Hosts with a guest who has coeliac disease
You want to serve gluten-free bread alongside other buffet dishes. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises using a clean work surface and utensils, and keeping the bread separate from food containing gluten.
Who is this choice relevant for?
Organisers who want to serve individual portions of bread
You’re looking for rolls that guests can pick up individually, with as little slicing as possible. PLUS, for example, lists individually wrapped Schär Mini Baguettes that still need to be baked.
Shoppers who eat gluten-free bread regularly
As well as checking that it’s labelled gluten-free, you want to compare the nutritional information, such as the amount of fibre per 100 g. If the use of iodised salt matters, check the ingredients; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how you can prepare and serve the gluten-free bread separately. Then choose a bread style that suits the portions on your buffet.
Individual gluten-free bake-off rolls
Choose these if: guests need to be able to take individual portions of bread and you have space in the oven.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a clean, separate time to prepare them if you’re also baking products containing gluten. PLUS lists individually wrapped Schär Mini Baguettes.
Gluten-free sliced bread
Choose this if: you mainly want to serve topped half-slices or offer a bread basket.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a clean board, a clean knife and separate utensils for spreads. The name ‘multiseed’ doesn’t tell you how much fibre the bread contains.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing and serving gluten-free food | Look for ‘gluten-free’ on the packaging or the Crossed Grain symbol. Set aside a separate serving area and use clean utensils. | If there’s regular bread on the table, I want to stop crumbs or shared utensils coming into contact with the gluten-free bread. This precaution is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| Bread style and preparation | Compare the number of portions and the preparation instructions; decide whether you want bake-off bread or to make topped slices. | For individual buffet portions, I want to be able to serve rolls without much slicing, but I’ll need time and oven space. This convenience is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients if the use of iodised salt matters. | If I eat gluten-free bread regularly, I want to be able to compare the nutritional value of different loaves. Around 18% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming that buying gluten-free means serving it gluten-free
According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs and shared knives or boards can bring the bread into contact with gluten during preparation and serving.
Keep the bread wrapped until you need it, serve it separately, and use clean, separate utensils or clean your utensils thoroughly.
A separate serving area and utensils take up space and need advance preparation.
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Assuming that ‘wheat-free’, ‘multiseed’ or ‘sourdough’ means gluten-free
A bread style or a claim about one ingredient doesn’t tell you whether the product is labelled gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre identifies the ‘gluten-free’ label and the Crossed Grain symbol as things to look for.
Check the label on the exact loaf you plan to serve.
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Judging nutritional value by the bread’s name
‘Multiseed’ or ‘brown’ in a product name doesn’t tell you how much fibre it contains or whether it has iodised salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baking with baker’s salt is not compulsory.
Compare the fibre figures in the nutritional information and check the ingredients if iodised salt matters to your choice.
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Assuming a range page reflects what’s in store
A bread style shown online may not be available at the shop where you do your food shopping. Lidl also reported that its extra gluten-free products were unavailable at the time of its range announcement.
Before you shop, check the specific product and its availability at the shop you plan to use.
Brands and shops to explore
These ranges can help you choose a bread style; always check the packaging of the specific product when you buy it.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s AH Gluten-Free range includes bread, rolls and bread rolls, among other products.
- Several styles to compare for individual portions or topped slices.
- Check the current ingredients and gluten-free label on each product.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a range of Schär products, including mini baguettes, ciabatta and Meesterbakker bread.
- The listed range includes both individual rolls and larger loaves.
- Availability and safe serving need to be checked separately.
PLUS
PLUS lists gluten-free white, brown and multiseed bread under its own brand, as well as Schär bake-off options.
- You can compare larger loaves with individual bake-off portions.
- Read the label on your chosen variety for its ingredients and nutritional information.
Dirk
Among the products in its gluten-free bread search results, Dirk lists Schär Meisterbackers Classic, Vital and Mini Baguette.
- The products shown give you a starting point for comparing loaves and individual portions.
- Check the specific product and its availability for your buffet.
Lidl
Lidl has a page about gluten-free products, but reported that its extra gluten-free products were unavailable at the time.
- The page can give you an idea of the range.
- Don’t count on a specific gluten-free loaf without checking current availability and packaging.
ALDI
ALDI lists gluten-free bread among its bake-off rolls and snacks.
- A place to look for individual portions of bread.
- Check the ingredients and gluten-free label on your chosen product before planning to serve it to a guest with coeliac disease.
Related products at Joybuy
These products suit two different buffet bread plans: a pack of mini baguettes or a bread mix for making your own loaf. For the mini baguettes, check the exact product type and preparation method on the packaging; the bread mix is not a ready-made loaf.
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Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces
The mini baguettes may suit a buffet with individual portions. Before buying, check the packaging to see whether it contains rolls or a mix, how many portions you can serve and how to prepare the product.
Check the gluten-free label and any allergens on the packaging. Prepare and serve the product separately from food containing gluten.
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Schär Mix B gluten-free bread mix, 1 kg
This mix is a good choice if you want to make your own bread for the buffet; you’ll still need to prepare the loaf. Make sure you have a clean work surface and utensils that haven’t come into contact with products containing gluten.
Check the preparation instructions and ingredients on the packaging, including if you want to know whether iodised salt has been used.
Frequently asked questions
Is bread labelled only ‘wheat-free’ suitable for a guest with coeliac disease?
That label alone isn’t enough to choose the bread as gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises checking that the specific packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or carries the Crossed Grain symbol.
How should I serve gluten-free bread alongside regular bread?
Serve it in a separate area with clean, separate utensils. The Dutch Coeliac Society also recommends using a clean work surface and keeping it separate from food containing gluten during preparation; ideally, leave the packaging closed until you need the bread.
Does gluten-free bread in the Netherlands always contain iodised salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Read the ingredients of your chosen bread if the use of iodised salt matters to your choice; don’t assume anything from the ‘gluten-free’ label.
Should I choose bake-off rolls or a larger sliced loaf?
Choose bake-off rolls if you want individual portions and have time and oven space; sliced bread is better if you want to make topped slices. In either case, make sure you have a clean, separate preparation and serving area for your guest with coeliac disease.