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15 x famous Dutch recipes

Growing up I didn't really think much about the Dutch 'cuisine'. It was mostly mash potatoes or at least that is what it felt like to me. But over the years I've learned that we do have a few classics that are absolutely worth making. So much more than just mashed potatoes!

Below you will find 15 of the most delicious and most famous Dutch recipes. Dutch cuisine is maybe not know for it’s culinary adventures but when you dive deep into typical Dutch food, you will find some absolutely fantastic gems. From fluffy pancakes to Dutch apple pie and of course the best oliebollen recipe. 

15 famous Dutch recipes

Being Dutch myself I grew up with traditional Dutch foods and at the time thought it was all pretty boring. My mum – never the best cook – stuck to potatoes, vegetables and meat. Which is a large part of the Dutch cooking or at least it was for a very long time. 

Most popular Dutch foods

Except the recipes I already have on my website you will also find Dutch recipes made by my friends Laura from In Laura’s Bakery and Eva from In Eve’s Kitchen. Both are fantastic cooks and you’re gonna love their recipes as well.

Dutch recipes

Dutch poffertjes or mini pancakes

Poffertjes or mini pancakes are one of those delicious Dutch treats that you just got to try for yourself. I have a yeasted recipe for this as that is the old fashioned way of making them.

Dutch poffertjes
3 from 2 votes

Dutch poffertjes (mini pancakes)

Prep time 45 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes
Total time 1 hour
A real treat are these delicious and easy to make small mini pancakes

Traditional Dutch pea soup (erwtensoep)

If there is one Dutch recipe that says it all; it would be this Dutch pea soup. Making it the ‘proper’ way does take quite a bit of time but it’s so worth it. Perfect for the colder months of the year! Pea soup is made with split peas and is the ultimate comfort food.

Dutch pea soup
5 from 1 vote

Dutch peasoup

Prep time 30 minutes
Cooking time 2 hours
Total time 2 hours 30 minutes
You don’t need to search very long on the internet for recipes for ‘Old Dutch peasoup’. One makes it with a big piece of ham, another makes it with a leg of pork and so each has it’s own thing. But because we are increasingly depending on the supermarkets for our supplies instead of a proper butcher, you will find that a leg of pork is not so easy to find. So I chose to use pork cutlets instead.

Apple cake

An apple cake (appelcake) is one of my favorite sweet Dutch recipes. It’s easy to make and the good news is that you can easily add any other kind of fruit into the cake batter instead of the apple slices.

Dutch apple cake

Apple cake

Prep time 15 minutes
Cooking time 50 minutes
Total time 1 hour 5 minutes
This delicious and easy apple cake is the perfect cake for the apple season

Dutch bitterballen

Eve made these delicious bitterballen. Bitterballen is one of those typical dishes that you get served at just about every party in the Netherlands. It’s basically a smaller version of the croquette you could say. Typically served with mustard.

Dutch bitterballen (Dutch recipes)

Dutch bitterballen

The perfect party snack or bar bite is this delicious recipe for Dutch bitterballen!

Gevulde speculaas

As a kid we got served this delicious treat every year around Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas is one of those typical Dutch holidays and is best compared to Santa Claus. Although definitely not the same! But this treat is not only suited for the holidays. It’s definitely delicious year round and so good!

Dutch recipes - Gevulde speculaas

Gevulde speculaas (Filled spice cake with almond)

Traditionally we like to eat this around 'Sinterklaas' and with good reason as it is the ultimate coffee cake

Stroopwafels

If there is one cookie that is famous outside of the Netherlands; it must be the stroopwafel. It’s also quite funny how different countries pronounce this as there isn’t really a good English translation for the name. Syrup waffles is the most commonly used but it doesn’t actually mean the same thing.

Dutch recipes - stroopwafels

Stroopwafels

Most likely the best known Dutch cookie recipe is this insanely delicious stroopwafel. Never eaten it? Try it with this recipe

Dutch apple pie

Growing up my mum almost ‘made me’ bake apple pie for every birthday. We usually big birthdays where the entire family (and ours was a rather large family) would sit in a circle and eat – among other things – apple pie. Preferably with either ice cream or whipped cream. So good. I don’t make it quite as often anymore but it’s still one of my favorite recipes.

My mum couldn’t cook and baking was even worse for her, so I was the designated baker in the family.

