Gluten-Free Spritz Biscuit Alternatives for Coeliac Guests

Who might need an alternative to spritz biscuits?

Hosting someone with coeliac disease

Looking for a gluten-free treat that won’t come into contact with crumbs from ordinary party snacks.

Looking for a spritz-style biscuit

Wants to serve a crisp biscuit and is happy with a different flavour or shape, as long as the product is clearly labelled gluten-free.

Planning a party with a mixed snack table

Looking for a biscuit or small cake that can be served separately from the other treats.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, first check for a gluten-free label and consider how the treat will be served. Then compare the type of biscuit or cake that best suits the birthday occasion.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Gluten-free labelling and serving separately	Check that the packaging says ‘gluten-free’ and use a separate, clean plate. Under Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may be used when the finished product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.	When I’m putting something out for a guest with coeliac disease, I want to stop ordinary biscuit crumbs from touching their treat. For around 50% of consumers, a clearly labelled gluten-free treat served separately is the top priority.
The biscuit occasion	Check whether a gluten-free biscuit is suitable in terms of type and portion size; don’t automatically expect the shape or flavour of a spritz biscuit.	I want to be able to offer a biscuit at the birthday party, even if it tastes different from a spritz biscuit. Around 30% of consumers give this biscuit occasion top priority.
Easy to serve	Check the number of pieces in the pack and the retailer’s current range.	When there are different snacks on the table, I want to be able to serve the gluten-free portion separately with ease. For around 20% of consumers, ease of serving is the top priority.

What can go wrong when buying and serving?

Assuming ordinary spritz biscuits are almost gluten-free

Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient in NoboSprits Original. This isn’t a suitable spritz biscuit for a guest with coeliac disease.

Choose a product that’s explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’ and read the label on the pack you’re buying.
Putting gluten-free biscuits among ordinary biscuits

The Dutch Coeliac Society warns about cross-contamination, including from crumbs.

Keep the gluten-free treat packaged for as long as possible, and use a separate, clean plate and serving utensils.
Relying only on online product information

Albert Heijn points out that ingredient and allergy information can change.

Check the information on the physical packaging just before serving.
Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens

A gluten-free biscuit may contain other allergens. For example, AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel lists almonds, eggs and soya.

Ask about any other allergies and check the relevant ingredients on the current packaging.

Brands with suitable alternatives

Albert Heijn / AH Glutenvrij

AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel is a biscuit alternative for serving as a separate birthday treat.

Albert Heijn says these gluten-free almond biscuits are made in a fully gluten-free environment.
They aren’t spritz biscuits. Check the current packaging for other allergens too.

Jumbo / Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij van Gluten range includes products such as speculaas biscuits, mini cakes and stroopwafels.

The different product types give you a choice of biscuits and small cakes.
Check the label of each product and what’s currently available at each shop; these products aren’t spritz biscuits.

PLUS

PLUS lists gluten-free double cookies and publishes recipes for gluten-free biscuits.

You can choose a packaged biscuit or make your own using gluten-free ingredients.
If you bake them yourself, you’ll also need to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen and when serving.

Verkade

Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free, crisp oat biscuits.

According to Verkade, Oaties offer a gluten-free alternative for a biscuit treat.
Oaties aren’t spritz biscuits; Verkade NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour.

ALDI

ALDI lists products including gluten-free rice biscuits and coconut wreaths.

These are different types of biscuits that you could consider serving as a separate treat.
Check the label and availability in store; they aren’t spritz biscuits.

Lidl

Lidl has information about an extended gluten-free range.

Checking in store can help you find out whether there’s a suitable gluten-free treat available.
The extended range isn’t available all year round, so don’t assume there’ll be a gluten-free spritz biscuit.

Related Joybuy products

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary spritz biscuits suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

Not Verkade NoboSprits Original: according to Verkade, these spritz biscuits contain wheat flour. Choose a product with an explicit ‘gluten-free’ claim on the current label. Under Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may be used if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.

Is wheat-free the same as gluten-free?

No. The absence of wheat doesn’t mean that a product is labelled gluten-free. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires any gluten-containing cereals used to be listed by their cereal name in the ingredients list; if you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, check for an explicit gluten-free claim too.

How should I serve gluten-free biscuits alongside ordinary treats?

Keep the gluten-free biscuits packaged for as long as possible, then serve them on a separate, clean plate with their own serving utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends taking care to prevent cross-contamination when serving both gluten-containing and gluten-free foods at the same table.

Should I check for other allergens in gluten-free biscuits?

Yes. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from all allergens: for example, AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel lists almonds, eggs and soya. Ask about any other allergies and read the packaging of the product you’re actually serving.

Can I bake a gluten-free spritz-style biscuit myself?

Yes, as long as you choose gluten-free ingredients and prevent cross-contamination during preparation and serving. PLUS, for example, publishes a biscuit recipe using gluten-free oats and gluten-free flour; make sure you also use clean kitchen utensils and keep the biscuits separate from ordinary treats.