Who is this relevant to?

People with coeliac disease

An explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging is your first requirement when choosing. Then check that it applies to the specific breakfast cake you want to buy.

People who also need to avoid milk or lupin

The Jumbo, Peijnenburg and AH breakfast cakes discussed here contain milk and lupin. So, the gluten-free label alone is not enough to help you make your choice.

Breakfast eaters who keep an eye on portions

You may want to choose between a whole cake to cut at home and an individual bar to take with you. The pack weight and portion information can help you compare the two formats.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the gluten-free statement and allergen information on the packaging. Then compare the nutritional information and pack format that suit your breakfast.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Gluten-free statement Check that the current packaging for the specific breakfast cake explicitly states that it is gluten-free. If you have coeliac disease, you’ll want to know whether the cake is labelled gluten-free before considering the brand or portion size. For around 40% of consumers, this label comes first when making this choice.
Other allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ statement; the varieties discussed here contain milk and lupin. If you also need to avoid milk or lupin, you can’t rely on the word ‘gluten-free’. Around 30% of consumers give other allergens the highest priority.
Nutritional information Compare sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion. Don’t assume that breakfast cake contains baker’s salt. If breakfast cake makes up a large part of your breakfast, you’ll want to know how much sugar and fibre it provides, rather than assuming it contains iodine. For around 20% of consumers, this nutritional information matters most.
Pack format Compare a whole, uncut cake with an individual bar, and check the weight and stated number of portions. If you want to take one portion with you, an individual bar may be more practical; at home, you can cut a whole cake yourself. Around 10% of consumers put portion format first when making this choice.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    The Jumbo, Peijnenburg and AH varieties discussed here contain milk and lupin. Some product listings also mention the possible presence of other allergens.

    Check the current packaging for both the gluten-free statement and the ingredients and allergen information.

  • Assuming breakfast cake is the same as bread

    Gluten-free breakfast cake does not automatically have the same nutritional value as bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread as a source of fibre and iodine; that tells you nothing about the ingredients of an individual breakfast cake.

    Check the nutritional information for the cake itself, including sugars and fibre per 100 g and per portion, rather than making assumptions based on the product type.

  • Assuming it contains iodine because it contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So, the product type—breakfast cake—doesn’t tell you whether a particular cake contains iodised baker’s salt.

    Check the product ingredients if the presence of baker’s salt matters to your choice.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

This range includes a 300 g uncut gluten-free breakfast cake, according to Jumbo.

  • The product page lists 12 portions and says that Jumbo’s cake carries the Crossed Grain quality mark.
  • The cake contains milk and lupin; Jumbo also mentions the possible presence of other allergens.

Peijnenburg

Peijnenburg’s gluten-free breakfast cake is an uncut 285 g cake, listed by Albert Heijn and PLUS.

  • Albert Heijn lists nine 30 g portions.
  • The ingredients list lupin protein concentrate and whey protein concentrate from milk.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists a 65 g gluten-free breakfast cake bar as an individual portion.

  • There’s no need to cut a portion from a whole cake.
  • Albert Heijn lists milk, lactose and lupin, and mentions the possible presence of sesame, nuts and other allergens.

Damhert

Damhert’s gluten-free Ontbijt Peperkoek, weighing 300 g, is listed as a product by Jumbo.

  • Jumbo says this product is no longer part of its online range. Check availability before relying on it as an option.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for in breakfast cake if I have coeliac disease?

Choose a breakfast cake whose current packaging explicitly says it is gluten-free. Check that the statement applies to the specific product you’re buying, and read the information about other allergens too.

Are the gluten-free breakfast cakes discussed here also free from milk and lupin?

No. The Jumbo, Peijnenburg and AH varieties discussed here contain milk and lupin; Albert Heijn also lists lactose in its bar. Check the current packaging, including any ‘may contain’ statement.

How should I store gluten-free breakfast cake after opening?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your cake. Peijnenburg recommends storing it in a cool, dark place, preferably in a sealed tin or container; Jumbo recommends keeping it in a cool, dry place.

Can ingredients and allergen information change?

Yes. Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that product information can change. Use the online description to help you make your choice, then check the ingredients and allergen information again on the packaging you buy.