If you have ever wished breakfast could feel as magical as a birthday party yet still be simple enough for a busy weekday, this three ingredient Dutch breakfast is for you. Dutch sprinkle toast, known in the Netherlands as hagelslag on toast, is simply warm bread spread with soft butter and covered in a generous layer of chocolate sprinkles. It looks like something a child invented, but it is inspired by a very real everyday Dutch breakfast tradition.
This sprinkle toast is perfect for beginner home cooks, tired parents who need a fast win at seven in the morning, and anyone who loves European style breakfasts with good bread and strong coffee. In the next sections you will learn exactly how to make hagelslag toast at home, how it fits into Dutch breakfast culture, and how to serve it in a way that feels both fun and reasonably balanced.
Time and Serving
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Toasting time: 2 to 3 minutes
- Total time: about 8 minutes
- Yield: 2 slices of sprinkle toast, 1 to 2 servings depending on appetite
These times assume you already have bread, butter, and sprinkles on hand and a toaster ready to go.
Insight of the Three Ingredient Dutch Breakfast
At its heart this three ingredient Dutch breakfast is very simple. You lightly toast slices of soft bread, spread them with softened butter, then shower them with chocolate sprinkles until the surface is completely covered. In Dutch homes, hagelslag is considered a normal bread topping, just like cheese or jam. Food and culture writers who describe Dutch breakfasts often mention buttered bread with hagelslag as a classic morning choice for both children and adults.
The word hagelslag means hail storm in Dutch, which makes sense once you see the sprinkles raining down on the bread. Chocolate versions, called chocoladehagelslag, are made with a higher cocoa content than many American style sprinkles. In order to be sold as chocolate hagelslag, the sprinkles must contain at least thirty two percent cocoa or cocoa butter, so the taste is more like real chocolate and less like sugar with waxy texture
For a busy home cook this matters because the breakfast is incredibly fast but still feels special. The ingredients are pantry friendly. If the fridge is nearly empty but you have bread in the breadbox, a little butter, and a jar or box of sprinkles, you can still put a cheerful plate on the table. One very real scenario is a rushed weekday morning when one parent opens the fridge, sees only a few eggs and some wilted lettuce, and then remembers the sprinkles from a recent birthday cake. In less than ten minutes there is toast that looks like a party and tastes like a mix between chocolate bread and a doughnut.
This toast is flexible as well. You can use soft white sandwich bread, richer brioche style slices, or even whole grain bread for a little more fiber. Chocolate hagelslag gives a deeper chocolate taste, while anise or fruit sprinkles are popular in the Netherlands for a more aromatic or fruity version.
Ingredients
The quantities below make two slices of Dutch sprinkle toast, which will serve one very hungry person or two lighter eaters.
Core three ingredients
- Two slices of soft bread, such as white sandwich bread, brioche style bread, or soft whole grain bread
- One tablespoon softened salted butter, divided between the slices
- Two tablespoons chocolate sprinkles, ideally Dutch chocoladehagelslag if you can find it
A standard slice of commercial white bread, around twenty five to thirty grams, usually provides sixty five to eighty calories, mostly from carbohydrates. Soft whole grain bread will be similar in calories but higher in fiber.
Butter adds richness and helps the sprinkles stick. One tablespoon of butter has about one hundred calories and around eleven to twelve grams of fat, most of it saturated fat. You will spread that tablespoon across two slices, so each slice gets roughly half a tablespoon.
Chocolate sprinkles vary by brand. Dutch brands such as De Ruijter list around eighty to one hundred twenty calories for two tablespoons with a mix of sugar and cocoa, while still offering more cocoa than many American sprinkle brands.
Optional variations and add ons
Keep these ideas in a separate mental bucket so the core recipe still stays three ingredient.
- Use soft whole grain bread instead of white for more fiber.
- Swap butter for a dairy free margarine or plant based spread if needed.
- Try different sprinkle flavors like milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or a mix of dark and white.
