Who is this for?

Hosts who want to serve quickly

You want to arrange slices on a plate without having to cut the cake during the get-together. As well as checking that it’s labelled ‘sliced’, look at the number of slices and the pack weight: according to Jumbo, Peijnenburg Naturel sliced 550 g contains 18 slices, while Peijnenburg lists 12 slices per 345 g for another sliced option.

Shoppers who prefer wholemeal

You’re looking for sliced ontbijtkoek labelled wholemeal and want to know what else it contains. Peijnenburg also describes an option labelled ‘no added sugars’; check the ingredients and nutritional information, as this doesn’t mean the cake contains no sugars.

Hosts catering for guests with allergies

Before serving, you need to check whether the cake is suitable for your guests’ allergies. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, even when an option is explicitly sold as gluten-free: the gluten-free Peijnenburg ontbijtkoek described by PLUS contains lupin and milk.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you need the slices ready to serve and how many you’ll need. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information with your guests’ preferences and allergies.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Serving Check whether the cake is sliced and how many slices are in the pack. If I want to put out a plate of individual slices straight away, I don’t want to have to cut them on the spot. For around 31% of consumers, serving convenience comes first.
Nutritional choice Check the ingredients, any wholemeal label and sugars per 100 g; also look out for any sweeteners listed. If you’re choosing between plain and wholemeal, you’ll want to know what that means for the ingredients and nutritional value. For around 31% of consumers, this nutritional choice is the top priority.
Allergens Read the current allergen information; if avoiding gluten, look for an explicit gluten-free label. If a guest needs to avoid gluten or another allergen, I want to check the pack before serving. For around 15% of consumers, this check matters most.
Pack size Compare the pack weight with the number of slices, or the portions you plan to cut yourself. If I’m putting out a larger plate, I want to know in advance whether one pack will provide enough slices. Around 23% of consumers prioritise planning portions.

Common mistakes

  • All sliced packs contain the same number of slices

    This varies by option. Peijnenburg lists 12 slices for its 345 g sliced pack; Jumbo states that Peijnenburg Naturel sliced 550 g contains 18 slices.

    Decide how many slices you want to serve, then check both the slice count and the pack weight.

  • Wholemeal or ‘no added sugars’ means sugar-free

    These labels don’t mean that ontbijtkoek contains no sugars. For its wholemeal sliced option labelled ‘no added sugars’, Peijnenburg lists 4,9 g of sugars per 100 g and xylitol as an ingredient.

    If sugars or sweeteners matter to your choice, read the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients list.

  • Gluten-free ontbijtkoek is free from all allergens

    The gluten-free Peijnenburg option described by PLUS contains lupin and milk. It’s also not pre-sliced, unlike the sliced cake you may be looking for.

    Check the full allergen information for all your guests, and bear in mind that you’ll need to slice it if you want to serve this option.

  • The online product description is enough to serve it safely

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is especially important when you’re buying for someone with an allergy.

    Use product pages to compare options, then read the pack you’ve actually bought before serving.

Brands compared

When comparing these brands, look at the specific option, not just the brand name: sliced, wholemeal and gluten-free are different product characteristics.

Peijnenburg

Offers, among other options, sliced plain and wholemeal varieties; the number of slices varies by pack.

  • Peijnenburg lists 12 slices for its 345 g wholemeal sliced option.
  • For this option, the brand page lists xylitol and says it may contain nuts and milk. Check the current label before serving the cake to guests with allergies.

Jumbo

Sells sliced plain and wholemeal ontbijtkoek under its own name.

  • Jumbo describes a 280 g wholemeal option made with wholemeal rye flour.
  • For this option, Jumbo lists 35,5 g of sugars per 100 g and allergens including gluten, rye and wheat. Check the nutritional information on the specific pack.

PLUS

Sells 485 g sliced plain ontbijtkoek under its own name.

  • PLUS gives this plain option a Nutri-Score of D and labels it vegan and vegetarian.
  • The ingredients include rye flour; PLUS also says it may contain wheat, barley and oats. If you have guests with allergies, check the current pack.

Koek & Bakker

ALDI describes a sliced zero option and a sliced wholemeal option from this brand, both weighing 485 g.

  • Both options described by ALDI are pre-sliced.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before choosing an option for guests with specific dietary requirements.

Lidl

Lidl describes a 485 g wholemeal sliced ontbijtkoek which, according to its product page, is only available in store.

  • The product description says both ‘wholemeal’ and ‘sliced’.
  • Check the pack for the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens that matter to your guests.

Sliced ontbijtkoek at Joybuy

These two sliced ontbijtkoeken are a good fit if you’re planning to have the slices ready before your Italian night. Choose according to the pack size, and check the current packaging if you have specific dietary requirements or allergies.

Peijnenburg wholemeal sliced ontbijtkoek, 345 g

Peijnenburg wholemeal sliced ontbijtkoek, 345 g

A sliced option if you want to have individual slices ready to serve; the pack contains 345 g. To plan portions, check how many slices are in the pack and read the current ingredients and allergen information, especially if sugars or allergies are a concern.

View at Joybuy
g'woon sliced ontbijtkoek, 485 g

g'woon sliced ontbijtkoek, 485 g

A 485 g sliced pack for anyone who wants to have the slices ready in advance. Check how many slices are in the pack to plan your serving plate, and read the information on the current packaging if you have guests with allergies.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for when an ontbijtkoek is described as ‘medium sliced’?

Use the specific details on the pack to plan portions: is the cake sliced, how many slices are in the pack, and how much does it weigh? For example, Peijnenburg lists 12 slices for a 345 g sliced option and 18 slices for another 550 g option described by Jumbo.

Which allergens should I check before serving?

Read the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific cake you want to serve. Regular rye ontbijtkoek isn’t automatically gluten-free; the gluten-free Peijnenburg option described by PLUS also contains lupin and milk. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the label.

How should I store ontbijtkoek after opening?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought. Peijnenburg advises storing its ontbijtkoek somewhere cool and dark, and recommends keeping it in a sealed tin or container to help it stay moist.