Guests and hosts who need to avoid gluten strictly
Choose a pretzel or pretzel snack specifically labelled gluten-free. A standard pretzel made with wheat is not a suitable substitute.
Which pretzels are suitable for whom?
Households with other dietary requirements
If milk, egg, soya, sesame or other ingredients also need to be avoided, check the information for each individual product. A “free from” range doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and may-contain warnings.
Hosts thinking about how to serve them
Small, crunchy pretzels are a good choice for a snack platter with dips. If you’d like to serve warm, soft pretzels, check the preparation instructions and gluten-free requirements separately.
What to look for when buying
First, find out which ingredients your guests need to avoid. Then decide whether a ready-to-serve snack or a warm pretzel would suit your evening better.
| What to check | What to look for when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free labelling | Look for an explicit “gluten-free” label on the specific pack. Check the labelling on oat pretzels too. | If I need to avoid gluten strictly, a pretzel without any obvious wheat in the ingredients list isn’t enough. Around 36% of consumers say an explicit gluten-free label is their top priority. |
| Other allergens | Compare the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any may-contain warnings with the ingredients you need to avoid. | If I need to avoid several allergens, I have to check each pretzel individually rather than rely on the brand name. For around 29% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Combined recipe requirements | Check claims such as “lactose-free” separately from claims such as “made without added milk or egg”; they don’t mean the same thing. | For a shared snack platter, I look for a recipe that meets my requirements for ingredients as well as being gluten-free. Around 21% of consumers put this combination first. |
| How they’re served | Choose between crunchy pretzels ready to serve and pretzels that need warming. If buying frozen, follow the preparation instructions. | If no stricter dietary requirement determines my choice, I mainly want to know whether the pretzels are for dipping or to serve as a warm side. Around 14% of consumers prioritise how they’re served. |
Common buying mistakes
-
Assuming “gluten-free” means “free from all allergens”
A gluten-free label doesn’t answer questions about other ingredients or possible traces. For example, REWE says that Schär Salinis may contain traces of sesame.
Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and may-contain warnings on the pack you buy against the ingredients you need to avoid.
-
Planning to serve standard pretzels to gluten-free guests
The standard pretzels described by EDEKA contain wheat. Serving a pretzel warm doesn’t make it a gluten-free alternative.
For guests who need to avoid gluten strictly, choose a pretzel or pretzel snack specifically labelled gluten-free.
-
Assuming loose products are safe because there’s no may-contain warning
According to Verbraucherzentrale, accidental traces don’t have to be declared. So if there’s no warning, you can’t assume that traces are absent.
Ask the counter staff for the latest allergen information and check anything you’re unsure about before buying.
-
Waiting until after you’ve shopped to decide how to serve them
Crunchy mini pretzels can go straight on the table, while frozen pretzels need to be prepared according to the instructions on the pack.
Decide in advance whether you want a crunchy snack for dipping or a warm side, then check that the product meets your dietary requirements.
Brands to help you choose
These examples cover a range of pretzel and salted-dough products. Always check the information for the specific product you’re considering.
Schär
Schär Salinis are small salted pretzels, ready to eat.
- According to Schär, Salinis are made with gluten-free and lactose-free ingredients, without added egg or milk.
- REWE’s product information warns that they may contain traces of sesame. The manufacturer’s claims don’t guarantee that the product is free from other allergens.
Hammermühle
Hammermühle offers organic oat pretzels as a snack, as well as baker-style pretzels labelled gluten-free.
- Hammermühle says its oat products are made with certified gluten-free oats.
- Oat pretzels and baker-style pretzels are different products, so check the details of the variety you plan to serve.
REWE frei von
REWE’s range includes organic pretzel sticks labelled gluten-free.
- These specifically labelled pretzel sticks offer an alternative snack to mini pretzels.
- The range label alone doesn’t tell you all the ingredients or allergens in each individual product.
Ditsch
Ditsch describes its standard pretzels, including a variety that can be warmed up.
- Ditsch provides warming instructions for its 150 g pretzel, which can help when planning a warm side.
- This product isn’t labelled gluten-free. Don’t choose this standard variety as a substitute for a pretzel specifically labelled gluten-free.
EDEKA / GUT&GÜNSTIG
EDEKA publishes ingredient information for its standard pretzels and salted pretzels.
- This information lets you check individual varieties. Wheat and soya are listed for the GUT&GÜNSTIG standard pretzels described.
- EDEKA says its GUT&GÜNSTIG salted pretzels may contain traces of milk. The wheat products checked aren’t a gluten-free option.
Joybuy products
Suitable products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pretzel with no visible wheat suitable if I need to avoid gluten strictly?
No. Look for a pretzel specifically labelled gluten-free. Lebensmittelklarheit explains that the “gluten-free” label is subject to a limit of no more than 20 mg of gluten per kg of food. You should also check the ingredients list for any other substances you need to avoid.
Are standard pretzels from EDEKA or Ditsch a gluten-free alternative?
The standard pretzels described by EDEKA contain wheat, so they aren’t a suitable alternative. For a Ditsch pretzel that needs warming, don’t assume it’s gluten-free. If you need to avoid gluten strictly, look for a variety specifically labelled gluten-free.
Is a gluten-free pretzel also free from milk, egg, soya and sesame?
No. A gluten-free label doesn’t make a general claim about those ingredients. Schär describes its Salinis as made with gluten-free and lactose-free ingredients and without added egg or milk; however, REWE says this product may contain traces of sesame. Check the information on the specific pack.
How can I check allergens in a loose pretzel from the bakery counter?
Before buying, ask for the latest allergen information for that specific pretzel. Verbraucherzentrale says this information can be given in writing or verbally. If there’s no warning about accidental traces, that doesn’t confirm that traces are absent.