Who these biscuits may suit

Cyclists packing a gluten-free snack

An explicitly labelled gluten-free biscuit can contribute carbohydrate alongside other food and drinks planned for a ride. Check the amount per biscuit so the portion fits what you intend to carry.

Riders who need to avoid gluten

The exact product matters: Tesco's listing for standard Crawford's custard creams and a Pioneer Foodservice listing for McVitie's Tasties both identify wheat ingredients. Look for a gluten-free claim on the pack rather than relying on the biscuit name.

Riders also checking milk or vegan labels

Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda list free-from custard creams as gluten free, milk free and suitable for vegans. Check those claims on the pack you buy, particularly if more than one dietary condition matters.

What to check before buying

Start with the dietary label, then compare the carbohydrate in the portion you would carry and the way the biscuits are packed.

Priority What to check Your needs
Gluten-free label Look for an explicit gluten-free claim on the current pack and read its ingredients and allergen declaration. The Food Standards Agency states that food labelled gluten free must contain no more than 20 mg/kg gluten as sold to the consumer. I need to avoid gluten, so a conventional custard cream with wheat ingredients is not an interchangeable choice.
Carbohydrate per portion Compare the stated amount per biscuit, not just per 100 g. Asda lists 9.2 g for a Schär biscuit, Tesco lists 10.5 g for its free-from biscuit, and Asda lists 11 g for its own-brand version. Two Schär biscuits therefore provide about 18.4 g. For a longer ride, I want to know what one carried portion contributes alongside my other food and drinks. British Cycling gives sportive riders a general planning rule of 1 g of carbohydrate per kilogram of bodyweight per hour; it is not a claim that one biscuit portion covers a ride.
Pack and dietary details Check whether portions are individually packed and whether the exact product meets any additional milk-free or vegan requirement. Asda lists Schär in five two-biscuit packs; Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda list their own-brand free-from versions as milk free and suitable for vegans. I would rather carry a small protected portion than handle a whole pack during a ride. If I also need a milk-free biscuit, I must check that claim separately from gluten-free or lactose-free wording.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming all custard creams are gluten free

    Tesco lists wheat flour and wheat starch in standard Crawford's custard creams; Pioneer Foodservice identifies wheat ingredients in McVitie's Tasties. A similar-looking free-from biscuit does not change those products' ingredients.

    Choose the exact product with an explicit gluten-free claim, then check its current ingredients and allergen declaration.

  • Planning a long ride around one biscuit portion

    Asda lists 9.2 g carbohydrate per Schär biscuit, making a two-biscuit pack about 18.4 g. British Cycling's sportive guidance calls for planning carbohydrate intake across the ride rather than relying on a single small snack.

    Count the portion alongside the other food and drinks you intend to take, and try that plan before an important ride.

  • Using an online listing instead of the pack label

    Retailer product information can change, which matters when gluten or milk avoidance is a requirement.

    Read the physical pack you receive or pick up, including its dietary claims, ingredients and allergen information.

Brand and product-line references

These details concern the named products in retailer or supplier listings, not every biscuit sold under each brand.

Schär

Asda lists Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125 g as gluten-free biscuits in five two-biscuit packs.

  • The listed individual packs let you set aside a two-biscuit portion; Asda states 9.2 g carbohydrate per biscuit.
  • A two-biscuit portion contributes about 18.4 g carbohydrate, so account for other food and drinks when planning a longer ride.

Tesco Free From

Tesco lists its Custard Creams 125 g as gluten free, milk free and suitable for vegans.

  • The Tesco listing gives 10.5 g carbohydrate per biscuit and 75.2 g per 100 g.
  • Check the current pack for dietary claims and decide how you will protect a carried portion.

Sainsbury's Free From

Sainsbury's lists its Custard Creams 125 g as gluten free, milk free and suitable for vegans.

  • The product listing also describes the biscuits as suitable for coeliacs.
  • Check the purchased pack for current dietary and nutrition information before relying on it for a ride.

Asda Free From

Asda lists its Free From Custard Creams 125 g as free from cereals containing gluten and milk, and suitable for vegans.

  • Asda states 11 g carbohydrate per biscuit.
  • Asda notes that product information may change, so check the pack's current claims and ingredients.

Crawford's

Tesco's listing for standard Crawford's Custard Creams 300 g identifies wheat flour and wheat starch.

  • This listed standard product is not a substitute for an explicitly gluten-free custard cream.

A Joybuy product option

This individually portioned gluten-free custard cream is an option to consider when packing a biscuit for a cycle ride. Check the pack's current dietary information before use.

Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125 g pack

Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125 g

The listed five two-biscuit packs let you put a portion aside for a ride. Asda lists 9.2 g carbohydrate per biscuit, or about 18.4 g for two; include that amount within your wider food and drink plan.

View on Joybuy

Questions about gluten-free custard creams

Are custard creams automatically gluten free?

No. Tesco's standard Crawford's listing and Pioneer Foodservice's McVitie's Tasties listing identify wheat ingredients. Check the exact pack for a gluten-free claim; the Food Standards Agency states that food bearing that claim must contain no more than 20 mg/kg gluten as sold to the consumer.

Can gluten-free custard creams be part of my ride food?

They can contribute carbohydrate if the product meets your dietary requirements, but one portion is not a whole ride plan. Asda lists 9.2 g carbohydrate per Schär biscuit, or about 18.4 g for its two-biscuit portion. Plan other food and drinks to suit the ride rather than relying on that portion alone.

Which listed pack is easiest to divide into ride portions?

Asda lists Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125 g in five individual packs of two biscuits, so you can set aside a portion without carrying the full opened pack. Keep it protected from crushing and check the current pack label.

Are the Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda free-from versions vegan?

The named Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda free-from custard-cream listings describe their products as suitable for vegans and milk free, as well as gluten free. Check those claims on the pack you buy because product information can change.

What should I read on a gluten-free biscuit pack?

Look for an explicit gluten-free claim, then read the current ingredients and allergen declaration for any other ingredients you need to avoid. Coeliac UK advises that cereals containing gluten must be emphasised in the ingredients list of prepacked food.