Non-UPF Biscuits You Can Buy in UK Supermarkets (2026 Guide)

If you’ve started paying attention to ultra-processed foods (UPFs), biscuits can feel like a particularly confusing category. Aren’t they all processed? And if they’re processed, doesn’t that automatically make them ultra-processed?

Not quite.

While many modern biscuits are classed as UPF, there are still shop-bought biscuits in UK supermarkets that fall outside the ultra-processed category — usually because they’re made with simple ingredients and traditional methods.

Which shop-bought biscuits are non-UPF in the UK?

This post is a practical guide to:

• What “non-UPF” actually means in this context
• How to spot non-UPF biscuits on supermarket shelves
• Types of biscuits most likely to qualify
• Why non-UPF doesn’t automatically mean “healthy”

What does non-UPF actually mean?

Under the NOVA food classification system, ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made with ingredients you wouldn’t typically use at home, such as emulsifiers, flavourings, colourings, and modified starches.

A biscuit can be processed (which most are), without being ultra-processed

In practice, a non-UPF biscuit is usually one made from:
• flour or oats
• sugar
• butter or oil
• sometimes eggs or milk

…and little else.

Processing alone isn’t the issue; it’s how and with what the food is processed.

How to spot a non-UPF biscuit in UK shops

This is the most useful skill you can build, because brands and recipes change, but ingredient literacy always holds up.

Look for biscuits with:

• Short ingredient lists
• Ingredients you recognise and could buy yourself
• Flour, oats, butter/oil, sugar, eggs, salt

Be cautious with biscuits containing:

• Emulsifiers (e.g. lecithins, mono- and diglycerides)
• Artificial or “natural” flavourings
• Colours, sweeteners, or bulking agents

A good rule of thumb. If it reads like a recipe, it’s more likely to be non-UPF. If it reads like a lab report, probably not.

Types of biscuits most likely to be non-UPF

Plain biscuits & tea biscuits

Simple, dry biscuits with no coatings or fillings are often the safest bet. Many rely on just flour, fat and sugar.

Shortbread-style biscuits

Traditional shortbread recipes use flour, butter and sugar, and some supermarket versions still stick very closely to that formula.

Oat biscuits

Oat-based biscuits can be non-UPF when they’re made from oats, fat and sugar without added emulsifiers or flavourings.

Water biscuits & savoury crackers

Often overlooked, these can be among the simplest biscuits on the shelf, particularly when they’re made from flour, water, oil and salt.

Flapjacks (sold as biscuits or bars)

Some flapjacks are non-UPF, especially when they stick to oats, butter and syrup, though many others include added stabilisers, so labels matter here.

UPF free biscuits you’ll find in the UK supermarkets

Duchy Organic Original Oaten Biscuits, available in Waitrose.

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/duchy-organic-original-oaten-biscuits/405727-57091-57092

Daylesford Organic Scottish Mini Shortbread Hearts available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/daylesford-organic-scottish-mini-shortbread-hearts/50240011

Deliciously Ella Apple, Raisin & Cinnamon Oat Bars 3x50g available at Sainsburys.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/deliciously-ella-apple-raisin-cinnamon-oat-bars-3x50g

Tesco Finest Scottish Shortbread Fingers 165G available at Tesco.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/256089410

Sainsbury’s Highland All Butter Shortbread Finger Biscuits 200g available at Sainsburys.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-highland-all-butter-shortbread-fingers-200g

Walker’s Shortbread Fingers x10 160g available at Sainsburys and Co-op.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/walkers-shortbread-fingers-x10-160g

Daylesford Organic Ginger Snaps are available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/daylesford-organic-ginger-snaps/272156011

Tesco All Butter Shortbread Fingers 210G available from Tesco.

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/313731687

Brindisa Cigarrillo Biscuits available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/brindisa-cigarrillo-biscuits/363075011

Waitrose All Butter Cinnamon Knots available at Waitrose.

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-all-butter-cinnamon-knots/726104-826764-826765

ASDA Shortbread Fingers available at Asda.

https://www.asda.com/groceries/product/shortbread/asda-shortbread-fingers-210g/421000

Daylesford Organic Sultana & Oat Cookies available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/daylesford-organic-sultana-oat-cookies

Deliciously Ella Lemon & Poppy Seed Oat Bars 3x50g available at Sainsburys.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/deliciously-ella-lemon-poppy-seed-oat-bars-3x50g

Daylesford Organic Sourdough Chocolate & Cashew Cookies available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/daylesford-organic-sourdough-chocolate-cashew-cookies/556789011

Rhythm 108 Swiss Vegan Coconut Crunch Biscuit Share Bag available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/rhythm-108-swiss-vegan-coconut-crunch-biscuit-share-bag/530838011

No.1 Crunchy Amaretti available at Waitrose.

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/no1-crunchy-amaretti/448029-1-2

Clearspring Organic Traditional Oatcakes available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/clearspring-organic-traditional-oatcakes/293326011

Rhythm 108 Swiss Vegan Double Chocolate Hazelnut Biscuit Share Bag available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/rhythm-108-swiss-vegan-double-chocolate-hazelnut-biscuit-share-bag/435188011

Mr Organic Cocoa Biscuits are available at Ocado.

https://www.ocado.com/products/mr-organic-cocoa-biscuits/450761011

Are digestives or rich tea biscuits non-UPF?

This is a very common question, and the honest answer is: sometimes.

Some versions use relatively simple ingredients, while others include emulsifiers, flavourings or extra processing aids. The biscuit name alone doesn’t tell you much — the ingredient list does.

So yes, it’s possible to find digestive-style or rich tea-style biscuits that aren’t ultra-processed, but you can’t assume they all are.

Are non-UPF biscuits “healthy”?

Not necessarily, and that’s an important distinction.

A non-UPF biscuit may still be high in sugar or fat. It’s most likely that it will be something you eat for pleasure, not nutrition.

What non-UPF can mean is that your biscuit is made with no industrial additives using simpler ingredients. It’s essentially a food that’s closer to traditional home baking.

That can be a worthwhile choice for some people, but it doesn’t turn biscuits into a health food, and they don’t need to be one to have a place in your diet.

If you’re trying to reduce ultra-processed foods, biscuits don’t need to be the hill you die on.

Knowing how to spot non-UPF options gives you choice and knowledge. If you can’t find any biscuits you like the sound of, why not try some of these recipes.

UPF Free Biscuit Recipes

Spelt Ginger Biscuits. This is a great recipe for Spelt Ginger Biscuits – https://brainfoodstudio.com/recipes/spelt-ginger-biscuits/

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies – if you want something tasty and high protein, try these Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies – https://www.occasionallyeggs.com/peanut-butter-banana-protein-bites-vegan-sugar-free-gluten-free-oil-free

Healthy Digestive Biscuits – These Healthy Digestive Biscuits are a kitchen staple. Perfect for a cuppa – https://www.talesfromthekitchenshed.com/2015/01/healthy-digestive-biscuits/

Oaty Shortbread Biscuits – A wonderful addition to your snack cupboard. Oaty Shortbread Biscuits – https://www.flahavans.co.uk/recipe/oaty-shortbread-biscuits

Ginger Nut Biscuits – A classic, but made without all the nasties. Ginger Nut Biscuits – https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/ginger-nut-biscuits.html