Choose a biscuit with a current ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging, and check the allergen information too. When serving, keep it separate from ordinary biscuits. Then compare the type of biscuit and portion sizes, and check for any additional dietary restrictions. Regular Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos contains wheat, so it should not be served on the gluten-free plate.
You want to offer a biscuit with coffee without relying on its flavour name or appearance. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, checking for a ‘gluten-free’ label and reading the information on the current packaging are important. Then keep the biscuit you choose separate from ordinary biscuits.
You might be looking for spiced biscuits, syrup waffles, digestives or chocolate-chip cookies to share over coffee. Choose your biscuits only after checking each pack to see which options are suitable for your guest who needs to eat gluten-free.
If lactose, nuts, eggs, milk or soya are also relevant, ‘gluten-free’ is not the only thing to check. Read the full allergen information for every option you choose, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
When having coffee with a guest who has coeliac disease, check the packaging label before choosing a flavour or size. Then think about how you’ll serve the biscuits separately and whether any other dietary restrictions need to be taken into account.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and served separately | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging, and keep ordinary wheat biscuits off the gluten-free plate. | When someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to offer a clearly labelled biscuit without it ending up among the ordinary biscuits. An estimated 42% of consumers put this reassurance first. |
| Choice for a group | Compare biscuit types, pack sizes and portions, and see whether you can clearly display your chosen options separately. | I want to offer guests a range of recognisable biscuits while keeping serving straightforward. For an estimated 33% of consumers, this practical choice is the main consideration. |
| Additional dietary restrictions | As well as ‘gluten-free’, read the other allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements on every pack. | If a guest also needs to avoid another ingredient, I don’t want to assume that a gluten-free biscuit will automatically be suitable. For an estimated 25% of consumers, this extra check comes first. |
A flavour name or an impression based on the ingredients is no substitute for a ‘gluten-free’ label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking the label on gluten-free products.
Choose a pack labelled ‘gluten-free’ for the gluten-free plate, and check the label again if you buy a different variety.
The AH almond biscuits reviewed contain almonds, eggs and soya. The lactose-free Céréal chocolate biscuits reviewed contain soya and may also contain other allergens.
Ask which additional restrictions are relevant, then check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ information on the pack you choose.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease. Regular Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos also contains wheat flour.
Use a separate plate for gluten-free biscuits, or keep portions sealed until you serve them. Don’t put ordinary biscuits alongside them.
Ingredient and allergen information can change. On 9 September 2026, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority published an allergen warning for AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok because information about almonds may be missing.
Read the physical packaging of the variety you’re serving. If you’re serving AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok, also check whether the NVWA warning applies to your pack.
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free biscuit range includes options such as spiced biscuits, syrup waffles and almond biscuits.
Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij range includes various biscuits to enjoy with coffee, including gluten-free spiced biscuits, syrup waffles and milk chocolate digestives.
Schär offers Choco Chip Cookies, among other options, if you’re looking for a chocolate-chip biscuit to have with coffee.
The Céréal chocolate biscuits reviewed are labelled gluten-free and lactose-free.
ALDI describes Heerlijck Banket Kokosmakronen as six gluten-free coconut-flavoured biscuits.
Regular Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos is not suitable for the gluten-free plate when you have a guest with coeliac disease.
No, not if the plate is for a guest with coeliac disease. The product information for Lotus Biscoff Original Speculoos at Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and cereals containing gluten. Serve these biscuits separately from gluten-free portions.
According to EU Regulation 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label may be used when a product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten as sold. If you’re buying for a guest with coeliac disease or additional dietary restrictions, also check the current ingredient and allergen information.
No, the word ‘oat’ in the name isn’t enough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the risk of oat products being contaminated with cereals containing gluten and says that people with coeliac disease should look for the official Crossed Grain symbol on the packaging.
Keep the gluten-free biscuits on a separate plate or in their sealed packaging, away from ordinary biscuits. If needed, use separate serving utensils. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
