Evening snackers who want to keep the rest sealed
You want to open one biscuit, slice or small pack for a single snack, without opening the remaining portions. So look beyond the outer packaging and check how the individual portions are wrapped too.
Who is this relevant to?
Shoppers who choose their portion in advance
You want to know how much you’re opening: one slice of ontbijtkoek, two biscuits or a pack containing more pieces. An individual pack only gives you a clear portion size if you know what’s inside it too.
Shoppers who check ingredients and allergens
Your choice isn’t just about portion packaging. Even with individually wrapped biscuits, it’s important to check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the amount you want to open at a time. Then compare the contents of each individual pack and check the label: a biscuit wrapped on its own, a packet of two biscuits and a small multipack are all different options.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed portions | Count the individual packs and check how many biscuits are in each one. | I want to open one packet late in the evening and keep the rest sealed. Around 50% of shoppers say keeping the rest sealed is their top priority. |
| Amount per snack | Compare the amount in each individual pack and check the nutritional information per portion, not just per 100 g. | If I want to choose one slice or a specific number of biscuits in advance, the contents of each pack need to be clear. For around 25% of shoppers, having a defined portion is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and type of biscuit | Check the current ingredients list and allergen information; distinguish between biscuits, ontbijtkoek and chocolate biscuits. | I want to check that the ingredients suit my needs and know what type of biscuit I’m buying. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of shoppers. |
An individually wrapped slice of ontbijtkoek could be an alternative if you prefer a soft bake, but it isn’t the same product as a biscuit. Jumbo lists the Peijnenburg naturel 4-pack as containing four individually wrapped 28 g slices. Albert Heijn lists the Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack as containing eight packets, with two biscuits in each. Both let you keep part of the pack unopened, but the amount you open with each packet or slice differs.
Common mistakes
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Assuming a snack pack contains one biscuit per packet
An individual pack can contain several biscuits. Albert Heijn says the Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack has two biscuits in each packet, so opening one packet isn’t the same as opening one biscuit.
Check how many pieces are in each individual pack. If you want one piece, look specifically for biscuits wrapped individually.
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Assuming a vegan label means a product is allergen-free
Jumbo describes the Lotus Biscoff XL variety as suitable for vegans, but also lists soya and wheat. So the vegan label doesn’t tell you whether those allergens are present.
If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients list and allergen information for the variety you’re buying.
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Confusing a defined portion with a nutritional benefit
An individually wrapped pack makes the amount clear, but that alone says nothing about its nutritional value. For example, Jumbo lists 86 kcal and 11 g of sugars per portion for a 28 g slice of Peijnenburg naturel.
Compare the nutritional information per portion and per 100 g when looking at products with different portion sizes.
Brands to consider
The main differences between these product ranges are the type of biscuit and the number of pieces in each individual pack. Always check the current packaging of the variety you choose.
Lotus Biscoff
Crunchy speculoos biscuits in packets of two, for anyone who wants to open just part of a larger pack at a time.
- Albert Heijn lists eight packets of two biscuits for the Snack Pack; Jumbo lists ten packets of two for the XL variety.
- Each packet contains more than one biscuit. For the XL variety, check the allergens listed, including soya and wheat.
Peijnenburg
Soft ontbijtkoek, an alternative for anyone who would rather open one individually wrapped slice than a packet of biscuits.
- According to Jumbo, the naturel 4-pack contains four individually wrapped 28 g slices.
- The product information lists rye and says it may contain milk and nuts. Check the current packaging if this is important to your choice.
Goud Gebakken
Soft spiced or ontbijtkoek bites in individual packs, for anyone who fancies a soft bite rather than a crunchy biscuit.
- ALDI lists six individually wrapped koekhappers.
- Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging of the variety you choose.
Biscotto
Biscuits in smaller individual packs, for anyone who doesn’t want to open the whole outer pack at once.
- ALDI lists six packets for the Mini Biscuits and twin packs for the chocolate biscuits.
- An individual pack doesn’t necessarily contain just one biscuit; check how many pieces are in each pack.
Biscuits at Joybuy
These biscuits are worth considering if you’re looking for smaller pack sizes for an evening snack. Check how many biscuits you’ll open with each pack; not all products are individually wrapped.
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Smoeltjes Ghost Biscuits, 7 pieces × 2
For anyone who wants to open several biscuits for a snack and know the amount in advance.
The product name lists two packs of seven biscuits. These aren’t individually wrapped biscuits.
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Lu Scholiertje milk chocolate biscuits, 150 g
For anyone who fancies milk chocolate biscuits in the evening and wants to check how much is in each pack they open.
The product name lists a 150 g pack. Before buying, check how many biscuits are in each individual pack.
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Fruit Biscuit Coconut Snaps, 5 × 3 pieces
For anyone who wants to choose three biscuits at a time rather than one individually wrapped biscuit.
The product name lists five packs of three biscuits, making fifteen pieces in total.
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Hellema Smoeltjes speculoos biscuits, 8 pieces, 200 g
For anyone looking for speculoos biscuits and wanting to choose how many to open for each snack.
The product name lists eight pieces and 200 g. Before treating an individual pack as a portion, check how many biscuits it contains.
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Oreo raspberry and blueberry flavour sandwich biscuits, 97 g
For anyone looking for a berry-flavoured sandwich biscuit in a pack that can be opened in two separate portions.
The product name lists two separate packs and a total pack size of 97 g. If the number of biscuits determines your portion, check how many are in each pack.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a biscuit is individually wrapped?
Check how many biscuits are in each individual pack, not just how many packets are in the outer pack. For example, Albert Heijn lists the Lotus Biscoff Snack Pack as containing eight packets of two biscuits, while ALDI lists Goud Gebakken as containing six individually wrapped koekhappers.
Is a vegan biscuit also free from allergens?
No. Jumbo describes the Lotus Biscoff XL variety as suitable for vegans, but also lists soya and wheat. If you have an allergy, check the current allergen information for the variety you want to buy.
What label information can help me choose pre-packed biscuits?
The ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional values can help you compare products and portions. Your Europe explains that mandatory label information for pre-packed foods in the EU includes details such as the product name, ingredients and allergens. Always check the label on the pack you’re actually buying.
Does an individual pack tell me anything about its nutritional value?
No. An individual pack makes it clear how much you’re opening, but nutritional values vary between products and portions. So compare the nutritional information per portion and per 100 g when looking at biscuits in different pack sizes.