For a guest with coeliac disease, regular AH Spritsen are not gluten-free: Albert Heijn lists wheat flour as an ingredient. For your Christmas party, choose a biscuit labelled gluten-free on its current packaging that suits what you plan to serve, such as an oat biscuit, chocolate biscuit or coconut macaroon. Keep it separate from regular biscuits and check for other allergens too.
You’re looking for a biscuit labelled gluten-free and want to prevent crumbs from regular biscuits getting onto the gluten-free serving plate. The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses the importance of preventing cross-contamination.
You want to serve a crunchy biscuit with coffee or tea, while keeping in mind that an oat biscuit, digestive or coconut macaroon isn’t the same as a buttery spritz biscuit.
You want to offer biscuits for everyone to share without overlooking the fact that gluten-free options may still contain milk, egg, soya, nuts or oats. Which allergens matter will depend on the product and the guest.
Start by checking the gluten-free label and how you’ll serve the biscuits. Then choose a type of biscuit and check that the packaging and ingredients are suitable for your guests.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and serving separately | Check the current gluten-free label and ingredients; use a separate plate and clean serving utensils. | If I’m putting out biscuits for someone with coeliac disease, I want to prevent regular biscuits or their crumbs from coming into contact with them. This is the main concern for around 37% of consumers. |
| An alternative to spritz biscuits | Compare the type of biscuit: Verkade describes Oaties as crunchy, while Jumbo describes its digestives as biscuits covered in milk chocolate. | With coffee, I want to offer a crisp biscuit, even if it doesn’t have the same flavour or shape as a spritz biscuit. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Quantity and availability | Check the number of biscuits or the pack size, and confirm current stock. ALDI lists its coconut macaroons as a pack of six, weighing 360 g in total. | For a group, I want to put out enough biscuits without having to search for them at the last minute. This is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Other allergens | Read the allergen information for the option you choose and ask your guest which other ingredients they need to avoid. | If ingredients other than gluten are a concern, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘gluten-free’ alone. For around 18% of consumers, checking this is the first priority. |
According to Albert Heijn, regular AH Spritsen contain wheat flour. A biscuit’s name or appearance doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for a gluten-free guest.
Choose a product whose current packaging clearly says it’s gluten-free, and don’t put regular spritz biscuits on the same plate.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs containing gluten and shared utensils can lead to cross-contamination.
Use a separate plate and clean, dedicated serving utensils. Keep the gluten-free biscuits packaged for as long as possible.
Other allergens vary from biscuit to biscuit. PLUS lists egg, milk and nuts among the allergens in its gluten-free choco chip cookies; Jumbo lists milk, oats and soya for its Lekker Vrij Digestives Melkchocolade.
Ask in advance which ingredients matter to your guest, and check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying.
A specific biscuit from a limited-edition or local range may not be available when you need it.
Check current stock before planning your party menu around it, and think of another type of gluten-free biscuit that would also work.
Oaties are oat biscuits for anyone looking for something crunchy with coffee or tea instead of spritz biscuits.
Albert Heijn offers a range of gluten-free biscuits, including filled biscuits, double cookies and speculaas.
A product range that includes gluten-free speculaas and Digestives Melkchocolade.
Coconut macaroons and coconut wreaths make a different kind of festive treat from spritz biscuits.
Choco chip cookies and double cookies are options if you’re looking for a chocolate biscuit.
Another shop to try if you want to see what’s currently available in its gluten-free biscuit range.
This is an oat biscuit with milk chocolate for anyone who wants to serve a biscuit labelled gluten-free instead of spritz biscuits. Check that oats and the other ingredients are suitable for your guest.
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An oat biscuit with milk chocolate for your Christmas biscuit selection—not a buttery spritz biscuit. For this variety, Joybuy lists gluten-free oats. Ask your guest whether oats are suitable for them, and check the current packaging for the gluten-free label and other allergens.
Regular AH Spritsen aren’t gluten-free: Albert Heijn lists wheat flour as an ingredient. Always check another product against its own current packaging.
Keep them separate from biscuits containing gluten, and use clean, dedicated serving utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises preventing cross-contamination, so keep the gluten-free packaging sealed for as long as possible.
No. The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you anything about those other ingredients. PLUS lists egg, milk and nuts among the allergens in its gluten-free choco chip cookies; check the allergen information on the pack you choose.
First, check what the shop you plan to visit currently has in stock. A changing gluten-free range doesn’t guarantee that the biscuit you want will be available while you’re getting ready for your Christmas party.
