Oliebollen Stalls in Groningen

For weeks, I’ve been cycling past the oliebollen stall on my way to my workout sessions, and my mouth waters at the sight. I personally love the plain oliebollen or the apple fritters. I'm not a fan of the currant fritter, but that’s just a personal preference. I don't like currants and raisins.

The Best Oliebollen in Groningen City

Year after year the AD newspaper wrote about the yearly Oliebollentest. In 2018 they announced that they stop doing the oliebollentest. It became too negative! 

So now to Groningen: Now that autumn has arrived, the Old Dutch Pastry Stalls in Groningen are once again taking their place. Some stalls are notorious and famous, while others are well-known and celebrated! There’s been quite a bit written about them, and every year there are winners and losers in the race for the best or worst oliebollen. In short, oliebollen are quite a serious matter! I always find the bright lights of the stalls and the atmosphere they create in the city incredibly cozy. The dark days are coming. 

Oliebollen Stalls in Groningen

There are quite a few stalls and bakers selling oliebollen in the city of Groningen, often found in a market square, near a hardware store, or other prominent locations in the city. But where can you really find the best oliebollen stall in Groningen? We’ve compiled a list for you. Discover Groningen also wrote about the oliebollen stalls in Groningen in 2021: Oliebollen Stalls in Groningen - Discover Groningen

Which Stall Has the Best Oliebol in Groningen?

This is a question that is quite difficult to answer because one person’s taste differs from another's. A number of important criteria for a good oliebol have been outlined by the Dutch Bakery Center: What Makes a Good Oliebol? | NBC

In summary, here are the criteria for a good oliebol: The perfect oliebol is round without dry spikes (who doesn’t know those dry spikes? ;-)) and has a nice golden brown, even color. It should also look good on the inside. The Dutch Bakery Center prefers an open, honeycomb-like structure with resilience. If the oliebol is filled, the filling should be well distributed. Of course, an oliebol should also be thoroughly cooked.

Where to buy the Dubai Bol in Groningen? 

Let’s start with the latest trend that has blown in from, yes, the Dubai Bol! For sure Oliebollen Stal UMCG has them: 

But perhaps Akkerman Paddepoel is currently also the oliebollen stall in Groningen where this Dubai trend has arrived, the so-called Dubai Bol. Mattie & Marieke taste the Dubai Bol in the below TikTok.  I’m curious to see what the people of Groningen think! Is the Dubai fritter somewhat affordable?

10 Oliebollen Stalls in Groningen

We made a list of 10 oliebollen stalls in Groningen, but there are probably way more! Let us know if you gave them a try and found any nice stalls!

1. Oliebollen Stall Grote Markt

Currently located at a slightly different spot due to the new layout of the Grote Markt. The fritter stall can now be found opposite the Jumbo Supermarket; check out Wiltjer Fogerty’s Facebook page Oliebollen Stall Grote Markt. Hanzemag rated the oliebollen as the best in their own 2022 city test; see the link: Which Stall Has the Best Oliebol in Groningen? - HanzeMag

2. Oliebollen Stall Paddepoel

Akkerman Paddepoel came out on top in last year’s test in Groningen, but there were certainly more good locations in the city. Be sure to check out the Online Oliebollen Test 2023 for Groningen: Groningen - Results 2023 | oliebollentestonline

A very nice stall to visit, especially in the evening when the lighting is beautiful. And they sell the Dubai fritter here!

3. Oliebollen Stall Vinkhuizen

Also from Akkerman and opened just a few days ago, with initially some adjusted opening hours. Check for current information on the Facebook page of Akkerman Vinkhuizen.

4. Oliebollen Stall Selwerd

There’s also a stall in Selwerd every year. You can grab an oliebol right after your shopping, or before, so you’re not tempted to snack while grocery shopping. It saves some trouble! Check out their Facebook page!

5. Oliebollen Stall Westerhaven

Open every day until the New Year! Check their Facebook page. Enjoy shopping at Westerhaven, visiting MediaMarkt, or having a drink at Wadapartja. Be sure to enjoy some oliebollen at Westerhaven too. They also scored well in the Oliebollen Test.

6. Oliebollen Stall Ossenmarkt

They have been frying them here for years, previously under the inspiring leadership of Antoon Meijer (in memoriam, 2023). In Memoriam: Antoon Meijer, the renowned and beloved olieball baker at Ossenmarkt, has passed away - Sikkom.  Ofcourse we bought the first oliebollen here!

This year, be sure to grab an oliebol at Meijer’s on Ossenmarkt! Also, take a look at the collection of frying stalls over the years at this link.

7. Oliebollen Stall UMCG

Not great for cholesterol, perhaps, but if you’re traveling for a check-up or passing by UMCG, you can always make a culinary pitstop at the Oliebollen Stall UMCG in Groningen. They seem to sell not only oliebollen but also more unusual varieties.

8. Oliebollen Stall Tuinland

Around the holidays, it’s definitely fun to visit Tuinland on Peizerweg. It’s fully decked out in Christmas spirit, and you can get some great inspiration there. Afterwards, of course, make a stop for oliebollen at Oliebollen Stall Tuinland.

9. Oliebollen Stall Dauphin Hornbach

Hardware stores and oliebollen stalls seem inseparable. There’s always a stall at Hornbach in the De Hunze district; check for more information on their Facebook page.

10. Oliebollen Stall Praxis Damsterdiep

Here they’ve created a fun variant of the Dubai Bol, the Dubai waffle! Check out their Facebook page!

Buying Oliebollen at the Supermarket

Not available in October, but certainly on December 30 and 31, you can buy oliebollen at most supermarkets and bakeries in the city. For example, Bakkerij van Esch has various locations and Borgman Banket (currently, they mostly have speculaas and ginger nuts related to Sinterklaas, who still needs to arrive in Groningen). Let us know where the baker's oliebollen were delicious! You can send your suggestions to stayingroningen@boostmybookings.com.

How to Reheat an Oliebol?

We searched for good advice on how to reheat oliebollen if you decide to warm them up later, for example, in an air fryer, microwave, or oven: Reheating Oliebollen: Here’s How to Make Them Nice and Crispy! - 24Kitchen. At home we did it with the oven on 145 degrees on 5 minutes and it was perfect!

Baking Oliebollen Yourself at home, DIY Oliebollen

If you've always wanted to try making them yourself but haven't yet, this year might be the perfect time to bake your own oliebollen! You can buy a ready-made mix from the supermarket, like Koopmans, but if you enjoy a challenge, you can also create your own dough. Good luck! You choose the filling, so you can also make pineapple fritters or apple fritters! Have fun!