Pretzels: Vegan Doesn’t Mean Gluten-Free

Who should consider these criteria?

People who must strictly avoid gluten

If you need to avoid gluten, look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label on the specific pretzel. A standard lye pretzel made with wheat is not a suitable alternative.

People who plan their portions

If you want to factor a pretzel’s energy into your diet, consider more than just the kcal per 100 g. The weight of each pretzel, any toppings and how much you actually eat all matter too.

People who keep an eye on salt

If salt is an important factor in your choice, compare the figures per 100 g. Pretzels for baking at home may come with extra pretzel salt in a separate sachet; this is in addition to the salt in the dough.

What should you look for when buying?

If you need to avoid a particular ingredient, start by checking which allergen it is. Nutritional information and portion size can then help you compare suitable pretzels.

Criterion	What to check when buying	Who it matters most to
Allergens and ‘free from’ claims	Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’re buying. If you need to avoid gluten, look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label.	If I need to strictly avoid an ingredient, I shouldn’t assume a product is suitable based on its name or the word ‘vegan’ alone. For around 31% of consumers, allergen suitability is the main consideration when choosing a pretzel.
Energy and portion size	Compare the kcal per 100 g with the weight of each pretzel and the amount you plan to eat. Check toppings and fillings separately.	I want to know how much energy is in the portion I’ll actually eat. Around 25% of consumers put this need first when choosing.
Salt and salt topping	Compare the salt per 100 g and check whether pretzel salt is supplied separately.	When choosing a savoury snack, I don’t want to judge its salt content by the visible grains alone. For around 25% of consumers, salt is the main factor when buying.
Product type and preparation	Check the storage and preparation instructions for the specific pretzel, as well as any ingredients supplied separately.	If I want to bake pretzels at home, the storage and preparation requirements need to fit into my routine. Around 19% of consumers put this practical consideration first when choosing.

Common mistakes when choosing

Assuming ‘vegan’ means ‘gluten-free’

A vegan pretzel can still contain wheat. The label also doesn’t tell you whether it contains other allergens that matter to you.

Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’re buying. If you need to avoid gluten, look specifically for a ‘gluten-free’ label.
Judging a portion’s energy by the product name alone

Product information from EDEKA, REWE, Ditsch and ALDI SÜD lists 210, 278, 303 and 314 kcal per 100 g respectively for their lye pretzels. How much energy you consume also depends on your portion size.

Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount in grams you plan to eat. Remember to account for butter, cheese and fillings separately.
Checking only the visible pretzel salt

Salt may already be in the dough. Using less salt on top won’t automatically change the salt content listed for the pretzel itself.

Check the salt value in the nutritional information. If you’re buying pretzels for baking at home, see whether extra salt is supplied separately.
Assuming online information applies to every in-store product

EDEKA notes that the information on its product page may differ from the packaging. ALDI SÜD says that suppliers can change and nutritional values may vary.

When buying, check the information on the current packaging or the label on the specific product, especially if you need to strictly avoid certain ingredients.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Ditsch

Ditsch publishes information about its classic lye pretzel.

For this product, Ditsch lists 303 kcal and 2,05 g of salt per 100 g.
The lye pretzel listed contains wheat. This information doesn’t necessarily apply to other Ditsch products.

EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG

The bake-at-home lye pretzel described here comes with pretzel salt in a separate sachet.

EDEKA lists 210 kcal and 3,1 g of salt per 100 g for this product, along with ingredient and allergen information.
It contains wheat and soya. EDEKA notes that the information on the packaging may differ.

REWE

REWE publishes ingredients and nutritional information for its Swabian lye pretzel.

This product is listed as containing 278 kcal and 1,63 g of salt per 100 g.
It contains wheat. REWE also notes that it may contain traces of milk, egg, soya, lupin, nuts and sesame.

ALDI SÜD MEINE BACKWELT

ALDI SÜD describes its Swabian-style lye pretzel as vegan.

For the product described, ALDI SÜD lists 314 kcal, 1,6 g of salt and 3,1 g of fibre per 100 g.
‘Vegan’ doesn’t mean ‘gluten-free’. ALDI SÜD says nutritional information may vary between suppliers.

Lidl Unser Brot

Lidl describes Unser Brot as its own brand of bread and baked goods from its in-store bakery.

The range is a good place to start when checking the label on a specific baked product.
You can only tell whether a particular pretzel suits your allergen requirements and portion plan by checking its own product information.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a classic lye pretzel automatically gluten-free?

No. The lye pretzels described by Ditsch, EDEKA and REWE list wheat in their product information. If you need to strictly avoid gluten, check the specific product for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label and review its ingredient information.

Is a vegan pretzel also free from allergens?

No. ‘Vegan’ doesn’t tell you whether a pretzel contains gluten or other allergens that matter to you. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you’re buying. If you need to avoid gluten, you’ll also need to look for an explicit ‘gluten-free’ label.

How do I compare pretzels when planning my portion?

Compare the energy per 100 g with the number of grams you plan to eat, rather than going by the number of pretzels alone. Check toppings and fillings separately, and look at the salt information for the specific product too.

Is online nutritional information enough when buying in store?

The current information for the specific product you’re buying is what matters. EDEKA notes that it may differ from the packaging, while ALDI SÜD says different suppliers can lead to variations in nutritional values.

What should I check when buying frozen pretzels for baking at home?

Before buying, check that you can follow the storage and preparation instructions for the specific product. For its frozen lye pretzel, EDNA specifies frozen transport and storage, and preparation after defrosting.