Anyone organising brunch for a guest with coeliac disease
You want to serve speculaas without crumbs from gluten-containing food ending up on the gluten-free plate. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs can cause cross-contamination.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers catering for multiple allergens
As well as gluten, check for any allergens your guests need to avoid. For example, Jumbo lists egg and the possible presence of other allergens in its gluten-free speculaas.
Home bakers who want to serve something to share
You’d rather make filled speculaas than put out individual biscuits. You’ll need time, an oven and ingredients that you’ve checked individually. Albert Heijn’s Allerhande has a gluten-free recipe that serves 12.
What should you look for?
First, check which speculaas is suitable for your guest with coeliac disease. Then decide whether you’d rather serve ready-made biscuits or bake your own, and check which other allergens your guests need to avoid.
Pre-packaged gluten-free speculaas
When to choose it: If you want to put biscuits on a separate plate without any baking.
What to consider: Check the current packaging for other allergens too; gluten-free doesn’t mean free from all allergens.
Homemade gluten-free filled speculaas
When to choose it: If you want to make something to share and have the time and an oven.
What to consider: You’ll need to check every ingredient and avoid cross-contamination during preparation.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Most relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free options | Read the current packaging: does it say gluten-free or display the Crossed Grain symbol? Check the ingredients too. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to be sure which speculaas is suitable for their plate and how to serve it separately. For around 50% of consumers, checking for gluten is the top priority. |
| Other allergens | Compare the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces with the allergens your guests need to avoid. | If a guest also has another food allergy, I need to know whether the same speculaas is suitable for them. Around 30% of consumers give this additional allergen check top priority. |
| Format and preparation | Decide how much you want to serve and whether you have the time and an oven to bake with ingredients that you’ve checked individually. | If I want to serve biscuits straight away or share filled speculaas, the preparation will determine my choice. For around 20% of consumers, this is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Putting ordinary speculaas on the gluten-free plate
The name speculaas doesn’t tell you whether it contains gluten. Joybuy’s product information for De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas lists wheat flour and wheat as an allergen.
For a guest with coeliac disease, choose a product whose current packaging states that it is gluten-free or displays the Crossed Grain symbol.
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Using a shared plate or serving tongs
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that crumbs from gluten-containing food can get onto gluten-free food.
Put the gluten-free speculaas on a clean, separate plate and use dedicated serving utensils.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
Jumbo lists egg and the possible presence of other allergens, including nuts, milk, sesame and lupin, in Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas.
Ask which allergens your guests need to avoid and read all the information on the current packaging.
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Assuming the seasonal range will always be available
Lidl stated on its range page that additional gluten-free products were not available at the time. So a range page doesn’t guarantee that a product will be available for your Easter shopping.
Check availability shortly before you buy and have another suitable gluten-free option in mind.
Brands to consider
Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten
Jumbo describes its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas 125 g as gluten-free speculaas biscuits and says they display the Crossed Grain symbol.
- The product information includes ingredients and allergens for you to check against your guests’ needs.
- The product contains egg, and Jumbo also lists the possible presence of other allergens. Check the current packaging.
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn’s AH Glutenvrij range includes Speculaas 125 g and Speculaasbrok 120 g.
- You can choose between individual speculaas biscuits and a larger speculaas biscuit.
- Check the current ingredients, allergens and availability for the product you choose.
Consenza
Jumbo describes Consenza Gluten Free Speculaas Poppetjes 150 g as a gluten-free product.
- Jumbo’s product information includes a list of ingredients and allergens.
- Jumbo says this product is no longer part of its online range. If you buy it elsewhere, check availability and the current packaging.
Related Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can ordinary speculaas go on the gluten-free plate?
Not unless you’ve confirmed that the product is gluten-free. For example, Joybuy’s product information for De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas lists wheat flour and wheat as an allergen. For a guest with coeliac disease, choose speculaas with a current gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol.
How can I prevent cross-contamination at Easter brunch?
Serve the gluten-free speculaas on a clean, separate plate with dedicated serving utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that crumbs from gluten-containing food can get onto gluten-free food.
Should I check for other allergens in gluten-free speculaas?
Yes, if a guest needs to avoid those allergens. Jumbo lists egg and the possible presence of other allergens, including nuts, milk and sesame, in Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas. So check the current packaging for the specific product.
Can I bake gluten-free filled speculaas at home?
Yes, as long as you check every ingredient individually and avoid cross-contamination while baking. Albert Heijn’s Allerhande recipe uses gluten-free self-raising flour and includes eggs, butter and almonds, among other ingredients. Check these against any allergens your guests need to avoid.