Who is this choice important for?

Hosts specifically looking for wholegrain

You want to serve pretzels that are actually labelled wholegrain, so you check the product description and ingredients rather than relying on the colour or seed topping.

Parents who need to check allergens

You need ingredient and allergen information for every variety you plan to serve. If you’re buying loose pretzels, ask for this information at the point of sale.

Hosts working to a tight schedule

You look for portions that are easy to share and, if you’re buying frozen products, allow time for defrosting or baking.

What should you check before buying?

First, check whether the specific pretzel meets your wholegrain requirements. Then check the allergen information, and make sure the size and preparation suit your party.

What to check Before you buy Who it matters most to
Wholegrain, not just a seeded appearance Check the wholegrain label and ingredient information for the specific pretzel; don’t assume that “multigrain” or a seed topping means the same thing. If I’m specifically looking for wholegrain pretzels for the party, I don’t want to mistake a seed topping for wholegrain cereals. Around 42% of consumers would put proof of wholegrain content first.
Allergen information For packaged products, check the ingredients and allergens; for loose products, ask for allergen information at the point of sale. If children with known food allergies will be joining in, I need reliable information about each pretzel. Around 33% of consumers would put checking allergens first.
Portions and preparation Check the size of each pretzel, pack contents and, where relevant, defrosting or baking instructions. If salt is supplied separately, plan how it will be used. When I’m catering for lots of guests, I want to be able to serve easy-to-handle portions on time. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise ease of preparation.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming seeds or a dark colour prove a product is wholegrain

    A pretzel can look hearty without being labelled as a wholegrain baked product. Lebensmittelklarheit explains that the guidelines in the German Food Code describe relevant wholegrain baked products as containing at least 90% wholegrain by grain content.

    Check the wholegrain label and product information for the specific variety on offer.

  • Planning to serve loose pretzels without checking allergen information

    When you’re catering for a mixed group of children, information about each variety needs to be available before you decide what to serve. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs, allergen information is also required for unpackaged food.

    Ask for the information before you buy and have it available at the party. Check with the parents of invited children about any known allergies.

  • Overlooking defrosting time and oven capacity

    Frozen pretzels need to be planned around their preparation instructions. Ditsch says its 83-g pretzel takes around 4 minutes at 180 °C in a fan oven, or about 60 minutes to defrost. Other varieties may differ.

    Check the instructions for the product you’ve bought, and make sure you have enough oven capacity if you’re preparing several portions.

  • Assuming the salt content of one variety applies to all pretzels

    EDEKA24 lists 4.5 g of salt per 100 g for Gut & Günstig salted pretzels. This figure applies to packaged salted pretzels, not necessarily to lye pretzels or other varieties.

    Compare the nutritional information for the specific product. If the pretzels come with a separate salt sachet, consider whether and how much of it you’ll use.

Brands and retailers to consider

Ditsch

Ditsch sells pretzels in a range of sizes and party formats.

  • Ditsch says its range includes a 50 g party pretzel and a 40 g pretzel mini mix.
  • A party or mini format doesn’t prove wholegrain content. Ditsch’s 83-g pretzel needs time to defrost or a short spell in the oven.

REWE

REWE sells pretzels and varieties that you can bake at home.

  • Depending on the specific variety, you may be able to buy pretzels ready to eat or ones that need preparing.
  • If you’re looking for wholegrain, the label and ingredients of the product you choose are what matter. A standard pretzel doesn’t meet this requirement just because it’s a pretzel.

EDEKA

EDEKA24 sells packaged salted pretzels as a savoury snack, among other products.

  • EDEKA24 lists a salt content of 4.5 g per 100 g for Gut & Günstig salted pretzels.
  • These salted pretzels are not the same as wholegrain lye pretzels, and their nutritional information applies only to this product.

ALDI SÜD

ALDI SÜD sells a pretzel under its Meine Backwelt brand.

  • The product page directs shoppers to the in-store product for full details.
  • Check the specific product for a wholegrain label and the ingredient and allergen information you need.

Lidl

Lidl describes wholegrain and multigrain breads in its bakery range.

  • If you’re planning to serve other baked goods alongside pretzels, you can check their specific labelling too.
  • Information about wholegrain bread doesn’t automatically apply to pretzels. For a wholegrain pretzel, check the label on the specific product.

Joybuy products on this topic

Relevant products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a pretzel is wholegrain?

Look for a wholegrain label on the specific pretzel and check its ingredient information. According to Lebensmittelklarheit, the guidelines in the German Food Code describe relevant wholegrain baked products as containing at least 90% wholegrain by grain content. “Multigrain”, seeds or a dark colour alone are not equivalent proof.

Is allergen information available for loose pretzels too?

Yes. Allergen information is also required for unpackaged food, as explained by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs. If you need to take account of allergies among the children you’ve invited, ask for information about each variety before you buy.

Is a wholegrain pretzel automatically gluten-free?

No. “Wholegrain” doesn’t mean “gluten-free”. A wholegrain wheat pretzel still contains wheat, so check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product rather than assuming it’s suitable for a gluten-free diet because it’s labelled wholegrain.

How should I plan to bake pretzels for lots of guests?

Base the quantity and start time on the instructions for the product you’ve bought and the oven capacity you have available. Ditsch says its 83-g pretzel takes around 4 minutes at 180 °C in a fan oven, or about 60 minutes to defrost. These timings don’t necessarily apply to other pretzels.