Who are these biscuits for?

Snack shopper with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea, so start by checking that it’s explicitly labelled gluten-free. Then read the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific pack.

Coffee drinker looking for a familiar biscuit style

You want to choose from styles such as speculoos, digestives or chocolate chip biscuits, without treating a regular wheat biscuit as a gluten-free substitute.

Grocery shopper comparing packs

You’re adding gluten-free biscuits to your regular shop and checking the pack size, number of portions and what’s currently available in store.

What should you look for when choosing?

For a gluten-free afternoon snack, first check that the exact product is labelled gluten-free and read its ingredients. Then compare the biscuit style, any other allergens and the packaging.

What to look for What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free label Look for the words ‘gluten-free’ on the exact product and read the current ingredients list. If I’m looking for a biscuit to have with my coffee because I have coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the flavour name: regular speculoos may contain wheat. For around 36% of consumers, checking for gluten comes first.
Biscuit style and portion Compare the type of biscuit and the number of biscuits or individual portions in the pack. I might fancy speculoos with my tea, while an individually wrapped portion could suit my working day better. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a biscuit style and portion that suit them.
Other allergens On the specific pack, check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ for any ingredients you need to avoid. As well as gluten, I may need to avoid ingredients such as egg, soya or nuts. The gluten-free label doesn’t answer that question. This additional check comes first for around 21% of consumers.
Pack size and availability Check the pack size and what the shop currently has in stock. For my regular shop, I want to know whether the pack contains enough biscuits and whether I can find the product there. For around 14% of consumers, this is the first practical consideration.

Pitfalls to avoid when choosing

  • Choosing regular speculoos as a gluten-free substitute

    A similar flavour doesn’t mean a product is labelled gluten-free. The ingredients listed by Albert Heijn for Lotus Biscoff Speculoos include wheat flour.

    Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the ingredients list on the current packaging.

  • Stopping at the words ‘gluten-free’

    A gluten-free biscuit may contain other allergens. For AH Glutenvrij Speculaas, Albert Heijn lists egg and possible traces of sesame and nuts. For Schär Digestive Landtaler, the product information lists soya and possible traces of egg and lupin.

    If you have another allergy, check the full allergen information on the specific pack.

  • Assuming the range will always be available

    Lidl said on its gluten-free page that additional gluten-free products were not available at the time. So a product you’ve seen before may not be there on your next shop.

    Check the latest product information or the shelf in advance if you’re going to the shop for a particular biscuit.

Brands to compare

AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn’s own-brand range includes speculaas and other types of gluten-free biscuits.

  • Albert Heijn labels AH Glutenvrij Speculaas as gluten-free; its product page says it is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The product information also lists egg and possible traces of sesame and nuts. Check the label if other allergens are a concern for you.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij

Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij van Gluten range includes a variety of biscuit styles, including speculaas, digestives and stroopwafels.

  • You can browse different types of gluten-free biscuits during the same grocery shop.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for each product individually; a range overview is no substitute for the product label.

Schär

Schär offers gluten-free digestive and chocolate chip biscuits in the supermarket ranges mentioned here.

  • Albert Heijn lists Schär Digestive Landtaler as gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free, in a pack of four individually wrapped biscuits.
  • The product information lists soya and possible traces of egg and lupin. Check the exact label if you have additional allergies.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Speculoos is a regular speculoos biscuit, not a gluten-free option in the version mentioned here.

  • Albert Heijn lists wheat flour as an ingredient and identifies wheat and cereals containing gluten in its allergen information. Don’t choose this version if you need a gluten-free biscuit.

ALDI: Heerlijck Banket en Trader Joe's

ALDI lists gluten-free coconut macaroons and coconut rings from Heerlijck Banket, as well as gluten-free rice biscuits from Trader Joe's.

  • The individual ALDI product pages label these products as gluten-free.
  • Check whether the product you want is available in store, and read the packaging for the latest allergen information.

Lidl: Sondey

Lidl sells biscuits and snacks under the Sondey brand. The brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a specific biscuit is gluten-free.

  • Lidl said on its gluten-free page that additional gluten-free products were not available at the time. Check the current range and the packaging before choosing a specific product.

Gluten-free biscuits on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose regular Lotus Biscoff Speculoos if I have coeliac disease?

No. The ingredients listed by Albert Heijn for Lotus Biscoff Speculoos include wheat flour. For a gluten-free afternoon snack, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the label on the current packaging.

Is a gluten-free biscuit also free from other allergens?

No. The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you anything about other allergens. For AH Glutenvrij Speculaas, Albert Heijn lists egg and possible traces of sesame and nuts. The information for Schär Digestive Landtaler lists soya and possible traces of egg and lupin. So be sure to read the allergen information on the pack you choose.

How should I store gluten-free biscuits to eat later in the day?

Follow the storage instructions for the specific product. Schär Digestive Landtaler’s product information says to store it in a cool, dry place. For AH Glutenvrij Speculaas, Albert Heijn says to store it in a cool, dark and dry place.

Can I count on finding the same gluten-free biscuit range at Lidl or ALDI?

Check the current range before going to the shop for a particular biscuit. Lidl said additional gluten-free products were not available at the time. At ALDI, check whether the product you want is in store and read the label there.