Who is this choice relevant to?

A guest with coeliac disease

You want to see on the current packaging that the biscuits are gluten-free. When serving them, you also want to avoid contact with crumbs from regular biscuits, as recommended by the Dutch Coeliac Association.

A host putting out a mix of snacks

You’re looking for biscuits you can share while keeping the gluten-free option separate from regular snacks and shared serving utensils.

A guest with additional dietary requirements

As well as gluten, you may need to consider ingredients such as milk, eggs, nuts or soya. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose: ‘gluten-free’ says nothing about these other requirements.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the gluten-free label on the current packaging. Then compare the biscuit style and quantity, and consider how you can serve them separately.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Gluten-free suitability Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging, and read the ingredients and any warnings. If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I don’t want to rely on the biscuit style or type of flour alone. Around 39% of consumers prioritise clearly verified gluten-free suitability.
Sharing and biscuit style Compare the number of biscuits or pack size, and choose the style you prefer from the gluten-free range. When I’m hosting several guests, I want to put out enough biscuits while keeping them separate from regular snacks. Around 23% of consumers prioritise sharing and biscuit style.
Other allergens and dietary requirements Read the ingredients and allergen information for each variety, and check any additional dietary claim on the same packaging. If a guest also needs to avoid other ingredients, I want to know whether these particular biscuits meet their requirements. This is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers.
Availability Check stock at your chosen shop shortly before the film night, and have another type of gluten-free biscuit in mind as a back-up. If I’m planning a film night, I don’t want to depend on a single product that may not be available. Immediate availability matters most to around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a familiar speculaas biscuit is gluten-free

    A familiar flavour tells you nothing about whether a biscuit is gluten-free. According to Lotus Bakeries, Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos contains wheat flour.

    For a guest with coeliac disease, choose a speculaas-style biscuit whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or bears the Crossed Grain symbol.

  • Serving gluten-free and regular biscuits together

    Crumbs and shared serving utensils can transfer gluten to gluten-free biscuits. The Dutch Coeliac Association recommends keeping gluten-free food separate.

    Use a clean, separate plate and clean serving utensils, and keep the gluten-free pack closed until you’re ready to serve.

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means free from other allergens

    Gluten-free biscuits may contain other allergens. For example, Albert Heijn lists almonds, eggs and soya in its gluten-free almond biscuits.

    Ask which additional requirements your guests have, and check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying.

  • Counting on one specific product being in stock

    A shop’s range can change, so a biscuit you saw previously may not be available for your film night.

    Check availability shortly before you buy, and decide in advance which other biscuit labelled gluten-free you’d choose.

Brands and product ranges to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn offers several gluten-free biscuit styles in this range, including almond biscuits and speculaas.

  • Albert Heijn says its almond biscuits are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • According to Albert Heijn, these almond biscuits contain almonds, eggs and soya. Check the packaging for each variety separately.

Schär

Albert Heijn lists a range of gluten-free biscuits from this brand, including butter biscuits, digestives and chocolate chip biscuits.

  • The different biscuit styles give you a choice of familiar types.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens for each variety.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo lists gluten-free speculaas and syrup waffles among the products in this range.

  • These are options if you’re looking for speculaas or syrup waffles for your film night.
  • Check the packaging for the variety you choose, as well as current availability.

Cereal

Jumbo lists Cereal chocolate biscuits that are described as both gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • This combination of claims may be relevant if a guest needs to meet both requirements.
  • These claims apply to that specific variety, not automatically to other products or allergens.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos is a regular speculaas biscuit, not a gluten-free alternative for someone with coeliac disease.

  • Lotus Bakeries lists wheat flour as an ingredient. For a guest with coeliac disease, choose a speculaas-style biscuit explicitly labelled gluten-free.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are biscuits made with rice or almond flour automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

No. The type of flour alone isn’t enough to tell you. Check the current packaging for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the ingredients. The Dutch Coeliac Association also highlights the risk of cross-contamination when naturally gluten-free ingredients are processed.

What does ‘gluten-free’ on a pack mean?

In the Netherlands, a food may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check that label on the packaging of the product you actually buy.

How should I serve gluten-free biscuits alongside regular biscuits?

Keep them separate and use a clean plate and clean serving utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Association recommends keeping gluten-free food separate to prevent contact with gluten from other foods.

Can I serve Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos as gluten-free speculaas?

No, not to someone who needs to eat gluten-free because of coeliac disease: Lotus Bakeries lists wheat flour as an ingredient. Look for a speculaas-style biscuit with an explicit gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging.

Should I still check the packaging after choosing online?

Yes. Before serving, check the ingredients, allergen information and gluten-free label on the current packaging. Albert Heijn warns in its product information that these details may change.