If you’re buying bread for a group
You want enough rolls for your guests without unnecessary leftovers. So compare the price per roll and check whether you need individual rolls or a whole pack.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you want to serve bread just before the meal
Whether you’re serving antipasti, soup or pasta, you’ll want the bread on the table at the right time. With part-baked rolls, you’ll need to allow time and space in the oven or air fryer; fresh rolls don’t need baking.
If you compare labels
If ingredients, fibre or allergens matter to your guests, look beyond the colour or the name ‘multigrain’. The ingredients list and nutritional information tell you about the specific roll.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing rolls for an Italian evening, first work out how many you need, when you want to serve them and which ingredients matter to your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost of the bread | Compare the price per roll with the pack size and the number you plan to serve. | When I’m buying for a group, I don’t want to be left with rolls I didn’t need. The total cost of the bread is the main consideration for an estimated 50% of consumers. |
| When you’ll serve them | Check whether the rolls are ready to serve or need baking, and what equipment and preparation time they require. | When the rest of the meal is nearly ready, I want to be able to serve the rolls without delay. For around 30% of consumers, serving time is the most important factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen lists; compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | If a guest needs to watch their ingredients or allergens, I want to be able to check the label on the roll I’ve chosen. The ingredients are the first consideration for an estimated 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing pack prices alone
A pack may look like good value, but if you’re catering for a small group, any leftover rolls count too.
Calculate the price per roll, then choose a quantity that suits the number of people eating.
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Forgetting the baking time
Part-baked rolls need space in the oven or air fryer. Serving may be delayed if you’re using the same appliance for other dishes at the same time.
Check the preparation instructions and plan when to bake the rolls, or choose fresh rolls if you want to serve them without baking.
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means wholemeal
The product name or dark colour doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour or fibre a roll contains.
Check the ingredients list and compare the stated fibre per 100 g if these details matter to your choice.
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Assuming every roll contains iodised salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt. Whether a roll contains this type of salt depends on the product.
Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used is important to your purchase.
Brands and ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells individual white rolls baked in store, as well as a separate gluten-free part-baked option.
- Buying rolls individually lets you choose the exact quantity.
- The gluten-free part-baked option is a different product from the individual white roll; compare the pack size and label too.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells white part-baked rolls and brown frozen rolls, among other options.
- The brown frozen option lists wholemeal wheat flour and 5,1 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This option needs to be stored in the freezer and, according to the product information, must not be refrozen after thawing.
Lidl
Lidl offers white rolls in a 700 g pack for baking at home.
- The pack may suit you if you want to bake several rolls at once.
- The product is listed as available in store only; check the pack size and current price per roll in store.
ALDI
ALDI lists an individual white roll for purchase in store.
- Buying rolls individually is practical if you want a small, exact quantity.
- Check the label in store if ingredients or allergens affect your choice.
PLUS
PLUS sells white part-baked rolls and a multigrain sourdough option, with product information on preparation and ingredients.
- The multigrain option lists 34% wholemeal wheat flour and 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This option contains wheat, rye and spelt, among other ingredients; check the full allergen label for your guests.
Dirk
Dirk sells white part-baked rolls under its 1 de Beste own brand in a pack of four.
- The pack size makes it easy to plan how many you need for a group.
- The rolls need to be baked, so allow time for preparation in your plans.
Bread rolls on Joybuy
This product selection features a pack of four white rolls to serve with a meal. Check the current price per roll and the preparation method if you’re planning to serve them at an Italian evening.
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g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4 pieces
If you want to serve four rolls with your meal, this pack size matches the quantity you need.
Before buying, check the preparation method and allergen information for cereals containing gluten, lupin, mustard, nuts and sesame.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out my bread budget for an Italian evening?
Multiply the number of rolls you want to serve by the current price per roll. Then compare individual rolls with packs and allow for any rolls that might otherwise be left over.
When should I bake part-baked rolls?
Follow the instructions for the product you’ve chosen and plan to bake the rolls just before serving if you want a freshly baked crust. PLUS recommends baking its white part-baked rolls in an oven at 220 °C for 8–10 minutes, or in a preheated air fryer at 200 °C for 4 minutes; other products may have different instructions.
Does ‘multigrain’ mean a roll is wholemeal?
No, the name alone doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour it contains. Check the ingredients list: for example, PLUS Korenlanders multigrain rolls list 34% wholemeal wheat flour and 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g, but those figures apply to that specific option.
Does every roll contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the type of bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt, so check the ingredients list on the roll you’re buying.