Who is this choice relevant to?

People with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a biscuit to enjoy at home and want to check for a gluten-free statement rather than relying on the ingredients list alone.

Spritz biscuit fans considering a different type of biscuit

You’re looking for something to enjoy with a tea or coffee, but understand that a gluten-free oat, almond or coconut biscuit isn’t a spritz biscuit.

People planning their weekly shop

You want to add a suitable biscuit to a larger shop, and are considering pack size, price per kilo and what your shop currently has in stock.

What should you look for when choosing?

If you have coeliac disease, start by checking the gluten-free statement and any other allergens on the current packaging. Then compare the type of biscuit, pack size and whether you can add it to your weekly shop.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free statement Check the current packaging for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ statement or gluten-free certification mark, and read the allergen information. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the shape of the biscuit or the ingredients list alone. For around 36% of consumers, checking that a product is gluten-free comes first.
Type and flavour of biscuit Compare the type of biscuit and, for example, whether it contains chocolate or nuts. Don’t treat an alternative as an identical spritz biscuit. For a tea or coffee break, I mainly look for a biscuit I’ll enjoy, even if it tastes different from a spritz. After checking that a product is gluten-free, around 29% of consumers prioritise the type of biscuit.
Weekly supplies and choice of shop Compare pack size and price per kilo, and check whether the product is available from your shop or as part of your order. When I’m shopping for the whole week, I want to know how much is in a pack and whether I can add it to my shop. For around 21% of consumers, this practical consideration comes first.
Other allergens As well as checking the gluten-free statement, read the full allergen information on the current packaging. I also need to watch out for other ingredients; a gluten-free statement doesn’t answer that question. For around 14% of consumers, additional allergens or dietary requirements are the main factor in their choice.

Common mistakes

  • Judging a regular spritz biscuit by its appearance

    Its shape and taste tell you nothing about whether it is labelled gluten-free. Verkade says NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour and may contain other cereals containing gluten.

    If you have coeliac disease, check that the current packaging explicitly says the biscuit is gluten-free. Don’t choose NoboSprits Original as a gluten-free alternative.

  • Assuming a gluten-free biscuit is identical to a spritz

    The alternatives shown include oat biscuits, almond biscuits, speculaas and coconut biscuits. They may be a different type of biscuit from the spritz you have in mind.

    First choose a product with a gluten-free statement, then decide which type of biscuit suits the occasion.

  • Overlooking other allergens

    ‘Gluten-free’ doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from other allergens. AH Gluten-Free Almond Biscuits, for example, are listed as containing egg, soya and almonds.

    If you need to avoid ingredients other than gluten, read the full allergen information.

  • Relying only on older online product information

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. The products you see online may also differ from what you find when you shop.

    Use online information to plan your shop, then check the packaging again in store or when your order arrives.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Worth considering when comparing regular spritz biscuits with gluten-free biscuit alternatives.

  • Albert Heijn lists Verkade Gluten-Free Oaties in plain and milk chocolate varieties as biscuit alternatives.
  • Verkade says NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour. Oaties are not the same type of biscuit as a spritz.

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range is worth a look if you’re after a biscuit alternative explicitly labelled gluten-free.

  • Albert Heijn says AH Gluten-Free Almond Biscuits are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • These almond biscuits are also listed as containing egg, soya, almonds and gluten-free wheat starch. Check the packaging if you have additional allergies.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s own-brand range includes several types of gluten-free biscuits for your shop at Jumbo.

  • Jumbo lists products including Lekker Vrij van Gluten speculaas and digestives with milk chocolate.
  • These are different types of biscuit from spritz. Check the current packaging and availability of the product you choose.

PLUS Glutenvrij

PLUS’s own-brand range is an option if you’re looking to order or pick up a gluten-free biscuit alternative.

  • PLUS lists products including gluten-free chocolate chip cookies.
  • A cookie isn’t a spritz biscuit. Check the latest product and allergen information before buying.

Heerlijck Banket

A brand to look for at ALDI if you’re after a gluten-free coconut biscuit alternative.

  • ALDI lists Heerlijck Banket coconut rings as gluten-free biscuits.
  • Coconut rings are a different type of biscuit from spritz and have a coconut flavour. Check the current label in store.

Biscuit alternative on Joybuy

These Verkade Oaties are gluten-free oat biscuits with milk chocolate, for anyone looking for an alternative to spritz biscuits for their weekly shop. They are not spritz biscuits themselves.

Verkade Gluten-Free Oaties milk chocolate, 150 g

Verkade Gluten-Free Oaties milk chocolate, 150 g

An oat biscuit with milk chocolate for anyone looking for a gluten-free biscuit alternative, without expecting it to be identical to a spritz.

The product description calls the biscuit gluten-free and crunchy; the pack contains 150 g. Before buying, check the gluten-free statement and allergen information on the current packaging, including details about oats, milk, soya and the possible presence of nuts.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is Verkade NoboSprits Original gluten-free?

No. Verkade lists wheat flour as an ingredient in NoboSprits Original and warns that it may also contain other cereals containing gluten. If you have coeliac disease, don’t choose this product as a gluten-free biscuit.

What does ‘gluten-free’ mean on a Dutch label?

According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, the statement ‘gluten-free’ means that a product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority refers to the requirements in Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 for this statement on products containing a cereal with gluten. Check the statement on the packaging of the biscuit you buy.

Can a biscuit containing gluten-free wheat starch still be gluten-free?

Yes. The presence of gluten-free wheat starch doesn’t rule out a gluten-free statement, as long as the product meets the requirements for making that claim. According to Albert Heijn, AH Gluten-Free Almond Biscuits contain gluten-free wheat starch. If you have additional allergies, check the other ingredients and allergen information too.

How do I check a biscuit alternative while doing my weekly shop?

Start by checking for an explicit gluten-free statement on the current packaging, then read the ingredients and allergen information. Only then compare the type of biscuit, pack size and price per kilo. Online product information is useful for planning, but it can change.

Can I rely on Lidl to stock a particular gluten-free biscuit?

Check Lidl’s current range before adding a particular biscuit to your shopping list. Lidl said on its range page that additional gluten-free products were not available at the time. If you do find a product, check its current packaging.