- Add a very light smear of nut butter under the butter for a more filling toast, especially for older kids or adults.
- Finish with a few thin banana slices on top of the sprinkles for extra fruit and sweetness.
Required Tools for Making the Recipe
You do not need any special equipment to make hagelslag toast. Most home kitchens already have everything required.
- Toaster, toaster oven, or regular oven
- You will use this to toast the bread so it is lightly crisp on the outside while still soft inside. If you do not have a toaster, place the bread directly on an oven rack under the broiler and watch it closely.
- Small butter knife or offset spatula
- This helps you spread the softened butter in a thin, even layer so the sprinkles stick to the entire surface.
- Plate or cutting board
- Use this as your work surface for assembling the toast and for catching stray sprinkles.
- Small shallow bowl for sprinkles (optional but helpful)
- Pouring the sprinkles into a bowl makes it easier for kids to scoop and sprinkle without dumping half the container.
If you are serving a group, you can set up a little sprinkle bar with several bowls of different flavors and let everyone decorate their own toast.
Method: Step by Step Preparation Guide
Follow these steps once and you will be able to make Dutch sprinkle toast almost on autopilot.
Step 01: Prepare the bread and butter
Take your butter out of the fridge ten to fifteen minutes before you start if possible. Soft butter spreads more easily and will not tear the bread. If you forget, you can cut the butter into very small pieces and let the warmth of the toast do most of the melting.
Place two slices of bread near the toaster so you are ready to move quickly once they are toasted.
Step 02: Toast the bread
Toast the bread until it is lightly golden at the edges but still soft in the middle. For many toasters this is about two to three minutes on a medium setting. You are looking for:
- Light golden color at the edges
- A little crispness when you tap the surface with your finger
- A center that still gives a bit when you press it
You do not want hard, brittle toast, especially for small children. Softer toast is easier to bite and makes it more comfortable for little mouths.
If you are using an oven, place the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast under a preheated broiler for one to two minutes per side, watching constantly so they do not burn.
Step 03: Spread the butter
As soon as the bread is toasted, move it to your plate or board. The bread should be warm to the touch but not so hot that the butter completely melts into a puddle.
Use your knife or spatula to spread about half a tablespoon of butter over each slice. Aim for an even, thin layer that reaches all the way to the corners. The butter should soften further from the warmth and become slightly glossy, which is perfect. That soft surface is what allows the sprinkles to cling instead of bouncing off.
If the bread is tearing, your butter is probably still too firm. Wait a minute for the toast to cool slightly, or mash the butter more firmly against the slice before spreading.
Step 04: Add the sprinkles
Pour your sprinkles into a shallow bowl or hold the sprinkle container directly over the toast. Sprinkle generously until no butter is visible. This is one place where there is no need to be conservative. A fully covered surface gives the best flavor and makes the toast look impressive.
Once the toast is covered, gently press the sprinkles into the butter with clean fingertips. You do not need to push hard. A light press makes a big difference in how many sprinkles stay attached when you pick up the slice. There will still be a few on the plate and counter. That is part of the charm.
Step 05: Slice and serve
Use a knife to cut each slice into triangles or strips. Many families in the Netherlands cut sprinkle toast into smaller pieces for children, sometimes called soldiers. Triangles make the colorful top surface more visible and feel a bit fancier for older kids and adults too.
Serve immediately while the toast is still slightly warm and the butter is soft.
Variations
Different breads for different eaters
- Use brioche style bread for a richer, almost dessert like breakfast.
- Try soft whole grain bread if you want more fiber and a little slower release of energy. Health writers often note that whole grain breads are more nutrient dense and higher in fiber compared to white bread.
- For adults who enjoy more texture, a softer sourdough can work. Avoid very hard crusts that are tough for kids to bite.
Play with sprinkle flavors
Dutch hagelslag comes in several flavors, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, fruit flavored sprinkles, and anise flavored sprinkles. You can stay with classic chocolate sprinkles or mix a spoonful of dark and milk together.
