If you’re hosting a Christmas party with a guest who has coeliac disease, buy biscuits whose current packaging explicitly states that they’re gluten-free. Check for other allergens too, and keep the biscuits separate from regular biscuits when serving them. Then choose a flavour and quantity to suit your party.
You want to offer biscuits with clearly stated gluten information, without them coming into contact with regular biscuits on the shared Christmas table. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises keeping gluten-free products packaged for as long as possible and serving them separately.
You might be looking for speculaas or kruidnoten to suit the occasion. Check the gluten-free claim for the exact variety: Jumbo describes its Lekker Vrij speculaas as gluten-free, while the Albert Heijn baking mix for kruidnoten and speculaas that was checked was listed as discontinued.
As well as gluten, you may need to consider milk, eggs, nuts, soya or other allergens. A gluten-free claim doesn’t mean that a product is free from those ingredients, so check the relevant information on the current packaging for each guest.
If someone with coeliac disease is joining you for a meal, start by checking the gluten-free claim and warnings on the packaging. The flavour, serving method and any other allergens will then help you decide whether a biscuit is suitable for your party.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten status | Read the explicit gluten-free claim and any warnings about cereals containing gluten on the current packaging. | If I’m buying for a guest with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely solely on an ingredients list that doesn’t include wheat. This check comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Festive flavour | Check the exact variety before choosing speculaas, kruidnoten or another style of biscuit. If you’re buying a baking mix, check which ingredients need to be added too. | I want to offer a familiar Christmas treat that also meets the gluten requirement. This combination matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Quantity and serving | Compare the pack size with the number of guests and think about how you’ll serve the biscuits separately. | For a shared party table, I want to be able to put out enough biscuits without using the same plate or tongs as for regular biscuits. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this practical planning. |
| Other allergens | Check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for each variety. Ask the guest which restrictions are relevant to them. | If guests have other dietary requirements, the biscuit needs to meet those as well as the gluten requirement. This additional check is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
An ingredients list with no obvious wheat ingredient doesn’t rule out contact with gluten during production. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that a warning about cereals containing gluten may indicate a relevant risk.
For a guest with coeliac disease, choose the exact variety with an explicit gluten-free claim and read the warnings on the current packaging too.
Crumbs, hands and shared serving utensils can contaminate the gluten-free biscuits on the table.
Keep them packaged for as long as possible, open them last and use a separate, clean plate and pair of tongs. This follows the serving advice from the Dutch Coeliac Association.
Gluten-free biscuits may still contain eggs, milk, soya or nuts, for example. The Albert Heijn almond biscuits and Jumbo speculaas that were checked have different allergen information.
Ask about your guests’ dietary restrictions and check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging you choose.
Product ranges can change: Albert Heijn listed the gluten-free baking mix for kruidnoten and speculaas that was checked as discontinued, while ALDI warns that special-buy items can sell out quickly.
Check that your chosen variety is available before the party, and have another biscuit with an explicit gluten-free claim as a back-up.
A range worth exploring for small packs of gluten-free biscuits and any baking products, checking each variety individually.
A supermarket own-brand range with different styles of gluten-free biscuits, including speculaas.
An option to consider if you’d like to share a larger quantity of gluten-free biscuits.
A retailer to check for its current everyday range, without counting on a particular festive biscuit being available.
This oat biscuit with milk chocolate is a packaged option if you’re looking for a gluten-free biscuit. Before the Christmas party, check the current packaging and decide how you’ll serve it separately from regular biscuits.
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A gluten-free oat biscuit with milk chocolate for the party table, provided it meets your guest’s dietary requirements.
Joybuy describes these biscuits as gluten-free; the pack contains 150 g. Check the current allergen information, ask your guest about oats if they’re a concern for them, and serve the biscuits on a separate, clean plate.
You can’t tell from the ingredients list alone. Choose a biscuit with an explicit gluten-free claim on the current packaging and read any warnings about cereals containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Association also highlights the risk of cross-contamination.
Keep the biscuits packaged for as long as possible and serve them separately with clean, dedicated utensils. Ideally, open them last, as advised by the Dutch Coeliac Association, to reduce the risk of crumbs from regular biscuits getting onto them.
Don’t assume they are. Check that the exact biscuits are labelled gluten-free, read the other allergen information and ask your guest whether oats fit their dietary requirements.
