Gluten-free and looking for a lighter snack
You have coeliac disease and want to check first whether the cashews fit into your gluten-free diet. A claim about fat content or how the product is made does not replace this check.
Who is this buying guide for?
Less fat per 100 g
You’re looking for a different product composition, not just less salt or a smaller portion. Compare the total fat per 100 g and, if the product claims to have a reduced fat content, check what it is being compared with.
A smaller snack portion
You want to keep eating regular cashews but have a smaller amount as a snack. Weigh your portion and use the nutritional information on the exact product’s packaging.
What should you look for when buying?
First check whether the specific product is suitable for a gluten-free diet. Then compare the fat per 100 g and, if you mainly want to eat less at each snack, the values for your weighed portion.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for a gluten-free diet | Check the exact product, ingredients, gluten-free labelling and any warnings about cross-contamination. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to know first whether this specific pack fits into my gluten-free diet; around 34% of consumers put suitability first. |
| Total fat per 100 g | Compare total fat on the same basis and, if there is a reduced-fat claim, check the comparable reference product. | If I’m looking for a different composition, I want less total fat per 100 g, not just less salt or no added oil; around 33% of consumers make this their top purchasing priority. |
| Nutritional values per portion | Weigh the amount you eat and calculate the values using the information on the packaging of the exact product. | If I mainly want to eat less at each snack, the amount I weigh out matters more than a different recipe; around 20% of consumers put portion size first. |
| Packaging and storage | Check the pack weight, resealability and storage instructions on the packaging. | For everyday use, I want a pack that I can store and portion in a way that suits my routine; around 13% of consumers name practical use as their top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Taking a preparation claim as proof that a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet
Being made without oil and being suitable for a gluten-free diet are two different things. A warning about possible cross-contamination needs to be assessed separately.
Check the ingredients and gluten information for the specific product, including any warnings on the packaging.
-
Assuming unsalted or made without added oil means low in fat
The PLUS variety reviewed, which is made without added oil, lists 46.5 g of fat per 100 g. The unsalted AH variety lists 50 g per 100 g. Neither preparation nor salt labelling means in itself that a product is low in fat.
Check the total fat per 100 g and assess any reduced-fat claim against the comparable products named.
-
Confusing a smaller portion with a different composition
A smaller amount means you eat less of the product, but it does not change the fat content per 100 g.
First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then calculate the values for the amount you actually weigh out.
-
Assuming every pack from the same brand is the same product
Recipes, nutritional values and allergen information can vary between products. A warning or product notice may also apply to a specific pack.
Check the product name and pack weight, and, if there is a warning, the barcode and best-before date on the packaging.
Brands as a guide
Duyvis
The Cashews Original range is worth considering if you’re looking for cashews that Duyvis says are oven-roasted without added oil.
- Duyvis describes the preparation method as oven-roasting without added oil.
- This description does not prove a lower total fat content. Check the ingredients and gluten information for the specific product.
Albert Heijn
AH Cashewnoten ongezouten 170 g is a specific standard variety whose product page states that it is gluten-free.
- For this product, Albert Heijn lists 96% cashew nuts, sunflower oil, and 50 g of fat and 622 kcal per 100 g.
- The gluten-free label applies to this variety and does not make it low in fat. Here, unsalted does not mean oil-free.
Jumbo
The 200 g and 130 g packs of unsalted cashews are examples of products with different recipes and nutritional values.
- The 200 g Jumbo variety lists 99% cashew nuts, sunflower oil and 48.6 g of fat per 100 g. The 130 g product lists 96.5% cashew nuts, sunflower oil and 49.7 g of fat per 100 g.
- Don’t assume that ingredients or nutritional values for one pack also apply to another; check the specific product.
Lidl
Alesto is a range to include in your comparison; Lidl describes its Way To Go cashews as Fairtrade.
- The range information can help you identify the product name and range.
- Fairtrade certification and a product range name do not prove a lower fat content or suitability for a gluten-free diet. Check the specific packaging.
ALDI
ALDI lists Trader Joe's roasted, unsalted cashews in a 250 g pack.
- The product information confirms the preparation method and pack size.
- This does not confirm a reduced-fat variety or suitability for a gluten-free diet. An NVWA warning applied to a different, specific 170 g pack; see the frequently asked questions.
PLUS
PLUS Cashewnoten ongezouten ongebrand 200 g is worth considering if you want to compare a simple ingredients list.
- For this variety, PLUS lists cashews as the only ingredient, with 46.5 g of fat and 598 kcal per 100 g.
- The packaging carries a peanut warning. This fat content does not make the variety low in fat; check the current labelling against your own dietary needs.
Cashews at Joybuy
These Joybuy products are standard cashews to consider as snack portions. For each specific product, check the ingredients and allergen information against your gluten-free diet; unsalted or roasted does not automatically mean lower in fat.
Image unavailable
Jiazhouyuanye Original Flavour Large Cashew Nuts 160 g
An option to consider as a weighed snack portion; check the specific packaging to see whether it is suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Ingredient: 100% cashew kernels. Fat: 47.7 g per 100 g.
Image unavailable
Verse Klassenoten Salted Cashew Nuts 150 g
Worth considering if you want to weigh out a salted cashew variety; check the specific packaging for gluten-free suitability.
Ingredients: cashew nuts, sunflower oil and salt. Fat: 48 g per 100 g.
Image unavailable
g'woon Cashew Nuts Roasted & Unsalted 200 g
A roasted, unsalted variety to consider as a portion; check the packaging separately for information relevant to coeliac disease.
Fat: 46.67 g per 100 g.
Image unavailable
Be&Cheery cashews with purple skin 180 grade 500 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for cashews with their skins on; check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack.
Ingredients: cashew kernels and salt. Fat: 60.1 g per 100 g.
Image unavailable
Xue Ji Chaohuo Salted Cashews with Skin 120 g
A salted variety to consider as a snack portion; check the specific labelling against your gluten-free diet.
Ingredients: cashews and salt. Fat: 42.9 g per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Does unsalted mean low in fat?
No. AH Cashewnoten ongezouten 170 g lists sunflower oil and 50 g of fat per 100 g. According to the European Commission, solid foods can contain no more than 3 g of fat per 100 g to qualify for a ‘low fat’ claim.
Can I choose a roasted variety because no oil has been added?
No. That description of how it is made says nothing on its own about whether the product is suitable for a gluten-free diet or has a low total fat content. Check the ingredients, allergen information and specific packaging separately.
What does a warning about possible gluten contamination mean?
The Dutch Coeliac Society explains that warnings such as ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’ and ‘not suitable for people with coeliac disease’ indicate a possible risk of cross-contamination. Such a warning does not prove that every pack contains gluten, but a claim about fat or oven-roasting is no reason to ignore it.
What rules have applied to precautionary warnings on Dutch labels since 2026?
Since 1 January 2026, the new Dutch rules for precautionary allergen labelling have applied. The policy links such a warning to a risk assessment and reference values, and includes a separate exemption for artisan food products. The NVWA has monitored compliance with labelling rules since 2026.
Does the ALDI warning apply to all Trader Joe's cashews?
No. The NVWA warning dated 20 May 2026 relates specifically to Trader Joe's unsalted cashews in a 170 g pack with barcode 2003020120930 and best-before date 23-09-2026, due to possible metal fragments. Don’t eat the affected pack if you still have it. The warning does not automatically apply to other packs or to the entire brand.