Anyone buying bread for a group
You want to put enough bread on the table without being left with too much. Compare the weight and number of portions you can get from the types of bread that suit your menu.
Who are these options for?
Anyone who wants to serve warm bread
You’re considering bake-at-home bread or rolls for serving warm. The oven space available and preparation time will determine whether this is practical alongside the rest of your Christmas dinner.
Anyone looking for a wholemeal option
You want to know whether a loaf is actually labelled as wholemeal. You can also check the nutritional information and, if anyone has an allergy, always check the current label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how much bread you’ll need for Christmas dinner and how you plan to serve it. Then compare packs of the same type of bread, so you can clearly see any differences in weight or number of items.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How much to buy for your guests | Compare the weight and number of items within the same type of bread. Consider how many portions you expect to serve alongside the other courses. | When there are several dishes on the table, I want enough bread without lots left over. Around 33% of consumers put having enough for their guests first. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional information | Check whether the bread is labelled as wholemeal. If you wish, compare the fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging. | I want to offer a wholemeal option rather than relying on the colour or the name ‘multigrain’. Around 27% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Serving warm | For bake-at-home bread, read the preparation instructions and check whether an oven or air fryer will be available just before the meal. | I want to serve warm bread, but the oven may also be needed for other dishes. Serving bread warm is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Leftovers and storage | Check the pack size, best-before date and storage instructions. See whether you can freeze any leftover bread in portions. | When I’m serving several courses, I can’t be sure exactly how much bread people will eat. Around 20% of consumers give top priority to minimising leftovers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming different types of bread make equal portions
A whole loaf, a pack of baguettes and individual rolls vary in weight and number of items. So the number of packs doesn’t tell you much about how much bread you’ll be able to serve.
Compare products of the same type first, then adjust the amount to suit your menu and number of guests.
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Confusing multigrain with wholemeal
Multigrain means that several types of grain are used, but it doesn’t automatically mean that a loaf is completely wholemeal. According to the Consumentenbond, bread can only be called wholemeal if it is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
If wholemeal is one of your criteria, look for bread labelled as wholemeal. For other bread products, check the ingredients too.
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Buying more bread than you need for dinner
When you’re serving several courses, it can be hard to know in advance how much bread your guests will have. A large pack could leave you with leftovers.
Only choose extra types of bread if they have a clear place on the menu, and think about how you’ll store any leftovers in advance.
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Leaving it until just before serving to check bake-at-home bread
Bake-at-home bread needs time to cook. If you’re using the oven for other dishes at the same time, this could make it difficult to serve everything when you planned.
Read the instructions before buying, plan the oven space you’ll need and check the current label for any guests with allergies.
Supermarkets to consider
Albert Heijn
A supermarket with an online range that includes whole loaves and other types of bread.
- You can compare different types of bread and pack sizes side by side.
- Check the weight and which types of bread are available on the day you shop.
Jumbo
A supermarket with categories for whole loaves, bake-at-home bread and rolls.
- Fijn Volkoren is a specific product you can compare by type of bread and nutritional information.
- The properties of this loaf won’t necessarily apply to other Jumbo breads.
Lidl
A discount supermarket with freshly baked bread, including wholemeal and multigrain options.
- Its freshly baked range includes types of bread to consider if you want to serve it warm.
- Lidl says that its fresh bread range can vary between stores.
ALDI
A discount supermarket with fresh bread every day, including whole and half loaves and rolls.
- Whole and half loaves give you different options for choosing the right amount.
- Check which pack sizes are available at your local store.
PLUS
A supermarket offering wholemeal bread, rolls and bake-at-home baguettes, among other products.
- The bake-at-home baguettes we looked at come with preparation instructions, so you can plan your oven use around dinner.
- Check the instructions and ingredients on the current packaging before preparing.
Dirk
A supermarket offering wholemeal bread, bake-at-home baguettes and rolls, among other products.
- The range of bread types lets you compare a staple loaf with an option for serving warm.
- Dirk says it doesn’t offer a delivery service, so bear that in mind if you need your dinner shopping delivered.
Bread options on Joybuy
These bread options suit different ways of serving: flatbreads to share, round loaves for several portions and rye bread as a different type of loaf. See which one best suits your menu, and check the packaging for the features that matter to your guests.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pieces
A flatbread option for sharing with your meal. The pack contains six pieces. If anyone has an allergy, check the current ingredients and warnings on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
Two round loaves, each weighing 550 g, to serve in portions with dinner. If you want to serve them warm, check the defrosting and baking instructions, and make sure you have enough oven space.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun rye bread, 500 g
A 500 g rye bread option if you’d like to serve a different type of bread alongside the other dishes. Check the exact product type on the packaging: the title refers to a bun, while the description mentions sliced rye bread.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out how much bread I need for Christmas dinner?
Choose an amount to suit the number of guests and the other courses you’re serving. For whole loaves, compare the pack weight; for rolls, check the number of items too. An extra type of bread is most worthwhile when it has its own place on the menu.
Is multigrain bread the same as wholemeal bread?
No. Multigrain means that several types of grain have been used; it doesn’t automatically mean the bread is wholemeal. According to the Consumentenbond, bread can only be called wholemeal if it is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Can I buy wholemeal bread in advance for Christmas dinner?
Yes, as long as you store it according to the product instructions. For opened wholemeal bread, Voedingscentrum recommends 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer. For an unopened pack, follow the date and instructions on the label.
Where can I check for allergens for my guests?
Before serving, check the current label of every type of bread you’re using. Look at the ingredients list and any warnings; don’t assume allergens are or aren’t present based on the name of the bread alone.