If you’d like to serve something sweet alongside drinks
You’re putting together a selection of savoury party snacks and are considering serving crispbread with chocolate sprinkles as a separate sweet option, perhaps at brunch or as a dessert.
Who might this choice be relevant to?
If you’re looking for a distinctly dark chocolate option
You want to look beyond the word ‘dark’ on the packaging and compare the stated minimum cocoa content of the variety you’re planning to buy.
If you’re checking sugars, sweeteners or allergens
You compare the nutritional information and ingredients, or check whether milk, soya and possible traces on the current label are relevant to you.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a separate sweet option. Then compare the chocolate sprinkles themselves: cocoa content, ingredients and allergens answer different questions when you’re buying.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Occasion | Decide whether crispbread with chocolate sprinkles will be a separate sweet option, rather than a bite to serve on a savoury party platter. | When I’m serving savoury snacks with drinks, I want to offer crispbread with chocolate sprinkles separately. For around 30% of consumers, the occasion comes first. |
| Cocoa content | Check the minimum percentage of cocoa solids for the exact variety; ‘dark’ doesn’t mean the same minimum for every pack. | If I’m looking for a distinctly dark option, I want to compare the cocoa information rather than rely on the flavour name alone. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | Compare sugars per 100 g and check whether the ingredients list includes sweeteners or polyols. | If you want to limit sugars, you may also want to know which sweeteners are used instead. For around 20% of consumers, the ingredients are the first thing they look at when buying. |
| Allergens | Check the current pack to see which allergens the product contains and which may be present. | If I have a milk or soya allergy, I need to check whether this particular pack is suitable before using it. Around 20% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all chocolate sprinkles labelled ‘dark’ have the same cocoa content
Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids; Jumbo states that Venz Puur 400 g contains at least 32%. So the flavour name alone won’t tell you the minimum stated for the variety you choose.
Compare the cocoa information on the label of the exact variety and pack. Don’t draw a definitive conclusion about the taste from that figure alone.
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Putting sweet chocolate sprinkles on a savoury party platter
A traditional selection of party snacks consists of small savoury bites; the chocolate sprinkles discussed here are a sweet bread topping. They offer guests something quite different from a savoury snack with drinks.
Serve crispbread with chocolate sprinkles separately as a sweet option if you’d like to offer that contrast.
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Looking only at the amount of sugars
The Céréal Hagelslag Puur described by Jumbo contains maltitol and lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as checking sugars per 100 g, read the ingredients, polyol content and usage warning on the pack.
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Relying on an online ingredients list as your final allergen check
A dark product name says nothing about whether the product contains milk or soya. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the label of prepacked foods.
Before eating, check the pack you’re actually using, including any statements about possible traces.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
The De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur variety reviewed is a chocolate sprinkle topping for a sweet crispbread or bread occasion.
- Albert Heijn states that the 200 g pack contains at least 52% cocoa solids: a specific figure to compare if cocoa content is a priority.
- The variety reviewed contains milk and soya; check the current label for possible traces of milk protein or lactose too.
Venz
The Venz Puur variety reviewed is chocolate sprinkles in a 400 g pack, for use as a sweet bread topping.
- Jumbo states that it contains at least 32% cocoa solids, giving you a stated minimum to compare with other varieties.
- The product information lists 65 g of sugars per 100 g, as well as milk and soya; check the label for possible lactose too.
Céréal
The Céréal Hagelslag Puur variety reviewed combines sugar with a sweetener, so it calls for a different approach to comparing ingredients.
- Jumbo states that this variety contains 7.7 g of sugars per 100 g, which is useful if you’re comparing sugar levels between products.
- The product information lists maltitol, 40 g of polyols per 100 g and soya. It also states that milk may be present and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Mister CHOC
Lidl Netherlands lists Mister CHOC Hagelslag Puur as a supermarket product in a 600 g pack.
- The pack size may be relevant if you’re specifically looking for a larger pack.
- Before buying, check the label for ingredients, allergens and cocoa content; pack size alone tells you nothing about these.
Joybuy products for a separate sweet treat
These dark chocolate sprinkles go well with crispbread as a separate sweet option alongside savoury party snacks. Pack sizes vary; check the current label if cocoa content, sugars or allergens are important to your choice.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles, 200 g
An option for a separate sweet treat on crispbread. If a higher minimum cocoa content is a deciding factor for you, compare the cocoa information on this pack.
Pack size: 200 g. If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles, 400 g
A larger pack of dark chocolate sprinkles for a separate sweet treat on crispbread, not for a savoury party platter.
Pack size: 400 g. If you have a preference for cocoa content, compare the stated minimum for this variety; if you have an allergy, check the current label.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for crispbread or bread as part of a separate sweet treat.
Pack size: 390 g. If you’re looking for a specific minimum cocoa content, don’t rely on the word ‘dark’: check this pack, along with its allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Are dark chocolate sprinkles part of a traditional selection of party snacks?
No, not as a savoury snack with drinks. A traditional selection of party snacks usually consists of small savoury bites, whereas the chocolate sprinkles discussed here are a sweet bread topping. You can serve crispbread with chocolate sprinkles separately.
Does all dark chocolate sprinkle topping have the same cocoa content?
No. Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, while Jumbo states that Venz Puur 400 g contains at least 32%. Check the figure for the exact variety you choose.
What should you check for allergens in dark chocolate sprinkles?
Before using them, read the current label on the pack you’ve chosen. The De Ruijter and Venz varieties reviewed list milk and soya; Céréal lists soya and may contain milk. Don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ alone.
Does your choice of chocolate sprinkles tell you anything about the iodine in bread?
No, you can’t infer the iodine content of bread from your choice of chocolate sprinkles. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt can provide iodine, but using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the information about the bread itself to find out which salt is used.
How should you store dark chocolate sprinkles?
Follow the storage and best-before instructions on the pack you buy. The product information for the De Ruijter, Venz and Céréal varieties discussed recommends storing them in a dry place, sometimes with the additional instruction to keep them cool.