9 Dutch Snacks Every Traveler Must Try in the Netherlands

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At first glance, food and snacks in the Netherlands may seem as lacking the same excitement and diversity as is found in some other countries. However, Dutch food is famous for being of high quality, and the food scene in the Netherlands is surprisingly international. The Dutch have, indeed, developed a selection of foods and snacks which are unique and often only enjoyed in the Netherlands. I’ve sampled and enjoyed foods across a whole range of countries, I can certainly say that Dutch snacks with their quality and diversity will leave a lasting impression.

The Dutch snacks worth sampling include a range of savory and sweet things, many of which are prepared by deep frying and served with various sauces. Others are rather unusual and perhaps demand an acquired taste, such as the Dutch salty liquorice or pepernoten.

In this article you can discover the 9 Dutch snacks you must try while visiting the Netherlands.

1. Frietjes – the Dutch fries

The Dutch frietjes is definitely one of the most characteristically Dutch snacks you need to try. Certainly, French fries exist all around the world, but they’ve taken on a life of their own in the Netherlands. At most towns you can buy frietjes at small kiosks, and in Amsterdam, for example, there are countless places to try this beloved street food.

What distinguishes Dutch fries from those found elsewhere is mostly the shape, the way they’re served, and what they’re served with. Dutch frietjes are generally rather thick in shape. They traditionally come in a hot paper cones. In the Netherlands, you can order fries with ketchup, of course. But I’d especially recommend trying patatje oorlog (fries with peanut sauce) or patat speciaal (fries with curry ketchup, mayonnaise, and onions). Of course, frietjes generally come salted, as well.

2. Heavenly Oliebollen

This is one of my personal favorites when it comes to Dutch snacks. Oliebollen are round, deep-fried sweet doughnuts of sorts, usually served hot and coated in powder sugar. They are usually mainly sold during the winter months, especially before and after New Year’s. During that time of the year, you’ll find little oliebol-kiosks at various street corners.

I have special memories of walking back from the university at Wageningen, and going past the gently-lit oliebol wagon by the historic town centre. I’d buy an oliebol or two for my walk home, through a gently falling snow.

As far as doughnuts or round fried sweet buns go, oliebollen certainly are amongst the best in the world.

3. Stroopwafels – the ultimate Dutch snack

This biscuit is another favorite sweet Dutch snack. Of all Dutch snacks, stroopwafels are perhaps some of the most famous around the world. They’re a waffle-like treat, made of two layers of thin dough with caramel or syrup in between. Stroopwafels are often sold at street kiosks and outdoor markets. In Amsterdam, for example, you’ll find lots of different kinds of stroopwafels, some covered in chocolate, others in nuts; some are small, others are large.

I’d say the best is to buy a stroopwafel hot from the maker, at a street café or a market stall. On the other hand, you’ll also find truly delicious stroopwafels at most supermarkets, such as the Dutch Albert Heijn, at low prices. It makes for a great souvenir or gift. And a tip for those who haven’t tried that yet; stroopwafels are best enjoyed after warming them up first over a cup of hot tea.

4. Kibbeling

As far as savory Dutch snacks go, kibbeling is certainly something worth trying. Even the name is inviting and kind of rolls off the tongue – kibbeling. This snack is sort of the Dutch equivalent of fish & chips. Kibbeling is usually made of pieces of cod, but other fish may also be used. The small pieces of fish are fried in a batter, and the food is served hot, usually with garlic or cocktail sauce. Kibbeling is often sold at markets, fish stalls, and street cafés.

5. Dutch Pancakes

Dutch pancakes are a whole concept of their own. They’re a bit thinner than American pancakes, more like French crêpes though not always as wide. They’re traditionally served with a variety of savory or sweet toppings. For example, at many restaurants or pancake cafés in the Netherlands you can find pancakes with toppings such as bacon and apple, or cheese and raisins, or salmon and spinach. Favorite sweet toppings include the traditional strawberries and cream, or you can get pancakes with syrup and banana, chocolate sauce, or anything else you might wish for, really.

