Hosts catering for a crowd
You want to put plenty of biscuits on the table without having to portion them out one by one. As well as the pack weight, check the number of biscuits or individual packs, if this information is given.
Who are family packs handy for?
Hosts with a favourite flavour
You’d rather serve a familiar type, such as syrup waffles or speculoos, than mix different biscuits together. Bear in mind that offering just one flavour gives guests with other preferences less choice.
Shoppers who need to check the label
If your guests have allergies or dietary requirements, the label on the pack you choose matters more than the product category. Also check whether you can store any leftover biscuits properly.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much you want to serve and whether one type or a range of options would suit your guests. Then check the ingredients and storage instructions on the pack you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net contents with the number of biscuits or individual packs, if this information is given. | If I’m filling a platter for a crowd, I want to know whether the pack contains enough biscuits. Around 31% of consumers say quantity is their top priority. |
| Easy to share and variety | Check whether the pack contains individual biscuits, small packs or a selection of different types. | When guests help themselves from a platter, I want to be able to serve the biscuits without any preparation and, ideally, offer a choice. That’s the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| A familiar flavour | Choose between options such as speculoos, syrup waffles and digestive biscuits; don’t compare on brand name alone. | I’d rather serve one familiar type with coffee than a mixed platter with flavours I don’t know. This is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
| Labelling and storage | Read the allergen information on the specific pack and check how to store the biscuits once opened. | If a guest has an allergy or there are biscuits left over, I want to know what I can serve and how to store it. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all biscuits contain the same allergens
Ingredients vary from product to product. Albert Heijn lists wheat and soya in Lotus Biscoff; for the McVitie's Digestives Original multipack, Jumbo lists wheat and says it may contain milk.
Before serving, read the label on the exact pack you’ve bought. If a guest has an allergy, check for any ‘may contain’ warnings too.
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Opening a large pack without a plan for leftovers
A multipack is most practical when you can use the leftover biscuits another time. Voedingscentrum recommends storing biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container.
Before you buy, check whether you can reseal opened packs and follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Biscuits that aren’t stored properly can lose their quality and end up going uneaten.
Brands to compare
Lotus Biscoff
A good option if you’re looking to serve individually wrapped speculoos biscuits with a distinctive, familiar flavour.
- Albert Heijn lists approximately 32 biscuits in the 250 g pack.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety contains wheat and soya. Check the label if allergens are a concern.
McVitie's
The Digestives Original multipack is an option if you’re specifically looking for digestive biscuits to serve on more than one occasion.
- Jumbo lists two 400 g packs for this variety.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains wheat and may contain milk. Check the packaging before serving it to your guests.
Biscotto
ALDI’s own brand includes various biscuits and cookies, with pack sizes suitable for sharing.
- ALDI lists, among other products, 500 g packs of sandwich biscuits and 600 g packs of baker’s speculoos.
- Check the contents and ingredients of each variety you choose; the different types aren’t interchangeable.
Sondey
As well as biscuits, Lidl’s own brand includes other types of cookies and waffles.
- Lidl lists several product types in the Sondey range.
- Check the pack you choose to see what type of product it is and which ingredients it contains.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes various types of biscuits, such as syrup waffles, speculoos biscuits and fruit biscuits.
- You can compare different flavours and pack sizes across the range.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredient and allergen information can change; read the packaging of the product you’re serving.
Biscuits and crackers for your get-together
These Joybuy products give you different ways to fill a platter: sweet biscuits and syrup waffles, plus savoury crackers if you’d like to serve those too. Check the pack size for each product; crackers aren’t sweet biscuits.
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Lu Bastogne Original, 3 x 260 g
For anyone who wants to serve the same type of biscuit over several get-togethers. This multipack contains three 260 g packs; check the label before serving them to guests with allergies.
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Pacific Biscuits Large Gift Pack
A savoury cracker option if you’d like to serve something alongside the sweet biscuits. Check which types are included in the set and read the labels on the individual products.
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Oreo Original, 10 x 66 g
For anyone who wants to serve one type of biscuit in several small packs. The multipack contains ten 66 g packs; check the label for allergen information.
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Kanjers Original Stroopwafels, 8 stuks
For a platter where you specifically want to serve syrup waffles rather than biscuits. The pack contains eight syrup waffles; consider whether that’s enough for your guests.
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Tuc Original Crackers, 3 x 100 g
For anyone who’d like to serve savoury crackers with drinks instead of sweet biscuits. This multipack contains three 100 g packs; check the label before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right pack size for a Friday afternoon get-together?
Consider the number of guests, how many biscuits are in the pack and what you’ll do with any leftovers. For its 250 g pack of Lotus Biscoff, Albert Heijn lists approximately 32 biscuits; Jumbo lists two 400 g packs for the McVitie's Digestives Original multipack. The weight and number of biscuits can both help you work out how much you can serve.
Should I check the allergens in packaged biscuits?
Yes. Read the label on the specific variety before serving it to guests with allergies. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that 14 allergens must be listed on the label; similar biscuits can contain different ingredients or carry different ‘may contain’ warnings.
How should I store biscuits left over after the get-together?
Store opened biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as recommended by Voedingscentrum. Also follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you choose, especially if a multipack contains different varieties.