Who are these alternatives for?

Festival-goers with coeliac disease

You want to take a packaged biscuit with you and check the gluten-free label on the current packaging. A familiar biscuit name or shape is not enough: Verkade lists wheat flour in NoboSprits Melk.

Sprits fans happy to try a different biscuit

You’re looking for a sweet biscuit to enjoy on the go, but don’t expect a gluten-free cookie, oat biscuit or madeleine to have the same shape and texture as sprits.

Festival-goers checking for more than one dietary requirement

As well as the gluten-free label, you may also want to check for a lactose-free label or information about eggs, soya and nuts. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you buy.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking the gluten-free label on the current packaging. Then decide which type of biscuit and pack are right for what you want to take to the festival.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Gluten-free label Look for ‘gluten-free’ or a gluten-free symbol on the current packaging, and read the ingredients. With coeliac disease, I want to be able to read the label on my own pack rather than rely on the name sprits. This check comes first for around 50% of consumers.
Type of biscuit Choose between a plain biscuit, a chocolate cookie and a soft madeleine; none of them has to look like sprits. If I’m mainly after a sprits-style treat, it matters to me whether the alternative is crunchy or soft. Around 30% of consumers put their preferred biscuit texture first.
Portions and other labels Check the portion sizes and look for a lactose-free label, if relevant, as well as the allergen information. I want a biscuit that’s easy to take with me, or I also need to check for lactose or other allergens. This is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the name sprits means it’s gluten-free

    According to Verkade, NoboSprits Melk contains wheat flour. The shape of a biscuit therefore tells you nothing about whether an individual product has a gluten-free label.

    When buying, check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free label.

  • Assuming an alternative has the same texture

    A double cookie, oat biscuit or madeleine is a different type of biscuit from sprits; a madeleine is also soft rather than crunchy.

    Choose the type of biscuit you actually want to take with you, without assuming it will be identical to sprits.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    The Céréal chocolate biscuits described contain soya. The Schär Madeleines described contain egg and may contain nuts.

    Also read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you’re buying.

  • Relying on old packaging or an online product title

    The Netherlands Coeliac Society points out that updated packaging may indicate a change in ingredients. Albert Heijn also recommends reading the packaging before eating.

    Check the label on your own pack before setting off for the festival, and again before eating the biscuit.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Verkade makes various types of biscuit; check the gluten-free label on each product individually.

  • Albert Heijn lists Verkade Glutenvrije Oaties naturel en melkchocolade in its range of gluten-free snacks.
  • According to Verkade, NoboSprits Melk contains wheat flour, so this variant is not a gluten-free alternative.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists various gluten-free biscuits in this range, including double cookies and chocolate chip cookies.

  • You can choose from different types of biscuit if you don’t need one shaped like sprits.
  • A cookie is not the same product as sprits; Albert Heijn recommends reading the packaging before eating.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij range includes gluten-free speculaas biscuits and mini cakes.

  • These products give you a choice between biscuits and cake.
  • Choose by product name and current label; the biscuits mentioned are not sprits.

Schär

Schär Madeleines are gluten-free madeleine cakes in a pack of 8 x 30 g, as listed by Jumbo.

  • The stated portions make it easier to plan what to take with you.
  • A madeleine is soft, not like sprits. The variant described contains egg and may contain nuts.

Céréal

Jumbo describes Céréal chocolate biscuits as gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • These two labels may be useful if you need to check for both.
  • This is a chocolate biscuit, not sprits; the variant described contains soya.

Biscuit alternatives on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary sprits biscuits gluten-free?

You can’t tell from the name. According to Verkade, NoboSprits Melk contains wheat flour, so this variant is not a gluten-free choice. For any other sprits, always check the ingredients and any gluten-free label on the current packaging.

What should I look for if the biscuit is for someone with coeliac disease?

Check the current packaging: the Netherlands Coeliac Society identifies a gluten-free symbol or the term ‘gluten-free’ on the label as a way to recognise suitable products. Also read the ingredients and any other allergen information for the product you buy.

How can I keep my biscuit separate at a street festival?

Take it in its original, sealed packaging and keep it separate from shared biscuits containing gluten. Keep the label until you’ve eaten it, so you can refer back to the information for your own product.