Who is this relevant to?

Breakfast eaters with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a bread roll clearly labelled gluten-free and want to avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread when baking and adding toppings.

Breakfast planners with an oven or air fryer

You want a bake-at-home roll for a savoury breakfast and compare the instructions for the appliance you use. Preparation methods vary from product to product.

Label checkers

As well as checking for a gluten-free label, you look at the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, including fibre and salt per 100 g.

What should you look for when buying?

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Gluten and cross-contamination Check the packaging for a ‘gluten-free’ label. Keep the rolls away from crumbs from ordinary bread during preparation and when adding toppings. If I have coeliac disease, I need to choose both the bread roll and my kitchen utensils carefully. For around 33% of consumers, gluten safety comes first.
Toppings and allergens Read the allergen information for both the bread roll and the savoury toppings, even if the roll is gluten-free. If I have an additional food allergy, I want to be sure that my whole breakfast is suitable, not just the bread roll. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this combination of toppings and allergens.
Fibre, salt and iodine Compare fibre and salt per 100 g. If you are replacing ordinary bread, check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. If I often eat gluten-free rolls instead of ordinary bread, I want to know what changes in my usual breakfast. This nutritional information matters most to around 20% of consumers.
Preparation and availability Check the baking time and the appliance required on the packaging, as well as the current availability of the variety you have chosen. When I’m having breakfast just before heading out, I want a roll I can prepare with my own appliance and actually buy. For around 20% of consumers, this is their main concern when buying.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming spelt or sourdough is gluten-free

    Using a different grain or preparation method does not make an ordinary bread roll suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Spelt also contains gluten.

    Look for a ‘gluten-free’ label on the current packaging instead of relying on the product name or how the roll looks.

  • Checking only the bread roll

    According to the Voedingscentrum, even bread crumbs can be a problem for people with coeliac disease. A packaged gluten-free roll can still come into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread at home.

    Use a clean baking tray or rack, and separate or thoroughly cleaned chopping boards and knives.

  • Assuming more seeds automatically make a better choice

    The ingredients in white and seeded bread rolls differ. The gluten-free seeded variety described by Albert Heijn contains soya; seeds alone do not tell you whether it is suitable if you have an additional allergy.

    Compare the fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the full allergen information before choosing a variety.

  • Assuming every roll contains iodised salt

    Baker’s salt is not compulsory. The Voedingscentrum highlights the role of bread made with iodised salt as a source of iodine, which is relevant if you replace most of your ordinary bread.

    Check the label for iodised salt or baker’s salt. If you have questions about your overall diet, ask a specialist dietitian for advice.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn / AH Glutenvrij

Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Glutenvrij white bread rolls.

  • The white variety lists preparation instructions, iodised salt and nutritional information.
  • The product page for AH Glutenvrij seeded bread rolls says that variety has been discontinued; check the current options and the label every time you buy.

PLUS

PLUS has a product page for a gluten-free white bread roll and also lists seeded rolls in its gluten-free range.

  • The white bread roll page lists ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions.
  • For the seeded variety, check the packaging, allergens and availability of the product you are buying.

Jumbo

Jumbo has an online range of gluten-free products, including bakery products and alternatives to bread rolls.

  • The gluten-free category is a useful starting point if a different type of roll would also suit your breakfast.
  • Ordinary and spelt rolls in the bread roll category are not labelled gluten-free; check each specific product.

ALDI

ALDI lists gluten-free bread among its bread and bake-at-home range.

  • If you are considering a different type of roll, check your local range for a suitable gluten-free option.
  • An ordinary ALDI bread roll is not a gluten-free alternative; choose only on the basis of the label for the specific product.

Lidl

Lidl shares information about gluten-free products alongside its regular bread roll range.

  • It may be worth checking the in-store range if you are flexible about the type of gluten-free roll you buy.
  • A regular bake-off bread roll is not suitable for someone with coeliac disease just because Lidl has a gluten-free range.

Dirk

Dirk has a search option for gluten-free products and a special diet category.

  • These categories can help you look for a packaged bread alternative.
  • Check any bread roll you find for its own gluten-free label and ingredients, rather than relying on the category it appears in.

Bread alternative at Joybuy

If mini baguettes also suit your savoury breakfast, you could consider this bread as an alternative to a bread roll. Before buying, check the gluten-free label and preparation instructions on the packaging.

Gv Baguette Mini, pack of 7

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

A mini baguette could suit a savoury breakfast if you don’t need a bread roll. The product information describes the item as gluten-free, but is not clear about its form or preparation: check the packaging to see whether you are buying bake-at-home rolls or a mix, and which instructions apply. If you have an additional allergy, also read the latest allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘gluten-free’ mean a bread roll contains no gluten at all?

No. According to the European Commission, under Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label can be used if the food, as sold to the final consumer, contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Check the label on the packaging; don’t judge whether a product is suitable for coeliac disease based on the ingredients list alone.

How do I prepare gluten-free bread rolls alongside ordinary bread?

Keep gluten-free bread rolls away from crumbs from ordinary bread, and use separate or thoroughly cleaned utensils. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.

What should I look for when replacing ordinary bread with gluten-free bread rolls?

Check, among other things, whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. The Voedingscentrum notes that bread made with iodised salt is a source of iodine, while bakers are not required to use this salt. Discuss any questions about making a lasting change to your diet with a specialist dietitian.

Can I freeze gluten-free bread rolls at home?

This varies by product, so follow the storage instructions on the current packaging. For AH Glutenvrij white bread rolls and the seeded variety described, Albert Heijn says they are not suitable for home freezing; don’t assume the same applies to other rolls.