Who is this choice relevant to?

People buying for someone with coeliac disease

Look for the gluten-free label first. How you store, bake and serve the roll matters too: the Dutch Coeliac Society points out that even crumbs can cause cross-contamination.

People looking for a kaiser shape

You want a gluten-free roll that’s shaped like a kaiser roll, rather than just a whole loaf or a ciabatta. PLUS and Dirk list Schär Kaiserbrötchen as a gluten-free product; check the packaging when you buy it.

Sourdough fans who are happy with a different shape

You’re looking for a gluten-free product with a sourdough component, even if it isn’t a kaiser roll. Jumbo and PLUS list sourdough breads in their gluten-free bread ranges; check the ingredients, shape and current availability of each product.

What should you look for when buying?

First, check for a gluten-free label and how to avoid cross-contamination. Then compare the shape, sourdough ingredients and baking instructions. A roll may meet one of these requirements without meeting the others.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Choosing gluten-free Look for an explicit gluten-free label on the current packaging, and read the ingredients and allergen information. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, the term gluten-free may only be used when a product contains less than 20 mg of gluten per kg. When I buy a roll for someone with coeliac disease, I don’t want to rely on the word sourdough or on its shape. For around 42% of consumers, this gluten-free check comes first.
Shape and sourdough Check whether it’s a kaiser roll, bake-at-home roll or another type of bread. If you’re specifically looking for a sourdough component, read the ingredients. If you’re looking for a small, kaiser-shaped roll, a whole sourdough loaf won’t necessarily fit the bill. Conversely, the sourdough component may matter more than the shape. Around 25% of consumers give this distinction top priority.
Baking and serving Read the preparation instructions and use a clean work surface and clean or separate utensils, as the Dutch Coeliac Society advises to prevent cross-contamination. I want to be able to bake the roll at home without it coming into contact with gluten-containing crumbs. For around 17% of consumers, preparation is their main concern.
Availability Check the current product page or shop shelf before counting on a specific roll being available, and check the packaging again when you buy it. If I’m going to a shop for a particular gluten-free roll, I want to know whether I can get it there. Around 16% of consumers put availability first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means gluten-free

    An ordinary sourdough roll may contain wheat. The European Union lists wheat as a grain that contains gluten; Dirk describes an ordinary kaiser roll in its range as a wheat roll.

    If you have coeliac disease, start by checking that the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free. Only then consider its sourdough component and shape.

  • Preparing a gluten-free roll alongside ordinary bread

    Even after buying it, crumbs or shared utensils can bring the roll into contact with gluten. The Dutch Coeliac Society therefore stresses the importance of preventing cross-contamination.

    Keep the roll wrapped for as long as possible, and use a clean work surface and clean or separate utensils when preparing it.

  • Relying on an out-of-date product listing

    A listing in a gluten-free bread category doesn’t mean a specific roll is currently available at your local shop. When listing the Yam sourdough bread mentioned here, Jumbo said it was no longer part of its online range; Lidl reported that additional gluten-free products were temporarily unavailable.

    Check the current product status before setting off or placing an order, and read the label again when you buy it.

Brands and shops to consider

These examples from retailers can help you distinguish between a gluten-free kaiser roll, another gluten-free bread shape and an ordinary wheat roll. A listing below doesn’t tell you what’s in stock at any individual shop.

PLUS

PLUS lists Schär Kaiserbrötchen as gluten-free rolls and also includes Yam Desem in its gluten-free bread category.

  • The Schär Kaiserbrötchen product page provides ingredient and preparation information.
  • PLUS warns that product and allergen information may change, so check the current packaging.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread roll listings include both gluten-free Schär Kaiserbrötchen and ordinary kaiser rolls.

  • The listings make it clear that products with ‘kaiser roll’ in the name don’t all have the same ingredients.
  • An ordinary bake-at-home kaiser roll is described as a wheat roll; check the label of each product individually.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists sourdough bread and ciabatta among the other types of bread in its gluten-free range.

  • The category gives you options if a kaiser shape isn’t essential.
  • The page viewed for Yam Desem Brood Glutenvrij & Biologisch said this specific product was no longer part of the online range.

Albert Heijn

The product information for AH Glutenvrij Afbakbroodjes describes bake-at-home rolls, not kaiser rolls.

  • The product page provides ingredient and preparation information for this type of roll.
  • Check that the specific product is still available before choosing it as a purchase option.

ALDI

ALDI lists gluten-free bread in its bakery range and also shows ordinary rolls.

  • The range information is a useful starting point when looking for gluten-free rolls.
  • The listing doesn’t confirm that a white kaiser roll shown is gluten-free.

Lidl

Lidl has a page for its gluten-free range.

  • The range page provides information about its gluten-free selection.
  • Lidl reported that additional gluten-free products were unavailable at the time; check the current selection.

Bread alternative at Joybuy

These mini baguettes are a different shape from kaiser rolls. They’re most relevant if you’re happy to choose a different shape; before use, check the current gluten-free label and other information on the packaging.

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

Gv Baguette Mini, 7 pieces

An option to consider if you’d like mini baguettes instead of kaiser rolls. When you buy them, check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. Read the preparation instructions before baking and avoid contact with gluten-containing crumbs.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does sourdough make an ordinary kaiser roll suitable for someone with coeliac disease?

No. Sourdough isn’t a gluten-free label, and it may be made from wheat. The European Union lists wheat as a grain that contains gluten, so check whether the specific roll is explicitly labelled gluten-free.

Is allergen information on its own enough for an individual roll?

Not on its own in this case. Also check whether the specific roll is explicitly gluten-free and how contact with gluten-containing products is prevented during storage, preparation and serving. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the rules for allergen information; allergen information alone doesn’t replace these additional product and preparation checks.

How can I prevent cross-contamination when baking the roll?

Keep the gluten-free roll wrapped for as long as possible, and use a clean work surface and clean or separate utensils. Also avoid contact with crumbs, shared knives and spreadable products; the Dutch Coeliac Society points out that even a single crumb can matter.

Does every gluten-free roll contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the gluten-free label. PLUS lists iodised salt in Schär Kaiserbrötchen; check the current ingredients list on the packaging for every other roll.