Who are these choices relevant to?

If you’re buying for a larger Christmas gathering

First, work out how many rolls you want to serve. The number of rolls and net weight per pack will help you decide how many packs you need.

If you want to bake the rolls just before serving

Bake-off and frozen rolls need to be factored into your oven schedule. With frozen rolls, you’ll also need to consider how much freezer space you have and the defrosting instructions.

If you need to consider ingredients or dietary preferences

Compare the ingredients list and nutritional information if the type of grain, fibre, allergens or iodised salt matter to your guests, for example. Don’t rely on terms such as brown or multigrain alone.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how many rolls you want to serve. Then choose a preparation method that suits your dinner and check the pack for ingredients and allergen information.

What to consider What to check Who is this most important for?
How many rolls for the table Number of rolls and net weight per pack. If I’m buying for several guests, I want to have enough rolls without ending up with lots left over. This is the main consideration for around 42% of consumers.
Baking and storage Preparation time, oven space and, for frozen products, the defrosting instructions. I want to prepare the rolls close to serving time, but I also need space for the other dishes. This is the first thing around 33% of consumers consider.
Ingredients and nutritional information Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g. If a guest needs to avoid certain grains or I want to compare fibre content, I check the label first. This is a priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all packs are the same size

    The number of rolls and net weight can vary, so one pack won’t necessarily be enough for the same number of guests.

    Note the number of rolls in each pack and work out how many packs you need for the table.

  • Checking the baking time only once dinner is under way

    Bake-off rolls take up oven space that you may also need for other dishes. Frozen products also need to be defrosted.

    Read the preparation instructions in advance and include the rolls in your oven schedule. Only use an air fryer if the pack provides instructions for it and the rolls fit inside.

  • Assuming multigrain means gluten-free

    PLUS’s multigrain rolls list wheat, rye, barley and oats among their ingredients. So the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten.

    Ask your guests about any relevant allergies in advance, and check the product description and ingredients list on the pack. When preparing the rolls, take care to avoid contact with other bread products.

  • Assuming all bread rolls have the same ingredients

    PLUS lists iodised salt in the rolls reviewed, while Jumbo lists baker’s salt in the frozen varieties reviewed. This doesn’t tell you anything definitive about a different product.

    When you buy, check the ingredients list on the specific pack if the type of salt, grains or allergens are important to your choice.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers white and brown bread rolls in its bake-off range, as well as a selection of wholemeal bake-off rolls.

  • Handy if you want to compare different types of bread within one range.
  • Compare the number of rolls, and check the pack you buy for ingredients and allergen information.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers white, multiseed and frozen bread rolls, among other options.

  • The frozen varieties are an option if you want to buy the rolls in advance.
  • Jumbo says its white frozen rolls must not be refrozen after defrosting; check the instructions for the variety you choose.

PLUS

PLUS offers white and multigrain bake-off rolls, which you can compare by their ingredients and nutritional information.

  • The multigrain variety contains 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The multigrain variety contains cereals with gluten, so always check the label if you have an allergy or dietary requirement.

Lidl

Lidl describes its Pistolet wit as a white wheat roll, available in store only.

  • An option to consider if you want to choose your rolls in store.
  • Check the pack in store for the number of rolls, ingredients and preparation method.

Bread rolls at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How do I work out how many bread rolls I need?

Start with the number of guests and the other dishes you’re serving. Then check how many rolls are in a pack so you can work out how many packs you need, rather than relying on the pack size alone.

Can I bake bread rolls in an air fryer just before Christmas dinner?

You can if the instructions for the product you choose include air-fryer cooking and the rolls fit inside. PLUS says to cook its white and multigrain rolls for 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 200 °C. For any other pack, follow its own preparation instructions.

Are plain or multigrain bread rolls gluten-free?

Don’t assume they are: the PLUS multigrain rolls mentioned here contain cereals with gluten. If a guest needs to avoid gluten, check the product description and ingredients list for the specific product, and take care to avoid contact with other bread when preparing it.

Do all bread rolls contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the product name. PLUS lists iodised salt in the varieties mentioned, while Jumbo lists baker’s salt in the frozen rolls reviewed. For another product, check the ingredients list on the pack.

What should I look out for with frozen bread rolls?

Check how much freezer space you have and read the storage and preparation instructions before defrosting. Jumbo says its white frozen rolls must not be refrozen after defrosting and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours.