Choose a roll labelled gluten-free if its shape matters for your menu: Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Dirk list Schär Kaiserbrötchen, while Jumbo also lists a frozen version. If you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease, the current packaging label and avoiding cross-contamination matter more than the shape of the roll. If you don’t need a Kaiser roll, you can compare other gluten-free rolls too.
You’re looking for a roll clearly labelled gluten-free and want to avoid it coming into contact with ordinary bread when it’s cut, topped or served. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease.
You want individual rolls for burgers or international toppings and are choosing between a long-life pack and a frozen version. The number of rolls, your available storage space and when you plan to serve them will help you decide which pack is most practical.
You need a gluten-free roll for your meal, but a crusty roll, bun or another type of bread would also work with your planned toppings. If so, compare the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for each product.
First, decide whether the roll needs to be suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Then choose a shape and preparation method that work with your menu and plans.
Choose this: if you want the Kaiser shape and can bake the rolls shortly before serving. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list packs of 4 rolls, weighing 240 g in total.
Bear in mind: check the storage instructions after opening, and check the allergens on the current packaging.
Choose this: if you want to shop in advance and have room in your freezer for the 6-roll pack, weighing 350 g in total, listed by Jumbo.
Bear in mind: according to Jumbo, the rolls take 1–2 hours to defrost. Once defrosted, they must not be refrozen and should be eaten within one day.
Choose these: if you mainly need a gluten-free roll to go with your toppings and the Kaiser shape isn’t essential. PLUS lists gluten-free crusty rolls, while Albert Heijn also lists other types of gluten-free rolls.
Bear in mind: a crusty roll or bun isn’t a Kaiser roll. Check the size, preparation instructions and label for each product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving gluten-free food | Check that the packaging says ‘gluten-free’. When preparing the rolls, use clean or separate utensils and keep toppings separate. | If someone with coeliac disease is joining us, I want to make sure that a suitable roll doesn’t come into contact with crumbs from ordinary bread. This is the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Roll shape and menu | Decide whether you need the Kaiser shape and compare the number of rolls in each pack with the number of guests. | For burgers or generous toppings, I want the roll I choose to suit my menu; another shape isn’t always what I’m looking for. Around 29% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Preparation and storage | Compare baking and defrosting instructions, and check how the product should be stored after opening or defrosting. | If I shop well in advance, I want to know when to take the rolls out of the freezer and how much oven space I’ll need. This is the most important consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Nutrition information and allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g if that’s relevant to you. Also check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact version you’ve chosen. | As well as checking that it’s gluten-free, I want to know what other allergens and ingredients the roll contains. For around 14% of consumers, comparing labels is their main concern when buying. |
The shape tells you nothing about gluten. The ordinary Kaiser roll listed by Jumbo contains wheat flour and rye sourdough; it isn’t a suitable substitute for someone with coeliac disease.
Choose a roll whose packaging says ‘gluten-free’ and keep it separate from ordinary bread during preparation and serving.
According to the product information, both the long-life Kaiserbrötchen and the frozen Kaisersemmel we checked contain soya, but their warnings about possible traces differ.
If you have additional allergies to consider, read the current allergen information for the version you’re actually buying.
Jumbo says that the frozen Kaisersemmel takes 1–2 hours to defrost. The rolls can then be topped straight away or baked according to the product instructions.
Plan to defrost them before serving, and remember that the instructions say not to refreeze the rolls once defrosted.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So, information on one pack doesn’t tell you what’s in another roll.
If iodine in your ingredients is a consideration, check the label of your chosen product for iodised salt or baker’s salt.
Schär has two gluten-free rolls with a Kaiser-style shape in the supermarket ranges mentioned.
An Albert Heijn range of other types of gluten-free rolls for anyone who doesn’t need a Kaiser roll.
The PLUS gluten-free range includes crusty rolls as another option to serve with your meal.
Jumbo lists both long-life Schär Kaiserbrötchen and frozen Schär Kaisersemmel.
Dirk lists 240 g Schär Kaiserbrötchen gluten-free in its online search results.
These mini baguettes are a good option for a menu that doesn’t need Kaiser rolls. If the roll needs to be gluten-free, check the label and allergen information on the packaging before choosing this product for a guest.
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A different type of roll for toppings when you don’t need the Kaiser shape.
The product name says it contains 7 mini baguettes. Check the packaging to see whether this version is labelled gluten-free, which allergens are listed and how to prepare the rolls.
Not if they contain ingredients with gluten: the ordinary Kaiser roll listed by Jumbo contains wheat flour and rye sourdough. According to the Voedingscentrum, even a stray bread crumb can cause symptoms for someone with coeliac disease, so take care to avoid cross-contamination when serving, too.
Use clean or separate chopping boards, knives and tongs, and keep the toppings away from crumbs from ordinary bread. A gluten-free label on the packaging won’t prevent cross-contamination after you’ve opened it.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. The long-life Schär Kaiserbrötchen we checked lists iodised salt; always check the ingredients list for other rolls.
According to Jumbo, the frozen Kaisersemmel takes 1–2 hours to defrost. You can then top the rolls straight away or bake them for 8–10 minutes at 180 °C. Don’t refreeze them after defrosting, and eat them within one day.
