For oliebollen (Dutch doughnuts) or regular use from your cupboard, choose a pack size that matches what you’ll actually use for your recipe and afterwards. You can open the bags in a multipack one at a time. For a sharing platter with a range of fruit, a smaller pack may be a better fit. Check the ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions for each variant.
You want to use dried fruit for New Year’s Eve, as well as for breakfast or baking afterwards. Compare the total weight with how much you expect to use, and check whether you can leave some of it sealed. Product listings from Albert Heijn and Jumbo show a range of pack sizes.
You’re choosing raisins and possibly currants for a specific recipe. In that case, the amount you need and the preparation instructions matter more than buying the largest pack possible. Allerhande from Albert Heijn provides a recipe example using raisins and currants.
You want to serve a variety of dried fruit and are mindful of portions and your guests’ dietary requirements. Product listings from Lidl and ALDI show different types of fruit and packaging; check the details of your chosen variant individually.
A good fit if: you’re planning several baking sessions or will use the raisins after New Year’s Eve too.
Keep in mind: you’ll open one larger pack, so you’ll need to seal the remainder properly.
A good fit if: you want extra supplies but would rather not open every bag at once.
Keep in mind: having more individual packs doesn’t necessarily mean the total quantity will match what you use.
A good fit if: you mainly want to serve a variety and don’t need much left over for later.
Keep in mind: if a product listing groups several options together, check which fruit variant and ingredients apply to the pack you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| How much you’ll use | Add up what you’ll need for the occasion, recipes and realistic use afterwards. Also check whether you can open individual bags separately. | When I choose a pack, I want to avoid having more left over after the occasion than I’ll use. Around 34% of consumers prioritise choosing an amount that matches their actual use. |
| Oliebollen recipe | Follow the quantities and preparation instructions in your own recipe. The Allerhande recipe for 20 portions uses 100 g of raisins and 50 g of currants; the fruit is soaked for 10 minutes. | When I make oliebollen myself, I want the right type and amount of fruit for my recipe. Around 20% of consumers give suitability for their recipe top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the ingredients and nutritional values for the exact variant. The PLUS product listing for Pagysa Sultana raisins states 0 g of added sugars and 68,2 g of sugars per 100 g. | When I compare ingredients and portions carefully, I want to know what’s in the variant I’ve chosen. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ingredients and portion sizes. |
| Storing leftovers | Check whether you can leave individual bags unopened and follow the storage instructions. The Voedingscentrum advises storing opened raisins in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months, somewhere cool, dry and dark, in a tightly sealed container; this doesn’t automatically apply to other fruit mixes. | When I have fruit left over after New Year’s Eve, I want to be able to store it easily. Around 13% of consumers make manageable leftovers their main priority. |
| Variety and allergens | Choose the types of fruit first, then check the label for the exact variant. The ALDI listing for a 200 g product includes several variants, including cashew nuts. | When I serve different types of fruit, I want to choose a selection that suits my guests. Around 13% of consumers prioritise variety for a serving occasion. |
Individual bags can be handy if you want to open them over time, but the number of packs alone doesn’t tell you whether you’ll use the total amount.
Add up the recipes you’re planning and what you’ll use after the occasion, then compare that amount with the combined contents of all the bags.
The Allerhande recipe for 20 portions uses 100 g of raisins and 50 g of currants. That’s an example for this recipe, not a fixed amount for all oliebollen.
Work out what you need based on your recipe and the number of batches you’re making. Only buy extra if you’ll use it later too.
The PLUS listing for Pagysa Sultana raisins states 0 g of added sugars, but also 68,2 g of sugars per 100 g.
Read both the ingredients list and nutritional information for the variant you’ve chosen; one doesn’t replace the other.
The ALDI listing includes different variants, such as cashew nuts and cranberry or cranberry-and-raisin products. The ingredients can therefore vary depending on which option you choose.
Check the packaging for the exact variant, especially if you need to consider an allergy or intolerance.
The product listings include raisins in larger bags and a multipack containing individual packs.
Product listings for sun-dried sultanas are available in different pack sizes.
Under its Alesto brand, Lidl lists dried mango strips among its fruit options as an alternative to raisins.
The product listings include raisins and a separate combined listing with several different variants.
PLUS sells the Pagysa Sultana raisins checked in a 750 g bag.
The product listings include 750 g packs of raisins and smaller variants with different types of fruit.
These Joybuy products are a good match if you’re looking for smaller portions of dried fruit or a variety to serve with drinks; they aren’t a substitute for raisins specifically needed for an oliebollen recipe.
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An option for adding variety to your spread; the product information describes the jackfruit pieces as a snack.
The pack contains 100 g. The product information lists 98% jackfruit and vegetable oil.
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A combination of dried dates and nuts for anyone who wants to serve more than one type of food with drinks.
The pack contains 208 g and lists grey dates and walnut kernels. Contains walnuts; bear in mind that some guests may have a nut allergy.
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A smaller pack of dried guava for anyone looking to serve a different type of fruit alongside raisins.
The pack contains 180 g. The product information lists 95% guava, sugar and a preservative.
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A portion of dried loquat for a varied sharing platter.
The pack contains 200 g. The product information lists loquat, sugar and bamboo salt; sulphites are also listed.
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A small pack for anyone who wants to enjoy dried strawberries as a snack or topping.
The pack contains 50 g; the ingredients list dried strawberries and sugar. The product information suggests using them as a topping for yoghurt and desserts.
It depends on your recipe. The Allerhande recipe for 20 portions uses 100 g of raisins and 50 g of currants. Work out what you need based on the number of batches you’re making, and only include extra for later if you’ll use it.
Store raisins somewhere cool, dry and dark, in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. The Storage Guide recommends keeping opened raisins in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months. Follow the label too, and don’t automatically apply this timeframe to soaked raisins or other fruit mixes.
No, those things aren’t the same. The PLUS listing for Pagysa Sultana raisins states 0 g of added sugars and 68,2 g of sugars per 100 g. So check both the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variant.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging for the variant you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly identifiable in the ingredients list; a combined product listing doesn’t prove that every variant has the same ingredients.
No, its absence from the label doesn’t prove that the product is completely free from sulphites. Stichting Voedselallergie states that sulphites can be found in dried fruit and that low concentrations don’t always have to be listed explicitly. If you’re sensitive to sulphites, ask about the exact variant before serving it.
