The square coconut biscuit behind every South African fridge tart does not exist in Australia. Here is the swap that works, the ones that sort of work, and where to buy the real thing.
Somewhere between the condensed milk and the caramel, every South African baker in Australia hits the same wall: the recipe says Tennis biscuits, and the biscuit aisle says no. There is no Australian version, no local licensing deal, and no biscuit called anything like it. The good news is that the working substitute costs a few dollars and sits in every Coles and Woolworths in the country.
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What makes a Tennis biscuit a Tennis biscuit
Tennis biscuits are square, thin, crisp and coconut flavoured, and that combination is the whole point. They crush into an even, buttery base for fridge tarts, hold a layer without going soggy too fast, and bring a coconut note that plain biscuits cannot. Any substitute has to tick those boxes: thin, crisp, coconut. A biscuit that is merely sweet will hold a tart together, but it will not taste like home.
The swap that works: Arnott’s Nice biscuits
Arnott’s Nice biscuits are the substitute we use and the one the expat consensus has settled on. They have the same coconut flavour and a similar crisp texture, and Australian bakers already use them as the base for layered fridge desserts, including local versions of peppermint crisp tart. If a recipe calls for a Tennis biscuit base, swap gram for gram and carry on. Nothing else about the recipe needs to change.
It helps that the rest of the tart is solved on this side of the ocean too. Peppermint Crisp is made in Australia and sells in the regular confectionery aisle, and Nestlé Top ‘n’ Fill covers the Caramel Treat layer. The full list of those swaps lives in our complete substitutes guide.
The second-string options
If your recipe leans harder on structure than on coconut, a plain Marie-style biscuit will do the mechanical job, and expat forums will offer you everything from digestives to ginger nuts in a pinch. They all work as engineering. None of them taste right. Treat them as what they are: a way to finish a tart on a Sunday when the shops are shut, not a substitute you plan around.
Some South African shops in Australia also stock coconut biscuits sold specifically as Tennis alternatives, including imported all-day style coconut biscuits. If you are already ordering biltong, adding a packet to the box is no extra effort.
Where to buy real Tennis biscuits in Australia
The genuine article crosses the ocean in the import boxes of South African shops. Most of the walk-in shops in our state-by-state directory carry them when stock allows, and the online shops that ship Australia-wide list them regularly. Stock moves fast around holidays, so if you see them, buy two boxes. You already know why.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tennis biscuits called in Australia?
Nothing. They do not exist here under any name. The closest local biscuit is Arnott’s Nice, a thin, crisp coconut biscuit that swaps into Tennis biscuit recipes gram for gram.
Can I use Nice biscuits for peppermint crisp tart?
Yes. Australian bakers already build peppermint crisp tart on a Nice biscuit base, and the coconut flavour keeps the tart close to the original. Peppermint Crisp itself is made in Australia, so every layer of the tart is solved locally.
Do any Australian shops sell real Tennis biscuits?
South African shops import them. Check the walk-in shops in our state-by-state directory or the online shops that ship Australia-wide, and ring ahead if you are driving far, because import stock comes and goes.
