If you have coeliac disease, first choose a Kaiser roll clearly labelled gluten-free and check the current packaging for warnings and other allergens. For coffee time, the ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen are a handy choice if you want to bake four rolls quickly. The frozen Schär Kaisersemmel contains six rolls per pack, but you’ll need freezer space and a little more planning.
A roll that doesn’t list wheat as an ingredient isn’t automatically gluten-free. Look for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and check for any warnings about cereals containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Association highlights the importance of these warnings in relation to cross-contamination.
The ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen are part-baked. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS recommend baking this variety for 6–8 minutes at 200 °C in a fan oven. It’s a convenient option if you have access to an oven and want the rolls warm and ready just before coffee time.
The frozen Schär Kaisersemmel contains six rolls per pack. According to Jumbo, they can be left to defrost for 1–2 hours. Once defrosted, they must not be refrozen and should be eaten within one day.
If you have coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free label and any warnings on the packaging. Then compare the preparation instructions, other ingredients and storage guidance with your plans for coffee time.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free label | Check for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and read any warnings about cereals containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Association points out that such warnings indicate a risk of cross-contamination. | If I have coeliac disease, I want to choose a roll without relying on the ingredients list alone. This check comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Compare the instructions for the exact variety: Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS recommend baking the ambient Kaiserbrötchen for 6–8 minutes at 200 °C; Jumbo says to defrost the frozen Kaisersemmel for 1–2 hours or bake it for 8–10 minutes at 180 °C. | If I want to serve something warm at short notice, the preparation time will determine which pack suits me. Being able to serve quickly matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Other ingredients and allergens | Read the label for the variety you choose: the ambient Kaiserbrötchen contains soya and iodised salt, and may contain mustard. The frozen Kaisersemmel also lists eggs, hazelnuts, milk and mustard as possible allergens, alongside soya. | If I need to consider another ingredient or allergen as well as gluten, I can’t treat the two varieties as interchangeable. This extra check is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | The ambient Kaiserbrötchen contains four rolls per 240 g pack; the frozen Kaisersemmel contains six rolls per 350 g pack. Check the storage instructions and make sure you have room in the freezer. | If I want to keep rolls in reserve, I focus on the number in the pack and how long they can be kept after opening or defrosting. This kind of stock planning makes the difference for around 14% of consumers. |
An ordinary Kaiser roll that doesn’t list wheat as an ingredient may still have come into contact with cereals containing gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Association explains that cross-contamination is a risk you can’t rule out by looking at a short ingredients list.
If you have coeliac disease, choose a roll with a clear gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and check the warnings on the packaging too.
The packs differ in the number of rolls, preparation and storage instructions. According to Jumbo, the frozen Kaisersemmel must not be refrozen after defrosting.
Choose according to when you plan to serve the rolls and how much freezer space you have. Then follow the instructions on the pack of the variety you actually buy.
Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens. The ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen contains soya and may contain mustard; the frozen variety also carries warnings about the possible presence of eggs, hazelnuts and milk.
If you have additional allergies, always read the full allergen information on the exact pack.
Albert Heijn and PLUS state that product and allergy information can change. As a result, the information on a page you looked at earlier may differ from what’s on the pack you buy.
Check the physical packaging again before serving the roll.
Schär makes both of the varieties covered here. The retailers listed provide product information to help you identify the right pack; check the ingredients and availability again when you buy.
Manufacturer of the four-pack ambient Kaiserbrötchen and the six-pack frozen Kaisersemmel.
Lists the four-pack, 240 g ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen as gluten-free bake-off rolls.
Lists both the four-pack, 240 g ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen and the six-pack, 350 g frozen Kaisersemmel.
Lists the 240 g ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen in its gluten-free range.
Lists the 240 g ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen in its special-diet foods range.
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, the gluten-free label means that a product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Even if the pack bears the Crossed Grain symbol, it’s still important to check the current ingredients and warnings.
If you have coeliac disease, it’s best to avoid rolls carrying this warning. The Dutch Coeliac Association says it indicates a risk of cross-contamination, so check the warnings as well as the gluten-free label.
According to Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, bake the part-baked rolls for 6–8 minutes at 200 °C in a fan oven. Store them in a cool, dry place; once opened, follow the instructions to eat them within a few days or freeze them straight away.
According to Jumbo, allow 1–2 hours for defrosting, or bake the rolls for 8–10 minutes at 180 °C. Don’t refreeze them once defrosted; keep them in the fridge and eat them within one day.
The product information for the ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen lists iodised salt. This doesn’t apply to every other gluten-free variety, so check the ingredients on the exact pack if this matters to your choice.
