Buying cheese products: how to choose snacks, sauces and pizza without regret

Buying cheese products might seem straightforward, but options vary widely in how they’re made, packaged, what they contain and when they’re best enjoyed. Are you looking for something for a sharing platter, a film night, a quick meal or a vegetarian snack? It’s worth looking beyond the product photo and words such as “creamy”, “artisan” and “extra cheese”.

Three common pitfalls deserve extra attention:

• A cheese snack may look bigger than it is. Always check both the net weight and the number of pieces. Ten small cheese bitterballen make a different portion from ten generous cheese straws.
• “With cheese” doesn’t automatically mean there’s much cheese in it. Check the ingredients list and the percentage of cheese, mozzarella, Gouda or cheese powder.
• Preparation and storage are easy to overlook. Frozen cheese snacks need to stay frozen and often require a specific oven or air fryer setting. A product that only turns out well in the oven may not suit a household that mainly uses an air fryer.

What should you look for when buying cheese products?

1. Check the type of cheese, percentage and ingredients

The flavour isn’t determined by the name on the front alone. A product made with mature cheese, such as mature Gouda, generally has a different flavour profile from a snack made with cheese powder. For ready-made products, the percentage of cheese is something you can check.

Also look at:

• the order of the ingredients; those listed first are generally present in the largest quantities;
• the type of fat and oil;
• added herbs, spices or flavourings;
• the difference between real cheese and cheese flavouring or cheese powder.

For cheese sauce and cheese dip, how you prepare them matters too. According to the product information, Maggi Cheese Sauce, 37 grams, is intended to be mixed with water and heated. One sachet is enough for five portions, according to the label. The nutritional information, including 7.7 grams of salt per 100 grams of prepared mix according to the details provided, means it’s worth taking portion size into account when choosing.

2. Check allergens and whether the product is suitable for vegetarians

Milk is a given in many cheese products, but they may also contain wheat, gluten, soya, egg, barley or nuts. Always check the current packaging, as online product information can change.

For example:

• According to the product information, Kwekkeboom Old Amsterdam Cheese Fried Cheese Balls contains milk, wheat, soya and cereals containing gluten.
• Twiggle Cheesesticks contains wheat, barley and milk according to the label.
• According to the listed ingredients, GAZI Spiced Cubed Cheese is made with white cheese, oil, herbs and paprika, and contains milk.
• Dr. Oetker Casa Di Mama Mozzarella is described as vegetarian; if you follow a strict vegetarian diet, check the type of rennet on the packaging too.

“Vegetarian” is a specific product claim made by the manufacturer, not a general property of all cheese products. If you have an allergy, don’t rely on a category or recipe name alone: check the allergen information on each product’s packaging.

3. Choose packaging and preparation to suit how you’ll use it

When you’re serving several people, the number of pieces and ease of serving are important. Cheese straws, cheese crisps, cheese rolls and cheese bitterballen are usually easy to share straight away. A jar of marinated cheese is handy when you want to add something to a sharing platter, salad or sandwich without any preparation.

For frozen products, check:

1. whether an oven, air fryer or both are mentioned;
2. the temperature and cooking time;
3. whether the product needs to stay frozen until you’re ready to use it;
4. whether it can be refrozen after thawing.

The product information for Mora Cheese Souffles Mini lists an oven and an air fryer as preparation options. For Casa Di Mama pizza, the instructions specify cooking in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes at the stated temperature. Always check the packaging for the latest instructions.

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Mora Cheese Souffles Mini - 252 g

Why it suits this shopper: The pack contains mini cheese soufflés for a snack or a small get-together. According to the product information, they can be cooked in an oven or air fryer.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The weight, portion format and preparation options are clearly listed, so you’re less likely to judge it by the picture alone.

Key benefit & highlights

252 grams; described as vegetarian; suitable for cooking in an oven or air fryer.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality

Kwekkeboom Old Amsterdam Cheese Fried Cheese Balls, 10 Pieces

Why it suits this shopper: These frozen cheese snacks are made for sharing, with the familiar flavour of mature cheese. According to the product information, they can be cooked in an oven or air fryer.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The pack contains ten pieces, with a portion size of 25 grams. Milk, wheat, soya and gluten are also listed as allergens.

Key benefit & highlights

Ten portions per pack; 48+ cheese according to the product information; suitable for cooking in an oven or air fryer.

Suitable for: Specific needs & frequent users

Dr. Oetker Casa Di Mama Mozzarella - 415 g

Why it suits this shopper: This frozen pizza is designed for a quick meal or a film night. The product information lists mozzarella, tomatoes, rocket pesto and oven cooking instructions.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The instructions specify a preheated oven, a temperature and a cooking time of 12 to 15 minutes. That means you know how to prepare it in advance.

Key benefit & highlights

415 grams; described as vegetarian; cooking instructions for a conventional or fan oven.

Suitable for: A sharing platter with no preparation

GAZI Spiced Cubed Cheese 375 g

Why it suits this shopper: According to the product description, the marinated cheese can be served straight from the jar with bread, salad or pasta, or as part of a Mediterranean sharing platter.

How this product avoids the pitfall

It doesn’t need to be cooked in an oven or air fryer. The ingredients and net weight of 375 grams are shown in advance.

Key benefit & highlights

375 grams; marinated with herbs and paprika according to the product information; ready to serve.

Frequently asked questions about buying cheese products

Which cheese products are handy for a party?

For a party, you can combine different textures: hot cheese bitterballen or cheese soufflés, crunchy cheese straws and a cold cheese dip or marinated cheese. Check how many guests you’re expecting and work out how many pieces are in each pack. That way, you won’t find that a small bag of cheese crisps or cheese rolls isn’t enough.

Are frozen cheese snacks suitable for the air fryer?

It depends on the product. Some cheese snacks, such as certain cheese soufflés and cheese straws, list both an oven and an air fryer as preparation options. A frozen pizza may specify that it must be cooked in the oven. Always follow the temperature and cooking time on the packaging, and don’t place the snacks too close together. This helps them cook more evenly.

How long can you keep cheese products?

Dry products such as cheese crisps, sauce powder and cheese straws should be kept in a cool, dry place and sealed properly, according to the packaging. Frozen products should stay frozen until you’re ready to use them. Once thawed, follow the instructions on the label; refreezing is often not allowed. For jars of cheese dip or marinated cheese, follow the storage instructions after opening and check how long the product is recommended to keep once opened.