Who is this choice relevant to?

Buffet manager catering for guests with coeliac disease

You’re looking for an egg cake that is explicitly labelled gluten-free, as well as a way to store and serve it separately from bread and biscuits containing gluten.

Hotel buyer looking for ready-to-serve products

You want to compare the packaging, portions, ingredients and allergens before placing an order, so the product information fits your buffet plans.

Breakfast planner considering a different biscuit too

You could offer another gluten-free sweet treat if you don’t need an egg cake. A crunchy oat biscuit is still a different type of product from a soft egg cake.

What should you look for when buying?

First, check that the product is labelled gluten-free and decide how you’ll prevent cross-contamination when serving it. Then compare the portions and other allergens with your guests’ needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free status and separate serving Check the gluten-free statement or Crossed Grain trademark on the current packaging. Plan to store and serve the product separately from food containing gluten. When serving guests with coeliac disease, I want to prevent a suitable product from coming into contact with bread crumbs at the buffet. This is the main concern for around 50% of consumers.
Portions and other allergens Compare pack sizes and portions, and read the allergen information on the packaging you’re buying. Decide how you’ll make this information available if you serve the product unpackaged. When planning the service, I want to know how many portions I can offer and which other allergens may be relevant to guests. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.
Egg cake or another biscuit Decide whether the buffet specifically needs an egg cake. If you choose an alternative, check its current gluten-free labelling too. If guests are expecting a soft egg cake, I don’t want to replace it without warning with a crunchy oat biscuit. Around 20% of consumers put keeping the same type of product first.

Common buffet mistakes

  • Assuming a standard egg cake is gluten-free

    The type of product doesn’t tell you whether it’s gluten-free: Bolletje lists gluten-containing cereals and wheat in its Brosse Eierkoek.

    For guests with coeliac disease, choose a variety that is explicitly labelled gluten-free or bears the Crossed Grain trademark, and check the current packaging.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    The gluten-free egg cakes from AH and Gluten Free Bakery Holland described here also contain egg, milk and soya. Warnings about the possible presence of nuts or sesame are also relevant to some guests.

    Compare the allergen information on the packaging you buy with the needs guests have told you about, and make sure the information is available when serving.

  • Placing an opened pack next to standard bread

    According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease. A gluten-free label doesn’t prevent contact with gluten during buffet service.

    Store and serve the egg cakes separately from products containing gluten, and use an appropriate method when serving them.

  • Treating outdated product information as a current buying option

    Albert Heijn still shows information about Maître Mathis gluten-free egg cakes, but also states that the product has been discontinued.

    Check which variety is available before ordering, and compare the current packaging with the product information you’re using to plan the buffet.

Brands and products to consider

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn describes AH Glutenvrij Eierkoeken as a 100 g pack containing two 50 g portions.

  • The product page says they are gluten-free and made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The product contains egg, milk and soya; according to Albert Heijn, it may also contain sesame seeds and nuts.

Gluten Free Bakery Holland

Jumbo describes the egg cakes from Gluten Free Bakery Holland as gluten-free and lists a pack of two, weighing 100 g.

  • Jumbo’s product information includes ingredients, allergens and storage advice.
  • The egg cakes contain egg, milk and soya; the product information also warns that they may contain nuts and sesame.

Maître Mathis

Albert Heijn shows product information for 100 g Maître Mathis gluten-free egg cakes, but states that the product has been discontinued.

  • The retained product information makes it clear which gluten-free egg cake variety this is.
  • Don’t treat this listing as a current buying option; the product information also lists milk, egg and soya.

Bolletje

Bolletje sells egg cakes, but its Brosse Eierkoek isn’t suitable when you need a gluten-free option for guests with coeliac disease.

  • Bolletje provides the relevant ingredient information for this specific variety.
  • According to Bolletje, Brosse Eierkoek contains gluten-containing cereals and wheat.

Verkade

Verkade says its Oaties are gluten-free. They’re crunchy oat biscuits, not egg cakes.

  • A different type of sweet biscuit could work if the buffet doesn’t specifically need to offer an egg cake; check the current packaging first.
  • Oaties aren’t a like-for-like replacement for a soft egg cake.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify a gluten-free egg cake for a guest with coeliac disease?

Check that the current packaging explicitly says gluten-free or bears the Crossed Grain trademark. Don’t rely on the type of product: for example, Bolletje lists gluten-containing cereals and wheat in its Brosse Eierkoek.

Is a gluten-free label enough for a breakfast buffet?

No. You also need to prevent contact with products containing gluten when serving the food. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms in someone with coeliac disease, so store and serve the products separately.

What allergen information do guests need if the egg cakes are served unpackaged?

Guests must be able to access the allergen information even when the food is served unpackaged. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that this information must then be provided in a way other than through the original packaging. Make sure staff can check the details of the product being served.

Are gluten-free egg cakes also free from egg, milk and soya?

No, a gluten-free label doesn’t mean that. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list egg, milk and soya in the gluten-free egg cakes discussed here. Check the current packaging for warnings about the possible presence of nuts and sesame too.