Host looking to minimise mess
You’ve laid out cake, cupcakes or other treats and want guests to help themselves to sprinkles. What matters most is whether the opening is suitable for a dry topping, not how easy the bottle is to squeeze.
Which option works best for you?
Party planner who wants to hand out individual portions
You want to give each guest a pre-measured amount without having to refill a shared container. Individual portions of sprinkles offer a different approach to using a shaker.
Choosing a reusable dispenser
You want to decant sprinkles into a container you can use again. Before filling it, check that it’s suitable for food contact and read the cleaning instructions.
What should you look for when choosing?
Shaker for dry toppings
When: guests want to sprinkle toppings over their treats themselves.
Trade-off: one seller specifically offers a dispenser for sprinkles, but how easily it dispenses may vary by product and type of sprinkles.
Individual portions
When: you want to hand out pre-measured amounts without filling a container.
Trade-off: individual packs give guests less freedom to choose how much they want and create more separate packaging.
Sauce squeeze bottle
When: you’re serving a liquid topping alongside the sprinkles.
Trade-off: the narrow sauce nozzle on the HENDI bottles we looked at is no indication that they’re suitable for dry sprinkles.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Dispensing dry sprinkles | Look for an opening designed for sprinkles; check the closure and opening of the specific product. | If guests are decorating cupcakes themselves, I don’t want them having to squeeze a bottle with a narrow sauce nozzle. Dispensing dry sprinkles is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Individual portions | Check how many portions the pack contains and how many grams are in each one. Albert Heijn lists eight portions for De Ruijter Kleintjes: four of 15 g and four of 20 g. | For a small get-together, I want to be able to set out a portion for each guest and avoid cleaning a dispenser afterwards. Around 30% of consumers prioritise portioning and easy tidying up. |
| Reusable container | Check that the container is suitable for food contact and follow the cleaning instructions for that model. | If I decant sprinkles and use the container again later, I want to know what it’s designed for and how to clean it. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common choices to reconsider
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Choosing a sauce squeeze bottle because it looks precise
HENDI describes the small opening on its squeeze bottle in relation to sauce. That doesn’t confirm that dry sprinkles will pass easily through the nozzle.
Use this type of bottle for the liquid topping it’s designed for. For sprinkles, choose a product specifically sold as a shaker or dispenser for dry toppings.
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Decanting sprinkles into any old plastic bottle
A reused bottle comes into direct contact with the sprinkles. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, products intended to come into contact with food must comply with the applicable food-contact material rules in the Netherlands.
Check what the bottle or container is designed for, and follow the instructions for use and cleaning.
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Buying a large refill container for a small get-together
If you only need a few portions, a container means filling it, then cleaning and storing it afterwards.
First, compare individual portions with the amount you want to set out. Albert Heijn lists eight individual portions for De Ruijter Kleintjes. A reusable container is mainly worth considering if you plan to use it regularly.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
A brand to consider if you want to hand out individual portions of sprinkles rather than fill a dispenser.
- Albert Heijn lists a 140 g pack of De Ruijter Kleintjes, with four portions of 15 g and four of 20 g.
- This portion pack isn’t a refillable shaker or squeeze bottle.
Venz
A sprinkles brand to consider when choosing a topping for your get-together.
- Albert Heijn and Jumbo list Venz sprinkles in various varieties, including 400 g packs.
- If you choose a dispenser, check separately that it’s suitable for dry sprinkles; the sprinkles pack itself doesn’t remove the need to check.
Albert Heijn
A supermarket own-brand option if you’re buying sprinkles for a shared toppings table.
- Albert Heijn’s range includes AH Hagelslag mix in a 600 g pack.
- If you want to decant the sprinkles, you’ll also need to choose a suitable shaker.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand option for sprinkles to serve to your guests.
- Jumbo lists its own chocolate sprinkles in 600 g and 380 g packs.
- A larger pack tells you nothing about whether the container you might use to serve the sprinkles is suitable.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
What size squeeze bottle do I need for dry sprinkles?
Don’t choose by squeeze bottle size if the bottle is designed for liquid toppings. The HENDI squeeze bottles we looked at have a narrow sauce nozzle. For dry sprinkles, it’s better to look for a shaker specifically sold for that purpose and check its opening.
Can I put sprinkles in a reusable plastic container?
Yes, as long as the container is suitable for food contact and you use and clean it according to the product instructions. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules that apply in the Netherlands to products that come into contact with food.
What can I set out for guests to help themselves to sprinkles?
A shaker sold for sprinkles is suitable for guests to help themselves, while individual portions are ideal if you want to offer pre-measured amounts. If you choose a shaker, check the opening and closure; for portions, consider how many you want to set out for your guests.
Does a reusable shaker need to be dishwasher-safe?
No, it doesn’t have to be dishwasher-safe to be cleanable. Follow the cleaning instructions for the specific product, and don’t assume that advice for a HENDI sauce bottle also applies to a different shaker.