For a neighbourhood get-together, start by choosing a pre-sliced pack that suits the number of guests you expect and the other nibbles on the table. Don’t treat ‘medium’ as a fixed size: sliced ontbijtkoek is available in packs such as 345 g and 550 g. Then decide whether you’d like to offer plain, wholemeal or no-added-sugar options. If any guests have allergies, always check the label on the pack you choose.
You want to put slices on the table without having to cut anything, and choose a pack that suits the number of guests you expect. For example, Peijnenburg lists 12 slices in a 345 g pack; Jumbo lists 18 slices in a 550 g pack of sliced Peijnenburg.
You may want to offer a wholemeal option or a no-added-sugar product alongside a plain version. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, and consider how many slices of each type you’ll actually need.
You want to know which ingredients matter to your guests before serving. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, even if you’ve already checked the product details online.
Start with how much you want to serve, then choose the varieties and check the labels before serving guests with specific requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of slices and quantity | Compare the number of slices and the net weight with the number of guests you expect. Don’t use ‘medium’ as a substitute for this information. | I want to serve it straight away without having lots left over if fewer neighbours turn up. For around 40% of consumers, choosing the right quantity is the deciding factor. |
| Sugars and fibre | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, for ‘no added sugars’ products, check the ingredients too. | I want to be able to offer a different nutritional profile to guests who ask for one. Around 30% of consumers put nutritional composition first. |
| Allergens | Check the current label for cereals containing gluten and any other allergens relevant to your guests. Also look for any ‘may contain’ statements. | If a guest has an allergy, I want to be able to check whether the pack I’ve chosen is suitable. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Variety on the table | Decide whether one type is enough or whether you’d like to offer plain and another variety. Choose how many packs to open accordingly. | I want to give guests a choice without opening a large pack of every type. Variety is the main consideration for around 10% of consumers. |
Wholemeal ontbijtkoek may contain rye. A nutritional claim doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for a guest’s allergy or dietary requirements.
Ask what the guest needs to avoid, then check the ingredients and allergen information on the physical pack before serving.
Sliced packs vary in weight and number of slices. Peijnenburg lists 12 slices in its 345 g wholemeal no-added-sugar variety, and 18 slices in the 550 g plain variety shown by Jumbo.
Work out how many slices you need, then decide whether one pack or a combination of smaller varieties is a better fit for the number of guests.
Peijnenburg’s sliced wholemeal no-added-sugar variety still contains 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g. The front of the pack doesn’t replace the nutrition table.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check the ingredients for the specific variety.
Offers sliced ontbijtkoek in plain and wholemeal varieties, including a wholemeal no-added-sugar option.
Offers sliced ontbijtkoek under its own brand and other brands, in a range of varieties.
Offers a 485 g pack of sliced plain own-brand ontbijtkoek.
ALDI offers a 485 g pack of sliced wholemeal ontbijtkoek from this brand, as well as a separate sliced zero-sugar variety.
These 485 g pre-sliced packs are handy options if you want to serve ontbijtkoek at a neighbourhood get-together without having to cut it yourself. Check the label on each product before deciding which type is right for your guests.
Image unavailable
A pre-sliced wholemeal option for guests who ask for one. Check the number of slices if you’re planning quantities, and, if anyone has an allergy, read the current label—particularly the information about rye.
Image unavailable
A pre-sliced pack you can put straight on the table. Check how many slices it contains, and, for guests who need to avoid cereals containing gluten, read the ingredients and allergen information.
Don’t use ‘medium sliced’ to gauge the number of portions. Compare the net weight and stated number of slices on the pack you choose with the number of guests you expect. Peijnenburg’s sliced options range from 345 g with 12 slices to 550 g with 18 slices.
Don’t assume it’s suitable without checking the label: the plain sliced varieties from Peijnenburg and PLUS mentioned above contain rye. Check whether the packaging of an alternative is suitable for that guest’s specific needs.
No. Peijnenburg lists 4.9 g of sugars per 100 g for its sliced wholemeal no-added-sugar variety. For a proper comparison, check both the nutrition table and the ingredients.
Keep the packaging with the ingredients and allergen information available when serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the label of pre-packed foods. Don’t rely on the name of a variety alone.
