People who need to avoid gluten
When stocking up, look for an explicit gluten-free label. If you also need to avoid other ingredients, check the ingredients list and may-contain information on the specific pack.
Which options are right for you?
Households avoiding several allergens
Gluten-free on its own does not tell you whether ingredients such as soya or sesame are also present. Compare the information for each product with the allergens your household needs to avoid.
Stocking up without avoiding gluten
If wheat and the other listed allergens are not a concern for you, frozen pretzels that you can bake as needed may be an option. You will need freezer space and time to bake them.
What matters when stocking up?
When buying pretzels to keep in stock, first check the gluten-free and allergen labelling you need. Only then are pack size, storage and preparation useful ways to compare the products that meet your needs.
| Criteria | What to check | Especially important if |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten and allergens | If you need to avoid gluten, look for an explicit “gluten-free” label; check the ingredients and may-contain information for any other relevant allergens. | I need to avoid gluten, so I don’t want to buy a larger quantity until I’ve checked the labelling and any other ingredients I need to avoid. Around 36% of consumers check this first. |
| Several allergens | Check the current ingredients list and any may-contain information for each specific allergen you need to avoid. | If I need to avoid several allergens, “gluten-free” on its own isn’t enough: according to REWE, Schär Salinis contain soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame. Around 29% of consumers prioritise checking for several allergens. |
| Quantity and storage | Check the pack size and number of pieces against the storage space you have; consider whether the product needs to be stored in a cupboard or freezer. | If I want to stock up on pretzels I can bake a few at a time and don’t need to avoid wheat, I’ll mainly check freezer space and how much preparation they need. Around 21% of consumers prioritise quantity and storage. |
| Vegan options | Check for a vegan label or review the ingredients; if you also need to avoid gluten, look for a “gluten-free” label too. | If a vegan pretzel is my top priority, I want to choose one with that specific feature without assuming it is also gluten-free. This preference comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when stocking up
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Confusing “gluten-free” with “free from all allergens”
Gluten-free pretzels may contain other allergens as ingredients or carry relevant may-contain information. For example, REWE’s product information for Schär Salinis lists soya lecithin and possible traces of sesame; Hammermühle lists possible traces of soya.
Before buying several packs, decide which allergens you need to avoid and check the information on every current pack.
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Assuming a large frozen pack is a gluten-free alternative
The classic frozen pretzels described by REWE and EDEKA, in packs of 770 g and 868 g respectively, contain wheat. Their larger pack sizes do not make them suitable if you need to avoid gluten.
Check for the gluten-free label you need before considering pack size.
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Overlooking freezer space and baking time
Frozen pretzels take up space in the freezer and need to be prepared according to the pack instructions. Unlike pretzels that are ready to eat, they are not ready to enjoy without preparation.
Plan how much to buy based on the freezer space you have, and check the storage and preparation instructions before buying.
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Relying on online information without checking the next pack
EDEKA notes that online information may differ from what is on the packaging. ALDI SÜD advises customers to check the product in store for precise information about its bakery-counter pretzel.
Check the label on the product you are actually buying each time, especially for ingredients and may-contain information.
Brands and own-label ranges to consider
Hammermühle
According to Hammermühle, its 80 g pack of organic oat pretzels is labelled gluten-free and vegan, and is made without added wheat.
- Ingredients, possible traces of soya and dry storage instructions are provided for this product; the pretzels are ready to eat.
- You will need several packs to stock up in larger quantities. Hammermühle notes that people with coeliac disease may tolerate gluten-free oats differently.
Schär
REWE describes Schär Salinis as gluten-free, lactose-free, wheat-free and vegan salted pretzels in a 60 g pack.
- The labels and ingredients listed apply to this specific product.
- They contain soya lecithin and may contain traces of sesame. This is not a large pack.
REWE Beste Wahl / REWE frei von
REWE sells a range of different products: the classic Beste Wahl frozen pretzels come as eight pieces of dough weighing 770 g in total, and the range also includes snacks explicitly labelled gluten-free.
- You can bake the classic frozen pretzels a few at a time, as long as their ingredients are suitable for your household.
- The Beste Wahl pretzels described here contain wheat and soya. The gluten-free label on other REWE products does not apply to these frozen pretzels.
Ditsch
Ditsch describes, among other products, 100 g pretzels sold in packs of 40, as well as a 1.6 kg mega pretzel.
- The pack sizes listed make it possible to plan for larger quantities, provided the storage and intended use suit you.
- The products described contain wheat. Depending on the product, Ditsch also lists possible traces of other allergens; check the information for the specific variety you choose.
EDEKA / GUT&GÜNSTIG
EDEKA describes GUT&GÜNSTIG frozen pretzels as a pack of ten weighing 868 g in total, and also stocks gluten-free foods.
- The ten pretzels make it easy to plan individual portions, as long as you have freezer space.
- The pretzels described contain wheat and soya. EDEKA lists possible traces of egg, milk, nuts and sesame, and advises checking the packaging.
Products to suit you at Joybuy
Options featured in this guide: Hammermühle Organic Oat Pretzels (80 g), Schär Salinis gluten-free pretzels (60 g), REWE Beste Wahl classic frozen pretzels (770 g) and EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG frozen pretzels (868 g).
Frequently asked questions
Are gluten-free pretzels free from other allergens too?
No. “Gluten-free” does not mean that all other allergens are excluded. For example, REWE lists soya lecithin and possible traces of sesame in Schär Salinis; Hammermühle lists possible traces of soya in its organic oat pretzels. Check the information for every allergen that is relevant to you.
What should I look out for in the allergen information on packaged pretzels?
For packaged pretzels, check the listed allergenic ingredients as well as any may-contain information. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs, the 14 most common causes of allergies and intolerances must be declared when they are ingredients; the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety distinguishes these from accidental traces. So, the absence of a may-contain warning is not a blanket guarantee that all cross-contamination has been ruled out.
Are classic frozen pretzels suitable for a gluten-free stock-up?
The classic frozen pretzels described here are not suitable if you need to avoid gluten or wheat: both the 770 g REWE product and the 868 g EDEKA pack contain wheat. Their larger, portionable packs are only an option if their ingredients and may-contain information are suitable for your household.
How should I store pretzels for snacking and frozen pretzels?
Follow the instructions on the relevant pack. Hammermühle recommends storing its organic oat pretzels in a dry place, protected from heat and light. Frozen pretzels should be kept in the freezer as directed on the pack and prepared according to the instructions before eating.
Is a “vegan” label enough for a pretzel from the bakery counter?
No. “Vegan” is not a substitute for a gluten-free label or for checking any allergens you need to avoid. ALDI SÜD describes a vegan bakery-counter pretzel, but advises customers to check the product in store for precise details. Check this information before adding it to your stock-up.