Don’t automatically buy taaitaai biscuits or a box of chocolates when you want to make Dutch doughnuts: taaitaai is a separate type of biscuit, and a box of chocolates isn’t needed for the doughnut recipe described here. If you’re looking for something to serve or give as a gift, choose from the relevant category and check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product. For homemade Dutch doughnuts, the recipe and safe deep-frying are what matter.
If you want to make Dutch doughnuts yourself, decide whether you need baking equipment or are looking for a biscuit or gift to go with them. Recipes from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and Albert Heijn Allerhande describe Dutch doughnuts and taaitaai as two different things to make.
Compare the information on the packaging of the specific product. The taaitaai varieties described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo list different allergens, so the product name alone won’t tell you which ingredients it contains.
A box of chocolates, taaitaai biscuits and a homemade treat are different gift options. Decide what you’d like to give, and check the contents and allergen information of any packaged product.
First, decide whether you want to make Dutch doughnuts, serve taaitaai biscuits or give chocolate as a gift. Then compare products based on the information that matters for your purpose.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| What the product is for | Decide whether you need something to make Dutch doughnuts, want to serve biscuits or want to give chocolate as a gift. | If I want to make Dutch doughnuts, I want to know which purchase is needed for the recipe and what is only for serving alongside them or giving as a gift. Around 50% of consumers put this purpose first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific product, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If I need to avoid certain allergens, I want to know what’s in the taaitaai biscuits or chocolate I choose, even if the packaging says gluten-free. For around 30% of consumers, allergens are their main concern. |
| Preparation and availability | Check the preparation instructions and equipment required, or, for a ready-made product, its current availability. | If I’m making something myself, the preparation needs to fit the time and equipment I have. If I choose a ready-made product, I need to be able to get hold of it. For around 20% of consumers, practicality matters most. |
A box of chocolates isn’t needed for the Dutch doughnut recipe described here. If you’re buying a gift, it’s a different product category from baking supplies.
Before comparing products, decide whether you want to bake, serve something or find a gift.
The gluten-free Consenza taaitaai described by Albert Heijn also lists oats, almonds and nuts. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you which other allergens the product contains.
Read all the information on the current packaging, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
An online listing for taaitaai or a baking kit doesn’t mean you can buy the product in your local shop or have it delivered to your area.
Check current availability before basing your baking or gift plans on that specific product.
When making Dutch doughnuts, you need to pay attention to how much oil is in the pan, regardless of which biscuit or gift you choose.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises filling the deep-fat fryer no more than halfway with oil and cooking Dutch doughnuts at 175 °C.
Ready-made taaitaai biscuits to serve as a separate biscuit product.
Ready-made taaitaai biscuits in the 250 g pack described by Jumbo.
Taaitaai described as gluten-free and organic in Albert Heijn’s product listing.
A baking kit option if you want to make and decorate taaitaai yourself.
Not in the recipes described here: Albert Heijn Allerhande describes taaitaai as oven-baked biscuits, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s information on Dutch doughnuts is about deep-frying. Choose taaitaai as a separate treat unless your own Dutch doughnut recipe specifically calls for it.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, food labels in the Netherlands must list 14 allergens. When you buy a product, read the information on its packaging.
Not necessarily. The gluten-free Consenza taaitaai in Albert Heijn’s product listing contains almonds and lists nuts. So, as well as checking the gluten-free label, read all the allergen information.
Ask the seller. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must also be provided to consumers for unpackaged products, but it’s given in a different way from information on packaging.
Pay attention to the frying temperature and the amount of oil in the pan. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises cooking Dutch doughnuts at 175 °C and filling the deep-fat fryer no more than halfway with oil.
