Which biscuit is right for you?

If you want a soft biscuit with coffee or tea

A Dutch egg cake is a good choice if you’re looking for a soft, light biscuit. Compare regular, wholemeal and smaller options by size and ingredients.

If you prefer a crunchy biscuit

A digestive is a different type of biscuit from a Dutch egg cake. Check the ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions for this wheat biscuit.

If you need to check allergens or dietary information

Read the information on the pack you choose. A gluten-free Dutch egg cake, for example, may still contain egg, milk or soya.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, choose between the soft texture of a Dutch egg cake and the crunch of a digestive. Then compare only the options that suit your preferred portion size and ingredient requirements.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Texture Check whether the product is a Dutch egg cake or a digestive wheat biscuit. With my coffee or tea, I mainly want to choose between something soft and something crunchy. For around 40% of consumers, texture comes first.
Nutritional information Compare fibre, sugars and fat per 100 g, and check the portion size too. When considering wholemeal options, I want to take more than one nutritional value into account. Around 30% of consumers make this their top priority.
Portion and packaging Check the number of biscuits, the weight per biscuit, whether they’re individually wrapped and the storage instructions. If I’m taking them with me or sharing them, I want to know how many biscuits I’ll open and how to store the rest. This is the most important consideration for around 20% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information for your chosen option, even if it’s labelled gluten-free. If I need to avoid an ingredient, the label determines which biscuit I can choose. Around 10% of consumers make this check their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Judging a digestive by its name

    The name doesn’t tell you how its full nutritional profile compares with that of a Dutch egg cake. A statement about fibre also describes only one aspect of the product.

    Compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and consider how much you’ll actually eat. Choose a digestive primarily if you want a crunchy biscuit.

  • Assuming wholemeal or gluten-free means allergen-free

    The wholemeal Dutch egg cakes reviewed contain several allergens. According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s gluten-free Dutch egg cakes still contain egg, milk and soya.

    For every option, check the current ingredients, allergen information and any warning about the possible presence of other allergens.

  • Assuming a product will always be in stock

    A product listing may only be available for a limited time: Lidl listed its Dutch egg cakes for the in-store period from 5 to 11 October 2026.

    Check current availability before going to the shop for a specific pack.

  • Opening a large pack without a storage plan

    If you’re only having a few biscuits on the patio, you’ll have the rest of the pack left over. Keeping crunchy biscuits dry is especially important for maintaining their texture.

    Check the number of biscuits and the storage instructions. An individually wrapped biscuit can be easier to take with you; seal an opened pack according to the instructions on the packaging.

Brands to compare

Bolletje

Brosse Eierkoek Melk is worth considering if you’re looking for an individually wrapped biscuit, but its texture differs from that of a regular soft Dutch egg cake.

  • The product page says that each biscuit is individually wrapped.
  • The milk coating and sugar topping set this option apart. Check the label for milk, egg, soya and wheat, and for the possible presence of nuts or sesame.

Verkade

Digestive Original is a wheat biscuit for anyone specifically looking for a digestive rather than a Dutch egg cake.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists 16% wholemeal wheat flour for this digestive.
  • Check the ingredients and current availability of your preferred pack.

Albert Heijn

The range includes regular, wholemeal and gluten-free Dutch egg cakes, as well as a digestive, so you can compare different types of biscuits and their labels.

  • Albert Heijn lists 3,5 g of fibre per 100 g for its wholemeal Dutch egg cake and 1,4 g per 100 g for the regular option.
  • According to the product information, the gluten-free Dutch egg cakes still contain egg, milk and soya. Check the dietary information for each product.

Jumbo

A good option if you want to compare Dutch egg cakes by type and size, including regular, mini and wholemeal versions.

  • Jumbo lists 3,9 g of fibre per 100 g for its wholemeal Dutch egg cakes.
  • According to the product information, this wholemeal option contains, among other things, cereals containing gluten, egg, milk and soya.

Lidl

A Lidl listing for Dutch egg cakes may be useful if you check in advance which pack is available at the time.

  • Lidl’s listing was for a pack of 12.
  • That listing was only valid in-store from 5 to 11 October 2026. Check the current range and the label.

Aldi

The listed Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken are a pack option if you’re looking for several Dutch egg cakes.

  • Aldi lists a pack of 12 weighing 360 g.
  • Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the pack before choosing this option.

Digestive biscuits at Joybuy

This digestive is a good fit if you’re looking for a crunchy wheat biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea. A Dutch egg cake is a different option if you’d prefer something soft.

McVities Digestive Original, 400 g pack

McVities Digestive Original, 400 g

A digestive for anyone who wants a crunchy biscuit with coffee or tea rather than a soft Dutch egg cake.

400 g pack. If you have dietary requirements or need to avoid certain allergens, check the current label, including for wheat and the possible presence of milk.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a digestive the same as a Dutch egg cake?

No. The digestives reviewed are wheat biscuits, while the Dutch egg cakes reviewed are a type of soft biscuit made with egg. Choose the texture you want with your coffee or tea, then check the ingredients for the option you’re considering.

Does a wholemeal Dutch egg cake contain less sugar than a regular one?

Not in the two Albert Heijn options reviewed: both the regular and wholemeal Dutch egg cakes list 31 g of sugars per 100 g. The wholemeal option does list more fibre per 100 g. Compare the full nutritional information if that matters to your choice.

How should I store an opened pack of digestives?

Seal the pack tightly and follow the storage instructions on the label. For McVities Digestive Original, the product information recommends storing it in a dry, preferably cool place. This is worth bearing in mind when planning a trip to the patio and deciding what to do with any biscuits left over.

Can I choose any Dutch egg cake if I need a gluten-free option?

No. Only choose an option whose current packaging carries the gluten-free claim you need, and check the rest of the allergen information too. According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s gluten-free Dutch egg cakes reviewed still contain egg, milk and soya, and may contain nuts and sesame.