If someone with coeliac disease is coming to your Halloween party, choose a product clearly labelled gluten-free and keep it separate from regular bread during preparation and serving. AH Gluten-Free Raisin Buns come in individual portions and need no baking; YAM Raisin is sliced raisin bread that you can portion up for the party. Baking your own lets you choose the shape, but takes more preparation and requires strict separation.
You’re looking for a treat clearly labelled gluten-free, and a place on the buffet where it won’t come into contact with regular bread crumbs. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises preparing gluten-free food separately.
You want something you can put out without making dough or slicing bread. Albert Heijn lists two gluten-free raisin buns per pack.
You want to make several small portions from sliced raisin bread. You’ll need a clean work surface and separate utensils to prepare the gluten-free portions.
For a guest with coeliac disease, first choose a product clearly labelled gluten-free and plan how you’ll serve it separately. Then decide whether individual buns, sliced bread or home baking best suits your party preparations.
Choose these when: You want to offer individual portions without baking.
Consider: AH Gluten-Free Raisin Buns are sold in packs of two. Check for other allergens too, and keep the portions separate on the buffet.
Choose this when: You want to make several small portions from one loaf.
Consider: YAM Raisin is a loaf of bread, not individual currant buns. Portioning and adding toppings, if you wish, requires a clean, separate work surface.
Choose this when: You have time to make your own buns; Albert Heijn has a gluten-free recipe for them.
Consider: You’ll need to check all the ingredients and prevent contact with gluten-containing flour, crumbs and utensils while baking.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving gluten-free food | Check the gluten-free label and other allergens on the packaging. Set out clean serving utensils and a separate platter for the buffet. | If my guest has coeliac disease, I don’t want regular bread crumbs getting onto the treats. Around 42% of consumers prioritise gluten-free preparation and serving. |
| Individual portions | Check how many items are in each pack and the storage instructions. AH Gluten-Free Raisin Buns contains two buns, weighing 140 g in total. | I want to be able to serve something at the party without having to portion bread or make dough first. For around 33% of consumers, ready-to-serve portions are the deciding factor. |
| Planning portions in advance | Compare the pack size and storage instructions. YAM Raisin is a 600 g sliced raisin loaf; follow the product information for storage and freezing. | For a larger platter, I want to work out in advance how many slices I need and how to store the rest. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this kind of portion planning. |
Crumbs can get onto gluten-free food via a platter, chopping board, knife or shared spread. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises preparing gluten-free food separately.
Use a clean platter and clean serving utensils, and keep the gluten-free portions clearly separate from regular bread rolls.
The presence of raisins tells you nothing about whether a product is labelled gluten-free. Wheat-free and gluten-free don’t mean the same thing either.
For a guest with coeliac disease, check that the product is explicitly labelled gluten-free, then read the allergen information.
Gluten-free doesn’t automatically mean free from other allergens. Albert Heijn lists soya in AH Gluten-Free Raisin Buns, and notes that the product may contain egg, oats, almonds and hazelnuts.
Ask in advance which other allergens are relevant, and check the packaging of the product you’re actually serving.
You can’t tell which salt has been used in a specific product from the words currant bun, raisin bread or gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine in bread.
Check the ingredients list if the use of iodised salt matters to your choice. Don’t let this replace checking that the food can be served gluten-free.
These brands offer different options for buns, sliced bread and other gluten-free bakery products. Always assess the specific product and its label.
Albert Heijn sells gluten-free raisin buns under this name, in individual portions that are handy for parties.
YAM Raisin is a sliced gluten-free raisin loaf for anyone who wants to portion up several servings.
Schär has a range of gluten-free bread and bakery products to explore if you’re considering something other than buns.
Not as a substitute for a gluten-free option. Choose a product clearly labelled gluten-free for that guest, and keep it separate from regular currant buns and their crumbs.
The product must also be kept separate from food containing gluten while it’s being served. Use clean utensils and a clean platter, and prevent crumbs or shared spreads from getting onto the gluten-free portions, as advised by the Dutch Coeliac Association.
Check that the finished product is labelled gluten-free, and ask your guest whether oats are suitable for them. Also read the full ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
The gluten-free label doesn’t tell you that. Check the ingredients list of the product you’ve chosen if iodised salt matters to your choice; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine in bread.
