If a guest needs to follow a strict gluten-free diet, choose a bread roll that is clearly labelled gluten-free and prepare and serve it separately from regular bread. If gluten-free bread rolls aren’t available, another gluten-free roll or a mini baguette could be a suitable alternative, provided you check the current label and prevent contact with crumbs and shared utensils for that product too.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even small amounts of gluten can cause symptoms in people with coeliac disease. So you’ll need to choose a roll that is clearly labelled gluten-free and make sure it doesn’t come into contact with regular bread during preparation or at the buffet.
You want to keep the same style of bread roll buffet. PLUS and Albert Heijn list gluten-free bread rolls in their ranges; before buying, check the packaging of your chosen variety and make sure you order enough.
If the bread roll you want isn’t available locally, another clearly labelled gluten-free roll or a mini baguette could work. Check its shape and current label, and arrange a separate serving method for this alternative too.
Start by checking that the roll is labelled gluten-free and can be kept separate from regular bread. Then plan how to prepare and serve it, and how many you’ll need. Only choose a different type of bread if your preferred roll isn’t available.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and separation | Check the current label and arrange clean, separate equipment for preparation and serving. | If I’m hosting a guest with coeliac disease, I want to prevent crumbs or shared spreading utensils from coming into contact with their roll. For around 42% of consumers, avoiding cross-contact is the main concern. |
| Preparation and clearly identified serving | Check the instructions for the exact variety and plan a separate, clearly labelled serving area. | When the buffet needs to be ready at a set time, I want to know how to prepare the rolls without mixing them up with regular bread rolls. Around 33% of consumers put preparation first. |
| Availability and type of bread | Confirm local availability and the number of rolls in each pack; if choosing an alternative, check its label again. | If the rolls I want aren’t available, I want to be able to arrange a suitable gluten-free alternative in good time. This is the main purchasing concern for around 25% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even a stray breadcrumb can cause symptoms in people with coeliac disease. The Dutch Coeliac Society also warns about contact through shared chopping boards, knives and spreads.
Prepare the roll separately and serve it with its own clean utensils and separate toppings.
The type of grain or method of preparation doesn’t, by itself, mean a roll is gluten-free. A roll from a regular bread roll range is therefore no substitute for a product that is clearly labelled gluten-free.
Check the label and allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety.
What’s available can vary between shops and over time. A different type of bread may be a solution, but you’ll need to check the label, size and quantity required again.
Confirm availability before placing your catering order, and decide in advance which clearly labelled gluten-free alternative will work for the buffet.
PLUS states that product information can change. For your buffet, the information on the packaging of the product actually delivered is what matters.
When the products arrive, check the product name, gluten-free labelling, ingredients and relevant allergen information on every pack.
Albert Heijn lists AH Gluten-Free White Bread Rolls and AH Gluten-Free Multiseed Bread Rolls as separate products.
PLUS lists gluten-free white bread rolls in packs of two, and also has a multiseed variety in its gluten-free range.
ALDI includes gluten-free bread in its range of bread and bake-at-home products.
Dirk lists products including Schär Meisterbackers classic and gluten-free mini baguettes among its gluten-free bread options.
Lidl has information about an additional gluten-free range, although availability may vary.
Jumbo lists regular bread rolls, which you could serve to other guests alongside a separate gluten-free option.
This mini baguette is an alternative if you don’t need to serve a bread roll. Before ordering, check the gluten-free labelling and preparation instructions on the current packaging, and make sure it’s prepared and served separately from regular bread.
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A mini baguette for when you don’t need a bread roll. The product name states that the pack contains 7 pieces. Before buying, check the current packaging for gluten-free labelling, allergen information and preparation instructions: product descriptions differ on whether the baguettes can be baked straight away or need to be prepared and shaped with water first.
No. It also needs to be prepared and served separately from regular bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, even small amounts of gluten can cause symptoms; the Dutch Coeliac Society therefore recommends preparing food separately and using clean equipment.
You’ll need to take steps to prevent contact with crumbs. The Dutch Coeliac Society recommends using conventional top and bottom heat rather than a fan oven when sharing an oven, making sure it’s free of crumbs and not using a shared oven shelf. If you can’t keep them separate, choose a separate way to prepare the rolls.
Make sure guests can access information about the bread rolls being served and can easily identify which one is gluten-free. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must also be available for unpackaged products. Agree with your caterer who can confirm the current product information.
Not just because of the name. For a guest who needs to follow a strict gluten-free diet, check the gluten-free labelling and allergen information for the exact roll you plan to serve.
