Families with a member who has coeliac disease
A familiar shape isn’t enough: check that the packaging says gluten-free. Read the full allergen information too if someone also needs to avoid other ingredients.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families who like to keep rolls in stock
If not everyone in the family eats gluten-free, the number of rolls you need at each meal can help you choose between an opened pack and a frozen one. Storage instructions vary by product.
Families who want to serve warm rolls
For a quick breakfast or lunch, it makes a difference whether the rolls can go straight into the oven or need to defrost first. Check the preparation instructions for your chosen variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
If someone in your large family has coeliac disease, choosing a product labelled gluten-free is essential whichever option you go for. Then choose between shelf-stable rolls, frozen rolls or another type of bread, depending on how many people you’re feeding, how much storage space you have and when you want to bake them.
Shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen
A good fit if: you want to keep four gluten-free Kaiser rolls and bake them shortly before your meal.
Bear in mind: according to Jumbo, once opened, the rolls should be eaten within a few days or frozen straight away.
Frozen Schär Kaisersemmel
A good fit if: you have freezer space for a pack of six rolls.
Bear in mind: according to Jumbo, these rolls must not be refrozen after defrosting. Keep them chilled and eat them within one day.
Multiseed rolls or pistolets
A good fit if: having gluten-free bread matters more than the Kaiser shape.
Bear in mind: these are different types of bread, with their own allergen and storage information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should give this the most thought? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free status and allergens | Look for the gluten-free label on the packaging and check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information. | If someone in your family has coeliac disease, the gluten-free claim must be clear. If they have other allergies, check the rest of the label too. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Stock and portions | Compare the number of rolls in a pack with the number of people eating gluten-free, and check what’s allowed after opening or defrosting. | If only some of your family eat gluten-free, you’ll want to use the rolls without ending up with defrosted leftovers. Stock management matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation time | Check the oven or air fryer instructions for each variety, and whether it needs to defrost first. | For a busy breakfast, the rolls need to suit the time and equipment you have available. Ease of preparation comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Type of bread and nutritional information | Decide whether you need the Kaiser shape. If you’re considering alternatives, compare the type of bread, nutritional information per 100 g and allergens. | If you’re also considering multiseed rolls or a pistolet, you may be happy with a different shape and ingredients. For roughly 14% of consumers, choosing between types of bread is the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a regular Kaiser roll is gluten-free
The shape of a roll tells you nothing about whether it contains gluten. This is an important distinction when someone with coeliac disease is eating with you.
Choose a pack labelled gluten-free and check the current label.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
A gluten-free label doesn’t rule out other ingredients or ‘may contain’ warnings. Soy is one of the allergens to look out for in the Schär varieties described here.
Check the allergen information for each variety separately and compare it with the ingredients the person eating it needs to avoid.
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Choosing a large pack without checking the storage instructions
According to Jumbo, frozen Schär Kaisersemmel must not be refrozen after defrosting. Albert Heijn says its gluten-free multiseed rolls are not suitable for home freezing.
Choose a quantity that suits the number of people eating gluten-free at each meal, and follow the instructions for the product you buy.
Rolls that have been defrosted but aren’t used in time may go to waste.
Brands to consider
Schär
Schär offers both Kaiserbrötchen and frozen Kaisersemmeln: both are a direct match if you’re looking for gluten-free Kaiser rolls.
- According to Jumbo, the shelf-stable pack contains four Kaiserbrötchen weighing 240 g in total, while the frozen pack contains six Kaisersemmeln weighing 350 g in total.
- Check the allergens and storage instructions for each variety. According to Jumbo, the frozen rolls must not be refrozen after defrosting.
AH Glutenvrij
Albert Heijn’s gluten-free multiseed rolls are an alternative if you don’t need the Kaiser shape.
- They’re a clearly different type of bread to consider if you’re also interested in multiseed rolls.
- They aren’t Kaiser rolls. Albert Heijn says these multiseed rolls aren’t suitable for home freezing.
PLUS
PLUS lists gluten-free multiseed pistolets as an alternative if you don’t need a Kaiser roll.
- The pistolets offer a different type of gluten-free bread to compare for a family meal.
- They aren’t Kaiser rolls. Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.
Related products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When can a roll be called gluten-free?
According to the Dutch Coeliac Association, the term gluten-free can be used for products containing less than 20 mg of gluten per kg of product. Check for this wording on the packaging rather than relying on the name or shape of the roll.
Do I need to check for other allergens in gluten-free Kaiser rolls?
Yes. A gluten-free claim doesn’t mean a roll is free from other allergens; soy is one to look out for in the Schär Kaiserbrötchen and Kaisersemmeln described here. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the specific variety.
What should I choose if not everyone in the family eats gluten-free?
Choose a pack to suit the number of people eating gluten-free at each meal and the storage space you have. According to Jumbo, opened shelf-stable Schär Kaiserbrötchen should be eaten within a few days or frozen straight away. Once defrosted, frozen Kaisersemmeln must not go back in the freezer; keep them chilled and eat them within one day.
What if I can’t buy gluten-free Kaiser rolls?
Gluten-free multiseed rolls or a gluten-free pistolet may be suitable if you don’t need the Kaiser shape. Albert Heijn and PLUS list these types of rolls, but they’re different products, so check the portion size, allergens, preparation and storage instructions again.