Choose rolls sold as gluten-free, and prepare and serve them separately if someone with coeliac disease is joining you. A long-life, pre-baked option is handy if you want to finish baking the rolls just before serving, without defrosting them. A frozen option needs freezer space and time for defrosting or baking. For both, check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
Who are these rolls for?
A guest who needs to eat strictly gluten-free
For someone with coeliac disease, it’s not just the choice of roll that matters: crumbs, utensils and shared dips can also transfer gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society therefore advises taking steps to prevent cross-contamination.
A host short on preparation time
If you want to finish baking the rolls just before serving, consider a long-life, pre-baked option. Check how long the chosen product needs in the oven.
A host who wants to shop in advance
Frozen rolls can be kept until a later get-together, provided you have freezer space and can fit the defrosting, preparation and storage instructions into your plans.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start by checking that the rolls are labelled gluten-free, and plan to prepare and serve them separately. Then choose a storage option that suits when you want to serve them.
| What to consider |
What to check when buying |
Who it matters to |
| Serving gluten-free food |
Check the gluten-free label on the packaging. Use clean utensils and separate dips if you’re also serving food containing gluten. |
If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to serve the rolls without them coming into contact with ordinary bread crumbs. For around 46% of consumers, keeping foods separate is the main priority. |
| When you’re serving and how to store them |
Compare long-life and frozen options, and follow the instructions for defrosting, oven time and storage after opening or defrosting. |
I want to be able to serve the rolls at the right time, whether I bake them just before the get-together or buy them in advance. For around 36% of consumers, planning is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens |
Check the allergens for each variety. Look at the ingredients list for iodised salt if that matters to you. |
When guests are also checking other ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the words ‘gluten-free’ alone. Around 18% of consumers give ingredients and other allergens the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Putting gluten-free bread on a shared platter
A shared knife, crumbs or a dip that has had ordinary bread dipped into it can transfer gluten to gluten-free food. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns against this kind of cross-contamination.
Use clean hands and utensils. Set aside a separate serving area and dips for the gluten-free food.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens too
The Schär varieties listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo both contain soya, but list different possible traces of other allergens.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety you’re buying, especially if a guest has other allergies too.
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Expecting to serve frozen rolls without any preparation
Jumbo’s listing for its frozen Kaiser rolls includes a defrosting or baking step. According to the product listing, they must not be refrozen after defrosting.
Choose this option only if the preparation and storage instructions on the current packaging fit your serving plans.
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Assuming every roll contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether a roll contains iodised salt from its shape or gluten-free label.
Check the ingredients list if you want to know whether your chosen roll contains iodised salt.
Brands to consider
Schär
Albert Heijn lists long-life, pre-baked Kaiser Brötchen, while Jumbo lists frozen Kaisersemmels. Both are sold as gluten-free.
- The two listed options let you choose between baking from frozen without defrosting and storing the rolls in the freezer.
- Both varieties contain soya. Check each pack for details of possible traces of allergens and preparation instructions.
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free range includes bread and snacks for drinks, among other products, as alternatives if the shape of the bread matters less.
- The range offers other gluten-free products to consider for a get-together.
- The range listing doesn’t show an own-brand AH Kaiser roll. Check the packaging of your chosen product and its availability for your order or local shop.
Gluten-free bread alternative at Joybuy
These mini baguettes are a different shape from Kaiser rolls. Consider them for drinks only if that shape suits, and check the gluten-free label and preparation instructions on the packaging before buying.
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Gv mini baguettes, 7 pieces
A different type of bread for drinks if Kaiser rolls aren’t essential.
Check the packaging to see whether you’re buying rolls to bake or a baking mix, and how long they need to be prepared for. Also check the gluten-free label and allergen information; if guests have other allergies, pay particular attention to soya and possible traces of lupin and mustard. Prepare and serve the product separately for anyone with coeliac disease.
View at Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Can I serve an ordinary dip with gluten-free rolls?
Only if the dip itself is suitable and isn’t shared with food containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises serving gluten-free guests from a separate bowl, so that ordinary bread doesn’t transfer gluten to the dip.
Is a roll sold as gluten-free automatically suitable for someone with coeliac disease?
No. You also need to prevent cross-contamination while preparing and serving a roll sold as gluten-free. Check the current packaging and use clean, separate equipment if you’re also serving food containing gluten.
How do Schär’s long-life and frozen Kaiser rolls differ in preparation?
Albert Heijn says its long-life, pre-baked Schär Kaiser Brötchen take 6–8 minutes in a fan oven at 200 °C. According to Jumbo, frozen Schär Kaisersemmels can be defrosted for 1–2 hours or baked for 8–10 minutes at 180 °C. Always follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you buy.
Does every gluten-free roll contain iodised salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its Schär Kaiser Brötchen, but check the ingredients list for each other roll separately.
Are gluten-free Kaiser rolls also free from soya, milk or egg?
Not necessarily. According to the product listings from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the Schär varieties mentioned contain soya; possible traces of egg and milk are also listed for the frozen variety. If you have other allergies to consider, always check the current allergen information for your chosen variety.