Planning a small breakfast buffet
You want to serve rolls in small batches without having lots left over at the end. Individual rolls, four-packs and frozen rolls each call for a different approach to planning.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Small household
You want rolls for breakfast or brunch without buying more than you’ll use. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing as a way to reduce food waste; be sure to follow the product’s storage instructions.
Hosting guests with dietary or allergen requirements
You need clear ingredient and allergen information for each roll. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must also be given allergen information for non-prepacked foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many rolls you need for the first serving. Then consider how you could store or prepare any extras, and which rolls will suit your guests’ needs.
| What to consider | Check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and waste | Compare individual sales with pack sizes and the number you need for each serving. | If I’m catering for a small group, I want to be able to get the number of rolls just right. Portion size is the top priority for around 46% of consumers. |
| When you plan to serve them | Check the preparation method, equipment needed and storage instructions for your chosen type. | If guests are arriving at different times, I don’t want to prepare all the rolls at once. Serving flexibility is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredient and allergen information; if you’re looking for wholemeal, check the product description too. | If guests ask for a gluten-free or wholemeal option, I want to know which rolls are actually suitable. Dietary requirements and ingredients come first for around 18% of consumers. |
Common misconceptions
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Using half a loaf as a set measure for rolls
Rolls are sold individually as well as in packs of two or four. So the amount in half a loaf won’t tell you how many rolls you need for one serving.
Estimate how many rolls you’ll need for the first serving, then choose a suitable sales or pack size.
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Assuming brown or multigrain automatically means wholemeal
The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you by itself whether the grains used are wholegrain.
If you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal roll, check the product description and ingredients list; you could also compare the fibre per 100 g.
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Putting a gluten-free roll with the others without taking precautions
A gluten-free product label doesn’t remove the risk of mix-ups or cross-contact when serving.
Check the latest label, keep special rolls separate and make sure guests can check the allergen information for each product.
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Assuming every roll contains iodised salt
Seeing iodised salt listed for one particular product tells you nothing about the ingredients in another roll.
Check the ingredients list on the pack you’re actually choosing.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
An option if you want to buy fresh white rolls individually.
- Albert Heijn lists a white roll weighing 70 g, sold individually.
- If you have dietary requirements, check the latest allergen information for this wheat product.
Jumbo
Offers, among other things, four-packs of rolls and a frozen option.
- A pack of four gives you a set number to plan a serving around.
- For the frozen rolls reviewed, Jumbo says not to refreeze them after defrosting and to prepare and eat them within 24 hours.
PLUS
Offers white and multigrain bake-at-home rolls, as well as a separate gluten-free option.
- PLUS lists 7 g of fibre per 100 g for the multigrain rolls reviewed; the gluten-free rolls are sold in packs of two.
- Compare the ingredients, allergens and preparation method for each type; these rolls are not interchangeable.
Dirk
Lists both four-packs of bake-at-home rolls and individually sold rolls.
- The different sales units can help you work out how many to buy.
- Check the details of the specific product before deciding on ingredients or preparation method.
ALDI
Lists an individually sold white roll for anyone looking for single rolls.
- Individual sales make it easy to count out rolls for a small serving.
- If you have dietary requirements, check the ingredient and allergen information for the rolls in store.
Lidl
Lists brown wheat and rye rolls to bake at home.
- The product description makes clear that these rolls still need baking.
- Check the full ingredient and allergen information for the pack you choose.
Rolls on Joybuy
This four-pack is an option if you can plan the number of rolls you need for a small serving in advance. Check the preparation and storage instructions before deciding when to serve them.
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g'woon white rustic rolls, 4 pieces
A pack of four lets you plan a small serving in advance. Check the packaging to see whether the rolls need baking, how to store them and which allergens are listed.
Frequently asked questions
How can I avoid leftover rolls when guest numbers vary?
Start with a small serving and keep the rest back. For frozen rolls, follow the defrosting instructions: for the version reviewed, Jumbo says not to refreeze them after defrosting and to prepare and eat them within 24 hours.
What allergen information should I provide for rolls at a buffet?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, consumers must also be given allergen information for non-prepacked foods. Make sure guests can check the latest information for each roll before choosing.
Are multigrain rolls always wholemeal?
No. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean the grains used are wholegrain. Check the product description and ingredients list for the rolls you plan to serve.
How can I tell whether rolls contain iodised salt?
Check the ingredients list for the specific product for a mention of iodised salt or baker’s salt. A mention on one roll doesn’t automatically apply to another type.