Most towns have their own little pancake café, or a few. In Amsterdam, some great places to try Dutch pancakes are the small but characterful Upstairs Pannenkoeken or Pancakes Amsterdam.  

Sweet little mini pancakes: Poffertjes

One version of a Dutch pancake is poffertjes. These are tiny, puffy pancakes that just melt in the mouth. Poffertjes are a popular street and market food. They’re traditionally served with powdered sugar, but you can also find poffertjes with chocolate sauce, cream, or ice cream, among other toppings.

6. Kruidnoten & Pepernoten

Both pepernoten and kruidnoten are small Dutch cookies generally associated with the 5^th of December Sinterklaas celebration. These small cookies are super fun to eat – they make a great addition to a friends’ gathering or a dinner party. Although traditionally a part of Sinterklaas celebration and thus sold mostly in the months before December, you can usually still find these sweets at the sweet shops or supermarkets at other times of the year, as well. For example Peppernuts Holland sells these sweets all year round.

Kruidnoten

Kruidnoten are hard, half-sphere-shaped, small cookies. To be honest, they look a little bit like dry dog food pellets. But the taste – totally delicious. They taste a lot like speculaas, which is a traditional Dutch biscuit. This means they’re a mix of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg; so overall, rather Christmas-sy, indeed. Sometimes kruidnoten are also covered with white, milk, or dark chocolate.

Pepernoten

Pepernoten, on the other hand, can vary in shape. They’re often cut in different shapes from a length of dough. They’re generally softer than kruidnoten, and their ingredients traditionally include rye flour, sugar, and anis. Anis is, indeed, what gives the often square-like, chewy pepernoten their distinctive taste.

7. Bitterballen

This is a popular dish in the Netherlands, often served at pubs and bars along with bitters or other drinks, as a snack. Bitterballen are usually made of stewed or pulled beef that is formed into balls and coated in a breadcrumb crust, then deep fried. They are usually served with mustard or similar sauces.

These days, in some bars or restaurants you’ll also find vegan or vegetarian bitterballen. These versions have fillings made of vegetables, mushrooms, or, in the case of Jack’s bitterballen, fillings made of jackfruit.

8. Ontbijtkoek – traditionally Dutch

Ontbijtkoek is a traditional Dutch snack, and definitely one of the Dutch snacks you need to try when visiting the Netherlands. It is a ginger cake, usually formed as a loaf, and it tastes a bit like speculaas biscuits. Ontbijtkoek is sold in most supermarkets as a pre-packed snack, though you can also find it in some cafés. It’s called ontbijtkoek which means breakfast cake, but it can of course be enjoyed at any time of the day.

These cakes are delicious and their size and texture make them perfect as a snack to grab along for a day of adventure. Ontbijtkoek is best enjoyed with some butter or cheese. For me, it is one of the very Dutch things indeed – a thing that many children, or adults, enjoy as a staple food during their school or work hours. I’d highly recommend trying some.

9. Dropjes

A uniquely Dutch thing, dropjes are somewhat more salty than just normal soft eating liquorice. They are kind of a mix between liquorice and Finnish salmiakki, I would say. Dropjes come in various shapes and sizes; there are katjesdropjes (cat shaped ones), dropmatjes (drop mats), and drop jojos (rolls of drop string), among others.

Dropjes are some of my favorite sweets in the whole world. I especially love getting them from a local snoepwinkel, a Dutch sweet shop, and walking around town enjoying these sweet treats. Most towns have one of these sweets shops – they are dreamy places where you can buy all sorts of sweets, including dropjes. You can also find dropjes in most supermarkets and kiosks.

Planning a trip to the Netherlands? Don’t miss our expert 4-day itinerary for Amsterdam, including a dedicated guide to Amsterdam street food. And if you’re looking for something a little edgier, why not consider Rotterdam and its legendary nightlife?

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