Mini sprinkle toast for parties
Cut slices into four small squares before adding sprinkles and serve them on a platter for sleepovers or birthday breakfasts. Children are often delighted to see a plate of tiny sprinkle toasts next to a bowl of fruit and yogurt.
Key Advantages of Making the 3-Ingredient Dutch Breakfast
- Very quick on busy mornings
On a school day you can have toast, butter, and sprinkles on the table in less than ten minutes, even if you still need to pour milk and cut some fruit. - Uses pantry staples
Bread, butter, and sprinkles are easy to keep on hand. Hagelslag itself is a pantry standard in many Dutch households, treated almost like peanut butter or jam. - Brings Dutch breakfast culture into your kitchen
Serving hagelslag toast is a simple way to talk with kids about how people in other countries eat breakfast. Tour guides and food writers who describe Dutch life frequently mention bread with beleg, the general word for toppings that can be spread, sliced, or sprinkled, and hagelslag is one of the most beloved sweet toppings. - Fun and visually appealing
A plate of colorful sprinkle toast often gets a bigger reaction than waffles. Many parents report that the first time they serve it their child asks if sprinkles for breakfast are really allowed, which can be a nice way to talk about occasional treats and balance. - Easy to scale up
Making sprinkle toast for four or six people is as simple as toasting more slices and setting out a larger bowl of sprinkles.
Mistakes to Avoid
Even a very simple recipe has a few common pitfalls. Here is how to avoid them.
Toasting the bread until it is too hard
If the bread gets very dark and crunchy, the texture can be tough for young children and the toast may feel dry under the sprinkles. Aim for light golden color and a little softness in the middle. If you notice crumbs flying everywhere when you slice, next time reduce the toasting time slightly.
Trying to spread cold butter
Cold butter tends to tear the toast. Either soften the butter at room temperature or slice it very thin, place the pieces on the warm bread, and let them soften for thirty seconds before spreading.
Using waxy, low cocoa sprinkles
Many American chocolate sprinkle brands are mostly sugar, oil, and wax with very little cocoa, which gives more sweetness than chocolate flavor. Dutch chocolate hagelslag is required to contain at least around thirty two percent cocoa or cocoa butter, which gives a richer chocolate taste and a more delicate texture. If you cannot find Dutch sprinkles, look for brands that list cocoa near the top of the ingredients.
Skimping on sprinkles
If you use only a tiny dusting of sprinkles, the toast can look sparse and not very special. Cover the buttered surface completely so every bite has both bread, butter, and chocolate.
Serving only sprinkle toast with nothing else
Sprinkle toast is sweet and relatively low in protein and fiber. If you serve it by itself, some people may feel hungry again by mid morning. Balance things by adding a bowl of yogurt, a glass of milk, some sliced fruit, or even a boiled egg.
Expert Tips
- Set up a sprinkle bar for special mornings
For birthdays, first day of school, or sleepovers, lay out plates with toasted bread and small bowls of different sprinkle flavors. Include chocolate hagelslag, rainbow sprinkles, and maybe an anise or fruit flavor. Children can create their own combinations and adults can keep an eye on portions by controlling how much bread and butter goes out. - Store hagelslag correctly
Keep the container tightly closed in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight so the cocoa and fats stay fresh and do not clump. Many Dutch brands come in cardboard boxes with pour spouts that are meant to live on the table at breakfast. - Balance the plate without spoiling the fun
A very realistic way to serve this breakfast is one slice of sprinkle toast plus a second slice with peanut butter or cheese, or a side of yogurt and fruit. Health writers often recommend pairing refined bread with higher fiber or protein foods so energy lasts longer and blood sugar rises more gradually. Verywell Health - Use it as a cultural lesson
This recipe offers an easy opening to talk about how families in the Netherlands enjoy bread with all kinds of beleg, from cheese to peanut butter to hagelslag. You can pull out a map, show where the Netherlands is, and talk about how breakfast looks different around the world.
