Breakfast on the go
A sealed pack is easy to take with you, without putting an opened packet in your bag. Check how many biscuits or slices it contains, though: one pack doesn’t necessarily mean one biscuit.
Which choice is right for you?
Breakfast eaters comparing nutritional information
If you fancy something sweet with breakfast, you can compare sugars, fibre and the portion you’ll eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholegrain products and fruit among the options for a varied breakfast.
Shoppers with allergies or dietary requirements
The ingredients list and allergen information on the exact packaging are what matter. A vegan claim doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from wheat, soya or other allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
Two speculoos biscuits per pack
A good fit if: two biscuits in one pack suit the occasion when you fancy something sweet.
The trade-off: the Lotus Biscoff XL pack reviewed contains ten packs, each with two biscuits, so one pack doesn’t mean one biscuit.
A slice of ontbijtkoek
A good fit if: you want to take one individually wrapped slice as a set portion.
The trade-off: the Peijnenburg naturel 10-pack described by Albert Heijn contains 28 g slices. Consider its nutritional value alongside the rest of your breakfast.
Filled or pastry-style biscuit
A good fit if: you’re mainly looking for a different flavour or type of biscuit.
The trade-off: check the portion, sugars, fats and allergens for each variety. A different type of biscuit isn’t directly comparable with a slice of ontbijtkoek.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and portability | Number of biscuits or slices in each wrapper and the weight of each individual portion. | I want to take a sealed portion with me and know in advance how much biscuit it contains. Around 29% of consumers prioritise portion size and portability. |
| Nutritional information | Sugars and fibre per 100 g; where possible, also compare the portion you’ll actually eat. | If I have something sweet with breakfast, I want to weigh up its nutritional value against the rest of my breakfast. This is the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Ingredients, declared allergens and warnings on the exact flavour and packaging. | If I have an allergy or dietary requirement, I need to know whether this specific variety is suitable. This check comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Packaging and use | Number of individual wrappers, contents of each wrapper and whether you want to use all the portions. | At home, I want to weigh up whether individual wrappers offer enough convenience for the amount of packaging. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming one wrapper contains one biscuit
Jumbo describes the Lotus Biscoff XL variety reviewed as ten packs, each containing two biscuits. The number of wrappers in other packs may also differ from the number of biscuits.
Check the number of biscuits per wrapper and the portion weight before comparing nutritional values per portion.
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Assuming the name ontbijtkoek tells you about the whole breakfast
A mention of fibre alone doesn’t tell you the overall nutritional value of a breakfast. For the Peijnenburg naturel 10-pack reviewed, Albert Heijn lists both 3.2 g of fibre and 38 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check the nutritional information for your chosen variety and decide what other breakfast foods you’ll have with it.
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Assuming vegan means allergen-free
The Lotus Biscoff XL speculoos reviewed is presented as suitable for vegans, while the product information also lists wheat and soya.
If you have an allergy, always check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current packaging.
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Comparing different types of biscuit without considering portion size
A filled biscuit, a plain speculoos biscuit and a slice of ontbijtkoek don’t necessarily have the same pack size or ingredients.
Compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g, then check how much you’ll actually eat from one wrapper.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
The XL speculoos reviewed comes in packs containing two biscuits.
- Jumbo lists ten individual packs in the XL pack.
- The product information lists wheat and soya; the vegan claim doesn’t mean it’s allergen-free.
Peijnenburg
The plain ontbijtkoek reviewed is wrapped by the slice.
- Albert Heijn lists ten individually wrapped slices weighing 28 g each.
- The same product information lists 38 g of sugars per 100 g; check the allergen information too.
Kinder
Kinderini is a type of biscuit supplied as two biscuits per individual pack.
- Albert Heijn describes four packs, each containing two biscuits.
- The variety reviewed lists allergens including egg, hazelnut, milk, soya and wheat.
Bonne Maman
The Tartelettes citron reviewed are small, individually wrapped tarts.
- Albert Heijn lists nine individually wrapped tartelettes.
- The product information lists wheat, almond, egg and milk; check whether this type of biscuit suits your needs.
Biscuits at Joybuy
These biscuits are options if you’re looking for a sweet portion. Check whether the number of biscuits and the individual portion in each pack suit your breakfast; they’re not all the same type of biscuit.
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Hellema Smoeltjes speculoos biscuits, 8 pieces, 200 g
A speculoos option for a sweet addition to breakfast. Check how many biscuits you eat at a time, and read the label on your chosen pack for allergen and nutritional information.
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Lu Scholiertje biscuits with milk chocolate, 150 g
For anyone who fancies a biscuit with milk chocolate at breakfast. Check how many biscuits are in each wrapper and compare the sugars per 100 g with the portion you eat.
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Oreo Raspberry & Blueberry-flavoured sandwich biscuits, 97 g, two packs
A raspberry- and blueberry-flavoured sandwich biscuit for anyone looking for a change of flavour. The outer pack contains two individual packs; check the packaging to see how many biscuits are in each one.
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Ulker Halley Mini Biscuits, 3 × 77 g
A mini biscuit for anyone who wants to take a filled biscuit with them. The title lists three 77 g packs; check the label to see how many biscuits make up an individual portion and which allergens are listed.
Frequently asked questions
Is an individually wrapped biscuit a complete breakfast in itself?
No. Individual packaging only tells you how the biscuit is wrapped. Check the portion you eat and the nutritional information; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholegrain products and fruit among the options for putting together a breakfast.
Does every individual pack contain exactly one biscuit?
No. According to Jumbo, the Lotus Biscoff XL pack reviewed contains ten packs, each with two biscuits, while Albert Heijn describes Kinderini as four packs, each containing two biscuits. So check both the number of wrappers and the contents of each one.
Where can I find allergen information for packaged biscuits?
Check the label on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on pre-packed foods in the Netherlands. Also check for any warnings on the product you choose.
Is vegan speculoos suitable for someone with a wheat or soya allergy?
Not just because it carries a vegan claim. The Lotus Biscoff XL variety reviewed is presented as suitable for vegans, but the product information lists wheat and soya. If you have an allergy, base your choice on the current label.
How should I store individually wrapped biscuits?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the variety you choose, and keep unopened wrappers intact. After opening a wrapper, check the storage instructions again.