If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the current packaging. Choose speculaas explicitly labelled ‘gluten-free’ or bearing a suitable gluten-free mark, rather than relying on a familiar brand name. A single biscuit is ideal for a simple coffee break; a chunk or filled version is a different format to share. For these options, check the allergens and any safety warnings for the specific product too.
You want to choose a speculaas product to enjoy with coffee without mistaking a regular version for a gluten-free one. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the ‘gluten-free’ label and a suitable certification mark are important things to look for on the packaging.
As well as being gluten-free, you’re looking for a product labelled lactose-free and wheat-free. Holland & Barrett lists these features for Schär Speculoos; check that they’re also shown on the pack you buy.
You might prefer to share a speculaas chunk or filled speculaas rather than put out individual biscuits. If so, check the allergens for your chosen option and see whether any safety warning applies to the pack you have.
If you’re serving coffee to someone with coeliac disease, first check the current gluten-free labelling on every format. Then choose between an individual biscuit, a shareable chunk and a filled version, depending on how you’d like to serve the speculaas.
| What to look for | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Check the current packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label or suitable certification mark; also check the allergens and warnings. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to check that this particular pack is labelled gluten-free before serving it. This check is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Individual biscuit | Compare the product format and packaging; check for additional labels such as ‘lactose-free’ only if they’re relevant to your choice. | For an everyday coffee break, I’m looking for an individual speculaas biscuit I can serve straight away. Around 28% of consumers give this format top priority. |
| Chunk or filled | Choose between a chunk and filled speculaas; check the allergens and, for an AH Speculaasbrok, check the best-before date against the safety warning. | If I want to share speculaas from a platter, I’m more likely to look for a chunk or filled version than individual biscuits. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this way of serving it. |
A similar taste, shape or brand name tells you nothing about whether the product you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease is labelled gluten-free.
Check the current packaging before you buy, and don’t rely solely on a product page you looked at previously. Albert Heijn notes that ingredient and allergen information can change.
‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean a product is free from other allergens. On 9 September 2026, Albert Heijn issued a warning about AH Glutenvrij Speculaasbrok with a best-before date of 26-03-2027: almonds may not be listed due to a labelling mix-up.
Check the product name and best-before date against the warning. If you have an almond allergy, don’t eat a pack covered by the warning.
Albert Heijn lists gluten-free speculaas biscuits, speculaas chunks and a filled speculaas biscuit as separate products.
Jumbo lists Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas in a 125 g pack.
Jumbo lists Consenza Glutenvrije Speculaasjes in a 100 g pack of individual biscuits.
Schär makes Speculoos biscuits; a Dutch retailer’s product page describes them as gluten-, wheat- and lactose-free.
Jumbo lists Gevulde Speculaas Glutenvrij by Gluten Free Bakery Holland in a 230 g pack.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the ‘gluten-free’ label means that the product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, check the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the same product before.
No. A statement such as ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’ is a cross-contamination warning, not a gluten-free label. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises taking such warnings seriously when choosing food for someone with coeliac disease.
Check both the gluten-free section and the regular biscuit aisle. The Dutch Coeliac Society says gluten-free products can also be stocked alongside regular products, so always check the packaging of the specific item.
Check Albert Heijn’s safety warning before serving this specific pack. On 9 September 2026, Albert Heijn said that almonds may not be listed on the label due to a labelling mix-up, and advised anyone with an almond allergy not to eat the product concerned.
