If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, choose a breakfast cake whose current packaging explicitly states that it’s gluten-free. An unsliced cake can be cut and served separately for several guests; a bar avoids the need to cut a portion on the spot. Check for other allergens too, and keep the gluten-free treat away from crumbs from regular cake.
You’re looking for a clearly labelled gluten-free breakfast cake and a separate place to serve it alongside regular treats. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that even cross-contamination with gluten can make someone with coeliac disease ill.
At a school, work or neighbourhood party, you don’t want to rely on a knife or board that’s also been used to cut regular cake. A gluten-free breakfast cake bar can save you having to cut a portion on the spot, provided it’s kept separate.
You’re looking for a suitable breakfast cake at a supermarket where you already shop. Check the label on the specific product: regular breakfast cake or a product with a sugar claim isn’t automatically gluten-free.
First, check that it’s labelled gluten-free and look for any other allergens. Then choose between an individually wrapped bar and a cake that you can cut into several portions using clean utensils.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing and serving gluten-free | Check the current gluten-free label and allergen information on the packaging. When serving, use a separate area and clean utensils. | If I’m bringing cake for someone with coeliac disease, I want to make sure their portion doesn’t come into contact with crumbs from regular cake. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Portion format | Decide whether you need one individual portion or can cut an unsliced cake separately. | For one guest, I don’t want to have to use a shared knife during the party; for several guests, I need to be able to cut the cake separately. Around 30% of consumers put portion convenience first. |
| Availability | Just before buying, check which specific gluten-free option the retailer stocks and read the packaging when you receive it. | When I’m planning my shopping for Vlaggetjesdag, I want to know where to buy the right option without accidentally picking up regular breakfast cake. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
A claim about sugar says nothing about gluten. ALDI describes its Koek & Bakker Ontbijtkoek Zero as a product with no added sugars; that alone doesn’t mean it’s labelled gluten-free.
Check the packaging of your chosen cake for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs on a knife, board or serving area can transfer gluten to a gluten-free product.
Open the packaging separately and use clean hands, a clean knife and a clean board. Keep portions away from regular cake and bread.
PLUS lists lupin and milk for Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Glutenvrij Ongesneden, 285 g. The ‘gluten-free’ label says nothing about these ingredients.
If a guest has additional allergies, check the full ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
A product name or a previous purchase doesn’t tell you which specific gluten-free breakfast cake a shop will have when you do your shopping.
Check your chosen option before the party, then check the packaging again when you buy it.
If you have to go to another shop after all, it’ll add extra time to your preparations.
PLUS and Jumbo list Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Glutenvrij Ongesneden as a 285 g cake.
Jumbo lists a 300 g Lekker Vrij van Gluten Ongesneden Ontbijtkoek.
Albert Heijn lists a 65 g AH Glutenvrij Ontbijtkoekreep as an individual portion.
PLUS lists Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Glutenvrij Ongesneden, 285 g, and provides details of its ingredients and allergens.
Choose packaging that explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ and check the current ingredients and allergen information. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the Crossed Grain symbol also provides assurance that gluten is controlled during the production process. Keep the cake separate from products containing gluten when serving.
Keep the gluten-free breakfast cake separate until you’re ready to serve it, and make sure no crumbs from regular cake get onto it. Use clean hands, clean utensils and a clean board; the Dutch Coeliac Society warns that cross-contamination with gluten can make someone with coeliac disease ill.
No. A claim about added sugars doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free. Check whether the current packaging for the specific breakfast cake explicitly says ‘gluten-free’.
Don’t assume that every gluten-free breakfast cake contains iodised baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients for a specific cake or ask the manufacturer.
