If you want to measure out speculaas for each oliebol, start with ordinary, unfilled mini speculaas biscuits that you can weigh yourself. ‘Mini’ doesn’t tell you how many biscuits to use per oliebol, so make a small test batch first and check the allergens on the packaging of the variety you choose.
If you’re making several flavours or want to test-bake a few oliebollen first, it helps to weigh out a consistent amount of speculaas. The serving size on the packaging isn’t automatically the right amount for one oliebol.
If you’re after the caramelised flavour of Lotus Biscoff, check Lotus Bakeries’ own product information to distinguish this biscuit from butter mini speculaas made with speculaas spices. Then use a test batch to work out how much to add to the batter.
If you’re baking for others, read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’re using. The products described differ in their declarations of milk, soya and possible traces.
First decide how much biscuit you want to add to a small test batch. Then choose the speculaas or speculoos you prefer and check the label before baking.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| How much to add to the batter | Check the pack weight and weigh out the amount you want to add to a test batch. Albert Heijn lists 9 g as a serving of AH Mini speculaasjes; this isn’t the weight of one biscuit. | If I’m making several flavours, I want to be able to repeat the amount of speculaas in each oliebol without relying on the word ‘mini’. For around 50% of consumers, being able to measure it out is the top priority. |
| Flavour and product type | Compare the ingredients and product descriptions for ordinary speculaas, speculoos and any filled or chocolate-coated varieties. | I first choose the biscuit whose flavour I want in my oliebollen, then try out how much to use. For around 30% of consumers, this combination of flavour and product type matters most. |
| Allergens on the label | Check the current packaging for wheat and any other listed allergens, including milk or soya, as well as warnings about possible traces. | If I’m baking for guests, I need to know which allergens are in the biscuit I’ve chosen before mixing it into the batter. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Albert Heijn lists a 9 g serving for AH Mini speculaasjes, but that doesn’t tell you how many biscuits to put in one oliebol.
Weigh out a set amount for your first test batch and note how many oliebollen you make with it before filling more batter.
Jumbo listed its Mini Speculaasjes as no longer part of its online range, and a Lotus mini St Nicholas variety as temporarily unavailable. ALDI listed its mini butter speculaas biscuits as unavailable.
Check whether your chosen variety is available when you shop, especially if you’re counting on a particular mini version.
The AH variety described lists milk and possible traces of soya and almond; the Lotus mini version described lists soya and may contain milk. The word ‘mini’ tells you nothing about the allergen profile.
Check the current packaging for the exact variety you’re mixing into the batter, especially if you’re baking for others.
Choosing a small biscuit doesn’t change the care needed when deep-frying oliebollen.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises filling a deep-fat fryer no more than halfway with oil and making sure the oil doesn’t smoke or give off fumes.
AH Mini speculaasjes are butter mini speculaas biscuits in a 125 g pack.
Jumbo has a product page for 125 g packs of Jumbo Mini Speculaasjes.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as speculoos with a caramelised flavour, and mentions using it as an ingredient in cooking.
These biscuits are an option if you want to weigh out speculaas for a small batch of oliebollen. Check the packaging to see what the stated piece count means and how much biscuit you’re actually adding.
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For a small test batch, you can weigh out the amount of speculaas you want before adding it to the oliebol batter.
The product name states 200 g and ‘8 pcs’. Check the packaging to find out what the piece count refers to, how many biscuits to use and which allergens apply to this variety.
No. Albert Heijn lists a 9 g serving for AH Mini speculaasjes, but that doesn’t determine how many biscuits to use per oliebol. Weigh out an amount for a small test batch yourself.
Yes, especially if you’re baking for others. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information required on prepacked foods. Check the ingredients, allergens and possible traces on the packaging of the exact biscuit you’re using.
No. Jumbo listed its Mini Speculaasjes as no longer part of its online range, and a Lotus mini St Nicholas variety as temporarily unavailable. Check stock when you’re ready to buy the biscuits.
Follow the same deep-frying precautions as you would for other oliebollen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises filling a deep-fat fryer no more than halfway with oil and making sure the oil doesn’t start smoking or giving off fumes.
