Who is this choice relevant for?

Hosting a guest with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a roll clearly labelled gluten-free that you can store, fill and serve separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes a lifelong gluten-free diet as the treatment for coeliac disease.

Planning ahead with an oven or freezer

You want to shop before Friday and work out whether to bake the rolls or defrost a frozen option first. Schär describes these preparation options for Kaiserbrötchen and Kaisersemmel respectively; follow the instructions on the pack you buy.

Shopping with limited choice nearby

You’re looking for a specific gluten-free Kaiser roll at a shop you can get to, or another clearly labelled gluten-free roll as an alternative. Check your local shop’s range or delivery area before setting off.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start by checking for a gluten-free label and planning how to serve the rolls separately. Then choose a shape and preparation method that suit your drinks get-together. The points below are for anyone who needs a gluten-free option for a guest at Friday afternoon drinks.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Label and serving separately Read the ‘gluten-free’ label and allergen information on the pack, and plan to use clean, separate serving utensils. If a guest has coeliac disease, I want to serve the roll without it coming into contact with regular rolls or crumbs. This is the biggest concern for around 38% of these consumers.
Kaiser roll shape Check the product name, number of rolls and weight; Jumbo lists Schär Kaiserbrötchen as 4 rolls weighing 240 g. I want the gluten-free roll to look similar to the other Kaiser rolls on the table. Around 23% of consumers prioritise the shape.
Preparation Read the preparation instructions and work out whether you have the time and space to bake the rolls or defrost a frozen one. I have little time to prepare just before drinks, so I want to know in advance when I can fill the roll. Preparation is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers.
Shop and alternative Check the range at your local shop or in your delivery area; if you choose an alternative roll, check its gluten-free label too. If my shop doesn’t have the specific Kaiser roll, I want to be able to choose another suitable roll. Around 16% of consumers give the choice of shop the highest priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a roll is gluten-free because you can’t see any wheat flour

    You can’t tell from a roll’s appearance whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Under EU Regulation 828/2014, the ‘gluten-free’ label may be used for products with a gluten content of no more than 20 mg/kg.

    For your guest, choose a product labelled ‘gluten-free’ and read the label on the pack you buy.

  • Serving the gluten-free roll among regular rolls

    Crumbs and shared serving utensils can contaminate a gluten-free roll while it’s being filled or served. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of preventing cross-contamination with allergens.

    Keep the roll separate until you’re ready to serve it, and use a clean knife, clean tongs and a separate plate.

  • Assuming every branch stocks the same products

    An online product listing doesn’t tell you whether the roll is available at your local shop or in your delivery area.

    Check the local range before Friday and, if necessary, choose another roll that’s clearly labelled gluten-free.

    You may need to make an extra trip to the shops.

  • Assuming every roll contains iodised baker’s salt

    A general assumption about baker’s salt won’t tell you which ingredients were used in the roll you’re serving.

    If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients on the pack or ask the manufacturer about this specific roll.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

A shop where you can compare Schär Kaiserbrötchen with other gluten-free rolls.

  • Albert Heijn lists Schär Kaiserbrötchen as gluten-free online. Its AH Gluten-Free range also includes white rolls, crusty rolls and party bread.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so check the label on the roll you receive.

Jumbo

A shop where you can compare a packaged Kaiser roll with a frozen version.

  • Jumbo lists gluten-free Schär Kaiserbrötchen, 4 rolls weighing 240 g, and gluten-free Schär Kaisersemmel, 6 rolls weighing 350 g, as a frozen product.
  • Check which version is available at your local shop or in your delivery area, and read the preparation instructions on each pack.

PLUS

A shop where you can browse Schär Kaiserbrötchen and other gluten-free Schär rolls.

  • PLUS lists Schär Kaiserbrötchen weighing 240 g and other gluten-free Schär rolls online.
  • Check the range at your local shop or in your delivery area before relying on a particular version being available.

Dirk

A shop where Schär Kaiserbrötchen appears in the online product search results.

  • Dirk lists gluten-free Schär Kaiserbrötchen weighing 240 g.
  • Check whether this roll is available at your local shop; a search result doesn’t tell you what’s in stock nearby.

ALDI

A shop to check for gluten-free rolls if a different shape from Kaiser rolls will do.

  • ALDI lists gluten-free bread and rolls in its range information.
  • Don’t assume a regular Kaiser roll is gluten-free; check the label on the specific product.

Lidl

A shop where you’ll need to check the label carefully if you choose an alternative roll.

  • Lidl lists regular Kaiser rolls and provides information about its gluten-free range.
  • That doesn’t make the regular Kaiser rolls a gluten-free option. If you choose another roll, check its label and what’s available locally.

Bread alternative on Joybuy

These mini baguettes have a different shape from Kaiser rolls. Choose them for a guest with coeliac disease only if this version is labelled ‘gluten-free’ on the pack; keep them separate from regular bread when serving.

Gv Baguette Mini, pack of 7

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

An option if mini baguettes would suit your drinks get-together better than Kaiser rolls. Before serving one to a guest with coeliac disease, check the gluten-free label and allergen information on the pack.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose a regular Kaiser roll without visible flour for someone with coeliac disease?

No. You can’t tell from its appearance whether a roll is gluten-free. Choose a pack labelled ‘gluten-free’; under EU Regulation 828/2014, this means it contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg.

How can I keep a gluten-free roll separate during drinks?

Keep the roll separate until you’re ready to serve it, then serve it on a clean plate with clean, separate utensils. Also watch out for crumbs on chopping boards and fillings that have already come into contact with regular rolls.

Do I always need to bake gluten-free Kaiser rolls?

Preparation methods vary between products. Schär says to bake Kaiserbrötchen; according to the brand, the frozen Kaisersemmel can be filled once defrosted or briefly baked. Follow the instructions on the pack you buy.

Can I find gluten-free Kaiser rolls at every supermarket mentioned?

Don’t assume so. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and Dirk list Schär Kaiserbrötchen online, but check availability at your local shop or in your delivery area. If you choose a different roll, check that its packaging is labelled gluten-free.