Christmas is right around the corner, which means it’s time for feasting on Dutch delicacies! 🎄
You might be wondering what to feed your Dutch friends when they come over during the holidays (other than hagelslag and pindakaas), so here’s the ultimate guide to Dutch festive food and drinks.
With the holiday season fast approaching, supermarkets are already stocking up on all the staples the Dutchies like to enjoy. But if you’re feeling unsure about what everything is and when to eat it, our guide has got you covered!
What to eat & drink at Sinterklaas
As you have already experienced, Sinterklaas is a beloved mythical figure based on Saint Nicholas. The festivities begin in the middle of November when the Sint arrives from Spain and rides through the streets on his white horse.
His sooty assistants throw candy and either kruidnoten or pepernoten into the crowd while children cheer and sing traditional Sinterklaas songs.
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In the lead-up to Sinterklaas, children leave out shoes for candy and carrots for the Sint’s horse, all building toward the main gift-giving on the evening of December 5.
Often seen as a children’s holiday, many Dutch families switch to gift-giving only on Christmas once the kids are old enough.
Still, there are plenty of yummy treats for all ages to try during Sinterklaas! 🍭
Now that you’re up to date on the traditions, let’s get into the good stuff: the food that will fill your belly. 🤤
Kruidnoten
Kruidnoten are these little biscuits that taste a bit like gingerbread.
Made with the same ingredients as speculaas, kruidnoten are ridiculously delicious, and you won’t be able to have just one! Here’s the recipe.
Pepernoten
Pepernoten are similar to kruidnoten, just a bit softer, more chewy, and spiced with honey and anise.
Slightly more peppery than kruidnoten (obviously), pepernoten are another popular treat during Sinterklaas.
Speculaas cookies
Speculaas cookies are spiced with pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. Talk about a more festive flavour palette!
Foreigners know them as ‘windmill cookies,’ as they are often made in the shape of windmills. But they can be made into almost any shape. Get the recipe here.
Chocolate letters
Chocolate letters are one of the gifts exchanged during Sinterklaas. They’re chocolates shaped in the first letter of the gift receiver’s name. You can get them from any of the local supermarkets.
Schuimpjes
Another candy that starts popping up all through Lidl, Hema, and Albert Heijn are the Sinterklaas schuimpjes.
These chewy candies are supposed to be meringues, though they don’t taste anything like it. Grab a packet of these colourful treats next time you’re shopping, and see for yourself!
Bischopswijn
Named after the Bishop of Sinterklaas, this is the Dutch version of glühwein (mulled wine). Try out this recipe for this warm, hearty drink.
What to eat & drink during Dutch Christmas
Christmas celebrations in the Netherlands are fairly similar to those in other Western countries, though the traditions have only recently become more common.
READ MORE | What happens during Christmas in the Netherlands? A guide to the winter holidays
The Dutch like to put up Christmas trees and decorate their houses, give gifts, and gather with family for a meal. 🍽
The Dutch celebrate ‘First’ and ‘Second’ Christmas Day on December 25 and 26, typically gathering with family to share traditional Christmas meals of meat and vegetables.
READ MORE | Dutch Quirk 113: Have multiple Christmas Days (because one isn’t enough)
Why not try some of these recipes for your own Christmas celebrations this year?
Banketstaaf
One of the traditional sweet treats served during Christmas is a pastry filled with almond paste.
You can try the recipe here or simply buy some at your local supermarket!
Jan Hagel cookies
The Dutch certainly like to eat cookies during the festive period, so here is another type: the Jan Hagel cookies. These are flavoured with almonds, cinnamon, and crystallised sugar.
They can be served with ice cream as a dessert or as a little bite next to your cup of coffee. Here’s the recipe.
Kerstkranjes
Slightly zesty, the kerstkranjes (Christmas wreath cookies) are made to decorate the Christmas tree but also to eat! Try out the recipe here.
Kerststol
Kerststol is a bread made with dried fruits soaked in liqueur and stuffed with almond paste. It goes perfectly with your Christmas breakfast. Try the recipe here.
Boerenjongens
A delicacy from the northern province of Groningen, boerenjongens is a drink made with sultanas, brandy, and spices.
It is served with a spoon to eat the brandy-soaked sultanas, or they are scooped out and added to desserts. Try out this boozy recipe here.
Advocaat
This traditional Dutch alcoholic drink is especially nice during Christmas.
Similar to eggnog, it can be served with ice cream or whipped cream as a dessert, but it’s perfectly yummy on its own. Either way, you’ll probably need a spoon. Try the recipe or pick some up at the nearest supermarket!
What to eat & drink at New Year’s in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the New Year is celebrated on both ‘Old’ (December 31) and ‘New’ (January 1) Year’s Days, with different traditional activities.
On New Year’s Eve, people meet up with their family and friends to start the celebrations with food and drinks. You can catch them watching the top 100 music countdown on television. And there will be fireworks. A lot of fireworks.
Every man, woman, child, and dog erupts onto the streets at midnight to release hundreds of thousands of shop-bought fireworks into the sky.
There are no rules or restrictions, and the cacophony of explosions is truly a sight (and sound) to behold! 🎇
On New Year’s Day, another Dutch tradition is to take a New Year’s swim in the frigid cold waters of the North Sea. These swims take place all around the country, but the biggest is to be found at Scheveningen.
It’s certainly one way to cure your hangover! But before you even get there, let’s look at the food and drinks you can enjoy.
Oliebollen
The quintessential Dutch treat, these deep-fried balls (literally, oily balls) are warm and delicious.
Food trucks selling them will start popping up around the Netherlands from October onwards, but they are traditionally a New Year’s food. Grab a bag from the street or give the recipe a try!
READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #15: cram oliebollen into their mouths as soon as it gets cold
Appelbeignets
Another delicious, deep-fried treat served during the New Year are these apple fritters called appelbeignets or appelflappen.
Sort of like a cross between an apple pie and a doughnut, you will rarely attend a Dutch New Year party without finding a plate of these alongside the oliebollen. Get the recipe here.
Speculaas coffee
If you want to feel really Dutch, then why not try a coffee laced with Schelvispekel liqueur?
If you haven’t gotten enough of speculaas-flavoured everything, then this Dutch brandy that tastes exactly like speculaas could be worth a taste!
Erwtensoep (snert)
If you are brave enough to try the New Year’s Day swim, then you will definitely need to warm up later, so the traditional Dutch snert (split pea soup) is a hearty choice.
The thick soup is made throughout the colder months but would be a perfect way to ring in the New Year, Dutch style! Try the recipe here.
Sweet or savoury, warm or cold, the festive season in the Netherlands brings a mix of flavours to enjoy. From sugary snacks at winter markets to rich homemade dishes, there’s something to delight every appetite.
What are your favourite festive Dutch foods? Let us know in the comments below!
