If you have coeliac disease, first choose breakfast cake with an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging, and check the allergen information too. A whole, unsliced cake is suitable for several portions at home, provided you can store and serve it separately, away from crumbs; an individually wrapped breakfast cake bar is more practical for a single serving, with no need to slice it. The products discussed here also list other allergens, including milk and lupin.
For you, the choice starts with the ‘gluten-free’ label on the packaging, not an ingredients list that appears to contain no wheat at first glance. The Dutch Coeliac Association and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre stress the importance of checking the label; remember to check the other allergens listed there too.
If regular bread is also served at the weekend breakfast table, consider how you’ll store and slice a whole breakfast cake. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises storing gluten-free products separately in sealed packaging.
For a light breakfast or a snack on the go, an individually wrapped breakfast cake bar may be more convenient than a whole cake that needs slicing. Albert Heijn lists a 65 g bar; according to the relevant product pages, the whole cakes from Peijnenburg and Jumbo contain several portions.
If you have coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free label and allergen information on the packaging. Then choose a pack size that suits the number of occasions you plan to eat it, and how you can serve the cake at home without it coming into contact with crumbs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status and allergens | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging and check the allergen information. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, this label means the product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. | If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to base my choice on an online ingredients list alone. For around 50% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
| Storage and serving | Consider whether you can store a whole cake separately and slice it with clean utensils, away from crumbs from regular bread. | When breakfast includes both regular bread and gluten-free products, I want to keep my portion away from crumbs; this is the most important consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Portions and weekend planning | Compare the pack size and stated number of portions with how many people will be eating and how many servings you’re planning. | If I only need one portion, I don’t want to slice a whole cake just for that. Convenient portioning comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
If you have coeliac disease, the absence of visible wheat in online product information is no substitute for an explicit gluten-free label. Product information can also change.
Just before use, check the physical packaging for ‘gluten-free’ and read the current allergen information.
Even breakfast cake labelled gluten-free can come into contact with crumbs from regular bread at home, for example via a knife, chopping board or spread jar.
Store the cake separately and use a clean work surface, a clean knife and spreads that have not come into contact with crumbs.
The Peijnenburg, Jumbo and AH products discussed here list milk and lupin. Some products also warn that they may contain nuts, sesame or oats.
If you have another allergy, check the allergen information on the exact pack you’ll be using. Check the nutrition table separately if the amount of sugar or fibre is relevant to your choice.
Jumbo describes its Lekker Vrij breakfast cake as a 300 g gluten-free, unsliced cake and lists 12 portions. The product page also mentions the Crossed Grain symbol.
Albert Heijn lists a 285 g gluten-free, unsliced Peijnenburg breakfast cake, which the product page says provides 9 portions.
This range includes a 65 g gluten-free breakfast cake bar as a single serving. According to the retailer, the bar is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
First, check that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, this label means the product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg; also check the label for other allergens and any changes.
Keep the gluten-free cake sealed and stored separately, and use clean utensils when serving it. The Dutch Coeliac Association highlights the importance of preventing contact with crumbs, so take care with shared breadboards and spread jars too.
It can: the Peijnenburg and Jumbo cakes discussed here list milk and lupin, while the AH breakfast cake bar lists milk, lactose and lupin. Some of these products also warn that they may contain nuts, sesame or oats. If you have another allergy, always check the label on the pack you’re buying.
No, don’t assume that every breakfast cake contains baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use it. Check the ingredients of the specific product if this matters for your breakfast choice.
