Who are these options for?

Hosts who want to define portions

Don't want to put all the biscuits out at once? Check the number of portions or individual packs shown on the packaging. The word ‘mini’ only tells you about the size of the biscuits.

Organisers planning a shared bowl

If you want your neighbours to help themselves, loose mini speculaas biscuits are a different option from individual packs. Compare the number of biscuits and the total weight with the amount you plan to serve.

Organisers with a gluten-free guest

You'll need a separate option for this guest, with a gluten-free claim you can check. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy too: gluten-free doesn't mean free from other allergens.

What should you look for in mini speculaas?

First decide whether you want to set out biscuits for each guest or fill a bowl. Then check that the pack you choose suits any dietary requirements and the amount you plan to serve.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it's important for
Defined portions Look for a stated number of portions, the amount per portion or individual snack packs. If I want to give each guest something separately, I want to decide in advance how much to set out. Around 36% of consumers prioritise defining portions.
A shared bowl Compare the total weight and, if stated, the number of biscuits. Check that the product you choose is available. For a bowl that neighbours can help themselves to, I want to be able to put out enough loose biscuits. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers.
Dietary requirements and allergens Check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. If a guest eats gluten-free or has another dietary requirement, I need to know which ingredients and allergens are in the speculaas I've chosen. Around 21% of consumers put this check first.
Butter or almond Check whether butter or almond is actually listed in the ingredients, and look out for the related allergens. If I specifically want to serve a variety made with butter or almond, I choose based on the ingredients rather than just the size. Around 14% of consumers give this priority.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘mini’ means a set portion

    Small, loose biscuits are easy to share, but the pack doesn't determine how many each guest takes.

    If you want to portion them out in advance, look for a stated number of portions or individual packs.

  • Planning around a product without checking availability

    Jumbo listed a Lotus mini variety as temporarily unavailable and said its Mini Speculaasjes were no longer in its online range.

    Check your chosen shop or delivery option shortly before the get-together, and decide which alternative pack would also suit your plans.

  • Confusing gluten-free with allergen-free

    Gluten-free speculaas may still contain other allergens. For example, Jumbo lists egg in Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas.

    Ask which dietary requirement is relevant to your guest, then read the full allergen information on the pack you buy.

  • Choosing based only on a large pack

    Having lots of biscuits in one pack doesn't give you a set amount for each guest.

    Decide how much you want to put out, then compare the number of biscuits or the total weight.

Brands to compare

Lotus Biscoff

A speculoos option if you're looking for mini portions packed individually in advance.

  • Jumbo listed a Lotus mini variety as 6 portions of 25 g.
  • Jumbo said this variety was temporarily unavailable. Check availability before you count on it.

Jumbo

Has listed loose mini speculaas biscuits and a separate gluten-free speculaas product.

  • The Mini Speculaasjes listing was for 125 g; Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas, 125 g, states that it contains around 12 portions.
  • The mini speculaas biscuits were no longer in the online range. The gluten-free speculaas contains egg and may contain other allergens.

Hellema Smoeltjes

An option for a get-together where you want to hand out biscuits in individual packs.

  • Joybuy lists 200 g of mini speculaas in 8 individual snack packs.
  • The product information lists wheat, milk and egg, and warns that other allergens may also be present. Check the current label.

Koekkie

A speculoos option if you want to divide the biscuits between bowls yourself.

  • ALDI listed around 71 Koekkie speculoos biscuits in a 500 g pack.
  • The pack listed doesn't provide individual portions for guests, so you'll need to decide how many to serve yourself.

Sondey

A Lidl own-brand option if you're looking for classic speculoos biscuits in store.

  • Lidl lists Sondey Speculoos biscuits as an in-store product.
  • If you're specifically looking for mini biscuits or need to take allergens into account, check the size and label on the pack in store.

Mini speculaas in individual packs at Joybuy

This mini speculaas is intended for a neighbourhood get-together where you want to set out individual packs rather than a shared bowl of loose biscuits.

Hellema Smoeltjes mini speculaas, 8 individual snack packs, 200 g

Hellema Smoeltjes mini speculaas, 8 individual snack packs, 200 g

Ideal for setting out individual packs at a neighbourhood get-together.

According to the Joybuy product information, the pack contains 8 individual snack packs and a total of 200 g of mini speculaas.

Contains wheat, milk and egg; may also contain peanuts, nuts, oats, barley and rye. If you have a dietary requirement, check the current packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does mini speculaas automatically give every guest a set portion?

No. ‘Mini’ describes the size of the biscuit, not the amount per guest. Choose a pack that states the number of portions or individual snack packs if you want to portion them out in advance.

Can small biscuits help define portions?

Small units can help: the University of Groningen explains that consumers can use them to determine their total portion. For a neighbourhood get-together, the number of biscuits you put out at a time still matters too.

Where can I check allergens when sharing speculaas with neighbours?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, including any warnings about possible traces. According to the EU information on Your Europe, allergen information must be included on the labelling of prepacked foods.

Is gluten-free speculaas also suitable for people with other allergies?

Not necessarily. Jumbo says its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas contains egg and may contain almonds, hazelnuts, milk and sesame, among other things. Check the pack you buy for the allergens that are relevant to your guest.

How should I store speculaas until the neighbourhood get-together?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Jumbo advises keeping its Mini Speculaasjes in a cool, dry and dark place. Seal an opened pack well if you aren't serving everything at once.