Sugar-Free Spritz Biscuits for a Wedding Buffet: Picks

Who is this choice relevant to?

Organisers keeping an eye on sugar

If you’re looking for a biscuit with the lowest listed sugar content, you could also look beyond spritz biscuits. PLUS lists 0 g of sugars per 100 g for Céréal Kokos; it’s a coconut biscuit, not a spritz biscuit.

Planners who want to serve a classic spritz biscuit

If the familiar spritz biscuit is important, you can serve it separately alongside an alternative for guests who are keeping an eye on sugar. The nutritional information from Verkade and Albert Heijn shows that their classic spritz biscuits mentioned here contain sugars.

Planners who make product information available to guests

At a buffet with a mix of biscuits, ingredients, allergens and warnings for each product matter. This also applies to alternatives containing polyols: according to the Voedingscentrum, consuming high amounts can cause digestive problems in some people.

What matters when choosing biscuits for a buffet?

First decide whether the biscuit needs to be a spritz, or whether the listed sugar content matters more. Keep alternatives clearly separate so guests can check the information for the right product.

Classic spritz biscuit

A good choice when: the familiar spritz biscuit is the priority and you’re not presenting it as sugar-free.

The trade-off: Verkade lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for NoboSprits Original; Albert Heijn lists 28 g per 100 g for AH Spritsen.

Sugar-free coconut biscuit

A good choice when: the listed sugar content takes priority and a coconut biscuit is an acceptable alternative to a spritz.

The trade-off: PLUS lists 0 g of sugars and 18 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Kokos, with a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Biscuit with no added sugars

A good choice when: a biscuit will do and you specifically want to avoid added sugars.

The trade-off: Verkade San Francisco Zero isn’t a spritz biscuit and, according to Verkade, still contains 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g.

Homemade biscuit

A good choice when: you want to choose the ingredients and portions for the buffet biscuits yourself.

The trade-off: Albert Heijn’s recipe with no added sugar includes ingredients such as dates and lists 6 g of sugars per portion; that’s not the same as a biscuit with no sugars.

Point to consider	What to check before buying	Who it matters most to
Sugar content	Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and consider the portion you’ll serve; don’t assume ‘no added sugars’ means 0 g of sugars.	I want to be able to point guests who want to limit sugar towards a biscuit based on its nutritional information, not just its name. For around 50% of consumers, sugar content is the first thing they consider.
Spritz shape and flavour	Decide whether you need a classic spritz biscuit or whether a coconut biscuit or another biscuit would also suit the presentation.	I’d like to serve a familiar spritz biscuit with coffee, even if I also put a separate alternative on the table. That classic presentation is the priority for around 30% of consumers.
Allergens and polyols	Check the latest allergen information and any warning about polyols for each product; keep the packaging by the buffet.	I want guests to be able to see which biscuits suit their needs before they serve themselves. For around 20% of consumers, this product information is the top priority.

What could you get wrong?

Presenting an ordinary spritz biscuit as a lower-sugar option

Offering an alternative on the same buffet table doesn’t change the nutritional value of the spritz biscuit. Verkade lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for NoboSprits Original, while Albert Heijn lists 28 g per 100 g for AH Spritsen.

Compare the sugar content per 100 g and clearly separate the classic spritz biscuit from any alternative with different nutritional values.
Assuming ‘no added sugars’ means 0 g of sugars

Verkade says San Francisco Zero has no added sugars, but still lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn’s recipe with no added sugar also lists sugars: 6 g per portion.

Decide whether you want to avoid added sugars or reduce the listed amount of sugars, then check the nutritional information.
Overlooking the warning on biscuits containing polyols

PLUS includes a warning for Céréal Kokos that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The Voedingscentrum points out that consuming high amounts of polyols can cause wind and diarrhoea in some people.

Keep the product packaging available and serve the biscuits in clearly defined portions, so guests can take the warning into account when choosing.
Assuming a lower-sugar biscuit is allergen-free

Allergens vary by product: according to the product information, Verkade San Francisco Zero contains wheat, milk and soya, while other ingredients and possible traces are relevant for the Céréal biscuits mentioned here.

Check the current label on every pack. Display products with their own name and allergen information, and use separate serving tongs.

Brands and shops to consider

Verkade

For this comparison, Verkade offers a classic spritz biscuit and a biscuit with no added sugars. These products serve different purposes on the buffet.

According to Verkade, NoboSprits Original contains 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g; San Francisco Zero lists 1.7 g per 100 g.
San Francisco Zero isn’t a spritz biscuit and, according to the product information, contains wheat, milk, soya and maltitols.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn is relevant here for AH Spritsen and for a recipe you can use to make biscuits with no added sugar.

The nutritional information for AH Spritsen and the recipe lists the sugar content, so you can assess it for the biscuit you choose.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Spritsen contain 28 g of sugars per 100 g, as well as wheat and milk. The recipe, which includes ingredients such as dates, lists 6 g of sugars per portion.

Céréal

The Céréal biscuits mentioned here are alternatives for anyone who doesn’t need a spritz shape; coconut and almond speculoos are different varieties.

PLUS lists 0 g of sugars and 18 g of polyols per 100 g for the coconut variety. Jumbo lists 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g for the almond speculoos.
Neither is a spritz biscuit. Check the allergens and warning about excessive consumption for each variety.

PLUS

PLUS provides product information for items including Céréal Kokos and Verkade San Francisco Zero, covering nutritional values and warnings.

The information helps you compare the listed sugar content, polyols and allergens for each product.
Use the information on the packs you’ll actually serve when preparing the final buffet labels.

Related products at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as 0 g of sugars?

No. Verkade San Francisco Zero carries that claim, but Verkade lists 1.7 g of sugars per 100 g. So also check the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information; PLUS lists 0 g per 100 g for the other biscuit, Céréal Kokos.

Can I serve an ordinary spritz biscuit as a sugar-free buffet biscuit?

Not if you mean the classic spritz biscuits mentioned here: Verkade lists 24.2 g of sugars per 100 g for NoboSprits Original, while Albert Heijn lists 28 g per 100 g for AH Spritsen. If you serve another biscuit with a different sugar content, keep it separate and label it with the correct product name.

What should I look out for in biscuits containing maltitol?

Check the warning on the packaging and make sure it’s available for guests to read at the buffet. PLUS includes a warning for the products mentioned that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect; according to the Voedingscentrum, consuming high amounts of polyols can cause digestive problems in some people.

How can I give guests information about allergens in the biscuits?

Check each product separately and keep the current packaging or ingredients list by the serving area. The classic spritz biscuits mentioned here contain wheat and milk; allergens and possible traces vary between the alternatives. So don’t use one allergen card for all the biscuits.