Dutch apple pie
5 from 1 vote

Dutch apple pie recipe

Prep time 40 minutes
Cooking time 1 hour
Total time 1 hour 40 minutes
This delicious and easy Dutch apple pie recipe is delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The perfect autumn dessert

Ontbijtkoek or Dutch breakfast cake

Ontbijtkoek is another favorite Dutch recipe and easy to make. The literal translation would be breakfast cake and yes this is eaten a lot for breakfast. Just a slice. Usually with a generous layer of unsalted butter. So good. But it can also be served with coffee easily or as a snack for on the go.

Dutch breakfast cake
5 from 2 votes

Dutch breakfast cake

Prep time 10 minutes
Cooking time 1 hour
Total time 1 hour 10 minutes
√Traditional Dutch recipe for ontbijtkoek (or breakfast cake) √with delicious spices √Perfect for breakfast, as a treat or with a cup of coffee

Runner bean mash (snijbonen stamppot)

If you talk about Dutch recipes you cannot skip the so-called stamppot. Stamppot is basically mashed potatoes with some kind of vegetable. Usually kale, endive or – in this case – runner beans.

Runner bean mash with potatoes, mustard and cheese

Runner Bean Mash (snijbonen stamppot)

Prep time 25 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes
Total time 40 minutes
√Tasty Dutch √Runner Bean Mash √Easy Recipe √Solid Winter Food √This Week's Meal

Hete bliksem (hot lightning)

Another mash kind of dish is this hete bliksem. It’s a mash of potatoes and apple. Making it somewhat sweet but generally served with some smoked fried bacon or a slice of pork belly. I like to actually serve this with baked cheese!

Hete bliksem recipe
5 from 1 vote

Hete bliksem recipe (hot lightning)

Prep time 10 minutes
Cooking time 30 minutes
Total time 40 minutes
Typical Dutch and somewhat out there but it is so good!

Rijstevlaai (vegan)

One of the kinds of pie we eat a lot of in the Netherlands is vlaai. Vlaai originates from the south of Holland but you can buy it in special “vlaai-stores” around the country. Rijstevlaai is one of my favorite flavors (rice pie) and this is a vegan version of the traditional recipe.

Traditional Dutch rice tart

Traditional Dutch rice tart (rijstevlaai)

Prep time 45 minutes
Cooking time 30 minutes
Total time 1 hour 15 minutes
Delicious Dutch rice tart also known as rijstevlaai.

Arnhemse meisjes (Girls from Arnhem)

No, no these are not actual girls. Don’t worry. Why these cookies have that slightly odd name you can check on the post. The cookies are crisp and wonderful!

Arnhemse meisjes | insimoneskitchen.com
5 from 1 vote

Arnhemse meisjes

Prep time 30 minutes
Cooking time 25 minutes
Total time 55 minutes
Making your own Arnhemse meisjes (Dutch sugar cookies) is super easy with this fun recipe.

Dutch doughnuts (oliebollen)

Every year around New Years the whole country eats oliebollen. So definitely one of those famous Dutch recipes! With good reason too as it is super delicious. In the month of december you an usually buy them in an oliebollenkraam. An outdoor vendor that bakes and sells oliebollen in the thousands!

Dutch doughnuts in a bowl
5 from 3 votes

Dutch doughnuts

Prep time 1 hour
Cooking time 30 minutes
Total time 1 hour 30 minutes
This delicious and traditional Dutch treat is not difficult to make!

Zeeuwse bolussen

Basically the Dutch version of the cinnamon rolls. But slightly different. But if you like cinnamon rolls? You’re gonna love this Dutch recipe as well.

Dutch recipes zeeuwse bolussen

Zeeuwse bolussen

The Dutch version of the cinnamon bun maybe, these Zeeuwse bolussen are super delicious!

Slagroomtaart

And to finish off this list of famous Dutch recipes I end with a so called slagroomtaart by In Laura’s Bakery!

Dutch slagroomtaart

Slagroomtaart – Dutch cream cake

This was literally the cake I grew up on and which was present at every single birthday party!

Dutch oven

I had to google this myself; I love using a Dutch oven, but than I wondered why they are even called a Dutch oven. I’m sure you’ve heard of a Dutch oven before and have probably used it for a pot roast or beef stew but what is Dutch about it? Is it used for traditional Dutch dishes or why that name?? I had to look it up myself and found this interesting article that explains the origin of the name. 

So there you have it; my list of my favorite Dutch recipes.

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About Simone van den Berg

Food photographer | Food- and travel blogger | Recipe development | Loves to cook, experiment with vegetables and most of all, loves to eat. Whenever I travel (and I do try to do that as often as possible) it's always about food too! Love exploring flavors around the world. Lives together with cats Humphrey and Buffy in the Netherlands.