Who is this choice important for?

Cake bakers catering for people with coeliac disease

You’re looking for speculaas with an explicit gluten-free claim. Also check the latest packaging for the specific variety you’re using in your cake.

Bakers looking for biscuits to make a base or topping

You want to crumble ready-made gluten-free speculaas or use it as decoration, without having to make the dough yourself first.

Bakers with additional allergen or dietary requirements

As well as gluten, you may need to consider ingredients such as egg, milk, nuts, lupin or soya. Information varies by product, so compare the exact packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check for a gluten-free claim and any additional allergens. Then decide whether ready-made biscuits will work for your cake, or whether you’d prefer to make your own dough to get the shape and filling you want.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free claim Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging of the exact variety. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, this claim may be used if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. If I’m baking for someone with coeliac disease, I want to confirm that the speculaas is labelled gluten-free before considering its flavour or shape. For around 42% of consumers, gluten-free status is the top priority.
Use in your cake Decide whether you want biscuits to crumble or use as decoration, or need to make your own dough for a particular shape and filling. For a crumb base, I want to be able to use biscuits without making the dough myself. This convenience is the main reason for buying for around 33% of consumers.
Other allergens Compare the full allergen information and warnings on the latest packaging with the needs of the people who’ll be eating it. If a guest has another allergy too, I want to avoid adding an unsuitable ingredient to the cake, even if the biscuit is gluten-free. Around 25% of consumers prioritise additional allergens or dietary requirements.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’ means ‘free from all allergens’

    Gluten-free speculaas may contain other allergens. For example, Albert Heijn lists egg in AH Glutenvrij Speculaas; Jumbo lists egg in Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas.

    For every cake, check both the gluten-free claim and the full allergen information for the biscuits you’re using.

  • Relying on packaging you’ve checked before

    Albert Heijn says that the ingredients and allergen information for AH Glutenvrij Speculaas may change. Previous purchases are no substitute for checking the current label.

    When you buy it, check the packaging of the specific variety.

  • Assuming a product warning applies to all speculaas

    On 9 September 2026, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority issued a specific warning about AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok with a best-before date of 26-3-2027: almond may not be listed on the label. The warning does not necessarily apply to AH Glutenvrij Speculaas 125 g.

    Compare the product name and best-before date with the warning. Do not use the affected speculaasbrok product for anyone with an almond allergy.

  • Checking only the flour when baking from scratch

    Other ingredients also determine whether the finished recipe suits your gluten-free requirements. For example, Albert Heijn’s recipe for gluten-free gevulde speculaas warns that not all decorative almonds can be substituted for one another.

    Check the baking powder, spice mix, filling and decoration too before you make the dough.

Brands with relevant speculaas options

AH Glutenvrij

AH Glutenvrij Speculaas 125 g is a packaged biscuit you could use for crumbs or decoration.

  • Albert Heijn says this product is made in a completely gluten-free environment and lists ingredients including starch and teff flour.
  • The product contains egg and may contain sesame and nuts. Albert Heijn recommends checking the latest packaging.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas 125 g is a packaged biscuit option if you want to use speculaas in a cake.

  • Jumbo displays a gluten-free claim and the crossed-grain symbol for this specific product.
  • The product contains egg and may also contain milk, lupin, oats, sesame and nuts. Check the latest allergen information.

Schär

Schär also recommends its Speculoos biscuits for a dessert base, making them worth considering if you’re making a cake base or crumb layer.

  • Schär says Speculoos is gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan.
  • Schär notes that the product may contain traces of soya and advises checking the packaging for the latest ingredients and nutritional information.

Consenza

Consenza Glutenvrije Speculaasjes 100 g is another packaged biscuit option to compare if you come across it.

  • Jumbo’s product information describes these speculaas biscuits as gluten-free.
  • The listed ingredients include butter, egg and lupin flour. Jumbo says this variety is no longer part of its online range, so check availability before basing your recipe on it.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on speculaas packaging?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, a food sold to the final consumer may be labelled ‘gluten-free’ if it contains no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Check the claim on the latest packaging of the exact variety you’re buying for your cake.

Is gluten-free speculaas also free from other allergens?

No. A gluten-free claim says nothing about whether other allergens are present. For example, according to their product information, AH Glutenvrij Speculaas and Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas contain egg. Compare the full allergen information with the needs of the people who’ll be eating it.

Should I use biscuits or homemade dough for a cake base?

Packaged gluten-free biscuits are a good choice for a base if you want to crumble speculaas; Schär also recommends its Speculoos for a dessert base. If you’d rather choose the shape or filling yourself, you can make your own dough, as long as you check all the ingredients and allow enough time for preparation.

Which AH product is covered by the almond warning?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority’s warning of 9 September 2026 applies to AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok with a best-before date of 26-3-2027, because almond may not be listed on the label. Check the product name and best-before date carefully; the warning does not necessarily apply to AH Glutenvrij Speculaas 125 g.