If you have coeliac disease, choose speculaas whose current packaging explicitly states that it is gluten-free. Albert Heijn and Jumbo each describe a ready-to-eat gluten-free speculaas biscuit weighing 125 g; check the ingredients and allergens before eating it too, as both products contain egg. According to Lotus Bakeries, standard Lotus Biscoff contains wheat flour and is not a gluten-free option.
You want to take speculaas with you without having to prepare it. In that case, the gluten-free claim on the current packaging matters more than a familiar brand name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for the ‘gluten-free’ claim and the Crossed Grain symbol.
You’re looking for something ready to eat, but also need to avoid egg, milk, nuts or sesame, for example, as well as gluten. So check the allergen information for the specific product; a gluten-free claim says nothing about those other ingredients.
You’re deciding between a pack you can dip into more than once and a smaller biscuit for a single occasion. Compare the pack size and the number of stated portions, and check that the product you want to buy is available.
If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the gluten-free claim on the packaging. Then compare portion convenience, other allergens and nutritional information to find what works for your breakfast on the go.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free claim | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and read the ingredients. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the brand or type of biscuit, but on the claim for the product I’m going to eat. Around 50% of consumers put this check first. |
| Taking it with you and portioning | Compare the pack size, stated number of portions and packaging; check that the product is available. | When I need to head out quickly, I want to be able to take something ready to eat without preparing it on the spot. For around 30% of consumers, portion convenience matters most. |
| Other allergens and nutritional information | Read the allergen information; compare the nutritional values per 100 g if needed. | I may also need to avoid egg or other allergens, or want to know how a portion fits into my breakfast. Around 20% of consumers put this additional consideration first. |
A familiar name or small pack for taking with you doesn’t make a biscuit gluten-free. Lotus Bakeries lists wheat flour as an ingredient in standard Lotus Biscoff.
First check the gluten-free claim on the current packaging, then read the ingredients.
The speculaas described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contains egg. The product information also warns that other allergens may be present.
If you need to avoid other allergens too, read all the allergen information on the pack you’re buying.
Jumbo marked the pages we viewed for Consenza speculaas biscuits and a filled speculaas biscuit as no longer part of its online range. So a product description alone doesn’t mean you can buy it.
Check availability before making a special trip for a particular pack or planning an order.
Albert Heijn describes AH Glutenvrij Speculaas as a ready-to-eat 125 g product made in a completely gluten-free environment.
Jumbo describes a 125 g gluten-free speculaas and displays the Crossed Grain symbol on the product page.
Consenza offers products including gluten-free speculaas biscuits and a filled speculaas biscuit.
Lotus Biscoff is a familiar point of comparison for speculoos, including in small packs, but standard Lotus Biscoff is not gluten-free speculaas.
Look for the ‘gluten-free’ claim or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and check the ingredients and allergen information too. Under Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ may be used in the EU if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.
No. A smaller pack doesn’t change the ingredients. Lotus Bakeries lists wheat flour in standard Lotus Biscoff, so it isn’t suitable if you need gluten-free speculaas.
Yes, if you need to avoid other allergens too. The AH and Jumbo speculaas described contain egg and may contain other allergens, so check the information on the pack you’re actually buying.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging and keep the speculaas wrapped while you’re carrying it. For the products described, Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend storing them in a cool, dry place; Albert Heijn also advises keeping them out of direct light.
