Which pretzel is right for you?

Students with a short lunch break

If there’s no time to prepare food between classes, a single ready-to-eat pretzel could be a good option. Availability and choice depend on the outlet.

Shared-flat shoppers and stock-up buyers

Frozen pretzels can work well if you’re planning several portions. The products described by REWE and EDEKA need to be thawed or partially thawed and baked before eating.

Anyone who checks ingredients and nutritional information closely

If you need to keep an eye on salt, wheat or other allergens, check the specific pretzel. Ingredients, possible traces of allergens and nutritional values vary between the varieties listed.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide whether you need a pretzel that’s ready to eat straight away or whether you have time to bake it at home. If you’re considering pretzels for lunch on campus, toppings, product information and how much you want to stock up on can help you decide.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Ready to eat Is the pretzel ready to eat straight away? If it’s sold loose, you can ask about allergen information. When I have a short break, I want to eat without needing an oven or waiting around. For around 33 % of consumers, being ready to eat would be the main reason to buy.
Portion and toppings Compare the size and nutritional values per 100 g or per portion; check the ingredients if the pretzel comes with toppings. A plain pretzel might not be enough for lunch; I want to choose the portion or toppings myself. For around 25 % of consumers, having a say in their meal would come first.
Salt and ingredients Check the salt content per 100 g, allergenic ingredients and possible traces. For bake-at-home products, check whether the values are for the pretzel without the included salt. Before choosing a pretzel, I need to know its specific ingredients and salt content. For around 25 % of consumers, this would be their main concern.
Stocking up and taking it with you Make sure you have freezer space and a way to prepare the pretzels; check the rules on bringing your own containers or using reusable options at your campus canteen. I want to prepare several pretzels or take food with me that suits my day on campus. For around 17 % of consumers, this kind of planning would take priority.

Common assumptions when buying pretzels

  • Assuming every plain pretzel is vegan or low in allergens

    The classic varieties listed contain wheat; depending on the product, there may be other ingredients or allergen trace warnings too. A ready-filled pretzel can also be very different from a plain one.

    Check the information for the specific product and ask about allergens if you’re buying from a bakery counter.

  • Including the supplied pretzel salt in the nutritional values

    For REWE Beste Wahl frozen pretzels, the nutritional values listed are for the product without added salt. The separately supplied salt isn’t included.

    Check what state the nutritional values refer to before comparing the salt content of different products.

  • Planning to bake pretzels during a spontaneous lunch break

    The frozen products listed need to be prepared and baked before eating, so they’re not suitable for a break when you don’t have access to the right equipment.

    Save bake-at-home products for home or your shared flat, and choose a ready-to-eat option when you want to eat straight away.

    You’ll also need freezer space and time to thaw, bake and, if necessary, cool the pretzels.

  • Assuming “hearty” or “multigrain” means wholemeal

    A product name alone doesn’t tell you which flours are used in a particular pretzel. Spelt or multigrain bread from a bakery range is no proof that a pretzel has the same ingredients.

    If you’re looking for a blend of white and wholemeal flour, check the ingredients list for the specific pretzel and compare the fibre content.

Relevant brands and ranges

Ditsch

Ditsch lists ready-to-eat pretzels as well as varieties for retailers and for baking at home.

  • The product information includes a 100-g retail pretzel and a larger variety for heating.
  • The listed 100-g retail pretzel contains wheat and may contain traces of milk and sesame.

REWE Beste Wahl

The pretzels listed are frozen dough pieces for baking at home, making them an option for planned portions.

  • REWE describes a 770-g pack containing eight dough pieces, with pretzel salt supplied separately.
  • They need to be partially thawed and baked before eating; the product contains wheat and soya.

GUT&GÜNSTIG

The frozen pack described by EDEKA is designed for preparing several pretzels.

  • According to EDEKA, the 868-g pack contains ten pretzels with salt included; the instructions describe cooking them in an oven or air fryer.
  • The product contains wheat and soya, and may contain traces of other allergens. EDEKA notes that it may not be available in every store.

MEINE BACKWELT

The pretzel described by ALDI SÜD is a ready-to-eat option from its bakery counter.

  • ALDI SÜD labels this pretzel vegan and says it is baked fresh several times a day.
  • According to the retailer, different suppliers may be used and nutritional values may vary; this variety’s labelling doesn’t automatically apply to other pretzels.

LIDL – Unser Brot

Lidl also features spelt and multigrain breads under “Unser Brot”. It’s a place to look for other types of bread, not proof that a pretzel contains wholemeal flour.

  • If you’re considering a different bread instead of a classic pretzel, you can compare the ingredients of the specific variety.
  • Information about spelt or multigrain bread can’t be applied to the ingredients of a pretzel.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions about pretzels

Do I need to check for allergens in a pretzel?

Yes. The classic varieties listed contain wheat, and depending on the product, other allergenic ingredients or traces may also be relevant. Check the information for the specific pretzel; if it’s sold loose, you can ask for allergen information.

Are the nutritional values for bake-at-home pretzels given with the salt sachet included?

Not for the REWE Beste Wahl frozen pretzels listed: the nutritional values are for the product without added salt. For other products, check what the per-100-g figures refer to before comparing salt content.

Is a classic pretzel automatically vegan?

No, the name alone doesn’t tell you that. ALDI SÜD labels its listed pretzel as vegan, while the Ditsch herb butter pretzel described by REWE contains butter. Always check the information for the specific variety.