Choose a bag based on how many peanuts you’ll use during your drinks and afterwards, not just on the pack size. A larger pack may suit regular use, while a smaller bag could be more practical for a small group or when you’re serving plenty of other snacks. Then check the exact variety, ingredients and allergen information.
You buy peanuts for regular Friday drinks and can use any leftovers later. Compare the pack size with how much you use, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. Albert Heijn and Jumbo provide storage advice for the products checked.
If you’re hosting just a few people or serving other snacks too, a smaller pack may be a better fit for what you want to open. Duyvis and Lidl list smaller unsalted packs of 235 g and 285 g respectively.
You’re looking for a variety with no added salt, so you check the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts and peanuts in its Wheel of Five healthy eating guidelines; always check the allergen information too.
First decide how much you want to serve and what you’ll do with an opened pack. Then consider the flavour you want, the ingredients and whether it’s suitable for your guests.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might this matter more to? |
|---|---|---|
| Value for how much you use | Compare the net weight and cost for the same total quantity; also consider whether you’ll actually use the stock. | I want to buy good-value peanuts for regular drinks and use the rest later. Around 29% of consumers put price savings first. |
| Right-sized pack | Match the pack size to your serving plan, other snacks and the storage advice once opened. | If I’m hosting only a few guests or serving several snacks, I don’t want to open more than I need. Around 24% of consumers put quantity first. |
| Salt content | Check the ingredients and compare the salt content per 100 g for the exact variety. | I don’t want added salt, so I check the variety rather than relying on the brand name alone. Around 23% of consumers look for unsalted peanuts first. |
| Flavour and type | Check how the peanuts are prepared, whether they have a coating and what’s in the flavoured variety. | I’m looking for a particular flavour or texture for my guests and want to know whether the peanuts are plain or coated. Around 12% of consumers put flavour first. |
| Suitability for your guests | Read the current allergen information and consider the ages of any children who’ll be eating them. | I want to know in advance whether the snack is suitable for particular guests, for example if someone has a known allergy. Around 12% of consumers put suitability for their group first. |
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s guidance on unsalted peanuts doesn’t remove the need to check for allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens that must be declared are identified on labels.
Peanuts are an allergen, even when they’re unsalted. Whole peanuts can also be a choking hazard for children under four.
If you’re unsure, ask about any known allergies and check the current packaging. Don’t give whole peanuts to children under four, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
A larger bag won’t necessarily suit how much you’ll use during your drinks and afterwards. Buying more for better value won’t help if you end up with lots left over.
Plan what you’ll serve and compare packs containing the same total quantity before choosing one.
For the 500 g bag checked, Albert Heijn bases a serving on 25 g. Jumbo gives a serving size of 30 g for its 500 g bag, so different serving counts don’t automatically mean the packs contain different amounts.
Compare the weight and serving size used, and choose an amount that suits your own serving plan.
The advice for the AH pack checked is to store the peanuts in a cool, dark, dry place and seal the pack tightly.
Seal the bag after use and follow the storage advice and best-before date on your pack.
The product range checked includes unsalted and salted peanuts, as well as varieties prepared in different ways and with different coatings.
The AH unsalted peanuts checked are available in a 500 g bag.
Jumbo lists salted and unsalted peanuts in packs including 250 g and 500 g sizes.
The Dutch product page checked describes 285 g of unsalted peanuts.
The Dutch ALDI product page describes TRADER JOE’S roasted and salted peanuts in a 500 g pack.
The PLUS products checked include 500 g packs of salted and unsalted peanuts.
These options range from smaller bags of salted and unsalted peanuts to seasoned, coated and boiled varieties. Check each pack to find the right one for your drinks.
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A coated, seasoned variety for anyone looking for a different flavour from plain peanuts.
The product information lists 500 g, 33% peanuts, wheat flour, salt and chilli powder, and 0.52 g of salt per 100 g. Contains wheat.
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An option if you’d like to serve whole boiled peanuts as a snack.
Product information lists 500 g. Keep frozen; once defrosted, store in the fridge and don’t refreeze. Don’t give whole peanuts to children under four, due to the risk of choking, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
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A smaller pack for anyone looking for unsalted peanuts who doesn’t want to open a large bag straight away.
The product information lists 99% peanuts, sunflower oil and 0.02 g of salt per 100 g. May contain cashews.
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A smaller salted option to consider if you’d rather not open a larger pack all at once.
The product information lists 250 g, 99% peanuts, sunflower oil and 0.7 g of salt per 100 g. May contain cashews.
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A larger pack of salted peanuts for anyone who wants to enjoy this variety on more than one occasion.
The product information lists peanuts, sunflower oil, salt and 0.73 g of salt per 100 g. May contain other nuts. According to the product information, this product isn’t recommended for children under five.
Start by planning what you’ll serve and take other snacks into account. For the 500 g bag checked, Albert Heijn lists twenty 25 g servings. This is a calculation based on serving size and doesn’t predict how much your guests will actually eat.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. For the AH bag checked, this means storing it in a cool, dark, dry place and sealing it tightly after use. Check the best-before date on your own bag too.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens that must be declared have to be clearly distinguished in the ingredients list. Read the current information on the packaging of the product you’re buying.
No. Unsalted peanuts still contain peanuts. The Dutch GP information website Thuisarts advises people with a food allergy to stop eating the food they’re allergic to; choosing a different salt variety doesn’t change that.
Don’t give whole nuts or peanuts to children under four. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns of the risk of choking; this advice is about whole peanuts and isn’t a general ban on all peanut products.
