Who is this selection for?

Oktoberfest guests who avoid gluten

An explicit gluten-free label is essential. If a pretzel contains gluten-free oats, individual tolerance is also worth considering.

Guests avoiding several ingredients

They need to check the ingredients and any possible traces of the specific substances they avoid. Labels such as vegan or lactose-free do not cover every allergen.

Hosts serving a mixed selection of snacks

You can serve checked free-from snacks separately from traditional pretzels, so guests can easily tell the options apart.

What should you look for when buying?

First, check which ingredients your guests need to avoid. Then choose the right type of pretzel, and consider whether you’ll have time to bake it before serving.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Gluten-free pretzels Look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label. If the product contains oats, consider individual tolerance too. If I can only choose pretzels labelled gluten-free, I need to know that from the outset. This is a priority for around 36% of consumers.
Other allergens Check the ingredients list and any trace warnings against the specific ingredients to be avoided. If I have a soya or sesame allergy, I don’t want to assume a product is suitable just because it’s vegan. Around 29% of consumers prioritise checking for specific allergens.
Vegan or lactose-free Check the specific product for the quality you need. Vegan, lactose-free and made without milk or egg are different claims. I’m looking for a vegan or lactose-free pretzel for my guests and don’t want to confuse these requirements. Around 21% of consumers prioritise these qualities.
How it’s served Check the pack size, baking instructions and storage information against your plans. I want to serve pretzels either ready to snack on or warm from the oven. Around 14% of consumers prioritise how they’re served.

Which mistakes can you avoid?

  • Assuming ‘gluten-free’, ‘vegan’ and ‘allergen-free’ mean the same thing

    These labels refer to different qualities. According to REWE and Schär, Salinis are gluten-free and vegan, but contain soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame.

    Make a note of the ingredients your guests need to avoid, then check the ingredients list and trace warnings on the specific pack.

  • Choosing gluten-free oats without checking further

    Hammermühle notes that people with coeliac disease may tolerate gluten-free oats differently in its gluten-free oat pretzels.

    If oats are a concern for a guest, check before buying whether an oat-based option is suitable for them.

  • Putting traditional pretzels on the free-from platter

    HUOBER BREZEL’s range of mini, spelt and other pretzels doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether a product is suitable for someone avoiding a particular ingredient.

    Check each product individually and serve traditional pretzels separately from the snacks selected for guests with dietary restrictions.

  • Leaving bake-at-home pretzels until just before serving

    Hammermühle recommends moistening its baker’s pretzels and baking them at 200 °C for 5–8 minutes.

    Allow time to use the oven and set aside separate serving utensils. Also check the storage instructions on the pack.

Useful brands to help you choose

Schär

Schär’s Salinis are small, ready-to-serve gluten-free salted pretzels.

  • REWE describes Salinis as gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan, and says they’re made without milk or egg.
  • According to Schär, Salinis contain soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame.

Hammermühle

Hammermühle offers gluten-free oat mini pretzels and larger baker’s pretzels that can be baked before serving.

  • According to Hammermühle, its organic oat pretzels are gluten-free, vegan and made without wheat.
  • The oat pretzels may contain traces of soya. The baker’s pretzels need baking and may contain traces of soya and mustard.

REWE frei von

REWE’s own-brand range includes gluten-free pretzel sticks as a savoury snack.

  • REWE also lists other pretzel snacks that are explicitly labelled gluten-free.
  • If you need to avoid other ingredients, check the details for the specific product and its packaging.

HUOBER BREZEL

HUOBER BREZEL offers traditional pretzel shapes, including mini and spelt pretzels, as well as beer sticks.

  • The different shapes give you options for a traditional selection of snacks served separately.
  • If you need a free-from option, check the label on the specific product. The shape of the pretzel alone isn’t enough to determine whether it’s suitable.

Suitable products at Joybuy

Suitable products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘gluten-free’ on a pretzel mean it’s free from other allergens too?

No. A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you whether a pretzel snack contains soya, for example, or may contain traces of sesame. Check the ingredients list and the details on the specific pack for any other ingredients you need to avoid.

Are vegan pretzels automatically suitable for someone with a milk allergy?

You can’t tell whether a product is suitable for an individual allergy from the word ‘vegan’ alone. Check the ingredients and any possible traces on the specific product. REWE says Schär Salinis are made without milk or egg, while Schär lists soya lecithin and possible traces of sesame.

What should I ask about pretzels sold loose?

Before buying, ask about the ingredients and any allergens relevant to your guests. Lebensmittelklarheit notes that information about common allergens must also be available for unpackaged foods.

What does ‘May contain traces of sesame’ mean?

It indicates possible accidental presence, not that sesame is definitely an ingredient. The German Food Federation describes these trace warnings as voluntary information. If you need to avoid sesame, take them into account.

How do I prepare Hammermühle baker’s pretzels for a party?

Hammermühle recommends moistening the baker’s pretzels and baking them at 200 °C for 5–8 minutes. Allow time to use the oven, and check the storage and allergen information on the pack.