One lovely real life example is a weekend breakfast where adults sip coffee while children decorate their own toast. There will be sprinkles on the table and probably a few on the floor. Someone will inevitably lick a finger and tap it into the sprinkles. But in between the mess there is a small, shared moment of joy that feels far more relaxed than a complicated brunch.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving (Approximate)
These values are approximate and will vary with the exact bread, butter, and sprinkles you use. They are based on one serving of two slices of white bread, one tablespoon of salted butter, and two tablespoons of chocolate sprinkles.
- Calories: about 340 to 380
- 2 slices white bread: around 130 to 160 calories
- 1 tablespoon butter: about 100 calories Food and Nutrition Service
- 2 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles: around 80 to 120 calories depending on brand Nutrition Value
- Carbohydrates: roughly thirty five to forty five grams
- Protein: about 60 to 80 grams
- Total fat: around 15 to 20 grams
- Sugar: roughly 15 to 20 grams
Because this breakfast is relatively high in refined carbohydrates and sugar with moderate fat and modest protein, it is best treated as an occasional treat or balanced with more nutrient dense sides such as fruit, yogurt, or eggs. When you choose whole grain bread and pair the toast with protein rich foods, you can make the overall meal more satisfying and a little more supportive of steady energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I make this with regular American sprinkles if I cannot find hagelslag
Yes. If you do not have access to Dutch hagelslag, you can still make sprinkle toast with any chocolate sprinkles you can find. The flavor will be a little different, since many American brands use less cocoa and more sugar and vegetable oils, but the idea is the same. If possible, choose sprinkles that list cocoa near the top of the ingredient list for better chocolate taste.
Q2: What type of bread works best for Dutch sprinkle toast
Soft breads are easiest to eat and closest to what many Dutch families use. Think white sandwich bread, soft whole grain bread, or brioche style bread. Very crusty sourdough or thick, dense breads can be harder for children to bite and may overpower the delicate sprinkles. Choose a bread you already enjoy for toast, and consider whole grain if you want more fiber and longer lasting fullness.
Q3: Is this breakfast suitable for every day or better as an occasional treat
Sprinkle toast is sweet and relatively low in fiber and protein, so for most households it makes sense as a once in a while breakfast or a weekend treat rather than an everyday habit. Health guidance about refined white bread and added sugars generally encourages moderation and a focus on whole grains and less sugary options for regular meals. You can still enjoy hagelslag toast, just balance it out over the week.
Q4: How can I make this more balanced for my kids
Keep the portion of sprinkle toast modest and add more nutrient dense sides. For example, serve one slice of sprinkle toast plus a boiled egg, a handful of berries, and a glass of milk or a small bowl of yogurt. Using whole grain bread instead of white will increase fiber and some vitamins. These simple changes help slow down the rise in blood sugar and keep children full longer.
Q5: Can I make a dairy free version of this recipe
Yes. You can replace the butter with a dairy free spread made from plant oils. Be sure the spread is soft enough to coat the toast evenly so the sprinkles stick. If you avoid dairy entirely, check your sprinkles as well, since some chocolate sprinkles include milk powder. Many dark chocolate style sprinkles are dairy free, but always read the label.
Conclusion
Three ingredient Dutch sprinkle toast is one of those rare breakfasts that is both effortless and unforgettable. Warm toast, soft salted butter, and a generous hail of chocolate sprinkles come together to create something that feels almost like a secret from another kitchen across the world.
With this guide you know how to toast the bread so it stays tender, how to soften and spread the butter, and how to use good quality sprinkles that taste like real chocolate. You also have ideas for balancing the plate with fruit, yogurt, or eggs so breakfast feels special without becoming pure candy.
Whether you serve it on a rushed weekday when the fridge looks bare, or as a surprise for a birthday sleepover, this three ingredient Dutch breakfast brings a little bit of Dutch breakfast culture and a lot of joy to the table.
3-Ingredient Dutch Sprinkle Toast Breakfast – Kids Love
