Why do we eat oliebollen and applebeignets in the Netherlands?

New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands is such a unique and cozy celebration. For most people, it’s all about spending the evening with family or friends, eating way too many oliebollen and appelbeignets (Dutch doughnuts and apple fritters) and counting down to midnight together. There’s always laughter, music and the occasional round of board games or a card game to pass the time.

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Get ready with oliebollen or applebeignets from the oliebollenkraam

There’s something magical about the smell of freshly fried oliebollen on a chilly winter’s day. Walking through the market or past a bustling street corner, the unmistakable aroma pulls you in. The oliebollenkraam, often adorned with festive lights, is a familiar sight in the Netherlands as the year draws to a close.

I always feel a happy excitement as I step up to the counter. The golden, crispy balls, dusted generously with powdered sugar, are piled high behind the glass. You can choose the classic plain version or one filled with plump raisins—my personal favorite. There’s something satisfying about ordering a bag, still warm to the touch and sneaking a bite before you even make it home.

The vendor, cheerful despite the cold, always seems to have a quick smile and a practiced hand at scooping the oliebollen into their paper bag. There’s a comfort in this small tradition, a sense of shared celebration as people gather to indulge in this quintessential Dutch treat.

No matter how many I buy, they always disappear too quickly. But that’s part of the charm, an annual ritual that tastes as sweet as the powdered sugar that inevitably ends up on your fingers (and probably your coat).

So what is the right way to eat oliebollen?

So how do you eat them? It’s super easy. Grab one with your hand (no forks needed!), sprinkle it generously with powdered sugar and take a big bite. The outside is crispy and golden, while the inside is soft and fluffy, pure comfort food. Don’t forget to have a napkin ready though, because that powdered sugar gets everywhere! And ad the end, lick of your fingers. It’s oke!

Counting down to the new year

As the clock strikes twelve, the skies light up with fireworks. The Dutch love their fireworks and you can hear crackles and booms starting early in the evening, but the real show begins at midnight. Neighbors step outside to watch or even set off their own fireworks, wishing each other “Gelukkig Nieuwjaar” (Happy New Year). It’s loud, colorful, and a bit chaotic but that’s all part of the charm.

Another fun tradition is watching Oudejaarsconferences on TV. A kind of comedy shows where cabaret performers look back at the year’s highlights and poke fun at politics, culture and big events. It’s like a funny and sometimes sharp review of the past twelve months.

On New Year’s Day, some brave souls take part in the Nieuwjaarsduik (New Year’s Dive), running into the icy North Sea to kick off the year with a freezing but refreshing start. I’m not one of those people, I prefer staying warm inside with a hot cup of tea, enjoying the quiet start to the new year.

It’s a simple but special time, filled with togetherness, tradition and a little sparkle in the night sky.