Who are these options relevant to?

If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease

You want to be able to check the gluten-free label, ingredients and warnings before use. When slicing and topping the rolls, you’ll also want to avoid contact with crumbs from ordinary bread.

If you like to keep rolls in stock

You’re looking for rolls for breakfast or lunch that suit the space you have and the time you can allow for defrosting or baking.

If you’re comparing supermarkets

You want to know where to look for a gluten-free Kaiser roll, and which other gluten-free roll might be an option if your shop doesn’t stock the shape you want.

What should you look for when buying?

Start with the current packaging, then decide which preparation and storage method works for you. If you’re looking for a pre-sliced roll or a particular size, check this separately: the name Kaiser roll doesn’t tell you whether it’s sliced.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Gluten-free status and cross-contamination Look for the explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and check the ingredients and any warnings. At home, use clean or separate utensils. If I’m buying for someone with coeliac disease, I also want to prevent contact with ordinary bread crumbs after opening the pack. For around 50% of consumers, choosing gluten-free is the top priority.
Preparation and storage Check whether the roll needs to be baked or defrosted, and read the storage instructions after defrosting. For a breakfast without a lot of preparation, I want to know in advance whether I’ll need to take rolls out of the freezer. Around 30% of consumers prioritise preparation and storage.
Availability and shape Check availability at your chosen shop, and compare the number of rolls and their weight if you choose a different shape. If my shop doesn’t have Kaiser rolls, I want to be able to find another roll that’s also labelled gluten-free. For around 20% of consumers, availability or choice of shapes is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming an ordinary Kaiser roll or a ‘wheat-free’ label means gluten-free

    A product photo, the shape of a roll or a ‘wheat-free’ label doesn’t confirm that the finished product meets the requirements for a ‘gluten-free’ label.

    If you’re buying for someone with coeliac disease, choose a pack that explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Also check the current ingredients and any warnings before use.

  • Using the same kitchen utensils for all rolls

    The Dutch Coeliac Association notes that crumbs on a chopping board and a shared butter knife, for example, can transfer gluten to a gluten-free roll.

    Keep the rolls separate from ordinary bread and use clean or separate surfaces and utensils for slicing, toasting and adding toppings.

  • Treating frozen rolls like cupboard-stored bread

    For its frozen Schär Kaisersemmel, Jumbo specifies a defrosting or baking step. According to the instructions provided, you must not refreeze the rolls after defrosting; if you store them in the fridge, use them within one day.

    Choose this option only if you have freezer space and time to prepare it, and follow the instructions on the pack you buy.

    If you defrost more rolls than you can use in time, you risk wasting them.

  • Assuming every gluten-free roll contains iodised baker’s salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread made with iodised baker’s salt as an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but also notes that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.

    Check the ingredients list if baker’s salt is relevant to your diet. If you have questions about your iodine intake, speak to a dietitian or healthcare professional rather than drawing conclusions from one bread product.

Brands to consider

Schär

Schär offers gluten-free rolls in a range of shapes, including Kaiserbrötchen and a frozen version called Kaisersemmel.

  • Jumbo lists Schär Kaiserbrötchen as gluten-free in a pack of 4, weighing 240 g. The product is also listed by PLUS, Albert Heijn and Dirk.
  • A product listing doesn’t tell you whether it’s available at your local branch. Also check the current packaging: the frozen version has different preparation and storage instructions from a roll kept in the cupboard.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a Kaiser roll be labelled ‘gluten-free’?

Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, the label ‘gluten-free’ may be used if the finished product contains no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. When buying, check the current packaging of the specific roll, and read the ingredients and any warnings before use.

What does ‘may contain cereals containing gluten’ mean on the packaging?

This warning is relevant if you have coeliac disease. The Dutch Coeliac Association explains that it indicates a genuine risk that a product contains more than 20 mg of gluten per kg. Without further appropriate assurance, don’t treat such a product as suitable for a strict gluten-free diet.

How can I keep gluten-free rolls separate during preparation?

Use clean or separate utensils and surfaces for slicing, toasting and adding toppings. The Dutch Coeliac Association notes that leftover bread crumbs and shared kitchen utensils can cause cross-contamination.

Does a gluten-free Kaiser roll always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, that isn’t implied by the ‘gluten-free’ label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that bakers in the Netherlands aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so check the ingredients list if this matters to your diet.