If you have coeliac disease, only choose breakfast cake whose specific packaging states ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol; a sugar claim tells you nothing about whether it is gluten-free. An unsliced cake is ideal for a TV night when you want to share slices, provided you prevent cross-contamination. A breakfast cake bar is more practical as a single portion; in either case, check the allergens on the packaging too.
You’re looking for breakfast cake with a clear gluten-free label and want to avoid contact with crumbs or used cutting equipment. The Dutch Coeliac Society also highlights the risk of cross-contamination, even with gluten-free products.
You want to cut breakfast cake for several people. An unsliced cake lets you do that, as long as you use a clean chopping board and knife and keep the cake separate from snacks containing gluten.
You want to grab an individual portion during an episode without cutting into a large cake. A breakfast cake bar could be a good option; check the packaging for a gluten-free label and allergen information.
If you have coeliac disease, first check that the specific breakfast cake is labelled gluten-free. Then choose between a bar for one person and an unsliced cake to share, taking care to serve it hygienically.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status and cross-contamination | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Use clean equipment when serving. | I want my breakfast cake to be clearly labelled gluten-free and kept away from ordinary crumbs. For around 46% of consumers, that reassurance matters most. |
| Convenience of a single portion | Check the gluten-free label and the weight of the bar on the packaging. | When I’m having a snack on my own, I don’t want to cut into a large cake and put it away again. Around 27% of consumers prioritise the convenience of an individual portion above all else. |
| Sharing | Check the size and allergen information; keep an unsliced cake separate from snacks containing gluten. | When we’re watching together, I want to be able to offer several slices. Around 27% of consumers prioritise being able to share. |
A claim about sugar does not confirm that breakfast cake is gluten-free. Even with a pre-sliced variety, you should check the specific packaging for a gluten-free label.
Use the gluten-free label or Crossed Grain symbol as your first check; only then consider the other nutritional information.
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that crumbs on a chopping board or knife can also cause cross-contamination.
Use a clean chopping board and knife. Keep the gluten-free cake wrapped and separate from regular snacks.
According to product information from PLUS, Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Glutenvrij Ongesneden also contains milk and lupin as allergens.
Check the allergen information on the specific pack if anyone also has another food allergy.
According to the product information listed by PLUS, Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Glutenvrij Ongesneden contains 42 g of sugars per 100 g. The gluten-free label does not tell you how much sugar it contains.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider how much you’ll actually have as a portion.
Peijnenburg lists a 285 g Glutenvrij Naturel Ongesneden breakfast cake, which the brand says provides 9 portions.
The range includes a 300 g unsliced gluten-free breakfast cake.
Albert Heijn lists a 65 g Ontbijtkoekreep in its AH Glutenvrij range as an individual snack.
Choose a specific product whose packaging states ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol. The Dutch Coeliac Society says the ‘gluten-free’ label is linked to a gluten content of less than 20 mg per kg of product; always check the pack you’re buying.
Yes, as long as the specific cake is labelled gluten-free and you avoid contact with crumbs containing gluten. Use clean cutlery and a clean chopping board, and keep the cake separate from regular bread and cake products.
According to PLUS product information, Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Glutenvrij Ongesneden contains milk and lupin as allergens. Check the allergen information on the current packaging if anyone at the table has another food allergy.
No, gluten-free does not indicate the sugar content. According to PLUS product information, Peijnenburg Ontbijtkoek Glutenvrij Ongesneden contains 42 g of sugars per 100 g; compare the nutritional information for the specific product and the portion you plan to have.
No, iodine is not an indication of gluten-free status. If you have coeliac disease, choose based on the gluten-free label for the specific product. If added iodine matters to your choice, check the packaging or ask the manufacturer about that breakfast cake.
