Biscotti is one of those treats that you can enjoy with just about anything–coffee, tea, milk–you name it. I vividly remember my first taste of one, when I visited an old theater to watch a classic movie and the old-fashioned concession stand served their biscotti with a peppermint milk steamer. I was immediately taken in by this crunchy, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth treat. Every biscotti I’ve had since has been accompanied by that same peppermint milk steamer.
The best brands of biscotti include Nonni’s, Dibella, and Tutti Gourmet. Some of these offerings are vegan, gluten, or dairy-free, while others contain some ingredients which could be considered questionable. When you are looking for the best brands of biscotti on the market, be sure to check the ingredients label for any dietary restrictions you may have.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the creation of biscotti, some of the different brands, and dive more into the ingredients and nutrition facts. We’ll also offer some alternative brands for certain dietary restrictions, so there is a biscotti available for you to enjoy.
Contents
The history of biscotti
Biscotti is a cookie which can be traced back to the times of Ancient Rome. Originally known as “biscotto”, its name means “twice baked.” Wafers, which were made with unleavened grains were baked once and then a second time to make sure they were completely dried out. Then this convenience food was eaten by travelers on their long journeys. They were considered a staple of the Roman Legions.
After the fall of Rome, biscotti survived and showed up again in Tuscany. A Tuscan baker is credited with serving them alongside the local sweet wine, as their dry and crunchy texture perfectly soaked up the wine, kind of like how doughnuts soak up coffee, but better.
The Italians call biscotti cantucci and rather use the term biscotti to speak of any crunchy cookie, much like how the British refer to cookies as biscuits. Here in the states, we use the word biscotti as the Romans did, to describe the hard and dry twice-baked treat.
Brands of biscotti
Some commercial brands of biscotti use preservatives, artificial flavors, processed and refined sugars, and other questionable ingredients. There are options available for gluten and dairy free, vegan and kosher dietary restrictions, so read on to find out which brand is right for you.
1. Nonni’s Biscotti
Nonni’s Biscotti is made from a recipe passed down from an Italian grandmother. Located in Oklahoma, their Italian-inspired biscottis are made with simple ingredients, like eggs, butter, flour, nuts and fruits. Available in 10 different flavors, including toffee almond, salted caramel and limone, you’re sure to find at least one flavor which suits your tastes.
Nonni’s Originali Biscotti
Made with California almonds and a touch of anise, enjoy this biscotti paired with your favorite wine or espresso. This is not a vegan-friendly treat, nor is it gluten or dairy-free. Having a high carb content per serving also keeps it from being keto-friendly.
Ingredients:
- Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour)
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Salted Butter (Sweet Cream, Salt)
- Almonds
- Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate)
- Natural Flavors
- Salt
- Anise Seed
Nutrition facts (per 20 gram serving):
- 90 Calories
- 2.5 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 20 mg Cholesterol
- 75 mg Sodium
- 14 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 gram Dietary Fiber
- 7g Sugars – Includes 7 g added sugars
- 2 g Protein
Additional vitamins and minerals: 4% DV Iron
Nonni’s Cioccolati Biscotti
The Nonni’s original biscotti gets an upgrade, as it is dipped in rich, bittersweet chocolate. It contains wheat, eggs, milk, almonds, and soy, so there are quite a few diet-restrictive lifestyles which cannot enjoy this treat.
Ingredients:
- Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour)
- Sugar
- Dark Chocolate (Chocolate Liquor [Processed With Alkali], Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin [An Emulsifier], Natural Vanilla Extract)
- Eggs
- Salted Butter (Sweet Cream, Salt)
- Almonds
- Baking Powder (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Corn Starch, Monocalcium Phosphate)
- Natural Flavors
- Salt
- Anise Seeds
Nutrition facts (per 24 gram serving):
- 110 Calories
- 4 g Total Fat
- 2 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 20 mg Cholesterol
- 75 mg Sodium
- 17 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 gram Dietary Fiber
- 10 g Sugars – Includes 9 g added sugars
- 2 g Protein
Additional vitamins and minerals:
- 6% DV Iron
- 2% DV Potassium
2. Dibella
Dibella Biscotti Cookies – Authentic Italian Biscotti, Apricot Almond
A three-generation family of bakers, with recipes passed down through the years, the Dibella line of biscotti contains quality ingredients and is free from preservatives, additives, sweeteners or artificial colors.
Ingredients:
- Wheat Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Palm Oil
- Dried Apricot
- Almonds
- White Chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin, vanilla extract)
- Water
- Contains 2% or less of:
- Candied Orange Peel (orange peel, sugar, orange oil)
- Baking Powder (glucono-delta-lacone, sodium bicarbonate, monopotassium tartrate, corn starch)
- Soybean Oil
- Natural Flavors
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Soy Lecithin
- Vanilla Extract
Nutrition facts (per 31 gram serving):
- 140 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 2 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 15 mg Cholesterol
- 110 mg Sodium
- 20 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 gram Dietary Fiber
- 10 g Sugars
- 2 g Protein
Additional vitamins and minerals: 6% DV Vitamin A
Dibella Biscotti Cookies – Authentic Italian Biscotti, Pistachio Cranberry Biscotti
Containing real pistachios and cranberries, this biscotti is a classic flavor combination.
