Who is this relevant to?

Hosts looking to limit sugars as much as possible

You’re looking for a biscuit with a clearly stated low sugar content, and are happy to consider sweeteners and a different taste from a traditional biscuit.

Hosts looking for a familiar treat

You want to serve something familiar with tea or coffee, and compare reduced-sugar options with their standard counterparts.

Hosts catering for a range of guests

You want to know which ingredients and allergens a biscuit contains before serving it, and whether the packaging includes a warning about sweeteners.

What should you look for when choosing?

Sugar-free biscuits with sweeteners

A good choice when: The stated sugar content is your main selection criterion.

Things to consider: Check the polyols, allergens and any warnings on the packaging too.

Familiar biscuits with less sugar

A good choice when: You want to serve a familiar stroopwafel or biscuit and are looking for a reduced-sugar version.

Things to consider: ‘Less sugar’ is a relative claim; the biscuit may still contain sugars.

Homemade biscuits

A good choice when: You want to choose the ingredients yourself and have time to prepare for the get-together.

Things to consider: No added sugars doesn’t mean sugar-free; keep a list of ingredients available for your guests too.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Sugar content Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g for similar products. Before serving, check the amount per biscuit too. I mainly want to know how much sugar the biscuit actually contains, not just what the front of the pack says. Around 42% of consumers put the actual amount first.
A familiar treat For ‘less sugar’ products, check both the stated reference product and the sugar content per 100 g. Check the number of biscuits when planning for your get-together. I want to serve a biscuit my guests will recognise with their coffee, while choosing a reduced-sugar option. This combination matters most to around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest ingredients and allergen information. For biscuits containing polyols, check for any warnings too. When different guests are eating together, I want to know in advance what I can offer them. Around 25% of consumers give clear ingredient information their highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Reading ‘less sugar’ as ‘sugar-free’

    Albert Heijn states that AH Roomboter reduced-sugar stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than the standard AH version. According to the product information, the stroopwafels still contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g.

    Use the reduction claim as a starting point, then compare the ‘of which sugars’ amount per 100 g.

  • Confusing ‘no added sugars’ with ‘sugar-free’

    Ingredients can contain sugars naturally. For example, Allerhande’s biscuit recipe with no added sugars uses dates and lists 6 g of sugars per serving.

    Read the nutrition information alongside the claim, especially if the actual sugar content is your main criterion.

  • Overlooking allergens and polyols

    Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces lists ingredients including wheat, almonds, egg, milk and soya. The product information also warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

    Keep the packaging available for your guests and check the ingredients before putting the biscuits on the table.

  • Relying only on a product page you viewed earlier

    Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, as Albert Heijn notes in its product information.

    Read the current packaging before serving, especially if a guest needs to avoid an ingredient.

Brands to consider

Céréal

Worth considering if you want to compare biscuits with a low stated sugar content per 100 g.

  • Jumbo lists Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces as containing 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g.
  • This variety contains several allergens; according to the product information, excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Albert Heijn

A familiar stroopwafel with a sugar-reduction claim to use as a reference.

  • Albert Heijn states that its Roomboter reduced-sugar stroopwafels contain 32% less sugar than its standard AH butter stroopwafels; the pack contains 10 biscuits.
  • According to the product information, they still contain 23 g of sugars per 100 g. A relative reduction doesn’t necessarily mean a low absolute amount.

Goud Gebakken / ALDI

An option to consider if you want to serve individually wrapped biscuits.

  • ALDI lists a Goud Gebakken Koekhappers variety with 30% less sugar, containing six individually wrapped biscuits.
  • Before comparing them with other biscuits, check the sugar content per 100 g on the packaging too.

Lotus Biscoff

A familiar coffee biscuit to use as a flavour reference for your get-together.

  • Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crisp, caramelised biscuit to enjoy with coffee.
  • If less sugar is a requirement, check the nutritional information on the specific pack rather than relying on how familiar the biscuit is.

Joybuy product related to this topic

This product is listed as biscuits, making it an option to consider if you want to compare sugar content. The description also uses the term ‘liquorice’; check the packaging to make sure the product is suitable for your get-together.

Klene Sugar-Free Lavender Biscuits, 110 g

Klene Sugar-Free Lavender Biscuits, 110 g

Worth considering if you want to compare the sugar content of biscuits for your get-together, provided the product type on the packaging matches what you want to serve.

The product name states 110 g. Before serving, read the latest nutritional information and ingredients, and check that these are biscuits.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean a biscuit contains no sugars?

No. Ingredients can contain sugars naturally. Allerhande’s biscuit recipe with no added sugars uses dates and lists 6 g of sugars per serving, so check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutrition information too.

How do I compare biscuits for a birthday get-together?

For similar biscuits, start by comparing the sugar content per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends this basis for comparison. Then read the ingredients and decide how many biscuits you want to serve.

What should I look for in biscuits containing maltitol?

Read the warning and allergen information on the packaging before offering them to guests. The product information for Céréal Speculoos with almond pieces lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.