Who might find this choice useful?

Fussy eaters looking for a familiar flavour

A simple plain option and a set portion let you try one flavour and amount at a time. Whether you like the bar is a matter of personal preference.

Shoppers who want to compare labels

If you’re keeping an eye on sugar or ingredients, compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check how much is in one bar. The wording on the front doesn’t tell you everything about what’s inside.

Shoppers for whom allergens are a deciding factor

Rye and gluten are relevant to the options mentioned here. For each product, also check the current label for any mention of milk, nuts, almonds or hazelnuts.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the flavour and portion the eater wants to try. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the options you’re considering. If there’s a relevant allergy, the label is essential.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Flavour and portion Check whether it’s a plain option and how many grams are in each individually wrapped bar or slice. If trying a new flavour feels like a hurdle, I want to start with a small, familiar portion. For around 40% of shoppers, that familiarity matters most.
Sugars and ingredients Compare sugars per 100 g and per bar; check the ingredients list to see whether sweeteners have been used. I want to know how a regular bar and an option with no added sugar differ in their ingredients. Around 30% of shoppers put this comparison first.
Individual wrapping Check that the portions are individually wrapped, and look at how many bars are in the pack. When I’m out and about, I want to take one defined portion with me without opening a whole cake. Around 20% of shoppers prioritise this.
Allergens Read the current information about rye and gluten, and check for any warnings about milk and nuts. If an allergen limits my choice, I check the specific bar before considering flavour or convenience. For around 10% of shoppers, this comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Relying only on the wording on the front

    A claim such as ‘no added sugar’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar a bar contains in total. The Peijnenburg option reviewed with this claim also lists xylitol as an ingredient.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the amount per bar and the ingredients list.

  • Assuming an option with sweeteners is interchangeable with a regular one

    A different recipe can taste different too. Snelle Jelle’s product information for Zero also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Check the ingredients and warnings for the option you choose. If you have a fussy eater, try a small pack first.

  • Assuming individual wrapping means it’s allergen-free

    The Dutch breakfast cake and spiced cake options mentioned contain rye and gluten; some also carry warnings about the possible presence of milk or nuts.

    Check the allergen information on the pack you’re buying, even if you’ve seen another product from the same brand before.

  • Assuming all Dutch breakfast cake contains iodine from baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell which salt has been used in a particular bar just from its product category.

    If iodine content matters to your choice, check the product label or ask the manufacturer.

Brands to consider

Peijnenburg

Among the Peijnenburg options reviewed, both the plain slices and the bars with no added sugar are individually wrapped.

  • The plain pack contains ten 28 g slices; the option with no added sugar reviewed contains five 27 g bars.
  • Check the ingredients for each option: ‘no added sugar’ doesn’t mean it contains no sugars or sweeteners.

Snelle Jelle

The spiced cake options reviewed include Minder suiker and Zero, both available in individually wrapped portions.

  • The Minder suiker pack contains five bars, each weighing 50 g.
  • The options reviewed contain rye and gluten. Snelle Jelle warns that excessive consumption of Zero may have a laxative effect.

Albert Heijn

The AH Ontbijtkoekreep naturel reviewed is a supermarket own-brand option in individually wrapped portions.

  • The pack contains six 55 g portions, so you know the weight of each bar in advance.
  • The ingredients include rye flour; also check the allergen information on the current pack.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Dutch breakfast cake bar with no added sugar also sugar-free?

No. The Peijnenburg option with no added sugar reviewed lists 4,9 g of sugars per 100 g and contains xylitol. So check both the nutritional information and the ingredients list.

How do I compare bars with different portion sizes?

First compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then check the amount per bar. This helps you distinguish between the ingredients and the size of the portion.

Are the bars mentioned gluten-free?

No. The Peijnenburg and Snelle Jelle options mentioned contain rye and gluten. For another option, check the current allergen information and look for an explicit gluten-free claim.

Does Dutch breakfast cake always contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume this for every Dutch breakfast cake: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. If it affects your choice, check the label or ask the manufacturer about the specific bar.