Who is this choice relevant to?

Fans of intense dark chocolate

You’re looking for a distinctly dark chocolate taste on bread or as a topping during the school holidays, and want to compare the stated cocoa content of different options.

Families keeping an eye on portions

You want to use chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping from time to time, so you check the nutritional information, how much you use each time and how often you have them as a snack.

Shoppers checking ingredients

You need to take allergens into account or are comparing regular dark chocolate sprinkles with an option containing sweeteners. In that case, the ingredients list on the exact product you choose matters.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what matters most to your household: cocoa content, the role of sweet toppings during the holidays, or ingredients. Then compare the exact products on their packaging; the word ‘dark’ won’t answer all your questions.

What to consider What to check when buying Who should pay particular attention?
Cocoa content Compare the stated minimum cocoa solids percentage for the exact product, and check the ingredients too. If I’m looking for a distinctly dark option for bread or as a topping, I want to see the cocoa content clearly stated. Around 42% of consumers say cocoa content comes first for them.
Sugar and portions Check the sugars per 100 g and the nutritional information per portion, if provided. If the product contains sweeteners, also look for any usage warnings. If chocolate sprinkles are served on several days during the holidays, I want to make a conscious choice about how much sweet topping I use. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current packaging for the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about traces. If someone in my household needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s in this product before serving it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this check.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means a set cocoa content

    The options reviewed state different minimum percentages: Albert Heijn lists 52% for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and 43% for Royaal Extra Puur; Jumbo lists 32% for Venz Puur.

    If cocoa content is the deciding factor for you, compare the percentage on the exact product. The percentage alone won’t tell you how it tastes.

  • Taking less sugar to mean unlimited portions

    According to Jumbo’s product information, Céréal Hagelslag Puur contains maltitols. The packaging warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    As well as checking the sugar content, read the ingredients and usage warning, and think carefully about how much you use.

  • Assuming you know the allergens from the product name

    Among the dark chocolate options reviewed are products containing milk or soya, as well as products with additional warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.

    Before serving, check the current packaging for the exact product, including any warnings about traces.

  • Choosing based on pack size alone

    A 600 g pack tells you how much chocolate sprinkles you’re buying, but not the cocoa content, nutritional values or allergens for that product.

    If you’re buying a larger pack, check its ingredients, nutritional information and use-by date before deciding.

Brands compared

The details below apply to the specific products described and don’t necessarily apply to every product from the same brand.

De Ruijter

Among the dark chocolate sprinkles reviewed, you can compare a standard option with Royaal Extra Puur and Specials Intens Puur.

  • Albert Heijn lists at least 43% cocoa solids for Royaal Extra Puur and at least 52% for Specials Intens Puur.
  • For the product you choose, check the current packaging for milk, soya and any warnings about milk constituents or lactose.

Venz

Venz Puur is a dark chocolate sprinkles option in a 400 g pack.

  • Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids for this product.
  • Jumbo’s product information lists 65 g of sugars per 100 g, milk and soya, and the possible presence of lactose.

Céréal

Céréal Hagelslag Puur is worth considering if you want to compare an option containing sweeteners with regular dark chocolate sprinkles.

  • For the product reviewed, Jumbo lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g.
  • The product contains maltitols and soya, may contain milk, and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Kiekeboe

The Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur product reviewed is an option to consider if you’re looking for a 600 g pack.

  • ALDI lists this product in a 600 g pack and says it contains Rainforest Alliance cocoa.
  • Before buying, compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack with those of other options.

Mister Choc

Mister Choc Hagelslag Puur is a dark chocolate option in a 600 g pack.

  • Lidl lists the product reviewed as a 600 g pack.
  • If they’ll affect your choice, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the pack in store.

Related products at Joybuy

These two g’woon products let you choose between dark chocolate sprinkles and dark chocolate flakes for bread or as a topping during the school holidays. If you’re specifically looking for a high cocoa content, check the percentage on the packaging of the option you choose.

g'woon Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 400 g pack

g'woon Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 400 g

Dark chocolate sprinkles for bread or as a topping. The pack contains 400 g; check the cocoa content, nutritional information and allergens on the pack to help you choose.

View at Joybuy
g'woon Dark Flakes, 300 g pack

g'woon Flakes Pure 300 g

Dark chocolate flakes for bread or as a topping. The pack contains 300 g; check the cocoa content, nutritional information and allergens for this product on the pack.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does dark chocolate sprinkles automatically contain less sugar than milk chocolate sprinkles?

No, you can’t tell from the word ‘dark’. The standard dark chocolate options from De Ruijter and Venz reviewed here list 64 g and 65 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. Always compare the nutritional information for the exact products before choosing.

Which dark chocolate sprinkles should I choose if cocoa content is my priority?

Choose an option with a clearly stated cocoa percentage and compare products. Albert Heijn lists at least 52% for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and 43% for Royaal Extra Puur; Jumbo lists at least 32% for Venz Puur. These percentages describe the products, not how everyone will experience their taste.

Can I use chocolate sprinkles with less sugar without limit?

No. According to Jumbo, the Céréal Hagelslag Puur product reviewed contains maltitols and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the ingredients and be mindful of your portion, even with this option.

What should I check before serving dark chocolate sprinkles to someone with an allergy?

Check the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the current packaging for the exact product. The products reviewed include options containing milk or soya, as well as options that warn of the possible presence of other allergens. The product name alone isn’t a reliable way to check.

Are chocolate sprinkles suitable for every snack during the school holidays?

Treat chocolate sprinkles as a sweet topping and decide whether to use them for each snack. The Voedingscentrum highlights the sugar and saturated fat in chocolate sprinkles, and also suggests snack options for children aged 4 to 12, such as fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread.