Who is this choice for?

People with a strict sugar-free requirement

You want to know whether a packaged biscuit meets the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim. So you compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and don’t rely solely on ‘zero’ or ‘no added sugars’.

Home bakers who want to choose the flavour themselves

You want to choose your own sweetener and, for example, speculaas spices to use when making Dutch doughnuts. If you make biscuits yourself, assess the whole recipe before calling the finished biscuits sugar-free.

People who look beyond sugars

When choosing biscuits with sweeteners, you also check carbohydrates, polyols, portion size and allergens. A low sugar value won’t answer those questions on its own.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether ‘sugar-free’ is an absolute requirement for you. Then you can assess a packaged biscuit or homemade alternative based on its ingredients and how you want to serve it alongside the Dutch doughnuts.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Strictly sugar-free Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g with the 0.5 g threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Check the packaging of the product you choose. I want a biscuit that genuinely meets my strict sugar-free requirement, not just a pack labelled ‘zero’; this is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Other ingredients Check the carbohydrates, polyols, portion size and allergens. For products containing polyols, also look out for any warnings about excessive consumption. If I choose a biscuit with a sweetener, I want to know what else is in my portion; around 33% of consumers say this broader check is their top priority.
Flavour and preparation For homemade biscuits, assess the whole recipe. If you’re deep-frying Dutch doughnuts, follow the Voedingscentrum’s advice to heat the oil to no more than 175 °C. I want to choose a flavour that goes well with my Dutch doughnuts and enjoy a fuss-free baking process; this practical consideration matters most to around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means ‘sugar-free’

    The claims don’t mean the same thing. Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco Zero as having both 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. That’s above the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

    If you require a strictly sugar-free biscuit, compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the label with 0.5 g.

  • Looking only at the sugar figure

    Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos almond pieces as containing 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g. The product also lists allergens and includes a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess.

    Before buying, also check the ingredients, carbohydrates, polyols, allergens and portion size of the specific biscuit.

  • Confusing your choice of biscuit with how you prepare Dutch doughnuts

    Choosing a biscuit with less sugar doesn’t change the requirements for deep-frying. According to the Voedingscentrum, oil that’s too cool can increase oil absorption; above 175 °C, the outside may brown or burn too quickly.

    Heat the oil to no more than 175 °C, fill the deep-fat fryer no more than halfway and don’t fry too many Dutch doughnuts at once.

  • Trusting an online product page without checking the pack

    Ingredients and nutritional information can change, as Albert Heijn points out in its product information. This is particularly important if you’re choosing products based on their sugar content or allergens.

    Use online information to compare products, then check the packaging of the one you actually buy.

Relevant brands and shops to explore

Céréal

Offers packaged biscuits labelled ‘sugar-free’, including Speculoos almond pieces.

  • Albert Heijn lists this speculoos and almond biscuit as containing 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The same product information lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g and includes a warning about excessive consumption. Check the allergens too.

Verkade

San Francisco Zero is an example of a biscuit labelled ‘0% added sugar’.

  • The label makes clear which type of sugar the claim refers to.
  • Albert Heijn lists this product as containing 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. It therefore doesn’t meet the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Albert Heijn

The ‘Sugar-conscious biscuits’ category can help you find biscuits to compare more closely.

  • Product pages include biscuits from Céréal labelled ‘sugar-free’.
  • A category name doesn’t tell you how much sugar each individual biscuit contains. Check the nutritional information on the packaging.

Jumbo

Offers product information about sugar-conscious biscuits and a recipe for homemade shortbread-style biscuits with sweetener and speculaas spices.

  • The recipe gives you the option to choose the ingredients for biscuits to serve with Dutch doughnuts.
  • A recipe titled ‘sugar-free’ doesn’t prove that the baked biscuits meet the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.

Lotus Biscoff

The Original Speculoos is a flavour option if a strictly sugar-free biscuit isn’t essential.

  • The speculoos flavour can be a starting point when you’re choosing a biscuit to serve with Dutch doughnuts.
  • Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists The Original Speculoos as containing 38.1 g of sugars per 100 g. This product isn’t suitable if you have a strict sugar-free requirement.

Sondey (Lidl)

Lidl Nederland presents Sondey as a range that includes biscuits and cookies.

  • The range includes biscuits you can check at product level.
  • If you’re looking for a sugar-free option, don’t rely on the brand name: check the sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens for the specific biscuit.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be called ‘sugar-free’?

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, the ‘sugar-free’ claim may be used when a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or per 100 ml. For biscuits, check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the packaging.

Does ‘0% added sugar’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. Albert Heijn lists Verkade San Francisco Zero as having 0% added sugar and 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. This puts the product above the threshold for the ‘sugar-free’ claim under EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Are biscuits with sweeteners also carbohydrate-free?

The presence of a sweetener doesn’t mean they are. Diabetes Fonds points out that some sugar substitutes contain carbohydrate-based bulking agents, so check the total carbohydrates and portion size on the biscuit’s label.

Why do some biscuits carry a warning about a laxative effect?

Biscuits containing polyols may carry a warning about a possible laxative effect if consumed in excess. Albert Heijn includes this warning for Céréal Speculoos almond pieces, which contain 29 g of polyols per 100 g. Read the warning and portion information on the packaging.

What temperature should you use for deep-frying Dutch doughnuts?

According to the Voedingscentrum, heat the oil to no more than 175 °C. Fill the deep-fat fryer no more than halfway and don’t fry too many Dutch doughnuts at once. If the temperature is too low, the doughnuts may absorb more oil; above 175 °C, the outside may brown or burn too quickly.