Who is this choice relevant to?

Fans of a special roll

You’re looking for a lunch roll that looks appealing and suits your guests’ tastes. A sourdough or seeded version might fit the bill, but check separately whether it’s wholemeal.

Shoppers who care about wholemeal and fibre

You want a wholegrain base, so you compare the product description and fibre per 100 g. The word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal.

Home bakers

You want to bake the rolls just before serving. In that case, check the cooking instructions, the appliance you have available and the storage guidance for the product you choose.

What should you look for when choosing?

Wholemeal roll

Choose this: if an explicitly wholemeal base and the stated fibre content matter more than a familiar white flavour.

Consider: whether the flavour and texture will suit the people you’re serving.

Multigrain sourdough

Choose this: if you’re looking for a sourdough roll made with different grains, but it doesn’t have to be fully wholemeal.

Consider: ingredients vary from product to product; the word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t prove that the roll is made entirely with wholemeal flour.

White roll

Choose this: if your guests mainly want a familiar white roll.

Consider: offering a separate wholemeal option if anyone at the table would prefer one.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Flavour and texture Check the type of bread and any additions, such as sourdough or seeds, then decide which versions you’d like to serve. When I’m serving fussy eaters, I want to choose a roll that matches their preference for white bread or something with a more distinctive flavour. Taste and texture are the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. If you’re mainly looking for a wholegrain base, don’t rely on the colour or the word ‘multigrain’ alone. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Baking Check the appliance, temperature, baking time and storage instructions on the packaging. I want to be able to bake the rolls just before lunch without having to guess at a general baking time. Ease of preparation is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    A multigrain roll can contain both wholemeal flour and ordinary wheat flour. For example, PLUS states that its Korenlanders Multigrain Sourdough Rolls contain 34% wholemeal wheat flour and 21% wheat flour.

    If wholemeal is your priority, look for an explicit wholemeal description and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

  • Assuming every roll contains iodised salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, not all bakers use iodised baker’s salt. The type of bread alone therefore won’t tell you which salt was used in that particular roll.

    For packaged rolls, check the ingredients list for ‘iodised salt’. If they’re sold loose, ask the bakery.

  • Assuming sourdough or spelt means gluten-free

    A name mentioning sourdough, spelt or seeds doesn’t mean a roll is gluten-free. The wholemeal and multigrain versions described by Albert Heijn and PLUS contain grains that contain gluten.

    Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the product you’re buying; don’t infer dietary suitability from the product name.

  • Baking every ready-to-bake roll for the same amount of time

    The oven instructions listed by PLUS for its wholemeal multigrain rolls and Korenlanders multigrain rolls are different. So one fixed baking time won’t necessarily work for both products.

    Follow the instructions on the packaging for your rolls and check whether they’re for an oven or an air fryer.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH Liefde & Passie Desem pistolet volkoren is a specific example of a wholemeal sourdough roll.

  • For this version, Albert Heijn lists oat flakes, quinoa and chia seeds, 7,1 g of fibre per 100 g, and iodised salt.
  • Check the current packaging if the ingredients, allergens or nutritional information are important to your choice.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s bread roll range gives you options to compare, including white, brown and multigrain varieties.

  • The range also includes different preparation formats, such as frozen versions.
  • Compare the ingredients, fibre and allergens for each individual product.

PLUS

PLUS describes both wholemeal multigrain rolls and a Korenlanders multigrain sourdough version.

  • For its PLUS Pistolets meergranen, PLUS states that they are wholemeal and contain 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The Korenlanders version also contains wheat flour as well as wholemeal wheat flour; don’t treat the two products as the same wholemeal option.

ALDI

ALDI lists a single white roll as a separate product.

  • The product description makes it easy to identify as a white option.
  • Check the packaging for ingredients, fibre and allergens if these affect your choice.

Dirk

Dirk lists 1 de Beste Multigrain Rolls as a ready-to-bake product.

  • The product listing describes a pack of four rolls, weighing 300 g in total, for baking in the oven.
  • Don’t assume that ‘multigrain’ means the rolls are fully wholemeal; check the ingredients to be sure.

Lidl

Lidl lists white rolls for baking at home.

  • The product listing gives a pack size of 700 g.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions for the product you choose.

Bread rolls at Joybuy

This white roll is a good fit for a lunch where you’re looking for a familiar white option. If you’d also like to serve a wholemeal roll, choose one separately based on its product description and nutritional information.

g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4-pack

g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4-pack

A white roll for anyone looking to serve a familiar white option; the pack contains four. If you want to bake the rolls at home or compare fibre per 100 g, check the preparation instructions and nutritional information on the packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a multigrain roll always wholemeal?

No. ‘Multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t mean the same thing. Check the product description and ingredients: according to PLUS, its Korenlanders Multigrain Sourdough Rolls contain both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.

Does every Dutch bread roll contain iodised salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, not all bakers use iodised baker’s salt. For packaged rolls, check the ingredients list; for loose rolls, ask which salt has been used.

How long should I bake ready-to-bake rolls for?

Use the baking time given on the packaging for the specific product and appliance. PLUS recommends baking its wholemeal multigrain rolls in the oven at 220 °C for 8–10 minutes. For its Korenlanders Multigrain Sourdough Rolls, PLUS recommends 6–8 minutes at 220 °C.

Does spelt or sourdough mean a roll is gluten-free?

No. You can’t tell whether a roll is gluten-free just because its name mentions spelt or sourdough. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the individual product instead of relying on those terms.