Who is this relevant for?

Planning a small buffet with an uncertain turnout

You want to put out enough buns without having lots left over. Packs of four or six are worth comparing. If you opt for a larger pack, check whether the packaging says you can freeze any unused buns.

Hosting a buffet with small portions

If guests are choosing from a range of bites, you may want to offer a bun without having to cut it first. PLUS and Lidl list nine-piece mini varieties; check whether you need that many too.

Checking ingredients and allergens

You want to be able to give guests reliable information about the buns you have chosen. So read the current label and keep the allergen information handy when serving them.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether guests will have a small bite or a whole bun. Then choose an appropriate quantity and check the label on the pack you actually buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Quantity and leftovers Compare the number of buns with the expected number of guests. If you plan to freeze any, check the instructions on the pack you choose. If numbers are low or uncertain, I don’t want to open a large pack when there are lots of other bites to choose from. Around 40% of consumers put choosing the right quantity first.
Portion size Check whether they’re mini, standard or giant buns, and how many other sweet bites you’re serving. At a standing buffet, I want to offer guests a small bun without cutting it. Portion size is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose; don’t assume a product contains baker’s salt based on its name. If guests ask about ingredients or allergens, I want to be able to give them information about the exact buns being served. For around 30% of consumers, checking this is their first priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a pack of four means the smallest portions

    ALDI’s pack of four contains giant raisin buns. So fewer buns in the pack doesn’t mean each guest gets a smaller portion.

    Compare the size with how you plan to serve them: whole, halved or as a small bite.

  • Choosing mini buns without counting your guests

    A mini bun works well for a buffet of small bites, but a pack of nine could still be too much for a very small gathering.

    Estimate how many guests will have one and check how to store any unused buns.

  • Assuming allergen information from the product name

    A name such as ‘currant bun’ doesn’t tell you which allergens the variety you’ve chosen contains or may contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label.

    Read the current label and make sure guests can access the information for the buns you’re serving.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains baker’s salt

    Jumbo and PLUS list baker’s salt for certain products. That doesn’t mean every currant bun has the same ingredients.

    If baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the variety you’ve selected.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s range includes currant and raisin buns in packs of four, six, nine and ten, among other sizes.

  • The different pack sizes give you more flexibility when deciding how much to put out on the buffet.
  • Check which variety is available before settling on quantities.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers raisin and currant buns in packs of six, as well as mini wholemeal raisin and currant buns in packs of nine.

  • For the six-piece variety, you can compare the ingredients, allergen and nutritional information.
  • The six-piece variety is a white wheat bun, so if that’s the standard bun you’re after, don’t choose based on the mini wholemeal variety.

PLUS

PLUS lists standard currant buns in packs of six, another variety in packs of eight, and mini currant and raisin buns in packs of nine.

  • For its eight-piece variety, PLUS says you can freeze the buns at home on the day you buy them and use them within one month.
  • Don’t assume the same storage instructions apply to the other varieties; check their individual packaging.

Lidl

Lidl lists currant buns in packs of six and mini raisin and currant buns in packs of nine.

  • The difference in pack size and bun size helps you choose between whole buns and small buffet portions.
  • The product pages state that these items are only available in store.

ALDI

ALDI lists raisin and currant buns in packs of six and giant raisin buns in packs of four.

  • The four-piece pack is an option if you want to serve larger individual raisin buns.
  • Giant raisin buns are a different portion option from small bites, so don’t compare pack sizes alone.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does every currant bun contain iodine from baker’s salt?

You can’t assume that for every currant bun. Jumbo and PLUS list baker’s salt for certain varieties; check the ingredients list on the pack you choose.

What allergen information do I need for a professional wedding buffet?

Use the information for the buns you’re actually serving and make sure guests can access it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label. Different requirements apply to providing this information when serving unpackaged food professionally.

Can I buy currant buns in advance and freeze them?

Yes, if the storage instructions for the variety you choose allow it. For its eight-piece variety, PLUS says to freeze the buns on the day of purchase and use them within one month. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it.

What else should a professional caterer consider?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, any business that prepares, processes or sells food must work with an HACCP food safety plan or an approved hygiene code. This is relevant when a wedding buffet is professionally catered, in addition to making allergen information available to guests.