Who is this choice relevant to?

Commuters with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a biscuit to have with coffee on the go and check the gluten-free label and ingredients on the pack you buy. The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses the importance of checking the current label.

Commuters who want to take a portion with them

You want to pop a small pack or individual portion in your bag for a coffee break on the train or at the office. Albert Heijn lists 45 g packs of gluten-free biscuits; Jumbo lists Schär Butterkeks in four 41 g portions.

Commuters with additional dietary or allergen requirements

As well as gluten-free, you may be looking for a lactose-free option or need to avoid ingredients such as milk, egg, soya or nuts. Check each biscuit individually: these properties aren’t guaranteed by a gluten-free label.

What should you look for when buying?

If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the label on the current packaging. Then compare the pack size for your journey and check for any additional dietary or allergen requirements.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free label Look for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain Trademark on the current packaging, and read the ingredients list. For oat biscuits, pay particular attention to the label for the oats used. If I have coeliac disease, I want to check that this biscuit fits my gluten-free diet before my coffee break. For around 50% of consumers, this is the top priority.
A portion for the journey Compare the pack weight and check whether the biscuits are individually wrapped. For a coffee break on my commute, I want to take one portion with me without opening a larger pack. This is the main thing around 30% of consumers are looking for.
Other dietary and allergen requirements Read the allergen information and check the current packaging for any lactose-free claim. If I also need to avoid lactose or a specific allergen, I want to know what else is in the biscuit besides gluten. This additional requirement takes priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a standard coffee biscuit is gluten-free

    A biscuit being a good match for coffee says nothing about its gluten content. A standard speculaas biscuit or a Lotus Biscoff biscuit isn’t gluten-free just because of the type of product it is.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain Trademark before choosing a biscuit.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    Gluten-free biscuits may still contain milk, egg, soya or nuts. A lactose-free label also doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from other allergens.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information, as well as any warnings about possible traces, on the packaging.

  • Relying only on the online product page

    Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information can change. This means a product description you viewed earlier may differ from the packaging you buy.

    Check the label on the pack you’ve bought again, especially if you have coeliac disease or a food allergy.

  • Assuming a product listed by a retailer is always in stock

    A gluten-free biscuit that’s listed may not be available every time you visit the shop. For the Rice Cookies mentioned, ALDI directs customers to the store; its range may change.

    Check current stock if you’re making a special trip for a particular biscuit, and have an alternative in mind whose label you can check too.

Brands to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists almond biscuits and oat biscuits with hazelnuts under this label, both in 45 g packs.

  • According to the product pages, these biscuits are gluten-free and made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The almond variety contains egg, soya and almond; the oat and hazelnut variety contains oats and hazelnuts. Check the current label.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo lists several types of gluten-free biscuits under its own label, including speculaas.

  • The different varieties give you a choice of flavours and sizes.
  • Check the current gluten-free label, allergens and availability for each product you choose.

Schär

Schär offers a range of gluten-free biscuits; Jumbo lists Butterkeks in four individually wrapped 41 g portions.

  • Jumbo’s product information shows the Crossed Grain symbol on Butterkeks and confirms that it comes in individual portions.
  • Butterkeks contains milk and egg; Choco Chip Cookies contains soya. Check the allergens for each variety.

Céréal

The 150 g chocolate biscuits listed by Jumbo are labelled as both gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • This combines two separate product properties for anyone who needs both.
  • According to the product information, the biscuits contain soya and may also contain egg, milk and nuts, among other allergens. Read the full allergen information.

Trader Joe's bij ALDI

ALDI lists Trader Joe's Rice Cookies as gluten-free rice biscuits in a 175 g pack.

  • This product listing offers a rice biscuit as an alternative to other types of biscuits.
  • Check availability in store and read the full information on the packaging; the listing doesn’t mention individual portions.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a biscuit without wheat suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

You can’t tell from that ingredient information alone. Wheat-free doesn’t mean gluten-free; the Dutch Coeliac Society advises checking for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain Trademark, as well as the ingredients on the current packaging.

Can I choose any oat biscuit if I have coeliac disease?

No. Oats can come into contact with gluten during growing or processing. For oats in a gluten-free diet, the Dutch Coeliac Society recommends looking for the Crossed Grain Trademark, so check the packaging of the specific biscuit.

What size biscuits are handy for coffee on the go?

A small pack suits anyone who wants to take a pack along for a short journey; individual portions are handy if you want to pack one portion for each coffee break. Albert Heijn lists 45 g packs of gluten-free biscuits, and Jumbo lists Schär Butterkeks as 4 x 41 g.

Is a gluten-free biscuit also lactose-free or nut-free?

No, gluten-free doesn’t tell you whether a product has those other properties. The Céréal chocolate biscuits listed by Jumbo are also labelled lactose-free, but contain soya and may also contain milk, egg and nuts, among other allergens. Read the allergen information on the pack you buy.

How should I take gluten-free biscuits with me on my commute?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and keep the biscuits sealed while you’re carrying them. For the biscuits mentioned, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dry place and keeping them in a sealed tin after opening. If you have coeliac disease, a sealed portion also helps prevent contact with crumbs from regular biscuits.