Who needs to make this choice?

Budget-conscious shoppers with coeliac disease

You want to compare pack sizes and costs, but first narrow your search to speculaas labelled gluten-free. Regular wheat-based speculaas is not an option.

Shoppers looking for a clear gluten-free label

You want to be able to see on the packaging that the speculaas is gluten-free. The Crossed Grain symbol can help you identify a product, but remember to check for other allergens too.

Home bakers with dietary requirements

You’re considering a gluten-free speculaas baking mix and want to know which ingredients you’ll need to add yourself. Preparation time and availability are also important factors.

What should you look for when buying?

When choosing speculaas for someone with coeliac disease, checking that it is labelled gluten-free comes before deciding whether to buy it ready-made or bake it yourself.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free labelling Check the current packaging for a gluten-free label and read the ingredients. You may also want to look for the Crossed Grain symbol. When I buy speculaas for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to have to rely on the product name. For around 36% of consumers, a clear gluten-free label is the top priority.
Total cost Compare pack sizes and costs only for suitable gluten-free options. If you’re buying a baking mix, factor in the extra ingredients you’ll need. I want to know what the speculaas will actually cost me, not just the price on the baking mix. For around 29% of consumers, cost is the main consideration.
Convenience and availability Check whether the pack you want is available and whether you’re looking at ready-made speculaas or a baking mix. If I don’t want to bake, a mix that needs extra ingredients isn’t much use to me. For around 21% of consumers, being able to buy a product ready to eat is the top priority.
Other allergens Check the current packaging for both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements. If you’re buying a baking mix, check the ingredients you’ll be adding too. As well as gluten, I may need to consider allergens such as egg, milk or nuts. For around 14% of consumers, checking for other allergens is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Including regular speculaas as a cheaper alternative

    According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Lotus Biscoff Speculoos contains wheat flour and cereals containing gluten. It is therefore not a suitable alternative to gluten-free speculaas for someone with coeliac disease.

    First narrow your comparison to products labelled gluten-free, then compare the packs.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens

    The gluten-free speculaas described by AH and Jumbo contains egg and also lists the possible presence of other allergens. So a gluten-free label doesn’t mean a product is suitable for everyone with other allergies.

    Before buying, read all relevant ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging.

  • Factoring in the baking mix alone

    To make speculaas using the AH Glutenvrij baking mix described here, you’ll also need butter or margarine and milk. The mix on its own isn’t the finished product.

    Check the instructions and availability before comparing a baking mix with ready-made speculaas.

    Baking it yourself also takes time to prepare, and you’ll need to use an oven.

  • Assuming every shop stocks a gluten-free option

    A shop that sells regular speculaas won’t necessarily stock a suitable gluten-free pack too. The range of gluten-free products can change.

    Check the current range or ask in store about the packaging, and check the label carefully if you choose an alternative.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo’s own-brand range includes a 125 g pack of gluten-free speculaas.

  • Jumbo displays the Crossed Grain symbol on this speculaas.
  • The pack described contains egg and may also contain milk, nuts, lupin, sesame and gluten-free oats.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes ready-made gluten-free speculaas and a baking mix described as suitable for kruidnoten and speculaas.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the ready-made speculaas is produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The speculaas contains egg and may contain sesame and nuts. Check the current label; the baking mix described was no longer stocked by Albert Heijn.

Consenza

A brand offering gluten-free speculaas biscuits and speculaasbrok in different formats.

  • The 100 g pack of Consenza Speculaasjes described here was labelled gluten-free.
  • Jumbo listed this pack as no longer available in its online range. The product information lists milk, egg and lupin.

Schär

A brand with a 100 g pack of Speculoos labelled gluten-free.

  • The Schär Speculoos described by Jumbo is labelled gluten-free.
  • Jumbo listed the pack as no longer available in its online range. The product information lists lupin and almonds, and says it may contain soya.

Lotus Biscoff

Regular Speculoos for comparison, not a gluten-free option for someone with coeliac disease.

  • Albert Heijn lists a 250 g pack of Lotus Biscoff Speculoos.
  • The ingredients include wheat flour; the allergen information lists cereals containing gluten.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is regular Lotus Biscoff suitable as gluten-free speculaas?

No. Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and cereals containing gluten in Lotus Biscoff Speculoos. If you have coeliac disease, choose a product labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging.

What does the Crossed Grain symbol on speculaas mean?

According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, it is a recognised symbol for certified gluten-free products. It doesn’t replace checking the label for other allergens.

Is speculaas made from a gluten-free baking mix cheaper?

You can’t tell from the baking mix alone. To make speculaas using the AH Glutenvrij baking mix described here, you’ll also need butter or margarine and milk. Check whether the mix is available too.

Should I check the label again if I buy the same speculaas?

Yes, check the current packaging each time. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information can change.