Shoppers comparing nutritional values
You want to compare sugars, fibre, saturated fat and portion size for a sweet baking or coffee break. This helps you be specific about what you mean by ‘digestive’, without using the term as a nutritional claim.
Who are these choices relevant to?
Shoppers with dietary or allergen requirements
You might be looking for a specific gluten-free or plant-based stroopwafel. The label on the front doesn’t tell you what other ingredients or allergens the product contains.
Hosts planning a baking session
You want to serve stroopwafels alongside coffee or tea, share them or use them in pieces. The number of wafers you need and how you plan to use them will help you choose a practical pack size.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what you want the stroopwafels to do while you bake pepernoten: serving them on their own calls for a different approach from using pieces or crumbs. Then compare the information on the pack with your nutritional or dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional values | Compare sugars, fibre and saturated fat per 100 g, and consider how much you’ll have in a portion. | If by ‘digestive’ I mainly mean less sugar or more fibre, I want to compare the values on specific packs. Around 33% of consumers are said to make nutritional value their main selection criterion. |
| Diet and allergens | Read the ingredients and ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements; check whether a gluten-free or plant-based claim applies to the specific product. | If I have a specific dietary or allergen requirement, I need to know what this particular stroopwafel contains, even if the product name sounds suitable. For around 25% of consumers, this requirement is said to determine their choice. |
| Serving or using in baking | Decide whether you want whole wafers, pieces or crumbs, and check that the pack size suits your plans. | For my pepernoten baking session, I want to know in advance whether I’ll be handing out stroopwafels or using them another way. Around 25% of consumers are said to prioritise this function. |
| Pack size | Compare the number of wafers and the total weight with how much you want to serve or use. | If I’m putting wafers out for several people, I want enough to go round without opening more than I need. Pack size is said to be the main consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming plant-based means gluten-free
According to Albert Heijn, AH Terra Plant-Based stroopwafels contain wheat and soya, and may contain milk. So a plant-based label doesn’t automatically answer questions about gluten or other allergens.
If you need a gluten-free product, check the specific product claim and read all the allergen information on the pack.
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Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’
A comparison with regular stroopwafels doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much sugar the alternative contains or what other ingredients are in it.
Read the nutritional table per 100 g and per portion, along with the ingredients list on the pack you’re buying.
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Relying on an online product page alone
Recipes and packaging information can change. If you have a dietary or allergen requirement, the information on the pack you’re using is what matters.
Before serving or using the product, check the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions on the packaging.
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Mixing stroopwafels straight into the dough without testing them first
A wafer that works well on its own may not give the same result when you use it in pieces or crumbs in a bake.
First choose the form you want and try a small amount before using it throughout the whole batch.
Brands to consider
Daelmans
A brand to consider if you’re looking to serve a classic stroopwafel with coffee or tea.
- According to the product information, a Daelmans variety listed by Jumbo has a 50% syrup filling.
- According to Jumbo, that same variety contains milk, wheat and soya; this information doesn’t necessarily apply to every Daelmans variety.
Albert Heijn
Offers several stroopwafel varieties, including AH Terra Plant-Based.
- Albert Heijn describes the AH Terra variety as plant-based and provides information about its ingredients and allergens.
- This variety contains wheat and soya and may contain milk; check the current packaging if this affects your choice.
Jumbo
Offers classic stroopwafels as well as varieties specifically labelled gluten-free.
- According to Jumbo, Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten stroopwafels are labelled gluten-free.
- This variety contains egg and lupin and may contain nuts and sesame; gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens.
PLUS
Lists both regular and gluten-free stroopwafels.
- The gluten-free pack listed by PLUS contains 240 g; the regular pack listed contains 480 g.
- If you have dietary requirements or a preferred portion size, choose based on the specific product label rather than the brand name alone.
Lidl / Sondey
Sondey is a Lidl biscuit range that includes stroopwafel varieties.
- According to Lidl, the range also includes mini butter stroopwafels if you’re looking for a smaller size.
- For the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of food products, Lidl refers shoppers to the packaging. Check it if you have a specific nutritional or allergen requirement.
ALDI
Lists regular and mini stroopwafels in different serving sizes.
- A regular pack listed by ALDI contains 12 wafers and weighs 378 g.
- If you have dietary or allergen requirements, check the label on the variety you choose.
Stroopwafels to serve
These two packs of classic stroopwafels are suited to serving on their own during a pepernoten baking session. Choose based on how many wafers you want to put out; if you plan to use them in a bake, try a small amount first.
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Kanjers Extra Delicious stroopwafels, 10 pieces
A pack of stroopwafels to serve on their own with coffee or tea while you bake.
Pack contains: 10 pieces. Compare the nutritional values on the packaging if sugar or fibre will influence your choice.
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Kanjers Original stroopwafels, 8 pieces
A classic pack of stroopwafels for anyone who wants to serve individual wafers during a baking session.
Pack contains: 8 pieces. Check the pack if nutritional values or allergens are important to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for if by ‘digestive’ I mean less sugar or more fibre?
Compare the sugar and fibre content of specific stroopwafels in the nutritional table, both per 100 g and for the portion you plan to have. A general label such as ‘digestive’ is no substitute for that product information.
Is a plant-based stroopwafel also gluten-free?
Not necessarily: according to Albert Heijn, AH Terra Plant-Based stroopwafels contain wheat and soya. If you need a gluten-free variety, choose a product specifically labelled as such and check the other allergens on the pack too.
Where can I find the allergens in a pre-packed stroopwafel?
Read the packaging label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that mandatory allergen declarations apply to 14 allergens; if you have a specific requirement, also check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ information for the product.
How should I store stroopwafels until baking day?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the packaging you buy. For the AH Terra variety mentioned, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a cool, dark, dry place and resealing the pack after use; instructions may vary between varieties.