Who are these biscuits for?

Choosing a biscuit for someone with coeliac disease

Before serving, you want to be able to check whether the exact biscuit is gluten-free and whether the packaging warns about cross-contamination. Taste and shape come afterwards.

Looking for a familiar biscuit to enjoy with coffee

You might be looking for speculoos, a stroopwafel, a digestive or a chocolate chip cookie in a clearly labelled gluten-free version. The flavour and texture you prefer can then help you decide which type to choose.

Taking other dietary requirements into account

As well as being gluten-free, a biscuit may also need to be lactose-free or vegan. Check each product’s claims and allergen information separately: one label doesn’t tell you anything about the other.

What to look for in gluten-free biscuits

If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free label and any warnings on the packaging. Then compare the type of biscuit and any other dietary requirements.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free suitability Look for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Also read any warnings about cereals containing gluten or suitability for people with coeliac disease. When I’m serving a biscuit to someone with coeliac disease, I want to check the packaging before it reaches the table. An estimated 42% of consumers put suitability first.
Flavour and texture Choose from options such as a crunchy cookie, speculoos, stroopwafel or soft mini cake. If you’re sharing, also check the pack size. I’m mainly looking for a type of biscuit that suits what we like to eat with coffee. Around 25% of consumers put this preference first.
Other dietary requirements Read the allergen declaration for your chosen variety, and check separately for any lactose-free or vegan label you need. Even if the biscuit is gluten-free, I need to take account of things like soya, milk or nuts for my guest. An estimated 33% of consumers give the most weight to these additional requirements.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming a familiar coffee-time biscuit is a gluten-free alternative

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, regular Lotus Biscoff Speculoos contains wheat flour; wheat and cereals containing gluten are listed as allergens. The fact that it’s often eaten with coffee doesn’t make this variety a suitable gluten-free choice.

    Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergens for the exact product rather than relying on the brand name.

  • Confusing ‘wheat-free’ with ‘gluten-free’

    A biscuit with no obvious wheat ingredient may still contain gluten. According to the Voedingscentrum, for example, oat products can be contaminated with gluten.

    If you have coeliac disease, look for a clear gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and take warnings about cereals containing gluten seriously.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from soya, milk, eggs or nuts. For example, Jumbo lists soya and warnings about the possible presence of other allergens for Céréal Cookies with chocolate chips.

    Check the allergen declaration again if anything besides gluten needs to be avoided.

  • Relying on an online product listing as if it were the current label

    Product ranges and recipes can change. That means a product you find online may not have the same information on its packaging when you buy it.

    Use a listing to compare types of biscuit, but check the packaging of your chosen variety before serving.

Brands and ranges to explore

These brands offer a range of different biscuits to enjoy with coffee. Always check gluten-free suitability and other allergens on the packaging of each product, rather than relying on the brand.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s AH Glutenvrij range includes Double cookies, speculoos, stroopwafels and oat biscuits.

  • The range lets you compare different types of biscuit. Albert Heijn labels its Double cookies as gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free.
  • The Double cookies reviewed contain soya. Check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging of each variety.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

This range from Jumbo includes gluten-free speculoos, stroopwafels, digestives and mini cakes.

  • You can compare a range of familiar biscuits to enjoy with coffee.
  • A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a variety is free from other allergens too. Check the label on the product you choose.

Schär

Schär offers Choco Chip Cookies and other biscuit varieties labelled gluten-free.

  • Choco Chip Cookies are one option to explore if you’re looking for a biscuit with chocolate chips; Jumbo lists a 100 g pack.
  • Check the other allergens for this variety separately. Product-specific information doesn’t automatically apply to other Schär biscuits.

Céréal

Céréal labels its Cookies with chocolate chips as gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • This combines two features that may each matter to some guests joining you for coffee.
  • Jumbo lists soya as an allergen and notes the possible presence of, among other things, eggs, nuts, sesame, lupin and milk proteins. Check the packaging if there are any additional allergies.

ALDI

ALDI presents Heerlijck Banket Coconut Macaroons as gluten-free biscuits in a pack of six, weighing 360 g in total.

  • A specific type of biscuit to explore if you’d like coconut macaroons with your coffee.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before serving them to someone with coeliac disease or additional allergies.

Lidl

Lidl promotes a gluten-free range.

  • You can look specifically for a gluten-free biscuit when you’re shopping there.
  • Don’t assume a particular biscuit will always be available or stocked: check the specific product and its packaging when you find it.

Lotus Biscoff

Regular Lotus Biscoff Speculoos is a familiar biscuit to enjoy with coffee, but it isn’t a gluten-free alternative for this purpose.

  • Its familiar style of biscuit shows why the exact variety matters more than the brand name.
  • For regular Speculoos, Albert Heijn lists wheat flour as an ingredient and wheat and cereals containing gluten as allergens. Don’t choose this variety if you need a gluten-free biscuit.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a biscuit with no wheat ingredients suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

Not necessarily: other ingredients or cross-contamination may also be a factor. Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read any warnings about cereals containing gluten.

What should I check on oat biscuits for someone with coeliac disease?

Check that the official Crossed Grain symbol is on the packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, oat products can be contaminated with gluten and are only suitable for people with coeliac disease if they carry that symbol.

Is regular Lotus Biscoff Speculoos gluten-free?

No. Albert Heijn lists wheat flour as an ingredient in regular Lotus Biscoff Speculoos, and wheat and cereals containing gluten as allergens. If someone needs to eat gluten-free, choose a different biscuit with a suitable label.

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

Keep them separate, and use a clean plate and serving tongs for the gluten-free biscuits. This helps stop crumbs from regular biscuits getting onto them while you’re serving.

Can a gluten-free cookie contain other allergens?

Yes. For Céréal Cookies with chocolate chips, Jumbo lists soya as an allergen and notes the possible presence of, among other things, eggs, nuts, sesame, lupin and milk proteins. If there are any additional dietary requirements, read the allergen information for the exact product.