Who are these biscuits for?

People with coeliac disease

When choosing a biscuit to enjoy with coffee or cake, the gluten-free label comes before the flavour or type of biscuit. Also check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging of the product you buy.

Fans of crunchy biscuits with coffee

If you’re looking for a biscuit-style digestive, an oat biscuit or a chocolate chip cookie, you can compare those types once the gluten-free status of the product in question is clear.

People with an additional allergy or intolerance

Gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean lactose-free or free from milk, eggs, soya or nuts. So read the other allergen information for the specific biscuit too.

What should you look for when choosing?

For someone with coeliac disease, an explicit gluten-free label is the first requirement. Only then should you choose the type of biscuit to suit your coffee break and check for any additional allergens.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free label Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the current packaging. For oat products, check the ingredients and warnings too. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to base my choice solely on the absence of wheat from the ingredients list. For around 36% of consumers, checking gluten-free status comes first.
Other allergens Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning. If I also need to avoid milk, soya or nuts, a gluten-free biscuit may still not be suitable. Around 29% of consumers give this additional restriction top priority.
Type of biscuit Compare an oat biscuit or digestive with a chocolate chip cookie, paying attention to the ingredients used. With my coffee, I’d rather have a biscuit-style biscuit than a cookie with chocolate pieces, or vice versa. For around 21% of consumers, this is the main deciding factor.
Availability Check the current range and read the label again if you choose an alternative product. If my usual biscuit isn’t available, I want to be able to choose an alternative without skipping the label check. For around 14% of consumers, this practical choice comes first.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Confusing ‘wheat-free’ with ‘gluten-free’

    A biscuit with no mention of wheat doesn’t necessarily have confirmed gluten-free status. The label on the specific product matters for oat products too.

    First look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging, then read the ingredients and warnings. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the importance of this gluten-free label.

  • Assuming gluten-free also means free from other allergens

    The oat biscuits, digestives and chocolate chip cookies mentioned have different labelling for ingredients including milk, eggs, soya, hazelnuts and other nuts that may be present.

    As well as gluten, check for every other allergen or intolerance that’s relevant to you. This check is still necessary with a lactose-free option.

  • Relying on the online product description alone

    The packaging you receive is what determines the ingredients and warnings for that product.

    Read the label again before serving a biscuit, especially if coeliac disease or an additional allergy is a factor.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Oaties Milk Chocolate are an oat biscuit with chocolate, ideal with coffee.

  • Albert Heijn lists gluten-free oat flakes and milk chocolate for this variety.
  • This variety contains milk and soya and may contain nuts. If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label on the current packaging.

Schär

Choco Chip Cookies are an option if you’re looking for a gluten-free cookie with chocolate pieces.

  • Albert Heijn lists this variety as gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free.
  • The biscuits contain soya; lactose-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens.

Albert Heijn Glutenvrij

The chocolate chip cookies combine milk chocolate pieces with hazelnuts.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product page, this variety is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The biscuits contain eggs, milk and hazelnuts, so they may not be suitable if you have another allergy.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Digestives Milk Chocolate are a gluten-free digestive for anyone looking for a biscuit to enjoy with coffee.

  • Jumbo lists gluten-free oats and the Crossed Grain symbol for this variety.
  • The digestives contain milk, oats and soya and may contain nuts.

Céréal

These chocolate biscuits are for anyone looking for a product labelled both gluten-free and lactose-free.

  • Jumbo describes this variety as free from gluten and lactose.
  • The biscuits contain soya. If you have other allergies, check the warnings on the packaging too.

Chocolate oat biscuits at Joybuy

This product selection is for anyone looking for a gluten-free oat biscuit with milk chocolate to enjoy with coffee. The oats and other allergens mean you should check the current packaging here too.

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate, 150 g

Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate – 150 g

For anyone looking for a crunchy gluten-free oat biscuit with milk chocolate to enjoy with coffee.

Albert Heijn lists Verkade Oaties Milk Chocolate as containing 31% gluten-free oat flakes and 25% milk chocolate. The product information lists milk, oats and soya and warns that it may contain nuts; check the current label.

According to the Joybuy product description, a small number of people with coeliac disease may be sensitive to oat protein.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is ‘wheat-free’ enough if you have coeliac disease?

No. Choose a biscuit that is explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises people with coeliac disease to look for this label; also read the ingredients and warnings on the current packaging.

Can I choose an oat biscuit if I have coeliac disease?

An oat biscuit is only suitable if the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, oats can be contaminated with gluten-containing grains; it recommends looking for the official Crossed Grain symbol. Check the other ingredients and allergens too.

Are gluten-free chocolate biscuits also lactose-free or nut-free?

No, that doesn’t follow from a gluten-free label. The varieties mentioned have different labelling for ingredients including milk, lactose, soya, hazelnuts and other nuts that may be present. Check the current packaging for your specific dietary restriction.

Can I ask about allergens in a biscuit served loose?

Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about the 14 EU allergens must be available for both prepacked and non-prepacked foods. If a biscuit is served loose, ask which allergens it contains and how it is served; if you’re unsure, don’t assume it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease.