If you want to take one bar with you
For a ready-to-eat snack on an outing, the key thing to check is whether each bar is individually wrapped. A box of Muisjes serves a different purpose from a single muesli bar.
Who is each product type for?
If you want a topping to use at home
Muisjes are a good choice if you’re looking for sprinkles to add to bread, crispbread or yoghurt, for example, and want a pack to use over several occasions.
If you want to check allergens first
Compare the ingredients and allergens for the exact product variant. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises that allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a bar you can eat on its own or Muisjes to use as sprinkles. Then check the packaging and label of the product you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Check whether each bar is individually wrapped and how many bars are in the pack. | If I want a snack to eat on the go, I don’t want to take a box of sprinkles with me. For around 45% of consumers, a single, easy-to-carry portion would be the top priority. |
| How you’ll use it and the aniseed flavour | Choose between Muisjes to use as sprinkles and a bar you can eat without bread, yoghurt or another base product. | For a treat at home, I want to be able to add sprinkles with an aniseed flavour. Around 33% of consumers would put this use first. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warning about possible cross-contamination on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the label matters more than the difference between a topping and a bar. Checking allergens would be the main concern for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Mistaking Muisjes for a single snack bar
A box of Muisjes is intended to be used as sprinkles. It’s not the same type of product as an individually wrapped muesli bar. This difference matters most when you want to take a ready-to-eat snack with you.
If by a single bar you mean one ready-to-eat portion, make individual wrapping a specific requirement.
-
Assuming all variants contain the same allergens
Wheat is listed for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. A muesli bar or another Muisjes variant may have a different ingredients list and different warnings.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product variant, including any statement about possible cross-contamination.
-
Relying on the product page alone
Ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change when a product is updated, as Albert Heijn notes in its product information.
Use the product page to help you choose, then check the packaging you’ve actually bought before eating the product.
A relevant brand to consider
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter in their Muisjes ranges. The variants mentioned include Feestmuisjes and Gestampte Muisjes.
- Jumbo describes Gestampte Muisjes as sugared aniseed, so they’re sprinkles rather than a muesli bar.
- When buying, check the ingredients and allergens for the product variant you’ve chosen, rather than assuming they’re the same as those of another pack.
Muesli bars for a snack break
These bars are an option if you’re looking for a ready-to-eat snack rather than Muisjes to use as sprinkles. If you specifically want to take one bar with you, check whether the bars are individually wrapped in each pack.
No image available
Hero Coconut Muesli Bar, 6 bars
A muesli bar for anyone looking for a ready-to-eat snack rather than sprinkles.
The pack contains 6 bars. If you want to take one with you, check whether each bar is individually wrapped.
Milk, oats, wheat and barley are listed for this variant, along with possible traces of nuts and peanuts. If you need to check allergens, read the latest label.
No image available
Bites We Love Chewy Oat Bars Vanilla, 4 bars
An oat bar for anyone who wants a ready-to-eat snack rather than Muisjes as a topping.
The pack contains 4 bars. If individual portions for taking on the go are important, check the weight of each bar and whether they’re individually wrapped.
Oats are relevant when checking allergens for this variant; read the latest label for details.
Frequently asked questions
Are Muisjes a single snack bar for one person?
No. The Muisjes listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo in the ranges mentioned come in 270 g or 330 g packs, not as individually wrapped bars. Choose Muisjes if you’re looking for sprinkles; if you’re considering a muesli bar, check the packaging if a single portion is your main requirement.
What should I check if I need to avoid wheat in Muisjes?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the exact product variant you’re buying. Wheat is listed for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes; don’t assume this information also applies to other Muisjes variants.
How should I store Gestampte Muisjes?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack you’ve bought. Jumbo says to store De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes in a dry place.