If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, choose speculaas whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol, and serve it separately from products containing gluten. Ready-made biscuits need less preparation; a gluten-free baking mix lets you choose the shape and portions, but you’ll also need to prevent cross-contamination while baking. Check for any other allergens whichever option you choose.
You want to offer an explicitly gluten-free speculaas option alongside the savoury snacks, without crumbs or shared serving utensils coming into contact with it. The Voedingscentrum points out that, for someone with coeliac disease, even a stray breadcrumb can cause symptoms.
You’re looking for ready-made biscuits that you can serve separately. The net weight, allergen information and current availability will help you decide what to buy.
You want to choose the shape and portions yourself, or find out which ingredients you can add to a gluten-free baking mix. It’s important to follow the preparation instructions and work in a way that keeps gluten crumbs away.
Best for: a drinks party where you want to serve a sweet option separately without spending time baking.
Bear in mind: check the gluten-free claim and other allergens on each pack, even if you’ve bought the product before.
Best for: a drinks party where you want to choose the shape, portions or added ingredients yourself.
Bear in mind: you’ll need extra ingredients and time to prepare it; keep your worktop and utensils free from gluten crumbs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status and serving separately | Read the current gluten-free claim or look for the Crossed Grain symbol. Use a clean, separate plate and serving utensils. | If I’m serving speculaas to a guest with coeliac disease, I want to prevent gluten crumbs from getting onto their biscuits. For around 46% of consumers, verified gluten-free status is the top priority when serving. |
| Other allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients, allergen information and ‘may contain’ statements; if you’re using a baking mix, check the ingredients you’ll be adding too. | If a guest needs to avoid ingredients other than gluten as well, I don’t want to rely on the gluten-free claim alone. For around 27% of consumers, these additional dietary requirements come first. |
| Preparation and quantity | Compare the net weight with how much you want to serve and check availability. If you’re using a baking mix, look at the preparation instructions too. | If I need to get snacks on the table quickly, I want to know whether I can buy enough biscuits or will need to bake some. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
The Lotus Speculoos listed by Albert Heijn contains wheat flour, and its allergen information identifies cereals containing gluten. So the name of a biscuit doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease.
Check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free claim or the Crossed Grain symbol.
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list egg in their 125 g gluten-free speculaas and also identify other possible allergens for each product.
Read the full ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for everyone who’ll be eating.
According to the Voedingscentrum, even a small amount of gluten, such as a breadcrumb, can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
Serve gluten-free speculaas on a clean, separate plate, and don’t use tongs that have also been used for bread, crackers or regular biscuits.
A product page doesn’t tell you whether an item will still be available to order when your drinks party comes around. Information on the current packaging may also differ from an earlier listing.
Check availability just before you buy, then read the packaging. If the gluten-free product is unavailable, don’t simply replace it with regular speculaas.
Albert Heijn lists ready-made AH Glutenvrij Speculaas in a 125 g pack, as well as a separate gluten-free baking mix for speculaas and kruidnoten.
Jumbo lists ready-made 125 g gluten-free speculaas bearing the Crossed Grain symbol.
Consenza lists gluten-free speculaas biscuits as part of its biscuit range.
Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ claim or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Also read the ingredients and allergen information if a guest needs to avoid other ingredients.
Not as a substitute for gluten-free speculaas for someone with coeliac disease: the Lotus Speculoos listed by Albert Heijn contains wheat flour, and its allergen information identifies cereals containing gluten. Always check the current packaging of other biscuits too.
No. The gluten-free speculaas listed by AH and Jumbo contains egg; the packaging also mentions possible traces of other allergens, including nuts. Check the full allergen information for every guest who needs to take this into account.
Serve the biscuits on a clean, separate plate with their own serving utensils, away from bread, crackers and regular biscuits. The Voedingscentrum warns that even a stray breadcrumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
Yes, using a baking mix designed for gluten-free speculaas. Albert Heijn says you need to add ingredients to its mix yourself and can use an egg replacer; follow the current preparation instructions and keep your worktop and utensils free from gluten crumbs.
