Organisers who want to hand out biscuits in advance
Portion packs let you decide in advance what to put out for each attendee. Check how many biscuits each pack contains: one pack does not necessarily mean one biscuit.
Which format works best for you?
Buyers putting together a coffee platter
Loose mini biscuits are one option for self-service. The stated number of servings can help you work out how much to put out for the group.
Organisers who need to check allergens
Keep the information on the exact packaging to hand when serving biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a work meeting, first decide whether you want to hand out biscuits in advance or put out a platter. Then compare the portions and product information for biscuits that suit the way you plan to serve them.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and serving | Check whether the pack contains loose biscuits or individual portion packs, and how many biscuits are in each serving. | If I want to give everyone something in advance, it needs to be clear how much each pack contains. Portioning is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| How much you need for the group | Compare the net weight and the stated number of servings; decide how much you want to put out at once. | For a group, I want to be able to offer enough without opening the whole pack straight away. Around 25% of consumers prioritise planning the quantity. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for the exact product and keep the information available where the biscuits are served. | If I don’t know which ingredients attendees need to avoid, I want to be able to show them the correct product information. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| A biscuit to go with coffee | Choose between options such as speculaas, mini stroopwafels and filled biscuits; compare their portions and labels too. | I want to choose a biscuit that suits the coffee break, without relying on the product name on the pack alone. Taste and type of biscuit are the main considerations for around 19% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘mini’ means an individual portion
A large pack of loose mini biscuits works differently from portion packs containing a set number of biscuits. The size alone doesn’t tell you how you can hand them out.
Check the inner packaging and portion size before deciding between handing biscuits out in advance and self-service.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the brand name
Ingredients vary between mini stroopwafel products too. Albert Heijn lists wheat, milk and soya for the Daelmans variety mentioned here; Jumbo lists these ingredients for its mini stroopwafels too.
Read the current label for the variety you’re serving and keep the product information available for attendees.
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Comparing pack size alone
The number of servings can vary: Albert Heijn lists 25 servings of 8 g for its 200 g mini stroopwafels, and six servings of four biscuits for Daelmans Mini’s, also weighing 200 g. Jumbo lists around twelve servings for its 300 g pack.
Compare both the net weight and portion size, then decide how many servings to put out for the meeting.
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Filling a platter without planning for the rest
With self-service, the amount you put on the table determines how much is available straight away. Research by the University of Groningen into small biscuits and stroopwafels describes how letting people decide on a total portion using small units can help reduce snacking and waste; this is no guarantee for every work meeting.
Start with a small platter and top it up if needed. Keep the original packaging for the product information and storage instructions.
Relevant brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Speculoos biscuits in a range of pack formats to enjoy with coffee.
- For its Speculoos Belgian chocolate variety, Albert Heijn lists a pack with six individual packs of three biscuits.
- Portion packs and filled sandwich biscuits are different varieties. Check the portion size, ingredients and nutritional information for each one.
Daelmans
Mini stroopwafels to serve loose with coffee or tea.
- For its 200 g pack, Albert Heijn lists six servings of four mini stroopwafels.
- The product information for this variety lists wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Check the label before serving them to a group.
Jumbo
Own-brand mini stroopwafels in a 300 g pack, suitable for a self-service platter.
- Jumbo lists around twelve servings per pack, giving you a starting point for planning how much you need.
- When serving biscuits from an open platter, keep the packaging with the ingredients and allergen information to hand.
Mini biscuits on Joybuy
These products offer mini biscuits for two ways of serving them at a work meeting: handing out portion packs in advance or putting out an amount for self-service. Check the exact pack to see how many servings it contains.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas Cookies, 8 pcs, 200 g
An option if you want to hand out speculaas biscuits with coffee or tea.
200 g pack. Check what ‘8 pcs’ refers to on this pack and how many biscuits are in each individual pack before planning how to hand them out.
If allergens are a consideration for any attendees, check the current label.
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Lu Bastogne Mini Biscuits, 160 g
An option if you want to put mini biscuits out on a platter with coffee or tea.
160 g pack. Decide how much to put out and check the portion size if you’re planning one portion per attendee.
Keep the packaging to hand so you can check the ingredients and allergens.
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Ulker Halley Mini Biscuit, 3 × 77 g
An option if you want to hand out individually wrapped mini biscuits.
Pack of 3 × 77 g. Check how many portions and biscuits each individual pack provides for your group.
Read the current label before offering these biscuits to attendees who need to consider allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘mini’ automatically mean fewer calories per serving?
No. ‘Mini’ describes the size of the biscuit, not how many biscuits make up a serving. For example, Albert Heijn lists a serving of 8 g for its mini stroopwafels and a serving of four biscuits, or 32 g, for Daelmans Mini’s. Compare the nutritional information for the exact products on a like-for-like basis.
How do I work out how many mini biscuits to put out?
Use the stated number of servings as a starting point, then choose between giving each attendee a set portion and putting out a small platter for self-service. With a platter, you can top it up if needed rather than putting everything out at once.
How can attendees check the allergens?
If you’re serving biscuits from an open platter, keep the packaging or product information for the exact variety available. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label; don’t rely on the brand name alone when serving them.
How should I store mini biscuits after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the product you’ve chosen. Jumbo says its Mini Stroopwafels met Roomboter should be stored in a cool, dry place; keep the packaging to hand for the best-before date and product information too.