If you want to load up a crusty roll with generous fillings, first choose one you can cut open to the thickness you want: the words ‘thick cut’ alone don’t tell you enough. Then compare fresh, part-baked and frozen rolls based on when you plan to serve them. If you prefer wholemeal, check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g rather than relying on words such as ‘multigrain’ or ‘sourdough’.
You want to cut the roll open yourself and check in advance whether the two halves will suit your fillings. Look at its size and texture in the shop, or cut open a part-baked roll yourself once it’s ready.
You’re looking for a roll with ingredients you can check. The Voedingscentrum explains that wholegrain cereals contain more fibre than white varieties; compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g for each product.
You want to be able to serve rolls at different times. Part-baked and frozen rolls each have their own storage and preparation instructions, so check these before choosing a pack to use on several occasions.
First decide how and when you want to serve the rolls. Then check whether they’re the right size for your fillings, and compare the nutritional information if the ingredients matter to you.
Choose this if: you want to fill a roll the same day and can look at it before buying.
Bear in mind: a crisp crust doesn’t guarantee that the cut halves will suit your fillings.
Choose this if: you want to plan when you’ll serve it and bake and cut open the roll yourself.
Bear in mind: you’ll need time and an appliance that’s suitable for the product’s preparation instructions.
Choose this if: you want to keep rolls for a snack later on.
Bear in mind: follow the storage and defrosting instructions. Jumbo says its brown frozen rolls must not be refrozen once defrosted.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Size for generous fillings | Look at the roll itself if thickness matters; a product name doesn’t specify a standard slicing thickness. | If I use lots of fillings, I want to decide for myself how to cut the roll open. This matters most to around 42% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Compare the proportion of wholemeal flour in the ingredients and the fibre per 100 g of the exact product. | If the type of grain is my priority, I want to look beyond ‘multigrain’ on the packaging. Around 33% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| Storage and preparation | Check where to store the rolls, which appliances are suitable and the baking instructions on the packaging. | I want to be able to keep rolls for later without having to improvise when it’s time to serve them. This planning is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
For two multigrain rolls, PLUS lists different proportions of wholemeal wheat flour: 56% for Pistolets meergranen and 34% for the Korenlanders sourdough multigrain variety. So the name alone doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a particular roll contains.
Compare the ingredients and, if fibre matters to you, check the amount per 100 g on the packaging of the exact product.
A standard multigrain or sourdough roll may contain wheat. Even if a product is labelled gluten-free, it’s still important to check the other allergen information for that specific product.
Read the current packaging. For unpackaged bread in store, ask the retailer for allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says information about relevant allergens must be available.
The word ‘roll’ doesn’t tell you whether a product contains iodised salt. Ingredients lists for individual products show different types of salt.
Check the ingredients of the roll you’re buying if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
Jumbo Pistolets Bruin says that the rolls must not be refrozen once defrosted. This is important if you want to use one pack on several occasions.
Plan how many rolls you’ll need and follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging you choose.
Compare rolls by product and preparation method; ingredients and instructions can vary within the same brand.
Worth considering if you want to check the ingredients of an individual wholemeal roll or look at a product specifically labelled gluten-free.
Worth considering if you want to compare rolls for immediate use with a frozen option for later.
Worth considering if you want to compare part-baked rolls with different grain compositions or individual sourdough rolls.
Worth considering if you want to bake a rustic multigrain roll at home for a filled snack.
Worth considering if you want to compare an individual white roll with rolls you bake at home.
This white rustic roll is an option if you want to cut open a roll yourself for a filled snack. Check that it’s the size you want; the product name doesn’t specify a standard slicing thickness.
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A white rustic roll for anyone who wants to cut it open and add their own fillings. The pack contains four rolls. Check the ingredients before buying and the preparation instructions on the packaging before use.
Not necessarily: check the proportion of wholemeal flour in the ingredients of the exact roll. For example, PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour for Pistolets meergranen and 34% for the Korenlanders sourdough multigrain variety. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t make these products the same.
For packaged rolls, read the current allergen information. For unpackaged bread, ask the retailer. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says information about relevant allergens must also be available for unpackaged food.
No. Don’t assume which type of salt is used from the product name. Check the ingredients list for the specific roll if you want to know which salt it contains.
