Who is this choice relevant to?

People with coeliac disease who check labels carefully

For a special meal, you’ll want to see on the current packaging that the rolls are gluten-free. The ingredients and allergen information matter more than the name or appearance of the rolls.

Hosts planning a meal

Whether you’re serving breakfast, brunch or dinner, it makes a difference if you can bake the rolls shortly before serving or need to set aside time to defrost them first.

People stocking up who check for other allergens too

As well as checking the gluten-free label, compare the number of rolls, storage instructions and any ‘contains’ or ‘may contain’ statements. The latter information differs between the shelf-stable and frozen varieties reviewed here.

What factors determine your choice?

Shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen

A good fit for: a planned meal when you want to bake four rolls without defrosting them first.

Bear in mind: according to the product information, once opened, the pack should be used within a few days or frozen straight away.

Frozen Schär Kaisersemmel

A good fit for: stocking up on six rolls if you have freezer space and time to defrost them.

Bear in mind: Jumbo advises defrosting them for one to two hours and says not to refreeze the rolls once defrosted.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free status and allergens Check the gluten-free label, ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging. If I’m serving a roll to someone with coeliac disease, I want to be able to check that this specific product is suitable. Around 42% of consumers put this check first.
Preparation and serving time Compare the time needed to defrost the rolls and the preparation instructions for your chosen variety. Just before serving, I want to know whether I can bake the rolls straight away or need to start defrosting them earlier. For around 25% of consumers, planning is the main priority.
Nutritional information Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and the portion size. If you’re interested in iodine, check the ingredients list for the exact product. If I buy the same rolls regularly, I want to compare fibre, salt and the size of each roll. Around 17% of consumers put this comparison first.
Packaging and availability Check the pack size and local availability before planning your meal. When I’m serving several guests, I want to be able to buy enough suitable rolls without assuming another type of bread will do. Around 16% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.

What should you watch out for when buying?

  • Mistaking ordinary Kaiser rolls for gluten-free ones

    The white Kaiser rolls described by ALDI contain wheat. The name ‘Kaiser roll’ on its own tells you nothing about whether a product is suitable for someone with coeliac disease.

    Check that the packaging for the exact product says ‘gluten-free’, then read the ingredients list.

  • Taking frozen rolls out of the freezer just before your meal

    According to Jumbo, Schär Kaisersemmel need to defrost for one to two hours first. This means preparing them differently from the shelf-stable bake-off variety.

    Choose a preparation method that suits your planned serving time and follow the instructions on the packaging.

  • Overlooking other allergens once you see ‘gluten-free’

    Both Schär varieties reviewed here contain soya. The shelf-stable Kaiserbrötchen may contain mustard; the frozen Kaisersemmel also list eggs, hazelnuts and milk as possible allergens.

    Every time you buy them, check both the ingredients and the ‘may contain’ information for your chosen variety.

  • Assuming every roll contains iodised salt

    The shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen list iodised salt as an ingredient. This does not automatically apply to the frozen variety or to rolls from another brand.

    If this ingredient matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the pack you’re buying.

Brands and retailers to consider

Schär

Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe the shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen; Jumbo also describes the frozen Schär Kaisersemmel. These are two different packs with different preparation methods.

  • The product pages identify the rolls as gluten-free and provide preparation and storage instructions.
  • Both varieties contain soya, but their warnings about possible other allergens differ.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information about the shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen and has a separate category for gluten-free bakery products.

  • The product page helps you check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so always check the current packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes both the shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen and the frozen Schär Kaisersemmel.

  • The two product descriptions let you compare the packaging, preparation and allergens for each variety.
  • The frozen variety needs time to defrost and has different ‘may contain’ statements from the shelf-stable variety.

PLUS

PLUS lists the shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen in a 240 g pack.

  • This product listing gives you another way to find this specific variety.
  • Check local availability and the packaging when you buy.

Dirk

Dirk describes Schär Kaiserbrötchen as gluten-free in its product search results.

  • The listing gives you a starting point when searching for this variety.
  • Before planning your meal, check the current product information and the packaging of the rolls you buy.

Kaiser rolls at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are ordinary Kaiser rolls suitable if I have coeliac disease?

Don’t assume they are. Choose rolls whose current packaging explicitly says they are gluten-free. Check the ingredients too, and don’t confuse an ordinary pack of Kaiser rolls with a gluten-free variety.

What other allergens are listed for these Schär rolls?

According to the product information, both the shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen and the frozen Schär Kaisersemmel contain soya. The shelf-stable variety may contain mustard; the frozen variety lists eggs, hazelnuts, milk and mustard as possible allergens. Check the current packaging if any of these allergens matter to your choice.

How should I plan storage and preparation for both varieties?

According to the product information, store the shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen in a cool, dry place and bake them for six to eight minutes at 200 °C in a fan oven. For the frozen Schär Kaisersemmel, Jumbo advises storing them at −18 °C, defrosting them for one to two hours and, if you wish, baking them for eight to ten minutes at 180 °C. Also follow the instructions on the current packaging for using them after opening or defrosting.

Can I assume Kaiser rolls contain iodised salt?

No. Check the ingredients list for the specific rolls. The shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen list iodised salt, but that tells you nothing about other varieties. NBC describes the use of iodine-containing baker’s salt in the Netherlands as the subject of an agreement; don’t assume that the same ingredient is used just because the bread is the same type.