If you’re looking for a distinct cocoa flavour
You want to add a small amount of sweet chocolate topping alongside savoury flavours. Compare the stated cocoa solids percentage rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone.
Who is this relevant for?
If you’re mainly comparing sugars
You want to keep using chocolate sprinkles, but check the sugars per 100 g first. For products containing sweeteners, read the ingredients and any warnings too.
If you need to check ingredients and allergens
Your choice depends on the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging. The dark varieties mentioned include milk, soya and possible traces of milk.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re choosing mainly by cocoa content, sugars or ingredients you need to avoid. Consider each separately: ‘dark’ doesn’t give you the full picture of a product’s nutritional value or allergens.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Compare the stated minimum percentage of cocoa solids on the packaging; don’t try to infer it from the word ‘dark’. | If I want a distinct cocoa flavour alongside savoury toppings, I’d rather choose by a stated percentage than by the product name. Around 50% of consumers say this cocoa flavour comes first. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g. If the product contains sweeteners, read the ingredients and warnings too. | What matters most for my breakfast is how much sugar the chocolate sprinkles contain, even if the variety is called dark. For around 30% of consumers, this is their first consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label, including the allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, the composition matters more than the flavour or brand. Checking the label comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a high cocoa content
The standard dark varieties mentioned state that they contain at least 32% cocoa solids, while Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52%. You can’t tell the difference from the product name alone.
If cocoa content is your main deciding factor, compare the minimum percentage on the packet.
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Assuming ‘less sugar’ means ‘no sweeteners’
Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers lists maltitols and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The Voedingscentrum points out that large amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems.
As well as comparing sugars per 100 g, read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging.
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Relying on an online description instead of the label
The dark varieties mentioned differ in their statements about milk, soya and possible traces of milk. If you need to avoid an ingredient, this difference will affect your choice.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging before use.
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Choosing based only on pack size
A 600 g pack doesn’t tell you the cocoa content, sugar level or allergens for that particular variety.
Before buying a larger pack, compare the labels for the details that matter to you.
Brands compared
De Ruijter
The Puur, Royaal Extra Puur and Specials Intens Puur varieties mentioned have different stated cocoa contents.
- According to product information from Jumbo and Albert Heijn, these varieties contain at least 32%, 43% and 52% cocoa solids respectively.
- Check the current label for each variety for milk, soya and any additional allergen statements.
Venz
Venz Puur is an option if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles in a 400 g pack.
- Jumbo lists a 400 g pack of Venz Puur.
- Before comparing this variety with other dark chocolate sprinkles, check the cocoa content, sugars per 100 g and ingredients on the specific packet.
Albert Heijn
AH Hagelslag Puur is a supermarket own-brand variety in a 600 g pack.
- Albert Heijn states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids and 64 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The product information lists milk and lactose as allergens; check the current label.
Jumbo
Jumbo Chocoladehagelslag Puur is a supermarket own-brand variety in a 600 g pack.
- Jumbo states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids and 65,8 g of sugars per 100 g.
- According to the product information, these chocolate sprinkles may contain milk; check the packaging if this matters to you.
Lidl
Lidl lists Mister Choc Hagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack.
- The product listing identifies this as an in-store product.
- Check the label in store if you want to compare cocoa content, nutritional values or allergens.
ALDI
ALDI lists Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur in a 600 g pack.
- ALDI mentions Rainforest Alliance cocoa for this variety.
- Before comparing, check the packet for the cocoa content, sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens.
Products at Joybuy for a sweet chocolate flavour
This selection includes dark chocolate sprinkles and g'woon Flakes Pure for a sweet touch at breakfast. Chocolate sprinkles and flakes are different types of product, so compare the nutritional information and allergens on each pack too.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles 200 g
An option if you want to enjoy chocolate sprinkles as a sweet touch alongside savoury toppings. Before choosing, compare the cocoa content, sugars per 100 g and allergens on the packaging.
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g'woon Flakes Pure 300 g
If you’re considering dark chocolate flakes as a sweet touch on bread instead of chocolate sprinkles. Check the label if cocoa content, sugars or allergens are the main factors in your choice.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
If you want dark chocolate sprinkles as a sweet contrast at breakfast. Don’t rely on ‘dark’ alone: check the packet for the cocoa content, sugars per 100 g and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Do dark chocolate sprinkles go with a savoury breakfast?
Yes, if you’d like a sweet chocolate flavour alongside the savoury part of your breakfast. The sprinkles themselves are still sweet, so check the stated cocoa content if you want to choose based on cocoa intensity.
Does ‘dark’ mean chocolate sprinkles are low in sugar?
No. ‘Dark’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar a product contains per 100 g. Albert Heijn states that Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers contains 7,7 g of sugars per 100 g, compared with 64 g per 100 g for AH Hagelslag Puur. Compare the other ingredients in each specific variety too.
What should I look out for if I have an allergy?
Check the current ingredients list, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Can I use a lower-sugar variety without limits?
No. Less sugar doesn’t mean that other ingredients or warnings are irrelevant. Céréal Hagelslag Puur Minder Suikers lists maltitols and warns of a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess, so read the guidance on the packaging.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the specific packet and seal it well after use. Jumbo’s product information for the dark chocolate sprinkles mentioned says to store them in a cool, dry place; for AH Hagelslag Puur, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark and dry place.