Groups eating together before departure
Travel companions or visitors who want to share a pack can choose a size to suit the group. Schiphol lists an Albert Heijn on Plaza, but check in person to see which packs of speculaas biscuits are available.
Who might find a sharing pack useful?
Travellers with hand luggage only
If you’re taking a snack through security, you can distinguish solid biscuits from speculoos spread. Schiphol sets a per-container limit for liquids, gels and pastes in hand luggage; this rule doesn’t apply to solid biscuits.
Groups who need to check the label
If anyone in your group needs to check ingredients or allergens, the exact variety matters more than the pack size alone. Product information from Jumbo and Lotus Biscoff lists ingredients such as wheat, soya, almonds or nuts in some of the varieties reviewed, depending on the product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by working out how much your group needs. Then decide which type of biscuit will be easiest to share on the way, and check the label before buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the weight in grams and, where stated, the number of biscuits or portions. | If I’m sharing with several people, I want to know in advance whether one pack will be enough. For around 36% of consumers, having enough in the pack for the group comes first. |
| Convenience for hand luggage | Choose between solid biscuits and spread, and check Schiphol’s hand-luggage rules if you’re taking spread. | When travelling, I want something I can take and eat without cutlery or hassle at security. Convenience for hand luggage is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Easy to share without crumbs | Check whether the pack contains individual biscuits or larger pieces, and how it can be resealed. | In a waiting area, I want everyone in the group to be able to take a biscuit easily; for around 21% of consumers, being able to share neatly matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information for the exact variety, including for almond pieces. | If not everyone in the group can eat the same ingredients, I need to know which pack is suitable before sharing. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a jar of speculoos spread like a pack of biscuits
Different rules apply to spread in hand luggage than to solid biscuits at Schiphol. Since 1 September 2024, Schiphol has required liquids, gels and pastes to be in containers of no more than 100 ml, all placed in a transparent, resealable 1-litre bag.
Choose solid biscuits if you want to take your snack through security. If you want to bring spread, check the amount in millilitres and the current baggage rules.
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Focusing only on the type of biscuit when buying for a group
The varieties reviewed have different allergen information. According to Jumbo, Lotus Biscoff speculoos biscuits, 250 g, contain wheat and soya; Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas, 600 g, lists gluten and wheat and warns that it may contain almonds and nuts.
Before sharing, read the current label on the exact pack you’re buying.
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Assuming a particular large pack will be available at Schiphol
Schiphol lists an Albert Heijn on Plaza, while Albert Heijn’s website shows various packs of speculaas biscuits. That doesn’t tell you which pack will be in the shop when you’re travelling.
Buy your sharing pack in advance if you need a particular size, or check the shelves when buying at Schiphol.
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Choosing larger pieces to hand out individually
Larger pieces can crumble when several people break off a piece.
Choose individual biscuits if you want everyone to be able to take one easily; save larger pieces for a more informal sharing occasion.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
The 250 g pack of speculoos biscuits described by Jumbo contains around 32 individual biscuits.
- Individual biscuits make it easy to hand one out to each person.
- This pack is smaller than the 600 g sharing packs mentioned and, according to Jumbo, contains wheat and soya.
Jumbo
The product information reviewed includes 600 g packs of Bakkers Speculaas and 375 g packs of Speculaasbrokken.
- Jumbo lists around 48 portions in its 600 g pack of Bakkers Speculaas.
- The varieties reviewed contain gluten and wheat; for larger pieces and almond pieces, also check the information about almonds and nuts.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s website lists, among other products, 600 g packs of Bakkers speculaas and 375 g packs of speculaasbrokken.
- These packs give you a choice between traditional biscuits and larger pieces.
- Check which variety and pack are available in the shop at Schiphol.
Biscotto
ALDI Netherlands lists Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas, 600 g, as an in-store product.
- ALDI lists 48 biscuits per pack, which can help you plan how much to share.
- If you’d like to take this variety, check whether it’s available at your local ALDI.
Sondey
Lidl Netherlands lists Sondey Speculoos biscuits as an in-store product.
- An option to look out for in store if you’re after speculoos biscuits.
- Before choosing them for a group, check the pack size and label.
Speculaas biscuits for sharing
These solid biscuits are well suited to sharing before departure. Choose the pack size, number of biscuits and type of biscuit to suit your group, and check the label before eating together.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas Cookies, 8 pieces, 200 g
A pack of individual biscuits to share with a smaller group. It contains 8 biscuits and weighs 200 g; check whether that’s enough for everyone, and read the label for allergen information.
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De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas 450 g
A pack of traditional baker’s speculaas for anyone who wants to take one pack to share. It weighs 450 g; if you’re buying for a larger group, check how many biscuits it contains and read the allergen information.
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g'woon Almond Speculaas 400 g
An almond speculaas variety to consider if it suits your group. The pack contains 400 g; check how many biscuits it includes and read the full allergen information, including details about soya, before sharing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take solid speculaas biscuits in my hand luggage from Schiphol?
Solid speculaas biscuits aren’t covered by the rules for liquids and pastes that Schiphol applies to hand luggage. Follow the instructions at security, and check any additional requirements set by your airline or destination.
Are there different hand-luggage rules for speculoos spread?
Yes. Since 1 September 2024, Schiphol has required liquids, gels and pastes to be in containers of no more than 100 ml, inside a transparent, resealable 1-litre bag. Check the amount in a jar in millilitres; the weight in grams alone won’t tell you whether it meets the limit.
Can I still buy a large pack of speculaas biscuits at Schiphol?
Schiphol lists an Albert Heijn on Plaza that sells snacks. If you’re buying just before departure, it’s best to check in the shop whether the large pack you want is available.
Which allergens should I look out for when sharing speculaas biscuits?
Read the allergen information on the exact pack before sharing it with others. According to Jumbo’s product information, the Lotus Biscoff variety reviewed contains wheat and soya; Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas contains gluten and wheat and may contain almonds and nuts.
How should I store an opened pack of speculaas biscuits while travelling?
Seal the pack securely after opening and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Jumbo advises storing its baker’s speculaas reviewed in a cool, dry place; an airtight container or bag can keep individual biscuits together while you’re on the move.