If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease
You’ll want to check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and any warnings on the packaging itself. The Dutch Coeliac Society also stresses the importance of preventing cross-contamination.
Who is this choice important for?
If you’re taking biscuits along on King’s Day
Whether you’re heading to a street market, picnic or party, look for biscuits you can check in advance and keep separate from other snacks. Be mindful of shared serving dishes and tableware, too.
If you want to bake your own spritz biscuits
The familiar shape matters more to you than the convenience of a packaged biscuit. In that case, you’ll need to make sure not only that the ingredients are suitable, but also that your worktop, utensils and serving arrangements are kept carefully separate from gluten-containing foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
Packaged gluten-free biscuits are handy if you want to check the label and take them with you. Baking your own gives you the chance to make spritz biscuits, but requires more care during preparation and serving.
Packaged gluten-free biscuits
Choose these if: you want to take a biscuit alternative that you can check in advance to a street market or party.
Bear in mind: oat biscuits or other types of biscuits won’t necessarily have the shape or flavour of spritz biscuits.
Homemade gluten-free spritz biscuits
Choose these if: the spritz shape matters to you and you can carefully organise the ingredients and preparation.
Bear in mind: baking takes preparation, and crumbs or shared utensils could still make the biscuits unsuitable.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free suitability | Check the current gluten-free claim, ingredients and warnings about cereals containing gluten. Verkade says that NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour. | If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I want to rule out biscuits containing wheat or carrying a relevant warning. Around 50% of consumers put this check first. |
| Spritz shape and treat factor | Decide whether the shape matters enough for you to bake your own, or whether another type of gluten-free biscuit will do. | If I want recognisable spritz biscuits on the party table, I’m happy to make time to bake them myself; around 30% of consumers prioritise that treat experience. |
| Taking and serving the biscuits | Choose packaging you can check, and keep the biscuits separate from gluten-containing snacks and shared tableware. | At a street market, I want to take something along without putting it with loose biscuits. Around 20% of consumers give this practical convenience top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Relying on the brand name instead of checking the specific variety
Verkade says that NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour, while the brand describes Oaties separately as gluten-free. That claim doesn’t automatically apply to other biscuits from the same brand.
Check the exact variety and current packaging before choosing biscuits for someone with coeliac disease.
-
Putting gluten-free biscuits with regular biscuits
The Dutch Coeliac Society says that crumbs and shared equipment can transfer gluten to gluten-free food.
Keep the biscuits packaged for as long as possible, and use clean hands and a separate plate or serving area.
-
Taking a stallholder’s general reassurance at face value
With unwrapped biscuits, there’s no sealed packaging with an ingredients list to check. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must still be provided to consumers for unpackaged foods.
Ask specifically about cereals containing gluten and how cross-contamination is prevented. If the information isn’t clear, choose a packaged alternative whose label you can check.
-
Checking only the biscuit, not the tableware
The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that disposable tableware made from wheat bran can pose a risk on King’s Day.
Check what you’re serving the biscuits on, and prevent contact with shared tableware and crumbs containing gluten.
Brands and ranges to consider
Verkade
Verkade shows why you need to check each biscuit variety: NoboSprits Original and Oaties don’t have the same gluten-free claim.
- Verkade describes Oaties as gluten-free and lists Albert Heijn as a retailer.
- Verkade says that NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour. The description of Oaties doesn’t automatically apply to other Verkade biscuits.
Albert Heijn Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free biscuit range is a good place to explore different types of biscuits as an alternative to spritz.
- Albert Heijn’s online category includes gluten-free biscuits and Verkade Oaties, among other products.
- A product appearing in that category doesn’t mean it’s a spritz biscuit or in stock at every store; check the packaging of your chosen product.
Jumbo Lekker Vrij
Jumbo’s Lekker Vrij van Gluten range includes different types of biscuits for anyone considering an alternative to spritz.
- The online range includes products such as speculaas and digestives.
- These aren’t spritz biscuits. Check the current packaging and suitability of the specific product.
Packaged biscuit alternative at Joybuy
If you’re looking for a packaged biscuit for King’s Day instead of classic spritz, you could consider this Oaties variety. If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, check the gluten-free claim, ingredients and any warnings on the current packaging.
Image unavailable
Verkade Gv Oaties Milk Chocolate – 150 g
A packaged biscuit alternative for anyone who wants to take something other than spritz along on King’s Day; check the current label before choosing it for someone with coeliac disease.
Variety: Milk Chocolate. Pack size: 150 g. Oaties are oat biscuits, not spritz biscuits.
Frequently asked questions
Are Verkade NoboSprits Original biscuits suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. Verkade says that NoboSprits Original contains wheat flour; the product information also states that it may contain other cereals containing gluten.
Is a biscuit with no wheat in the ingredients list automatically suitable?
No. Also check the current gluten-free claim and any warnings about possible contact with cereals containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that people with coeliac disease need to avoid cross-contamination.
How should I take gluten-free biscuits to a King’s Day picnic?
Keep them packaged until you’re ready to serve them, if possible, and keep them separate from snacks containing gluten. Use clean hands and utensils, and a separate plate or spot on the picnic blanket, as the Dutch Coeliac Society advises to prevent cross-contamination.
Can I ask a stallholder about allergens in unwrapped biscuits?
Yes. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must also be provided to consumers for unpackaged foods. Ask about the ingredients and how cross-contamination is prevented. If the information remains unclear, you can choose a packaged biscuit and check the label yourself.