Oliebollen home bakers
You’re making your own batter and need loose currants and raisins, not ready-made buns. In Jumbo’s oliebollen recipe, the fruit is soaked and thoroughly dried before being added to the batter.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Sharing with a small group
You’re looking for currant buns to eat or share and want to choose the right number for your group. Jumbo, PLUS, Lidl and ALDI, among others, list packs of 6.
Planning lunchboxes
You’re splitting buns across several lunches, so you’re comparing portion size with the number of buns in each pack. If you’re buying a larger quantity, it’s also worth thinking about storage; the Voedingscentrum provides separate advice on keeping currant buns in a kitchen cupboard or freezer once the pack has been opened.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you need ingredients for oliebollen batter or ready-made buns to eat. If you’re buying buns, compare the pack size and portion size, and think about how you’ll store any you don’t eat straight away.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| The right product for oliebollen | Choose loose currants and raisins if you’re making your own batter. Jumbo’s recipe says to soak and dry the fruit before mixing it into the batter. | If I’m making oliebollen at home, I want fruit I can mix into the batter, not ready-baked buns. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this product distinction. |
| Pack size for sharing | Compare the number of buns with the number of people and planned eating occasions. Jumbo, PLUS, Lidl and ALDI list packs of 6 currant buns; PLUS also lists a pack of 8. | If I’m sharing buns with a small group, I don’t want to buy more than we plan to eat. Around 30% of consumers prioritise choosing a suitable pack size. |
| Lunchbox portions and storage | Compare mini buns with standard-sized ones, check the allergens on the pack you choose and follow its storage advice. PLUS lists a pack of 9 mini currant and raisin buns. | If I’m preparing several lunchboxes, I want to divide up the portions and store any leftover buns appropriately. For around 20% of consumers, lunchbox planning is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Confusing currant buns with oliebollen ingredients
A currant bun is a baked bun. Jumbo’s oliebollen recipe calls for loose currants and raisins to be mixed into the batter.
Decide what you’re making before you buy: choose loose fruit for the batter, and currant buns if you want buns to eat or share.
-
Buying a larger pack without planning how to store it
A larger pack only makes sense if you can eat the buns in time or store them according to the product instructions. For its pack of 8, PLUS says it can be frozen on the day of purchase.
Count your planned eating occasions and read the storage advice on the pack before choosing 6, 8 or another number of buns.
-
Looking only at the number of buns
The pack size doesn’t tell you which ingredients and allergens are in a particular variety. PLUS lists wheat, rye, milk and lactose among the ingredients of its mini currant and raisin buns.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a range of pack sizes in its selection of currant buns and similar raisin buns.
- The category page includes packs of 6 and 10 raisin and currant buns, as well as a pack of 9 mini raisin buns.
- Check the ingredients and number of buns for each variety on the product page and pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a pack of 6 raisin and currant buns, as well as other pack sizes of raisin buns.
- The product information for the pack of 6 includes ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
- Jumbo’s oliebollen recipe calls for loose currants and raisins; ready-made buns aren’t a substitute for these ingredients.
PLUS
PLUS lists currant bun packs of 6 and 8, as well as a pack of 9 mini currant and raisin buns.
- The range of pack sizes makes it easy to compare the options with the number of times you plan to serve them.
- Check the current pack for ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for the specific variety.
Lidl
Lidl lists a pack of 6 currant buns and Belbake raisins separately.
- These are two different types of product to consider: buns to eat and loose raisins for a recipe.
- The products shown are listed as available in store only; check the pack in store.
ALDI
ALDI lists a pack of 6 raisin and currant buns.
- If you’re buying for a small group, this pack size is easy to compare with other packs of 6.
- ALDI warns that popular items may sell out quickly; check availability at your local store.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use currant buns to make oliebollen at home?
Not as a substitute for the fruit in the batter. Jumbo’s oliebollen recipe uses loose currants and raisins: soak them, dry them thoroughly, then mix them into the batter.
What pack size is best for lunchboxes?
Choose based on the portion size you want and the number of lunches you’re planning. PLUS, for example, lists 9 mini currant and raisin buns per pack; if you have fewer lunches to prepare, you could compare this with a pack of 6 standard-sized currant buns. Check the ingredients and allergens for the variety you choose in either case.
How should I store currant buns once the pack is open?
According to the Voedingscentrum, you can keep currant buns in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or freeze them for 1–3 months once the pack is open. Also check the instructions on your pack; for its pack of 8, PLUS recommends freezing on the day of purchase and using within 1 month.