If someone with coeliac disease is coming to your coffee morning, choose a Kaiser roll whose current packaging says ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain symbol, and prepare and serve it separately from regular rolls. According to the product pages of Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, the ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen come in packs of four; Jumbo also lists a pack of six frozen Schär Kaisersemmel, which has different preparation and storage instructions. Choose a pack size to suit the number of guests, and check the allergen information too.
You’re looking for more than a roll labelled gluten-free: you also need a way to serve it without it coming into contact with crumbs from regular rolls. The Dutch Coeliac Society advises avoiding cross-contamination with gluten.
You want to bake the rolls shortly before serving and need to choose between four ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen and six frozen Schär Kaisersemmel. The pack size and preparation method determine how many you can have ready in time.
Alongside the gluten-free claim, you’re checking for other allergens, nutritional values per 100 g and ingredients. It’s especially important to read the label on the pack you choose when comparing different varieties from the same brand.
First, check that the roll itself is labelled gluten-free and that you can prepare and serve it separately. Then compare the number of rolls, the preparation method and the label of the variety you want to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling and serving separately | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. If you’re also serving regular rolls, use clean, separate equipment. | If a guest has coeliac disease, I want to stop a gluten-free roll coming into contact with crumbs from regular bread. Around 42% of consumers prioritise choosing gluten-free products and preparing them separately. |
| Preparation and number of rolls | Compare four ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen with six frozen Schär Kaisersemmel; check the oven and storage instructions for each variety. | For a small gathering, I want to serve the rolls on time without preparing more than I need. Practical preparation and a suitable pack size matter most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and nutritional information | Read the allergen and ingredient information on the pack you choose; compare fibre and salt per 100 g if needed, and check whether iodised salt is listed. | If a guest also needs to avoid other ingredients, I don’t want to assume that two Schär varieties have the same label. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking this information. |
A general mention of gluten-free bread or a gluten-free range tells you nothing about the labelling on a specific Kaiser roll.
Check the packaging or product information for the exact roll you want to buy.
The Dutch Coeliac Society says crumbs can get onto gluten-free food via hands, kitchen utensils or shared toppings.
Use clean hands, a clean work surface and separate utensils. Keep the gluten-free rolls wrapped for as long as possible, and give them their own space on the table.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says baker’s salt is not compulsory, so ingredients can vary from one roll to another.
Check the label to see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is actually listed in the ingredients.
The frozen Schär Kaisersemmel come in packs of six, which may be more than you want to serve to a small group.
Choose a quantity to suit your guests and follow the storage instructions on the pack you select.
According to Jumbo, the Kaisersemmel must not be refrozen after defrosting and should be eaten within one day. Any defrosted rolls left over will therefore have a shorter storage life.
Schär offers ambient Kaiserbrötchen and a frozen variety called Kaisersemmel. They come in different packs, each with its own preparation and storage instructions.
Albert Heijn describes the gluten-free Schär Kaiserbrötchen as a pack of four, weighing 240 g in total.
Jumbo lists both Schär Kaiserbrötchen in packs of four weighing 240 g and frozen Schär Kaisersemmel in packs of six weighing 350 g.
PLUS lists Schär Kaiserbrötchen in a 240 g pack.
Dirk lists gluten-free Schär Kaiserbrötchen in a 240 g pack.
Check the current packaging to see whether the Kaiser roll is labelled ‘gluten-free’ or displays the Crossed Grain symbol. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the gluten-free label means a product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. You should also prevent it from coming into contact with crumbs from regular rolls.
Give gluten-free rolls their own space and use clean, separate utensils and toppings that haven’t come into contact with crumbs from regular bread. Keep the packaging closed for as long as possible, until you’re ready to prepare or serve the rolls.
The ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen come in packs of four and are a good choice if you can use an oven shortly before serving. Jumbo lists six frozen Schär Kaisersemmel per pack, with instructions to defrost for 1–2 hours or bake for 8–10 minutes at 180 °C. Follow the storage instructions after defrosting too.
No, don’t assume they do. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says baker’s salt is not compulsory, so check the ingredients of the roll you choose. Iodised salt is listed in the ambient Schär Kaiserbrötchen.
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean free from other allergens. The product information for the ambient Kaiserbrötchen lists soya and possible traces of mustard; the frozen Kaisersemmel information lists soya and possible traces of egg, hazelnut, milk and mustard. If someone has another allergy, always check the current label for the variety you choose.
