If you want to offer a wholemeal option at your barbecue without immediately putting coarse bread in front of fussy eaters, look for bread explicitly labelled as finely milled wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour; white rolls may also suit guests who prefer a familiar taste or a particular shape of bread. Check the description, allergen information and size of each product, as colour and visible grains are no proof that bread is wholemeal.
If some guests expect soft white rolls while others want wholemeal, you don’t have to choose just one bread for everyone. Offering a finely milled wholemeal option alongside a familiar white or brown bread gives guests a choice to suit their preferences.
If you’d rather avoid a coarse texture or visible grains, try looking for finely milled wholemeal bread. The Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum describes finely milled wholemeal as a softer-textured option; just check that the bread you choose is labelled as wholemeal.
Choose rolls for burgers and bread to share to suit what you’re serving. That way, you can cater for different preferences without putting out large quantities of every type of bread; according to the Voedingscentrum, you can freeze any leftovers in portions.
First decide whether wholemeal, a soft texture or a shape that suits the dish matters most. Then think about how much bread you’ll actually need; you don’t have to serve the same type with burgers and dips.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal content and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the bread or rolls. Don’t rely on a dark colour or visible grains alone. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I want to be able to see that the bread I choose really is wholemeal. For around 29% of consumers, having this clear wholemeal content would be the top priority. |
| Soft, familiar texture | See whether a finely milled wholemeal option has the texture you’re looking for, and check separately that it is labelled as wholemeal. | When my guests leave coarse grains on their plates, I look for bread they’ll enjoy eating. A soft, familiar texture would matter most to around 36% of consumers. |
| Shape to suit the dish | Choose rolls for burgers or a loaf you can serve with dips and sharing dishes; then see which flour options are available. | I want a suitable roll for burgers, while bread that’s easy to share is better for dips. For around 21% of consumers, the shape of the bread would therefore come first. |
| Quantity and leftovers | Choose an amount to suit your guests and the other dishes. Freeze any leftover bread in portions. | If I offer several types of bread, I want to avoid a lot of it going untouched. For around 14% of consumers, reducing leftovers would be the main consideration. |
According to the Voedingscentrum, brown bread is made with both wholemeal flour and white flour. A dark colour, seeds or a mix of grains don’t, by themselves, mean that bread is made entirely with wholemeal flour.
If you want to serve wholemeal bread, check that the specific product is labelled ‘wholemeal’.
Preferring a soft texture doesn’t rule out a finely milled wholemeal option. Whether a particular bread appeals to your guests is a matter of personal taste.
If you want to cater for both preferences, consider offering finely milled wholemeal alongside a limited quantity of familiar white rolls.
Information isn’t always displayed on individual packaging for bread from the fresh bakery section. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit states that sellers must also provide allergen information for unpackaged foods.
Check the information in store or ask about allergens in the bread you’ve chosen before buying, including any toppings.
If you’re serving rolls for burgers as well as bread with side dishes, you may end up with leftovers.
Choose the types and quantities to suit your menu. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions and taking out what you need.
The bread ranges at these shops feature different shapes and wholemeal options. Before you visit, check the specific bread and how you can buy it; a range overview doesn’t tell you which options are available to you.
Albert Heijn’s wholemeal bread range includes different shapes and types of wholemeal bread.
Jumbo offers a range of wholemeal breads, including finely milled and coarser options.
Lidl describes a kids’ wholemeal bread made with extra finely milled wholemeal flour.
ALDI’s bread range includes white, wholemeal and multigrain options.
PLUS’s wholemeal bread range includes finely milled options and wholemeal tiger bread.
Dirk’s bread range includes white bread, wholemeal bread, baguettes and burger buns.
This bread is a good fit for a barbecue platter where guests can share it and dip it. If you’re specifically looking for soft bread for fussy eaters or bread with a Dutch wholemeal label, check those details on the product itself.
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This bread is an option for dips or a barbecue platter to share; the product description suggests tearing and dipping it.
The product name includes Whole Wheat and the 6 P variant. Check the packaging if the exact Dutch wholemeal label, texture or allergen information matters to you.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour, whereas brown bread is a mixture of wholemeal flour and white flour. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ if the type of flour is important to your choice.
Yes, it may be an option if a coarse texture or visible grains are the main concern. The Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum describes finely milled wholemeal options as having a softer texture; check that the bread you choose is labelled as wholemeal.
Check the allergen information in store or ask a member of staff before you buy. According to the Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit, this information must also be available for unpackaged foods; check the specific bread and any toppings.
Don’t assume that all bread contains iodised baker’s salt. Check the ingredients for the specific product or ask the baker or supermarket which salt has been used.
Freeze any bread you won’t use in portions, so you only need to take out what you need later. This follows the storage advice from the Voedingscentrum; also follow the instructions on the packaging of the bread you choose.
