For a guest with coeliac disease, ciabatta clearly labelled gluten-free is a suitable alternative to regular tiger bread for an Italian evening. Classic ciabatta makes a neutral base for toppings; choose a seeded variety if you’d like to serve that style of bread. In either case, check the current label for other allergens and prepare the bread separately from gluten-containing bread.
You’re looking for bread that’s clearly labelled gluten-free and want to make sure it doesn’t come into contact with crumbs from regular bread during storage, preparation or serving. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises preparing gluten-free food separately.
You want to replace tiger bread with a gluten-free roll that you can toast, top or serve alongside antipasti. Ciabatta is a different type of bread, not a gluten-free version of tiger bread.
You want to know which variety to buy before your Italian evening, what the packaging says and whether it’s available at your shop. A general mention of gluten-free rolls doesn’t tell you which type of bread is in stock.
Start by checking for a gluten-free label and making sure the bread can be prepared without cross-contamination. Then choose a type of bread that suits the dish and check whether the variety you want is available.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free and prepared separately | Check the gluten-free label on the packaging and use clean, separate equipment and toppings. | If I’m cooking for someone with coeliac disease, I want to be sure which bread I’m serving and avoid crumbs from regular bread; this assurance is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Bread to serve with the meal | Choose between classic ciabatta and a seeded variety, and read the preparation instructions for the variety you buy. | For bruschetta or antipasti, I want to choose a roll that suits how I’ll serve it; for around 30% of consumers, its role in the meal is the deciding factor. |
| Availability | Check the exact variety at your shop and read the label on the pack you take home. | If I’m planning the meal in advance, I want to know whether I can actually buy the type of bread I have in mind; around 20% of consumers prioritise availability. |
The name tiger bread describes a type of bread, not whether it’s gluten-free. So regular tiger bread isn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease based on its name alone.
Choose a bread alternative with a clear gluten-free label on the current packaging.
Crumbs on a chopping board, knife or grill, as well as shared toppings, can come into contact with gluten-free bread. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises preparing gluten-free food separately.
Store the bread separately and use clean equipment, a separate baking tray and separate toppings.
The product information for Schär Ciabatta and Ciabatta Rustica lists soya and warns that they may contain lupin, mustard and sesame. Gluten-free doesn’t mean a roll is suitable for every other allergy.
Ask in advance which allergens are relevant to your guest and check the packaging of the exact variety you’re serving.
Schär describes a classic gluten-free Ciabatta and a seeded gluten-free Ciabatta Rustica.
Albert Heijn lists both Schär Ciabatta and Ciabatta Rustica in its online range.
Jumbo has a product listing for 200 g of Schär gluten-free Ciabatta.
PLUS lists 200 g of Schär gluten-free ciabatta, as well as other gluten-free bread products.
Dirk lists 200 g of Schär gluten-free Ciabatta.
ALDI mentions gluten-free bread as part of its bread range.
Lidl directs shoppers looking for gluten-free options to its standard range; its page about additional gluten-free products stated that those products were unavailable.
These mini baguettes are a different type of bread from tiger bread or ciabatta. Before buying, check whether the packaging carries the gluten-free label you need and how the product should be prepared.
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If you’d like to serve small rolls alongside your Italian meal, this mini baguette product could be an option, provided the current packaging confirms the gluten-free label you need.
Check whether the pack contains rolls or a mix, and follow the relevant preparation instructions. Also read the allergen information and keep the product separate from gluten-containing bread during preparation.
Don’t use regular tiger bread as a gluten-free option unless the current label clearly states that it’s gluten-free. The name of the bread tells you nothing about whether it contains gluten. Choose a clearly labelled alternative and prevent it from coming into contact with crumbs from regular bread.
Prepare the gluten-free ciabatta separately, using clean hands, clean equipment and separate toppings. The Dutch Coeliac Association advises using conventional top and bottom heat rather than a fan oven when sharing an oven, making sure there are no crumbs on the oven floor and placing the gluten-free bread on a separate tray.
Not necessarily: the product information for both varieties lists soya and possible traces of lupin, mustard and sesame. Ask which allergens are relevant and check the current label on the variety you’ve chosen before serving it.
No, don’t assume that without checking the product information. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer which salt is used in that variety.
