Who is this choice for?

A host with coeliac disease at the table

You’re looking for a roll clearly labelled gluten-free. Preparation matters too: according to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs can get onto gluten-free food via shared kitchen utensils.

A cook who wants to keep the crusty-roll shape

You want to serve filled or topped rolls individually, so you’re first looking for crusty rolls labelled gluten-free. Albert Heijn and PLUS list white and multiseed varieties; a pitta or ciabatta has a different shape.

A shopper buying from their usual supermarket

You want to be able to adapt the menu if a gluten-free crusty roll isn’t currently available. At Jumbo and Dirk, you can also look for gluten-free rolls in other shapes. Always check the specific product and its packaging.

What should you look for when buying?

Gluten-free crusty roll

When: Choose this shape if you want to top or fill a crusty roll for Asian night. Albert Heijn and PLUS both list white and multiseed crusty rolls labelled gluten-free.

Bear in mind: An online product name is no substitute for checking the current label and preparation instructions.

Another gluten-free roll

When: Consider this option if you don’t need the crusty-roll shape. Jumbo lists gluten-free pitta breads, among other options; Dirk lists gluten-free Schär Kaiser rolls and ciabatta.

Bear in mind: A pitta, Kaiser roll or ciabatta isn’t the same shape as a crusty roll. Check that your chosen bread suits the filling and how you want to serve it.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Choosing and preparing gluten-free bread Read the gluten-free label and allergen information on the packaging; use clean, separate utensils. If someone with coeliac disease is joining me, I want to be able to identify the roll and serve it without contact with ordinary crumbs. Around 40% of consumers put this check first.
Crusty-roll shape Check the shape of the bread, the number of rolls and the preparation instructions. For topped or filled rolls, I want a crusty roll rather than bread in a different shape. For around 30% of consumers, the serving style is the deciding factor.
Current range Check the specific product at your shop and consider which gluten-free roll would make a suitable alternative. I don’t want my menu to depend on a crusty roll I may not be able to buy. Availability is the first consideration for around 20% of consumers.
Iodine in your diet Read the ingredients list if iodised salt is relevant to your diet. If I eat less ordinary bread, I want to know what kind of salt is in the roll I choose and consider my diet as a whole. Around 10% of consumers start with this nutritional question.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking an ordinary or spelt crusty roll for a gluten-free one

    The name of the bread alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s labelled gluten-free. Jumbo and Dirk also stock crusty rolls that aren’t labelled gluten-free.

    If you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease, check the explicit label on the current packaging. Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014, ‘gluten-free’ may be stated if the gluten content of the food sold to the final consumer is no more than 20 mg/kg.

  • Preparing gluten-free bread alongside ordinary bread

    According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, crumbs on a chopping board or shared kitchen utensils can contaminate gluten-free food.

    Keep the rolls separate until you prepare them. Use clean hands and clean equipment, and avoid contact with ordinary breadcrumbs when slicing, topping and serving.

  • Assuming a general gluten-free range includes a crusty roll

    Gluten-free bread or rolls aren’t automatically shaped like crusty rolls. What’s available can also change.

    Check the specific product before finalising your menu. If a different shape would also work with your dish, choose an alternative that is clearly labelled gluten-free.

  • Assuming you’ll get the same iodine from ordinary bread

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. That doesn’t tell you which type of salt is in a particular gluten-free crusty roll.

    Read the ingredients list if this is relevant to your diet, and consider iodine as part of your overall diet.

Brands to compare

For these shops, always compare the specific roll: a gluten-free range and a crusty-roll range don’t necessarily mean that one product has both qualities.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists AH Gluten-free Crusty Rolls White and AH Gluten-free Crusty Rolls Multiseed.

  • Two crusty-roll varieties labelled gluten-free, including a white and a multiseed option.
  • Before serving, check the current packaging for ingredients, nutritional information and other allergens.

PLUS

PLUS lists a white gluten-free crusty roll and gluten-free multiseed crusty rolls.

  • The product names for both PLUS varieties specify two rolls per bag.
  • PLUS notes that product information can change; check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a gluten-free range that also includes other types of bread, such as pitta breads and burger buns.

  • Different types of bread give you the flexibility to adapt the filling for your Asian night.
  • A standard or spelt crusty roll isn’t gluten-free just because of its name; check the label on each product.

Dirk

Dirk lists Schär Kaiser rolls and Schär ciabatta as gluten-free rolls.

  • These rolls are alternatives when you don’t need a crusty-roll shape.
  • Don’t assume a standard crusty roll at Dirk is gluten-free unless the packaging says so.

Aldi

Aldi lists gluten-free bread and rolls in its bread range.

  • If you’re flexible about the shape, you can look for a specific roll labelled gluten-free.
  • The white Aldi crusty roll shown separately isn’t labelled gluten-free.

Lidl

Lidl lists gluten-free products, but its range can change.

  • Checking the current range may help you find a suitable gluten-free bread alternative.
  • Only plan your menu around a crusty roll once you’ve checked the specific product and its gluten-free label.

Bread alternative on Joybuy

This mini baguette is a different shape from a crusty roll. Consider it for your Asian night only if it suits your dish; if you’re catering for someone with coeliac disease, first check the gluten-free label on the current packaging.

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

A mini baguette as an alternative when you don’t need the crusty-roll shape. The product name specifies 7 pieces. Before buying, check whether you’ll receive rolls or a baking mix, and what preparation is required. Before serving, also read the gluten-free label and allergen information on the packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose an ordinary crusty roll for someone with coeliac disease if I can’t see wheat in the ingredients?

Don’t decide based on a quick glance at the ingredients: check that the current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 828/2014 links this label to a gluten content of no more than 20 mg/kg in food sold to the final consumer. Also read the allergen information to check for any other allergies your guests may have.

How can I keep gluten-free rolls separate from ordinary rolls?

Prepare and serve gluten-free rolls with clean hands and clean, separate kitchen utensils. Clear ordinary breadcrumbs from the worktop and chopping board, and don’t use a shared knife or fillings that may contain crumbs. The Dutch Coeliac Society warns that cross-contamination with gluten can also affect people with coeliac disease.

Does a gluten-free crusty roll automatically provide as much iodine as ordinary bread?

You can’t tell from the ‘gluten-free’ label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. Check the ingredients list to see what kind of salt your chosen roll contains, and consider iodine as part of your overall diet.

Can I count on finding a gluten-free crusty roll at Aldi or Lidl?

First check the specific product and current range. Aldi lists gluten-free bread and rolls, but the white crusty roll shown separately isn’t labelled gluten-free. Lidl’s range can change; a general gluten-free range doesn’t confirm that a gluten-free crusty roll is available.