Ingredients:
- Wheat Flour
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Palm Oil
- Sweetened Dried Cranberries (cranberries, sugar, sunflower oil)
- Pistachio
- Water
- Contains 2% or less of:
- Candied Orange Peel (orange peel, sugar, orange oil)
- Baking Powder (glucono-delta-lacone, sodium bicarbonate, monopotassium tartrate, corn starch)
- Soybean Oil
- Natural Flavors
- Natural Almond Flavor
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Soy Lecithin
- Vanilla Extract
Nutrition facts (per 31 gram serving):
- 140 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 2 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 15 mg Cholesterol
- 110 mg Sodium
- 20 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 gram Dietary Fiber
- 9 g Sugars
- 2 g Protein
Additional vitamins and minerals: 4% DV Vitamin A
Alternative brands of biscotti
3. Tutti
The Italian word for “everyone,” is a company based out of Canada which focuses on creating treats everyone can enjoy, especially those with dietary restrictions. They have taken the wheat-based biscotti cookie and made it gluten-free, so those with celiac disease, or sensitivities to gluten, can enjoy this treat.
Tutti Gourmet Gluten Free Cocoa & Almond Biscotti
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Ingredients: - Gluten-Free Flour (Brown Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Organic Coconut Flour, Arrowroot Powder)
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Whole Liquid Eggs
- Almonds
- Non-GMO Certified Expeller-pressed Canola Oil
- Organic Natural Cocoa Powder
- Water
- Natural Vanilla Flavour
- Baking Powder (No Aluminium, No Cornstarch)
- Xanthan Gum
Nutrition facts (per 30 gram serving):
- 130 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 1 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 20 mg Cholesterol
- 30 mg Sodium
- 20 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 gram Dietary Fiber
- 1 g Sugars
- 2 g Protein
Additional vitamins and minerals:
- 2% DV Calcium
- 4% DV Iron
Tutti Gourmet Gluten Free Orange & Dark Chocolate Biscotti
Made with organic dark chocolate and essential orange oil, this biscotti is literally irresistible, especially with a glass of Merlot.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-Free Flour (Brown Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Organic Coconut Flour, Arrowroot Powder)
- Organic Cane Sugar
- Whole Liquid Eggs
- 70% Dark Chocolate (Unsweetened Chocolate, Organic Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter)
- Non-GMO Certified Expeller-pressed Canola Oil
- Essential Orange Oil
- Water
- Natural Vanilla Flavour
- Baking Powder (No Aluminium, No Cornstarch)
- Xanthan Gum
Nutrition facts (per 30 gram serving):
- 130 Calories
- 5 g Total Fat
- 1.5 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 20 mg Cholesterol
- 30 mg Sodium
- 21 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1 gram Dietary Fiber
- 11 g Sugars
- 2 g Protein
Additional vitamins and minerals:
- 2% DV Calcium
- 4% DV Iron
4. Mindful Bites
Mindful Bites Vegan Almond Cantucci Biscotti
Handmade in Tuscany, this Mindful Bites vegan biscotti has a perfectly crunchy outside and a delectable soft middle. Mindful Bites recommends dipping their almond biscotti in a glass Vin Santo.
Ingredients:
- Wheat flour
- Raw brown sugar
- Soya drink (water, soya seeds, sugar, salt)
- Almonds (15.3%)
- Shea butter
- Sunflower oil
- Water
- Emulsifiers: mono and diglycerides of fatty acids
- Raising agents: sodium diphosphates and sodium carbonates
- Natural flavouring
- Concentrated lemon juice
- Natural vanilla flavouring
Nutrition facts (per 100 gram serving):
- 412 Calories
- 12 g Total Fat
- 1.7 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0.59 g Sodium
- 66 g Total Carbohydrates
- 2.9 gram Dietary Fiber
- 36 g Sugars
- 8.6 g Protein
Mindful Bites Vegan Double Chocolate Cantucci Biscotti
Containing no palm oil, Non-GMO, and cruelty-free, this double chocolate biscotti is both indulgent and made responsibly.
Ingredients:
- Wheat flour
- Raw brown sugar
- Soya drink (water, soya seeds, sugar, salt)
- Dark chocolate (sugar, cocoa flavor, cocoa butter, emulsifier: soya lecithin, natural vanilla bean extract) (15.4%)
- Cocoa powder (3.2%)
- Shea butter
- Sunflower oil
- Water
- Emulsifiers: mono and diglycerides of fatty acids
- Raising agents: sodium diphosphates and sodium carbonates
- Natural flavoring
- Concentrated lemon juice
- Natural vanilla flavoring
Nutrition facts (per 100 gram serving):
- 391 Calories
- 9.4 g Total Fat
- 3.9 g Saturated Fat
- 0.59 g Sodium
- 70 g Total Carbohydrates
- 1.1 gram Dietary Fiber
- 44 g Sugars
- 6.1 g Protein
Final Thoughts
Biscotti is one of those treats that is a cookie, but isn’t a cookie. It’s long, dry, hard texture places it in a class by itself. There are commercial brands which have amazing flavors, but may not meet many dietary restrictions. If you need a biscotti which is vegan or gluten-free, opt for the Mindful Bites or Tutti Gourmet brands. And don’t forget your libation for soaking and enjoying!
Related Questions
What can I pair biscotti with?
The Italians, the main purveyors of biscotti, recommend Vin Santo wine as the best pairing for biscotti. Coffee, espresso, and hot teas also make a good combination for biscotti. And try a peppermint milk steamer, made with your favorite type of milk, with a dark chocolate biscotti, for a different pairing.
Is biscotti supposed to be so hard?
Biscotti is hard because it is twice baked. In order to soften up the biscotti, (trust me, trying to bite down on the end of a biscotti is really challenging), dip it in your favorite coffee, espresso, or wine. You’ll enjoy the flavor pairing and the texture of the biscotti much more this way.
How is biscotti different from a biscuit?
Most biscuits, or cookies as they are called in the states, have a short shelf life. They are made this way, to preserve freshness. But since biscotti is a low-moisture treat, it has a longer shelf life. Also, cookies/biscuits tend to be softer throughout, whereas biscotti is usually only soft in its center.