Who is this choice relevant to?

Families where someone has coeliac disease

The Dutch Coeliac Society stresses the importance of reading labels. Choose speculaas explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging, even when buying it again.

Large households shopping for several occasions

If you want to serve the speculaas on several occasions, the number of packs you need matters. The gluten-free options from Albert Heijn and Jumbo described here each contain 125 g.

Families who also need to check for other allergens

Gluten-free does not automatically mean free from egg, milk, nuts, sesame or lupin. Allergen information varies by product, so check the packaging of the option you actually choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, first check for a gluten-free label and any other allergens. Then work out how many packs your family will need.

What to look for What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Gluten-free label Check the current packaging for the ‘gluten-free’ label; also read the allergen information. If someone at home has coeliac disease, I want to see that the speculaas is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Around 50% of consumers give this label top priority.
Amount per pack Compare the weight per pack with the number of occasions you have planned; the options from Albert Heijn and Jumbo each contain 125 g. If I’m planning several occasions, I want to know in advance how many packs to buy. Having enough in stock is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Other allergens For each pack you choose, check which ingredients it contains and which ingredients it may contain. If a family member has another allergy, the speculaas needs to be suitable for them too. For around 17% of consumers, checking for other allergens comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the product name means it is gluten-free

    ‘Speculaas’ and ‘speculoos’ do not, by themselves, tell you anything about the gluten content. The ‘gluten-free’ label is subject to EU requirements, as set out in Regulation (EU) No 828/2014.

    If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, choose a pack labelled ‘gluten-free’ and read the current label.

  • Relying on a 125 g pack to stock up for the family

    A pack may run out sooner than expected if you’re planning to serve the speculaas on several occasions.

    Work out how many packs you need in advance, based on the pack weight and the portions you want to serve.

  • Stopping reading after you see ‘gluten-free’

    The gluten-free products described contain egg or mention the possible presence of other allergens. The ‘gluten-free’ label does not tell you anything about these.

    For every option you choose, check the ingredients and ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements, especially if someone at home has another allergy.

  • Planning a seasonal product as a regular staple

    Jumbo says that its 230 g gluten-free filled speculaas is no longer available in its online range. Lidl says that its additional gluten-free products are temporarily unavailable.

    If you’re counting on a larger or limited-time option for a family shop, check its availability, gluten-free label and allergen information again before buying.

Brands to compare

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

Jumbo lists its gluten-free speculaas in a 125 g pack and says it carries the Crossed Grain symbol.

  • The gluten-free label and symbol are easy-to-recognise details to check on the current packaging.
  • The product information lists egg and the possible presence of, among other things, nuts, milk, lupin and sesame. Check this information on each pack.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn lists 125 g gluten-free speculaas and says it is produced in a completely gluten-free environment.

  • The product page gives both the gluten-free label and information about the production environment.
  • The speculaas contains egg and, according to Albert Heijn, may contain sesame seeds, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts.

Consenza

Consenza offers speculaas biscuits and speculaas chunks as two different gluten-free product formats.

  • The speculaas biscuits are labelled gluten-free.
  • Jumbo says its 100 g speculaas biscuits are no longer in its online range. This option contains egg, lupin and milk, and may contain nuts, soya and sesame.

Joybuy products for this choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose regular speculaas if wheat isn’t prominent in the ingredients list?

Don’t choose regular speculaas on that basis if it’s for someone with coeliac disease. Look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.

Does gluten-free speculaas have to carry the Crossed Grain symbol?

No, the Crossed Grain symbol is not a requirement for using the ‘gluten-free’ label. Jumbo says its option carries the symbol; for every option, check the gluten-free label and the current allergen information.

How much speculaas is in the Albert Heijn and Jumbo packs?

The gluten-free speculaas from Albert Heijn and Jumbo described here comes in packs of 125 g each. If you’re planning several occasions, work out how many packs you need; check any larger option separately for its gluten-free label and allergens.

Are gluten-free speculaas biscuits also free from egg, milk and nuts?

No, ‘gluten-free’ doesn’t mean that other allergens are absent. The options described may list egg as an ingredient or warn of the possible presence of nuts, milk, lupin or sesame; read the allergen information on the pack you choose.