Hosts planning a savoury spread
You’re looking for hot snacks to serve as a savoury platter. Compare the types of snacks, cooking methods and allergen information before putting your platter together.
Who is each option for?
Buyers of a chocolate gift
You want to give a host, colleague or someone else a sweet treat. A chocolate box is a separate choice from any savoury snacks you might also need for your gathering.
Buyers of rusks with chocolate sprinkles
You’re looking for a sweet topping for rusks or another sweet treat. Chocolate sprinkles and flakes are a different choice from a boxed selection of chocolates.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you’re mainly looking for savoury party snacks, a separate gift or rusks with a sweet topping. After that, packaging, preparation and ingredients become the deciding factors.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Savoury party snacks | Choose snacks for your gathering and check the cooking and storage instructions, as well as the allergen information on the packaging. | If I want to serve a hot platter of savoury snacks, I need savoury bites rather than chocolate. For around 38% of consumers, this is the priority. |
| Chocolate as a gift | Check that the packaging is suitable for the occasion and read the label on the box you choose. | I want to bring something sweet for the recipient, even if there are savoury snacks too. Around 37% of consumers put this gift first. |
| Chocolate sprinkles for rusks | Compare the different varieties of sprinkles and flakes; check the ingredients and allergen information. | For rusks or a sweet treat, I’m looking for a topping, not a snack platter or gift box. This is the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing chocolate sprinkles or a chocolate box for a savoury snack platter
Jumbo lists chocolate sprinkles under sweet bread toppings and savoury party snacks under snacks. Albert Heijn has a separate category for chocolate gifts. They’re intended for different occasions.
Choose savoury bites for your snack platter. Add a chocolate box as a gift or chocolate sprinkles for rusks only if you have that purpose in mind too.
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Assuming allergens from the product name
A name such as ‘plant-based’ or ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you which allergens are in that particular variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be shown on the label of pre-packed foods.
Check the packaging of the product you’ve chosen before buying it. For unpackaged snacks, ask the seller for allergen information.
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Using baker’s salt as a benchmark for all three choices
The question of iodine in baker’s salt relates to bread-making, not to choosing between party snacks, a chocolate box and chocolate sprinkles. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt to make bread isn’t compulsory.
If you want to know whether baker’s salt was used in a particular loaf, check its ingredients. Assess the other products based on their own labels and intended use.
Relevant brands and shops to explore
De Ruijter
A brand to consider if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles or flakes for rusks. Albert Heijn lists several De Ruijter varieties.
- Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials hagelslag intens puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- That figure applies to that specific variety. If you choose another, compare the ingredients and allergen information again.
Venz
A brand worth exploring if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles or flakes for rusks.
- Jumbo and Albert Heijn list Venz varieties including milk and dark chocolate sprinkles.
- The Venz name doesn’t tell you which ingredients or allergens are in a particular variety, so check the packaging you choose.
Albert Heijn
A shop that lists chocolate gifts and sweet bread toppings in separate product categories.
- The chocolate gifts category includes assorted selections and gift boxes.
- A gift box is a separate present, not the savoury contents of a party snack platter.
Jumbo
A shop that lists chocolate sprinkles under sweet bread toppings and savoury party snacks under snacks.
- The snacks category makes it easier to find savoury bites for your gathering if that’s what you’re shopping for.
- For any frozen product you choose, check its own storage and cooking instructions, as well as the allergen information.
Products for a sweet gift or rusks
These products suit two separate choices: chocolate sprinkles or flakes for rusks, and chocolate to give as a gift or share as a sweet treat. For a savoury party platter, choose savoury snacks instead.
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Venz Tiger Flakes 200 g
Flakes for serving with rusks and a sweet topping; these aren’t savoury party snacks.
200 g pack. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you choose.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys 600 g
Chocolate sprinkles for rusks or another sweet topping, not for a savoury snack platter.
600 g pack with smileys. Check the label on the exact variety for allergen information.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack 288 g
A chocolate gift to give separately from your savoury party snacks.
288 g gift pack. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted 385 g
An assortment of chocolates as a sweet addition or a separate gift, not a replacement for savoury party snacks.
385 g pack. Check the packaging if presentation or allergen information is important to your choice.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks or another sweet topping, not for a savoury party platter.
390 g pack. Don’t assume ‘dark’ means allergen-free; check the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chocolate box replace savoury party snacks?
Not if by savoury party snacks you mean savoury bites to serve with drinks. Jumbo lists these under snacks, while Albert Heijn categorises chocolate gifts separately. A chocolate box can still make a gift or a sweet addition.
How do I check allergens in these products?
Read the label on the exact packaging, as ingredients can vary between varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must be shown on the label of pre-packed foods. For unpackaged snacks, ask the seller for this information.
What should I look for in frozen savoury party snacks?
Follow the storage, defrosting and cooking instructions for the product you buy. For example, Jumbo says that its Jumbo Plantaardige Bitterballen Airfryer & Oven should not be refrozen after defrosting; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other snacks.
Is baker’s salt relevant when I’m buying a chocolate box?
No. The question of iodine in baker’s salt relates to bread-making and isn’t a factor when choosing a chocolate box. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt to make bread isn’t compulsory. If you want to know what’s in a particular loaf, check its ingredients.