Who is this choice important for?

Traveller with coeliac disease

Wants to choose speculaas clearly labelled as gluten-free before setting off, and also checks the ingredients and other allergens on the pack.

Traveller with hand luggage only

Wants to take a dry snack without having to follow the liquids rules for spreadable pastes. Schiphol classifies pastes as liquids.

Traveller planning to eat at Schiphol

Wants to ask about gluten-free options and allergen information on the spot, without assuming a particular speculaas product will be available. Schiphol says gluten-free options are available on request.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the gluten-free label on the pack you’re buying. Then check for other allergens and decide whether to pack your snack in advance or ask about an alternative at Schiphol.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Gluten-free for coeliac disease Check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read the ingredients on the current pack. The Voedingscentrum lists the label and symbol as ways to identify suitable products. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on a familiar speculaas name; I want to check the information on the pack I’m taking with me. For around 42% of consumers, this check comes first.
Convenience at the airport Decide whether to take dry biscuits packed in advance or ask about an option and its allergen list at the airport. According to Schiphol, the liquids rule applies to speculoos spread in hand luggage. If I’m travelling with hand luggage only, I want to be able to pack my snack in advance rather than rely on what happens to be available at Schiphol. This convenience is the main concern for an estimated 33% of consumers.
Other allergens As well as checking the gluten-free label, read the full ingredients and allergen information, including warnings about possible traces. If I also need to avoid another allergen, a gluten-free label on its own isn’t enough. For around 25% of consumers, this additional check is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ordinary speculaas is gluten-free

    A familiar brand name or handy portion pack says nothing about whether a product contains gluten. Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists wheat flour as an ingredient in ordinary Lotus Biscoff speculoos.

    If you have coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and allergen information on the pack you’re buying.

  • Checking only the gluten-free label

    Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information also lists egg in their gluten-free speculaas. Warnings about the possible presence of other allergens vary by product.

    If you need to avoid more than one allergen, read the full ingredients list and allergen warnings on the current pack.

  • Expecting to find gluten-free speculaas at Schiphol

    Schiphol says gluten-free options are available on request and that allergen lists are available in shops. This doesn’t mean that a specific speculaas product will be available.

    If you specifically want speculaas, take a packaged snack you’ve checked in advance. If you choose something else at Schiphol, ask to see the allergen list.

  • Treating speculoos spread like dry biscuits

    According to Schiphol, pastes are subject to the hand-luggage liquids rules, with a maximum of 100 ml per container.

    Choose dry biscuits if you don’t want to worry about this restriction. Check the hand-luggage rules before packing a spreadable version.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

AH Glutenvrij Speculaas, 125 g, is a packaged option to check before you leave.

  • Albert Heijn calls the product gluten-free and says it is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The product contains egg and may contain sesame, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts. Check the pack you’re buying.

Jumbo

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas, 125 g, is another packaged option.

  • Jumbo calls the product gluten-free and displays the Crossed Grain symbol.
  • It contains egg and may also contain almonds, hazelnuts, lupin, milk, gluten-free oats, sesame and walnuts. Check the current label.

Lotus Biscoff

Ordinary Lotus Biscoff speculoos is not a gluten-free alternative for this travel need.

  • The brand also offers a Pocket Pack in individual portions.
  • Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists wheat flour among the ingredients and states that it contains gluten. A smaller pack doesn’t change that.

Lidl / Sondey

Lidl lists Sondey Speculoos as a product sold in its shops.

  • Don’t assume it’s gluten-free just because it’s called speculoos. Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergens on the specific pack.

ALDI

ALDI lists a two-pack of filled speculaas with almonds and almond paste.

  • Filled speculaas is not the same product as gluten-free speculaas biscuits. Only consider this variety based on the current gluten-free label and allergen information on the pack.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is ordinary Lotus Biscoff gluten-free?

No. Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists wheat flour and gluten in ordinary Lotus Biscoff speculoos. Don’t choose this variety if you need gluten-free speculaas.

What should I look for in gluten-free speculaas if I have coeliac disease?

Check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current pack, and read the ingredients and other allergen information too. The Voedingscentrum lists the label and symbol as ways to identify suitable products. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information shows that gluten-free speculaas may also contain egg and carry warnings about other allergens.

Can I ask for gluten-free food at Schiphol?

Yes. According to Schiphol, gluten-free options are available on request, and shops have an allergen list. Ask for the information for the specific product or dish, but don’t assume a particular brand of gluten-free speculaas will be available unless you’ve checked in advance.

Can I take speculoos spread in my hand luggage?

Yes, as long as you follow the liquids rules. Schiphol classifies pastes as liquids and sets a maximum of 100 ml per container, which must be carried in a resealable, transparent 1-litre bag. Dry speculaas biscuits aren’t covered by this specific restriction for pastes; follow airport staff instructions at security.