Who is this relevant for?

On the go with coeliac disease

You’re looking for something you can take with you without any preparation. The gluten-free label and warnings on the current packaging matter more to you than the taste or a texture similar to spritz biscuits.

Looking for a handy portion

You want to take a sealed pack to work, school or on the go, and see in advance how many portions it contains.

Looking for more than just a biscuit

You want a quick breakfast and find a sweet biscuit handy, but you’re also thinking about what you could eat with it if it’s going to replace your breakfast.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the label and warnings on the packaging. Then compare the portion size and nutritional information of products that are suitable for your needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free labelling and cross-contamination Check the current packaging for an explicit gluten-free label and any warnings about cereals containing gluten. For oat biscuits, also check whether the oats are labelled gluten-free. When I’m having breakfast on the go with coeliac disease, I want to know whether the label meets my needs before I think about taste. Around 42% of consumers would say this check is their main purchasing concern.
Taking it with you and portioning Check the pack weight, number of portions and whether you can take the pack with you sealed. On a morning when I haven’t had time to prepare, I want to be able to take a portion without transferring it to another container. Around 25% of consumers would put this convenience first.
Its place in your breakfast Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and think about what you’d like to eat with the biscuit. If a biscuit is replacing my breakfast, I don’t want to rely on convenience alone. Around 33% of consumers would say the make-up of the whole breakfast is the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘wheat-free’ means ‘gluten-free’

    A product name or impression based on the ingredients is not the same as an explicit gluten-free label. The label on the product matters for oat biscuits too.

    Read the current packaging rather than relying on the name shown in a search result. The EU regulation on the ‘gluten-free’ label and information from the Dutch Coeliac Society provide useful context for understanding these labels.

  • Overlooking a cross-contamination warning

    Even if gluten isn’t listed as an ingredient, a warning about cereals containing gluten may be relevant. The Dutch Coeliac Society highlights the risk of cross-contamination.

    If avoiding cross-contamination is a priority for you, don’t choose a product with this kind of warning. Check the label again whenever you buy a new pack.

  • Assuming a sweet biscuit is a complete breakfast

    A biscuit is easy to take with you, but choosing one product doesn’t tell you what your whole breakfast looks like. The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists yoghurt or quark among its quick breakfast options.

    Think about what you’d like to eat with the biscuit if you’re having it for breakfast, and compare the nutritional information per 100 g as well as per portion.

  • Relying only on the web page

    The packaging you receive is what matters for the ingredients, allergens and warnings relevant to your purchase.

    Check the gluten-free label and the rest of the wording on the label again when your product arrives.

Brands to consider

These brands offer different biscuit-style alternatives. Always check the specific product and its current packaging, rather than relying on the brand name alone.

Verkade

Verkade presents Oaties as gluten-free oat biscuits for anyone looking for a crunchy alternative to spritz biscuits.

  • According to Verkade, the original version contains gluten-free oat flakes and gluten-free oat flour.
  • Check the ingredients and warnings for your chosen version, and bear in mind your own tolerance of oats.

AH Glutenvrij

AH Glutenvrij Koekjes amandel is a small 45 g pack of biscuits containing four portions, according to Albert Heijn’s product information.

  • Albert Heijn says these biscuits are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • Albert Heijn also lists other allergens, including egg, soya and almond, and mentions wheat in the allergen information. So check the label for all allergens relevant to you.

PLUS

PLUS offers gluten-free choco chip cookies as an alternative for anyone looking for a familiar biscuit shape.

  • PLUS product information lists rice flour, maize flour and tapioca starch, and advises storing the product in a cool, dry and dark place.
  • PLUS gives this product a Nutri-Score E and lists 33 g of sugars per 100 g. Check your portion size and the rest of your breakfast too; the score alone doesn’t tell you whether your whole meal is balanced.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

The Jumbo Lekker Vrij range also includes products other than spritz-style biscuits, such as breakfast cake and biscuits.

  • Jumbo’s range includes a variety of biscuits and breakfast products.
  • A range page doesn’t tell you which ingredients and allergens are listed on the pack you choose. Check each product individually.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is ‘wheat-free’ enough if I’m looking for a gluten-free alternative to spritz biscuits?

No. If avoiding gluten is a priority for you, don’t rely on ‘wheat-free’ alone. Check that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’; the EU has specific rules for this label.

What should I do if it says ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’?

Avoid the product if you want to avoid cross-contamination with cereals containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society notes that this kind of warning signals a potential risk, even when gluten isn’t listed as an ingredient.

Is a gluten-free oat biscuit always a suitable alternative?

No. Check both that the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free and that you tolerate oats. On Joybuy’s listing for Verkade Gv Oaties Melkchocolade, it notes that a small number of people with coeliac disease may be sensitive to oat protein.

Can I have breakfast with just a gluten-free biscuit?

Don’t automatically consider a sweet biscuit a complete breakfast. If you’re having one for breakfast, think about what you’d like to eat with it; the Dutch Nutrition Centre suggests yoghurt or quark as quick breakfast options.

How should I take gluten-free biscuits with me when I’m out and about?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen, and take the product with you sealed and undamaged. PLUS says its gluten-free choco chip cookies should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place.