Which option is right for you?

If you want to keep sugars as low as possible

You’re looking for packaged biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’ and comparing the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.

If you want to bake your own Christmas biscuits

You want to choose the shapes, spices and ingredients yourself. Baking without added sugar could be a good fit, as long as you bear in mind that ingredients such as dates contain naturally occurring sugars.

If you’re choosing biscuits for guests

As well as the nutritional information, check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety. If you’re serving biscuits to several guests, pay attention to polyols and any warnings on the packaging too.

What should you look for when choosing?

Packaged sugar-free biscuits

When: Choose this option if you want to serve biscuits straight away and the stated sugar content is a key consideration.

The trade-off: Check the polyols, allergens and other nutritional values for each variety. The ‘sugar-free’ claim doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.

Bake your own without added sugar

When: Choose this option if you mainly want to decide on the Christmas shapes, spices and ingredients yourself.

The trade-off: Baking takes time to prepare, and ingredients such as dates can add sugars to the biscuits.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar content and claims Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. For homemade biscuits, also check which ingredients contribute sugars. I want the total amount of sugars to guide my choice, even if a recipe contains no added sugar. This sugar content is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Baking your own for Christmas Check that the recipe suits the shapes you want, and read the ingredients and storage instructions. If you want to shape and spice your own Christmas biscuits, having control over the dough matters more than being able to serve them straight away. Baking your own is the main priority for around 27% of consumers.
Allergens and nutritional information Read the allergen statement for the exact variety. If you wish, compare fibre, saturated fat, salt and energy per 100 g. When I’m serving guests, I want to know whether the ingredients are suitable for them, rather than focusing only on sugars. Around 20% of consumers make this their top priority.
Sweeteners and polyols Check the ingredients list for maltitol or other sweeteners, and read the polyol content and any warnings. If I’m offering several types of biscuits, I first check which sweeteners they contain and whether there’s a warning about excessive consumption. This is a key consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’

    A recipe can contain no added sugar and still include sugars from fruit. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s date biscuit recipe lists 6 g of sugars per biscuit.

    Decide whether you want to avoid added sugar or focus mainly on the total amount of sugars. Then check the ingredients and nutritional information.

  • Comparing only the front of the pack or the serving size

    Serving sizes vary. This makes the per-serving values of packaged biscuits less useful to compare than the values per 100 g.

    Compare like-for-like biscuits per 100 g, as Voedingscentrum also recommends. Alongside sugars, look at the nutritional values that matter for your choice.

  • Overlooking polyols and packaging warnings

    The maltitol-sweetened biscuits examined contain polyols. Product information for these biscuits includes a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Read the ingredients list, the polyols entry in the nutrition table and the warning on the packaging.

  • Confusing a sugar claim with allergen information

    Even biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’ can contain allergens. According to Jumbo, the Céréal speculoos-flavoured almond variety contains, among other things, wheat, almond, soya, egg, milk and barley.

    For every guest, check the allergen statement on the exact pack, including any ‘may contain’ information.

Brands and retailers to consider

Céréal

The coconut biscuits and speculoos-flavoured almond biscuits examined are packaged varieties labelled ‘sugar-free’.

  • Jumbo lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for the coconut variety and 0.4 g per 100 g for the speculoos and almond variety.
  • Both varieties contain polyols. Check the allergens for each variety separately.

Albert Heijn

Its AH Digestive 0% suiker is a packaged biscuit; Albert Heijn Allerhande also has a recipe for biscuits without added sugar.

  • Albert Heijn lists 0.3 g of sugars and 14 g of polyols per 100 g for its Digestive biscuit.
  • The Allerhande recipe with dates lists 6 g of sugars per biscuit. Choosing this recipe is therefore different from opting for the lowest possible total sugar content.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s product information makes it possible to compare the Céréal coconut variety examined with the speculoos and almond variety per 100 g.

  • The stated sugar values are 0 g and 0.4 g per 100 g respectively.
  • The ingredients and allergens differ between these varieties. Read the label of the biscuits you’re actually serving.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour, making it a useful flavour reference for festive baking.

  • The brand name tells you nothing about the sugar content of a specific variety. Check the claim, ingredients and nutrition table on the pack.

Sondey (Lidl)

Lidl Netherlands describes Sondey as a range of biscuits and cookies, including vegan options.

  • Vegan doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’. Check the sugar information and ingredients on the label of the specific Sondey variety.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No. A biscuit with no added sugar can still contain sugars from ingredients such as dates; Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe lists 6 g of sugars per biscuit. Check the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ figure to help you decide.

Should I check other nutritional values in sugar-free biscuits too?

Yes. The ‘sugar-free’ claim doesn’t tell you about the full nutritional profile. Compare similar packaged biscuits per 100 g, looking at the nutritional values you want to consider, such as energy, saturated fat, fibre and salt.

Why does the label mention maltitol or ‘polyols’?

Maltitol is a sweetener from the polyol group. For the biscuits examined that contain this sweetener, the amount of polyols is relevant when comparing them. Also read the packaging warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

Which allergens should I check in Christmas biscuits?

Check the allergens for the exact biscuits or recipe you’re using. According to Jumbo, the Céréal speculoos-flavoured almond biscuits contain, among other things, almond, barley, egg, milk, soya and wheat; Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe uses almond flour and egg.

Can I bake biscuits without added sugar in advance?

You can with Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe: according to the instructions, the baked biscuits keep for 4–5 days if stored in an airtight container. The prepared dough can be frozen for up to 3 months, according to the same recipe. For other recipes, follow their own storage instructions.