Which option is right for you?

Small households looking to avoid leftover bread

If you’re buying for one or two people, individual rolls let you choose the right amount for breakfast. ALDI lists a roll sold individually, while Jumbo and Dirk also stock packs of four.

Breakfast lovers who choose their bread carefully

A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a roll contains. Albert Heijn lists its wholemeal roll as containing 100% wholemeal flour; the PLUS multigrain rolls we looked at list 56% wholemeal wheat flour. Compare the exact variety and its nutritional information per 100 g.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

Read the information for the specific roll, even if it’s labelled gluten-free. According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s gluten-free rolls may contain egg, milk, soya, almonds and hazelnuts. Before buying loose, unpackaged rolls, ask for the allergen information.

What should you look for when buying?

First, work out how many rolls you’ll actually use. Then decide whether you want to take them home ready to eat, bake them at home or store them in the freezer. Finally, check the information that matters for your choice of bread.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Number of rolls Check whether you’re buying them individually or in a pack, and how many you can use. For frozen rolls, check the storage instructions too. When I’m buying for a small breakfast, I don’t want to end up with extra rolls and no plan for them. Around 30% of consumers put the quantity they need first.
Type of bread and ingredients Compare the ingredients and the stated proportion of wholemeal flour. If fibre matters to you, check the nutritional information per 100 g too. ‘Multigrain’ isn’t enough for me if I’m specifically looking for wholemeal flour. For around 30% of consumers, the ingredients are the main consideration.
How it’s sold Compare like for like when looking at individual rolls and packs, and check whether the roll is available at your shop. When I’m planning my shopping, I want to know whether I can buy one roll or need to get a whole pack. For around 20% of consumers, how the product is sold is the main consideration.
Gluten and other allergens Read the latest allergen information and any warnings. If they aren’t visible for unpackaged rolls, ask for them. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I also need to check for other allergens in a gluten-free variety. Around 20% of consumers give this their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means 100% wholemeal

    The Albert Heijn wholemeal roll we looked at lists 100% wholemeal flour, while PLUS’s multigrain rolls list 56% wholemeal wheat flour. The product names therefore don’t describe the same ingredients.

    If the type of bread or fibre content will influence your choice, check the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety.

  • Buying a four-pack without a plan for the rest

    If you’re having breakfast alone or with one other person, you’ll have rolls left over from a pack of four unless you decide in advance when you’ll use them.

    Count how many people you’re buying for and compare an individual roll with a pack of four. If you choose frozen rolls, follow the storage instructions. The frozen brown rolls from Jumbo that we looked at should not be refrozen after thawing.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens

    According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s gluten-free rolls may also contain egg, milk, soya, almonds and hazelnuts.

    Every time you buy them, check the latest ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the packaging.

  • Following out-of-date baking instructions

    Preparation instructions apply to a specific variety. Instructions for a white bake-at-home roll won’t necessarily work for a different roll.

    Check the packaging when you buy them and follow the instructions for your chosen roll and your oven or air fryer.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you’re looking for an individual wholemeal roll or a specific gluten-free bake-at-home variety.

  • The wholemeal roll we looked at is sold individually and lists 100% wholemeal flour and iodised salt.
  • The gluten-free variety contains two rolls and, according to the product information, may also contain other allergens. Check the latest packaging.

Jumbo

Worth comparing if you’re choosing between packs of four white or multiseed rolls and a frozen brown variety.

  • Jumbo lists white and multiseed rolls in packs of four.
  • The frozen brown rolls we looked at must be stored at −18 °C and should not be refrozen after thawing.

PLUS

Worth considering if you want to compare bake-at-home rolls by type of bread, ingredients and preparation instructions.

  • The white and multigrain varieties we looked at come in 300 g packs. The white variety includes oven and air fryer instructions.
  • The multigrain variety we looked at lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g, but contains several gluten-containing cereals and may contain soya, milk and sesame.

Dirk

Worth considering if you’re looking for packs of four white or rustic multigrain bake-at-home rolls.

  • The varieties we looked at are sold in packs of four bake-at-home rolls.
  • A pack of four is a good fit for a small breakfast if you’ll use all the rolls or make a plan for the rest in advance.

ALDI

Worth considering if you want to pick up an individual white roll for breakfast.

  • ALDI lists a white roll sold individually.
  • Check the product information for the roll you choose in store.

Lidl

Worth considering if you’re looking for an individual white wheat roll in store.

  • Lidl lists a white roll as an in-store product.
  • Check the information for the specific roll for its ingredients and allergens.

Bread rolls on Joybuy

This pack of four is a good choice for a Sunday breakfast if you’ll use all four rolls or already know what you’ll do with the rest.

g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4 pieces

g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4 pieces

Ideal for a breakfast where you’ll use all four rolls or have a plan for the rest.

Pack size: 4 pieces. Check the packaging for preparation instructions and allergen information before use.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are bread rolls an alternative to half a loaf for a small Sunday breakfast?

Yes, if you choose the number of rolls to match what you’ll eat. A bread roll isn’t half a loaf: Albert Heijn and ALDI list individual rolls, while Jumbo and Dirk, among others, also offer packs of four. If there are just one or two of you, an individual roll can help you avoid having leftovers with no plan for them.

Do bread rolls always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. The Albert Heijn wholemeal roll and PLUS rolls we looked at do list iodised salt, but check the ingredients list for the roll you’re buying.

How can I check the allergens in an individual bread roll?

If the allergen information isn’t visible for an unpackaged roll, ask for it before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products, and must be provided to consumers in another way for unpackaged products. Check for any cross-contamination warnings too.

Can I cook bake-at-home rolls in an air fryer?

Yes, if the instructions for your chosen variety say you can. For the white bake-at-home rolls we looked at, PLUS recommends four minutes in an air fryer at 200 °C. Don’t use that time and temperature for a different product; follow the packaging and the instructions for your appliance.