If an egg cake is for someone with coeliac disease, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free on its current packaging; ordinary egg cakes containing wheat are not a suitable alternative. The ready-made gluten-free packs from Albert Heijn and Gluten Free Bakery Holland each contain two cakes. Baking them yourself is an option if you need more at once and can use gluten-free ingredients and a clean work surface.
If a member of your family needs to follow a strict gluten-free diet, an ingredients list that simply doesn’t mention wheat isn’t enough to make a choice. Look for an explicit gluten-free label, check for any cross-contamination warnings and read the packaging of the pack you buy. The Dutch Coeliac Association highlights the importance of these checks.
If you’re buying egg cakes for several family members, a pack of two may not be enough. Compare the number of cakes and their shelf life with the time you have available to bake your own. The product pages for Albert Heijn and Jumbo both list a 100 g gluten-free pack containing two cakes.
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains egg, milk or soya. Check the full allergen information on each pack, including any warnings about nuts or sesame. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list these allergens for their gluten-free egg cakes.
First, decide whether the egg cakes need to be suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Then choose between buying them ready-made and baking your own based on the number of portions you need, allergens and the time you have available.
A good choice if: you want to buy a product explicitly labelled gluten-free without having to bake; Albert Heijn and Jumbo each list a 100 g pack containing two cakes.
Things to consider: a large family may need several packs, and the products mentioned also contain egg, milk and soya.
A good choice if: you want to make more at once and choose the ingredients yourself.
Things to consider: a gluten-free recipe is suitable for someone with coeliac disease only if all the ingredients are suitable and you prevent cross-contamination while baking.
Only suitable for: family members who don’t need to follow a strict gluten-free diet, provided you can store and serve them separately.
Limitation: According to Bolletje, Bolletje Brosse Eierkoek contains cereals containing gluten and wheat, so it is not a substitute for the egg cake of someone with coeliac disease.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the current pack for a gluten-free label and any warnings about cereals containing gluten. If you’re baking, check the ingredients and work surface too. | If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the ingredients list alone. An estimated 36% of consumers put gluten-free assurance first. |
| Enough portions | Compare the pack size and number of cakes; the ready-made gluten-free packs mentioned each contain 100 g and two egg cakes. | When several family members will be eating, I want to know whether a few packs will be enough or whether I’d be better off baking. Around 29% of consumers give the number of portions top priority. |
| Other allergens | Check each pack for allergens that are present or may be present. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list egg, milk and soya for the products mentioned. | If I need to avoid another allergen as well as gluten, the full allergen information will determine my choice. This is the main concern for an estimated 21% of consumers. |
| Time and availability | Check the current availability and shelf life of packaged egg cakes, or set aside time and prepare a clean work surface if you’re baking your own. | If I need to get the shopping done quickly, I want to know whether a suitable pack is available and will keep for long enough. Convenience and availability come first for around 14% of consumers. |
Gluten can also get into a product through cross-contamination. The Dutch Coeliac Association therefore advises looking beyond the ingredients list.
If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, check the current gluten-free label or a trusted gluten-free certification mark, and assess any warnings on the pack separately.
The gluten-free packs from Albert Heijn and Jumbo mentioned here each contain two egg cakes. If several people will be eating them, you may quickly need more than one pack.
Work out how many portions you need in advance. If you’re baking your own, both the ingredients and the method must be suitable for the person who needs to eat gluten-free.
According to the product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the gluten-free egg cakes mentioned here contain egg, milk and soya. The packs also carry warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Every time you buy them, read the full allergen information on the pack, not just the gluten-free label.
A familiar product may be discontinued or its product information may change. An old page won’t tell you whether you can buy the same pack today.
When you shop, check current availability and read the label again once you’ve bought it.
Albert Heijn lists AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken in a 100 g pack with an explicit gluten-free label.
Jumbo describes Gluten Free Bakery Holland’s Eierkoeken 2 Stuks as gluten-free egg cakes in a 100 g pack.
Bolletje Brosse Eierkoek is a regular egg cake and is only relevant as a comparison for family members who don’t need to eat gluten-free.
Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free oat biscuits. They’re a different type of biscuit, not egg cakes.
No. The label doesn’t mean that there can be absolutely no gluten present. The Dutch Coeliac Association gives a limit of less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product for food labelled gluten-free. You should also check the current packaging and any warnings.
Not if they contain cereals with gluten. Bolletje lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for Brosse Eierkoek; Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and malt flour from barley and wheat in its regular egg cakes.
Yes. Albert Heijn labels the product gluten-free and says it is made in a completely gluten-free environment, but ingredient and allergen information can change. Always read the label on the pack you receive.
No. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list egg, milk and soya for the gluten-free egg cakes mentioned here. If you have another allergy, always check the full allergen information on the pack you choose.
Use ingredients that are suitable for the person who needs to eat gluten-free, and avoid contact with crumbs containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that cross-contamination can happen at home too, so use clean hands, worktops and kitchen utensils.
