns can vary in their ingredients and allergen information. A photo or a familiar brand name is no substitute for checking the label.

    Each time you buy, check the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any relevant ‘may contain’ information.

  • Assuming ‘wholemeal’ answers every dietary question

    ‘Wholemeal’ describes the flour used; it doesn’t tell you about the allergens in the whole bun or how long it will keep.

    As well as checking the wholemeal label, read the ingredients, allergen information, nutrition details and storage instructions for the specific product.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes AH Rozijnen krentenbollen as white wheat buns with 30% raisins and 4.2% currants.

  • The product information helps you compare ingredients and check the label.
  • A standard bun may not fit in a small advent calendar compartment, so check its size before filling the calendar.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Rozijnen Krentenbollen in a pack of six, with 29.6% raisins and 6.1% currants.

  • The pack size and ingredients give you useful details to compare when choosing a larger treat.
  • Don’t assume this white wheat variety is wholemeal based on its name.

PLUS

PLUS lists a pack of nine mini currant and raisin buns, as well as a separate pack of eight currant buns under the product name ‘Lekker lang lekker’.

  • The mini pack gives you individual buns for serving as treats. For the pack of eight, PLUS advises freezing on the day of purchase and using within one month.
  • Don’t apply the freezing advice for the pack of eight to the mini buns without checking first; check the allergen information on each pack too.

Lidl

Lidl lists both a pack of six currant buns and a pack of nine mini raisin and currant buns.

  • The difference in size and pack quantity lets you choose between a small whole bun and a larger treat.
  • If you’re buying for someone with specific dietary needs, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging for the variety you choose.

ALDI

ALDI lists six raisin and currant buns per pack, as well as a separate pack of nine mini butter-raisin buns.

  • The two pack sizes give you a clear starting point for planning portions.
  • A mini butter-raisin bun isn’t the same product as a standard currant bun, so check the ingredients and allergens for each variety.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put currant buns in every compartment at the start of the advent period?

Not if you’re going to keep opened currant buns at room temperature for the whole period. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping them in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months. For an unopened pack, follow the date and storage instructions on the label, and check whether freezing is suitable for your product.

Should I check for allergens in standard currant buns too?

Yes. If you’re buying for someone with an allergy or intolerance, read the allergen information on the specific pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on allergen labelling; ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information can vary between buns.

Is a mini wholemeal bun automatically a better choice for an advent treat?

No. Consider size, ingredients and storage separately. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. That label doesn’t tell you whether a bun will fit in the compartment, which allergens it contains or how it should be stored.