Sugar-Free or No Added Sugar Biscuits for Baking?

Who is this for?

People comparing total sugars

You want to know how much sugar a biscuit contains, so you check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table, rather than relying on words such as ‘zero’ on the front of the pack.

Home bakers making a biscuit base

You want to crush biscuits for a cheesecake base, dessert layer or topping. As well as the sugar claim, the flavour and how well the biscuits work in your recipe matter too.

Bakers avoiding added sugar

You want to bake without added sugar, while bearing in mind that some ingredients naturally contain sugars, such as dates in homemade biscuits.

What should you look for?

First decide whether you want to limit total sugars or added sugar. Then check that the biscuit suits your recipe and consider which ingredients matter to you.

What to consider	What should you check?	Who should consider this?
Total sugars	Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and read the exact claim on the pack; ‘zero’ alone doesn’t tell you which sugar claim applies.	I want to limit the total sugar content of my biscuit base, even if the pack says ‘zero’. For around 37% of consumers, the total amount of sugars is the main priority.
How it works in baking	Consider whether the flavour and crumb texture suit your recipe; make a small trial base if it’s important that the mixture holds together.	If I’m making a base, I want to know whether the crumbs will work in my recipe. Around 27% of consumers give baking suitability their highest priority.
Added sugar	Distinguish ‘no added sugars’ from the total sugar content and check the ingredients.	I want to avoid added sugar, but I’m happy to have sugars that occur naturally in ingredients. For around 18% of consumers, this distinction matters most.
Sweeteners and allergens	Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging, even for a biscuit with little sugar.	When I’m baking for other people, I want to know which sweeteners and allergens the biscuits contain. For around 18% of consumers, these ingredients are the top priority.

Common mistakes

Taking ‘no added sugars’ to mean ‘sugar-free’

This distinction matters if you want to limit total sugars. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Verkade San Francisco Zero contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g, despite being labelled ‘0% added sugar’. An Allerhande recipe with no added sugars contains dates and lists 6 g of sugars per serving.

Decide which of the two claims matters for your recipe, then check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition table.
Confusing a sugar claim with low calories

A biscuit that’s low in sugars can still provide energy. Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces at 404 kcal per 100 g and AH Digestive 0% sugar at 465 kcal per 100 g. That alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is right for your recipe.

Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and consider how many biscuits you’ll use for a base or dessert layer.
Leaving sweeteners and allergens until after you buy

Albert Heijn’s product information lists polyols in Céréal Speculoos, AH Digestive 0% sugar and Verkade San Francisco Zero, and warns of a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess. The allergens listed vary from product to product.

Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the packaging of the variety you want to use.

Brands to consider

Céréal

Speculoos with almond pieces is an option if you’re looking for a biscuit with a speculoos flavour and almonds.

Albert Heijn lists this variety at 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g, with 10% almonds.
The product information lists maltitol, a warning about excessive consumption, and allergens including wheat, almonds, milk, eggs and soya.

Albert Heijn

AH Digestive 0% sugar is a biscuit made with sweeteners; its product page suggests it for cheesecake.

Albert Heijn lists this digestive at 0.3 g of sugars per 100 g.
The product information lists 14 g of polyols per 100 g and warns against excessive consumption. The product contains wheat and may contain other gluten-containing cereals.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is a biscuit for anyone looking to avoid added sugar, but it doesn’t contain zero total sugars.

According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety has 0% added sugar and contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.
The product information lists maltitol, a warning about excessive consumption, and gluten, milk and soya as allergens.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit that can also be used as an ingredient in desserts.

This suggested use makes it a flavour option to consider for a dessert recipe.
Using it as a dessert ingredient doesn’t tell you how much sugar is in the pack you choose; check the nutrition information if you want to limit sugar.

Related Joybuy products

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as ‘sugar-free’?

No: a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars from its ingredients. According to Albert Heijn, Verkade San Francisco Zero, which has 0% added sugar, contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. To find the total amount, check the ‘of which sugars’ line.

What should I look for in biscuits containing polyols?

Read the ingredients and the warning on the packaging of the product you choose. Albert Heijn’s product information warns that several biscuits containing polyols may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess; also check the allergens separately.

Can I use sugar-free digestives for a cheesecake base?

That’s one option: Albert Heijn suggests AH Digestive 0% sugar for cheesecake. You can first make a small trial base to see whether the crumbs bind well with the other ingredients in your recipe.

How should I store biscuits I plan to use later?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging and reseal biscuits well after opening. According to its product information, Céréal recommends storing its biscuits in a dry place at room temperature; Albert Heijn says to store AH Digestive 0% sugar in a cool, dark, dry place.

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean on a food label?

It’s a nutrition claim, not just a product name. According to the European Commission, nutrition claims on food in the EU may only be used if they are listed in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. For the biscuit you’re planning to buy, also check the current claim, ingredients and nutrition table.