Drinks party planners comparing pack sizes
You’re planning a King's Day drinks party and want to choose an amount that matches what you expect to serve and use.
Who is this buying guide for?
Small households and smaller gatherings
You’d rather open a smaller amount or offer a choice of flavours without needing a large bag.
Shoppers who check ingredients carefully
You want to choose between unsalted nuts and coated party nuts, and check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product.
What should you consider when choosing?
Choose the type of product first, then decide how much you need and always check the allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the net weight with the amount you expect to use at your drinks party. | If I’m stocking up for a larger gathering, I want to know whether I’ll use the extra. Around 29% of consumers prioritise how the pack size compares with the amount they expect to use. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Work out how much you need and read the storage advice on the pack. | If I only need a small amount, I don’t want to open more than suits my gathering. Around 23% of consumers choose mainly according to the amount that suits their planned use. |
| Product type | Check whether you’re buying unsalted nuts or coated party nuts, and read the ingredients list. | If I’m looking for unsalted nuts, I don’t want to accidentally choose a snack with a dough coating. Around 18% of consumers check the ingredients and product type first. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If I need to consider a relevant allergy, the exact pack should determine my choice. Around 12% of consumers prioritise checking allergens; this check remains important for anyone with a relevant allergy. |
| Flavour and variety | Choose the flavour you want first, then compare packs of that variety. | If I want to offer several flavours, separate packs give me more choice. Around 18% of consumers start with a flavour preference or the chance to offer a variety. |
Common buying mistakes
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Choosing a larger bag without estimating how much you’ll use
A larger pack may contain more than you need for your gathering, leaving you with leftovers.
Work out how much you need in advance, and only buy extra if you expect to use it.
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Overlooking the full allergen profile
Party nuts can contain various allergens. A warning about possible cross-contamination is also different from an ingredient that has been deliberately added.
Read the ingredients and precautionary warnings on the current pack of the exact flavour. If you have a relevant allergy, let the ingredients determine your choice.
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Assuming coated party nuts are the same as unsalted nuts
A crispy dough coating and seasonings make these different from unsalted nuts.
Choose the type of product you’re looking for first, then compare only varieties that fit. Voedingscentrum's guidance is about unsalted nuts; it doesn’t automatically apply to coated party nuts.
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Treating the serving information on the pack as a fixed number of guests
The number of servings listed on a pack doesn’t tell you how much your group will eat.
Use the serving size as a guide at most, and base your purchase on your own plans for the gathering.
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Ignoring a warning for young children
The AH Borrelnoten Cocktail product page warns that young children can choke on peanuts.
If young children will be eating with you, take the warning on the exact pack into account when making your choice.
Brands and retailers to compare
Duyvis
A brand to consider for specific flavours of coated party nuts, including Provençale.
- Duyvis describes Provençale as a variety with onion and garlic flavour, and lists several pack sizes.
- Check the exact pack and ingredients; information about one pack size doesn’t necessarily apply to another variety.
Albert Heijn
AH Borrelnoten Cocktail is a specific coated snack sold in a 300 g bag.
- For this variety, Albert Heijn lists 51% peanuts, along with information about ingredients and nutritional values.
- This isn’t an unsalted nut mix; the ingredients and allergen information apply to this specific variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells cocktail party nuts in a 300 g bag and a larger 500 g value pack.
- The two pack sizes give you specific options to match the amount you expect to use.
- These are coated party nuts, so compare the ingredients and variety you’ve chosen, not just the pack weight.
Lidl
Lidl presents Alesto as a range of nuts and party snacks.
- The Alesto range includes different types of products, including natural nuts and snacks.
- Check the specific pack and label; the brand’s range doesn’t automatically tell you which ingredients suit your preferences.
ALDI
TRADER JOE’S party nuts are available in several named flavours.
- ALDI lists bacon and cheese, poesta and paprika varieties in 300 g bags.
- The flavours are different products; check the ingredients and nutritional information for the variety you choose.
PLUS
PLUS Borrelnoten Mild is a specific coated snack sold in a 300 g bag.
- The product information lists ingredients and storage instructions for this variety.
- ‘Mild’ describes the flavour and doesn’t, by itself, tell you anything about the salt content or allergens.
Nut products at Joybuy
This selection includes unsalted nut mixes, coated party nuts and a mix of nuts with dried fruit, in a range of pack formats.
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Wolong Assorted Pure Nuts, tin, 500 g
An option if you’re looking for a larger pack of unsalted mixed nuts.
The description lists almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and pistachios.
Lists 0 g salt per 100 g.
Contains almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and pistachios.
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Duyvis Provençale coated peanuts, 275 g
A seasoned party snack in a smaller pack.
The product description lists 50% peanuts and a coating with onion and garlic flavour.
The nutritional information lists 1,3 g salt per 100 g.
Contains peanuts and wheat; may contain traces of milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
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g'woon unroasted mixed nuts, 500 g
A larger pack of unroasted mixed nuts for anyone looking for this type of product.
The description lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews.
Lists 0 g salt per 100 g.
Contains hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews; may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
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g'woon raw, unsalted nut mix, 200 g
A smaller pack for anyone looking for a raw, unsalted nut mix.
The description lists 30% hazelnuts, 30% walnuts, 20% almonds and 20% cashews.
Contains hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews; may contain traces of peanuts and other nuts.
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J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix, 750 g / 30 sachets
A mix of nuts and dried fruit, divided into individual portions.
The pack contains 30 sachets of 25 g, totalling 750 g.
The description lists walnuts, cashews, almonds and hazelnuts.
Contains walnuts, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how many bags I need?
Start with the amount you want to serve and divide it by the net weight of the pack. AH Borrelnoten Cocktail lists 12 servings of 25 g; that information applies to that pack and doesn’t guarantee it will be enough for a particular number of guests. Allow for leftovers too.
Can I use the same storage period for all types of nuts?
No, follow the storage advice for the exact pack. Voedingscentrum recommends storing opened mixed unsalted nuts in a kitchen cupboard for six months; don’t automatically apply this advice to seasoned party nuts with a dough coating. Nuts that are rancid, chewy or mouldy are signs of spoilage.
What allergen information should I check on a pre-packed bag?
Read both the ingredients list and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. Under EU rules, allergenic ingredients must be emphasised in the ingredients list of pre-packed foods. Since 1 January 2026, the NVWA has been monitoring new rules for precautionary warnings about unintended presence.
What should I consider if young children will be eating with us?
Take the warning on the exact pack into account when making your choice. The AH Borrelnoten Cocktail product page warns that young children can choke on peanuts; this warning applies to that product listing and isn’t a general statement about every type of nut.
What can I do if I’m not happy with a Duyvis product?
If you have a complaint, Duyvis asks you to keep the packaging and its contents and explain why you’re unhappy. So keep the product and pack details. This Duyvis procedure isn’t a general returns policy for all shops.