Who are these options relevant to?

Families comparing wholemeal options

You’re looking for ontbijtkoek clearly labelled as wholemeal, but don’t want to rely solely on the front of the pack. The type of flour, sugars, fibre and slice size can help you compare different options.

Parents of fussy eaters

You want to know whether your child will enjoy the spiced flavour and texture of a plain or wholemeal version. Product information shows differences in flour type and nutritional values, but it can’t tell you which one your child will like. That’s why it makes more sense to try a small portion at home than to judge by the name alone.

Families who want to bake together

You’re choosing ontbijtkoek as an activity where children can help weigh and mix the ingredients. In that case, the recipe, time needed and clear rules about raw mixture matter more than the convenience of a pre-sliced piece.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether baking together or serving it straight away is your priority. If you’re buying ready-made ontbijtkoek, compare the exact version: plain, wholemeal and wholemeal with no added sugars don’t necessarily have the same ingredients or nutritional values.

What to consider What to check Who it matters most to
Wholemeal and ingredients Check the flour type listed and compare sugars and fibre per 100 g. For a slice, also look at the portion size. If wholemeal is my main reason for choosing this ontbijtkoek, I also want to see what else is in it. For around 40% of consumers, this combination of flour type and label information matters most.
Flavour of the chosen version Check whether it’s plain or wholemeal and, if you’re unsure, try a small portion first. The name alone can’t predict a child’s taste preference. With a fussy eater, I want to find out whether they enjoy the spiced flavour and texture before buying more. Around 30% of consumers put trying it first at the top of their list.
Baking together Check the recipe’s ingredients, equipment and baking time in advance. Agree that children mustn’t taste the raw mixture. If making it together matters more than serving a slice quickly, I need time and supervision for the whole baking process. For around 30% of consumers, baking together is the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘wholemeal’ means ‘low in sugars’

    These are two different things. Peijnenburg lists 39 g of sugars and 5.1 g of fibre per 100 g for its regular sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek.

    Compare the nutritional information for the exact versions per 100 g, then check how much a slice weighs. This helps you assess the flour type alongside the rest of the label.

  • Relying only on ‘no added sugars’

    Peijnenburg’s sliced wholemeal version with no added sugars contains xylitol. The product information also includes a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients and usage warning on the pack you’ve chosen before comparing this version with regular wholemeal ontbijtkoek.

  • Offering raw mixture as a taste test

    According to the Voedingscentrum, raw eggs may contain salmonella and flour may contain E. coli. So even a mixture with little or no egg isn’t suitable for children to taste raw.

    Let children help weigh and mix the ingredients under supervision, wash your hands during preparation, and only taste the ontbijtkoek once it’s fully baked according to the recipe.

  • Aiming for a dark crust

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that acrylamide can form when starchy foods brown deeply at high temperatures. Baking it darker isn’t a goal in itself.

    Follow the recipe’s temperature and baking time, and check that the cake is cooked through. Don’t leave it in the oven for longer just to make it darker.

Brands and retailers to consider

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg lists separate sliced plain and wholemeal versions, including a wholemeal option with no added sugars.

  • For its regular wholemeal version, the manufacturer lists 37% wholemeal rye flour, 5.1 g of fibre and 39 g of sugars per 100 g. The version with no added sugars lists 17 g of fibre and 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The version with no added sugars contains xylitol. Differences on the label don’t prove which flavour or texture a child will prefer.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn Allerhande offers a recipe for baking your own ontbijtkoek with wholemeal flour.

  • The recipe gives you a clear baking activity, with a temperature of 170 °C and a baking time of 40–45 minutes.
  • The recipe uses ingredients including dates, maple syrup and nuts. Check that they’re suitable for everyone who’ll be eating, and supervise children while baking.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Peijnenburg ontbijtkoek in plain and wholemeal versions, including an option with no added sugars.

  • The wholemeal versions shown, in 345 g packs, give you a useful way to distinguish between products from the same manufacturer.
  • Compare the product information for each exact version; a range overview doesn’t tell you what’s in every pack.

PLUS

PLUS lists its own sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek in a 485 g pack.

  • According to the product information, this version contains 41% wholemeal rye flour, 5.7 g of fibre and 34.1 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The ingredients include glucose-fructose syrup. If you have allergies, check the information on the pack; the product information says it may contain wheat, barley and oats.

ALDI / Koek & Bakker

ALDI lists Koek & Bakker sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek as a pre-sliced option in a 485 g pack.

  • The product name and pack size make it clear which version you can compare in store.
  • To compare sugars, fibre, ingredients or allergens, read the nutritional information on the pack in question.

Sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek at Joybuy

This product selection is for the ready-made, sliced wholemeal option. If you mainly want to make ontbijtkoek with your children, you’ll also need a recipe and the ingredients it calls for.

g'woon sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek, 485 g

g'woon sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek, 485 g

A ready-made, pre-sliced option for families who would rather serve a slice than bake together.

Check the ingredients, nutritional information and any allergens for the exact pack; the product name alone can’t tell you whether a fussy eater will like the flavour.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘wholemeal’ tell you enough about ontbijtkoek for children?

No. Wholemeal describes the grain used, not the full nutritional value of the ontbijtkoek. Peijnenburg lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for its regular sliced wholemeal version, so also compare the sugars, fibre, ingredients and slice size of the version you’re considering.

Can children taste raw ontbijtkoek mixture?

Don’t let children taste raw mixture or dough. The Voedingscentrum warns that raw eggs may contain salmonella and flour may contain E. coli, and that young children are particularly vulnerable. Let them help under supervision, wash your hands during preparation and wait until the cake is fully baked before tasting it.

Should homemade ontbijtkoek have a dark crust?

No, the crust doesn’t need to be extra dark for the ontbijtkoek to be fully baked. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that acrylamide can form when starchy foods brown deeply at high temperatures. Follow the recipe’s baking time and temperature, and check that it’s cooked through rather than judging by colour alone.