People who strictly avoid egg
Even if you’re considering a gluten-free egg cake, check the ingredients for egg and egg derivatives. The regular egg cakes reviewed from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, as well as Albert Heijn’s gluten-free option, list egg.
Who might find these options useful?
People who avoid gluten or wheat
Look for an explicit gluten-free label rather than relying on words such as ‘wholemeal’. Jumbo lists wheat, barley, oats and gluten in its wholemeal egg cakes, while Albert Heijn describes its gluten-free egg cakes as being produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
People who need to check for several allergens
As well as the ingredients, read any information about allergens the product may contain. Albert Heijn warns that product information can change, so check the packaging of the product you buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
Regular egg cake
When to choose it: Only if the allergens listed on the current packaging don’t rule it out for you.
What to consider: The Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Bolletje options reviewed list egg and several other allergens; the wholemeal option reviewed is not gluten-free either.
Gluten-free egg cake
When to choose it: If you avoid gluten and the other ingredients and allergens listed on the pack you choose are suitable for your needs.
What to consider: Albert Heijn’s gluten-free egg cakes still list egg, milk, soya and lactose, and may contain sesame and certain nuts.
Another type of biscuit
When to choose it: If an egg cake doesn’t suit you because of its ingredients and you’d also like to consider a biscuit-style alternative.
What to consider: Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free oat biscuits, not egg cakes. Check the allergen profile of each specific variety separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding egg | Check the current ingredients list for egg and egg derivatives; assess alternatives separately from their product name. | If I need to avoid egg, I don’t want to assume a gluten-free egg cake is also egg-free. This is the top priority for approximately 33% of consumers. |
| Avoiding gluten or wheat | Look for an explicit gluten-free label, then check the ingredients and allergens. | I’m looking for something similar to an egg cake, but I can’t rely on the word ‘wholemeal’. Avoiding gluten or wheat is the top priority for approximately 27% of consumers. |
| Checking for several allergens | Compare the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging. | If I need to avoid several allergens, one suitable label isn’t enough to choose a product. Checking for that combination is the top priority for approximately 27% of consumers. |
| Choosing a product type | First check that the allergens are suitable, then decide whether you want an egg cake or another type of biscuit. | If both types fit my dietary requirements, I want to choose between a familiar egg cake and a biscuit-style snack. For approximately 13% of consumers, this is their most important remaining preference. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
Albert Heijn lists egg, milk, soya and lactose in its gluten-free egg cakes. According to the product information, they may also contain sesame, almond, hazelnut and walnut.
Compare the full ingredients and allergen information with the things you need to avoid. Don’t choose a product based on the gluten-free label alone.
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Confusing wholemeal with gluten-free
Jumbo’s product information lists wheat, barley, oats and gluten, among other ingredients, in its wholemeal egg cakes.
Don’t treat ‘wholemeal’ as a substitute for a gluten-free label, and check which grains are listed on the packaging.
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Checking only the online product information
Albert Heijn says that ingredient and allergen information can change. This means the information you saw previously may differ from what’s on the pack you buy.
Check the label again when you buy the product, even if you’ve looked at or bought it before.
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Treating an oat biscuit as if it were the same as an egg cake
Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free oat biscuits. They’re a different type of product from an egg cake, so you’ll need to assess their ingredients and allergens separately.
Check the specific variety and packaging, not just the words ‘gluten-free’ or ‘biscuit’.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
Bolletje offers a crisp egg cake for anyone considering this product option.
- Bolletje lists egg, cereals containing gluten, milk, wheat and soya in its Brosse Eierkoek.
- According to Bolletje, it may also contain barley, oats, hazelnut, other nuts and sesame seeds, among other allergens. Check the warnings on the pack you choose.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers both regular and gluten-free egg cakes, with different allergen profiles.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken are produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
- According to Albert Heijn, this gluten-free option contains egg, milk, soya and lactose, and may contain sesame and certain nuts. Check the current packaging.
Jumbo
At Jumbo, you can check the allergen information for regular and wholemeal egg cakes separately.
- Jumbo lists egg, gluten, milk, soya and wheat in its regular egg cakes.
- The wholemeal option also lists barley and oats; the word ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t make this egg cake gluten-free.
Verkade
Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free oat biscuits for anyone comparing a different type of biscuit.
- Verkade’s published ingredients list for Oaties includes gluten-free oat flakes and gluten-free oat flour.
- Oaties are not egg cakes. Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety before choosing it as an alternative.
Heerlijck Banket bij ALDI
ALDI describes Heerlijck Banket’s Scharreleierkoeken as a pack of 12.
- ALDI’s product description lists free-range egg as an ingredient.
- Check the other ingredients and allergens on the packaging label.
A biscuit alternative on Joybuy
This product is a biscuit-style alternative for anyone looking beyond egg cakes. Check the specific variety for the allergens you avoid; choosing a different type of product doesn’t in itself mean it’s suitable for someone with an allergy.
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Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g
A different type of biscuit to consider if an egg cake doesn’t fit your dietary requirements. For this Milk Chocolate variety, check the current packaging for the gluten-free label and information about milk, soya, oats and possible traces of nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose a regular egg cake if I have an egg allergy?
The regular egg cakes reviewed aren’t egg-free: Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Bolletje list egg in their product information. AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken also contain egg. For any other product, check the current ingredients list for egg and egg derivatives.
Is a gluten-free egg cake also free from milk, egg and soya?
No, the ‘gluten-free’ label doesn’t mean that. According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken contain egg, milk, soya and lactose, and may contain sesame and certain nuts. So make sure you read the full allergen profile.
Should I still check the packaging if I’ve looked at the allergen information online?
Yes. Check the packaging of the product you buy, as the information can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on food labels; Ondernemersplein says that mandatory labelling information for prepacked foods must also be available online.
What does a ‘may contain’ statement mean for my choice?
Pay attention to this separately from the ingredients list. Check which allergen is named and consider the warning in light of the allergens you need to avoid; don’t rely on a gluten-free label alone.
Is a wholemeal egg cake a gluten-free alternative?
Not just because it’s labelled ‘wholemeal’. Jumbo lists wheat, barley, oats and gluten in its wholemeal egg cakes. If you avoid gluten, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the other allergens too.