Which shape is right for you?

If you want to slice them yourself for a Christmas recipe

Making French toast? You can halve the currant buns, as in the PLUS recipe. Slicing them yourself lets you choose the shape that suits your dish.

If you’d rather use slices of bread

If individual buns aren’t right for your dish, you could try a currant loaf. The 700 g ALDI Drentse bol is described as partly sliced, so check that the slices are the thickness you want.

For households comparing product labels

If you’re checking ingredients, allergens or nutritional values, it’s worth looking at the current packaging. The currant buns described by Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS contain wheat and milk; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether your recipe calls for halved buns or slices of bread. Then check the packaging for ingredients and nutritional information. If you’re buying in advance, take a look at the storage instructions too.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Shape and slices Check whether you’re buying buns or a currant loaf, and whether the loaf is actually sliced—and to the thickness you want. For French toast, I want to be able to halve the buns; for another dish, I’m looking for slices. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the shape that suits their recipe.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current allergen information and, if needed, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed among the ingredients. If the ingredients are a deciding factor for my household, I want to be able to check the label before buying. For around 27% of consumers, this is their top priority.
Nutritional value Compare fibre, sugars and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and check the serving size too. When pack sizes differ, I want to be able to compare the nutritional information side by side. Around 20% of consumers base their choice mainly on this comparison.
Storage and buying ahead Check the use-by date, freezing instructions and current availability of the specific product. If I’m shopping well before Christmas breakfast, I want to know how to store the buns until I need them. For around 20% of consumers, planning ahead is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ordinary currant buns are sliced bread

    A bag of soft buns won’t automatically give you even slices of bread. The ALDI Drentse bol is described as only partly sliced.

    Decide which shape your recipe calls for and check the packaging to see what has actually been sliced.

  • Assuming every product has the same ingredients

    The currant buns described by Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS contain wheat and milk. Other ingredients and warnings may vary from product to product.

    Check the current label every time you buy. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask about allergen information before you buy.

  • Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt is iodised, but using it when baking bread is not compulsory.

    If this information matters to your choice, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients list.

  • Buying ahead without checking the storage instructions

    The products described by Albert Heijn and PLUS can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. This isn’t an instruction for every currant bun.

    Check the use-by date and the freezing and use instructions for the product you’re buying.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Rozijnen krentenbollen are described as soft white wheat buns with raisins and currants.

  • The product information lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, and includes advice on freezing at home on the day of purchase.
  • The product page says this particular product is no longer in the range. Check what’s currently available before planning to buy it for Christmas.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a pack of six raisin and currant buns, as well as a separate wholemeal mini version.

  • The pack of six lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, including 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The pack of six described isn’t labelled as pre-sliced. Don’t confuse it with the wholemeal mini version either.

PLUS

PLUS describes currant buns in a pack of six and a separate pack of eight. A PLUS recipe halves currant buns to make French toast.

  • The product information includes ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and freezing advice.
  • Halving the buns yourself for a recipe is not the same as buying buns that are already sliced through the middle.

Lidl

Lidl describes currant buns as soft buns with currants, sold in packs of six.

  • The product description makes the shape and pack size clear.
  • Check the label in store if ingredients, allergens or nutritional values are important to your choice.

ALDI

As well as currant buns, ALDI describes the 700 g Drentse bol as a partly sliced currant loaf.

  • It’s a different type of product for anyone who’d rather use larger slices of bread than individual buns.
  • Partly sliced doesn’t mean every slice is ready to use or the right thickness for your recipe.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do currant buns come pre-sliced through the middle?

Don’t assume ordinary currant buns are sliced: the supermarket products described are buns, and the PLUS recipe shows how to halve them yourself. The ALDI Drentse bol is a larger currant loaf described as partly sliced; check the cut if slice thickness matters.

How do you use currant buns to make French toast?

You can halve the buns, as PLUS does in its recipe for currant bun French toast. Check that the size of the buns and the pieces you want will work with your chosen recipe.

Which allergens should you check in currant buns?

Always check the label on the product you’re buying; the currant buns described by Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS contain wheat and milk. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for this information before you buy.

Does every currant bun contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory. If this information matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the currant buns for baker’s salt or iodised salt.

Can you freeze currant buns before Christmas?

The products described by Albert Heijn and PLUS can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; PLUS advises using them within one month. Follow the current storage instructions on the pack you actually buy.