Hosts putting on a coffee morning or open house
If you want to keep topping up a plate, check the stated or estimated number of biscuits as well as the pack weight. This will help you work out how many packs you’ll need for your guests.
Which pack is best for you?
People handing out individual portions
If you’re handing out biscuits in the street, at school or at a club, small individual packs may be more convenient than one large pack that everyone dips into.
Hosts catering for dietary requirements
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the exact product you’re serving. A dietary label alone doesn’t tell you whether it contains allergens.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’ll serve the biscuits on a plate or hand them out individually. Then consider how many you’ll need and which labels you should check for your guests.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of biscuits | Compare the pack weight with the stated or estimated number of biscuits and their size. | If I’m filling a plate for guests, I want to know how many times I can top it up. Around 46% of consumers prioritise having enough biscuits for their guests. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the exact product, and check dietary information separately from the allergen information. | When guests avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check what’s in the product I’ve chosen before serving it. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Handing out and storing | Check whether the packaging works for handing out individual portions and how to reseal and store any biscuits once opened. | When I’m out and about, I want to hand out portions easily; when serving from a plate, I want to avoid leaving leftovers uncovered. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming vegan means allergen-free
A vegan label doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from allergens. For example, Jumbo lists both vegan suitability and wheat and soya for its 250 g Lotus Biscoff speculoos biscuits.
Check dietary information and the allergen list separately on the packaging of the product you’re serving.
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Opening a large pack without a plan for leftovers
Biscuits can go soft or stale after opening if the pack is left open.
Only put out what you expect to serve. Store the rest in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.
Biscuits that lose their flavour or texture may end up going uneaten.
Brands and shops to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Speculoos biscuits available in different pack formats, including a standard pack and a version with individually wrapped portions.
- Jumbo states that its 250 g standard pack contains around 32 biscuits.
- Contents, packaging and ingredients may vary by product; according to Jumbo, the standard pack contains wheat and soya.
Biscotto
ALDI own-label brand with various larger packs of biscuits.
- ALDI lists products including 400 g Sprenkeltjes and 380 g jodekoeken or coffee biscuits.
- Compare the exact type, and check the label on your chosen pack for ingredients and allergens.
Sondey
Lidl own-label brand, with biscuits, cookies and waffles among its products.
- Lidl also lists vegan options in the Sondey range.
- Check each product individually to see whether its packaging suits the occasion and your guests’ requirements.
Albert Heijn
A shop where you can browse different Lotus Biscoff products; Albert Heijn is a retailer here, not a biscuit brand.
- Product pages can help you compare different pack formats.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information may change. Always check the physical packaging too.
Jumbo
A shop with product information about several Lotus Biscoff packs; Jumbo is a retailer here, not a biscuit brand.
- The Lotus range overview distinguishes between a standard pack and a version with individually wrapped portions.
- When you buy, check which product you’ve chosen and what its packaging says.
Biscuits and cookies on Joybuy
These products offer a range of options for King’s Day: biscuits to serve on a plate, smaller packs and individually wrapped wafers to hand out. The Pacific pack contains savoury crackers, so it won’t suit anyone looking specifically for sweet biscuits.
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Pacific Biscuits Large Gift Pack
An option for sharing when you’d rather serve savoury crackers than sweet biscuits.
Check the pack’s contents and allergens, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging once you’ve opened any part of it.
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Lotus Biscoff speculoos biscuits 250 g
For a plate of biscuits with coffee, the approximately 32 biscuits listed by Jumbo give you a useful starting point for planning.
Jumbo lists wheat and soya for this 250 g product. Check the current label before serving, even if you’re also looking at the vegan suitability information.
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Oreo Original 10 × 66 g
An option to consider if you’re looking for several packs of Oreo Original to share.
The product name states 10 × 66 g. Check the packaging to see how many biscuits and portions you’ll have to hand out, and read the current allergen label.
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FESTIVAL vanilla-flavoured cookies 403 gr
A type of biscuit to consider if the pack format matters when you’re handing them out.
The pack states 403 gr. To plan your portions, check how many biscuits it contains, and read the label for ingredients and allergens.
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Garden coconut-flavoured wafer biscuits 200 g
Coconut-flavoured wafers offer a different option for King’s Day from speculoos or plain biscuits.
The product name states 200 g. Check how many portions you can hand out, and read the current label for allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check allergens when buying a well-known brand?
Yes. Check the packaging for the exact product you’re serving on King’s Day. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on the labels of pre-packed foods; a brand name is no substitute for product information.
Does vegan mean a biscuit is allergen-free?
No. A vegan label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains allergens. Jumbo describes its 250 g Lotus Biscoff speculoos biscuits as suitable for vegans and also lists wheat and soya. Check both details on the pack you buy.
How should I store biscuits left over after King’s Day?
Store opened biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as advised by the Voedingscentrum. Also follow the storage instructions on your chosen pack, and check any leftovers for changes in flavour or texture.