Which option suits whom?

If you want to follow the birth tradition

If you’d like to hand out a familiar rusk topped with aniseed sprinkles, rusks with butter are the obvious choice. De Ruijter describes this as the traditional way to serve them after a baby is born.

If you’d rather serve a bread roll

A Kaiser roll is a suitable alternative if your guests would rather have a bread roll than a crisp rusk, and you don’t mind a different presentation. Shops sell both fresh and bake-at-home versions.

If ingredients guide your choice

If you’re looking for wholegrain, gluten-free or a particular type of salt, it’s the exact product that matters. For example, PLUS’s wholemeal Kaiser roll lists wheat gluten and baker’s salt; always check the current packaging too.

What should you look for when choosing?

For the traditional way to celebrate a new arrival, choose rusks with butter and aniseed sprinkles. If you’d rather serve a Kaiser roll, decide which shape, preparation method and ingredients suit your plans.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Traditional presentation Choose rusks for the customary combination with butter and aniseed sprinkles; store them in a dry, airtight container. I want to hand out the familiar rusk to visitors celebrating a new arrival, rather than use a bread roll as a substitute. Around 50% of consumers give this presentation top priority.
A bread roll as an alternative Check the shape of the roll and whether your chosen version needs to be baked before serving. I’d rather serve a bread roll, so I’m happy to opt for a different presentation and do any necessary preparation. For around 33% of consumers, choosing a bread roll comes first.
Ingredients and dietary preferences Check the ingredients, allergens and type of salt on the current packaging; wholemeal does not mean gluten-free. I want to check whether the specific product meets my ingredient requirements before serving it. This comes first for around 17% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘thick cut’ is a specific type of Kaiser roll

    A Kaiser roll is a bread roll, not necessarily a thickly sliced piece of bread. The term ‘thick cut’ alone doesn’t tell you what shape you’ll be serving.

    Check the product photo and any details about its size or slicing. Choose rusks if you’re looking for the classic round, crisp base.

  • Assuming all rolls have the same ingredients

    White, wholemeal and products specifically labelled gluten-free are not interchangeable. PLUS’s wholemeal Kaiser roll lists wheat gluten.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging rather than relying on the product category name.

  • Expecting every roll to contain iodised baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. The type of salt can therefore vary from one roll to another.

    If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask your baker.

  • Forgetting to prepare bake-at-home or frozen rolls

    Bake-at-home rolls need to be prepared before serving. The product information for Jumbo Frozen White Kaiser Rolls also says not to refreeze them after defrosting.

    Check the baking and storage instructions for the version you buy before your visitors arrive.

Brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

Provides separate product information for Kaiser rolls, as well as a range of rusks.

  • The rusk range includes plain and wholemeal versions.
  • Albert Heijn recommends checking the current packaging, as ingredients and allergen information may change.

Jumbo

Offers several types of Kaiser roll, so you can compare products by type.

  • The range includes white and wholemeal frozen rolls, as well as a Schär version specifically labelled gluten-free.
  • Check the ingredients and preparation method for each product you’re considering.

Lidl

Lists a freshly baked white wheat Kaiser roll in its in-store bakery range.

  • An option if you’re looking for a freshly baked roll in store.
  • Lidl says this roll is only available in store, so check the range at your local branch.

ALDI

Lists both a fresh white Kaiser roll and white rolls to bake at home.

  • The Afbakker pack contains six white wheat rolls, weighing 300 g in total.
  • ALDI says this bake-at-home version takes 5–7 minutes to prepare, so allow time for that when serving.

PLUS

Provides product information for both white bake-at-home Kaiser rolls and a wholemeal Kaiser roll.

  • The wholemeal version lists 67% wholemeal wheat flour; the white bake-at-home version lists iodised salt.
  • The wholemeal version also lists wheat gluten. If you have specific ingredient requirements, always check the exact product.

Dirk

Describes 1 de Beste Kaiserbroodje as a pack containing four bake-at-home rolls.

  • According to Dirk, these rolls can be baked in an oven or air fryer.
  • Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging when getting them ready for visitors.

A Kaiser roll at Joybuy

This Kaiser roll is an alternative for anyone who would rather serve aniseed sprinkles on a bread roll than on a rusk. Check the product information if you need a particular shape or preparation method.

g'woon Kaiser Rolls, 4 rolls weighing 200 g in total

g'woon Kaiser Rolls, 4 rolls (200 g)

An option for anyone who’d like to serve aniseed sprinkles on a bread roll rather than on the traditional rusk.

The pack contains four rolls, weighing 200 g in total. Before buying, check the ingredients and allergens, and see whether the rolls need to be baked or sliced.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are Kaiser rolls the traditional base for aniseed sprinkles?

No. De Ruijter describes rusks with butter and aniseed sprinkles as the traditional way to serve them after a baby is born. You can choose a Kaiser roll if you’d consciously prefer to serve a bread roll.

Does every Kaiser roll contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list, or ask which type of salt is used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

Is a standard white Kaiser roll gluten-free?

Don’t assume so: PLUS’s white bake-at-home Kaiser roll lists wheat flour. If you need to avoid gluten, check that the exact product is explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the packaging.

How should I store rusks for visitors celebrating a new arrival?

Store rusks in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Seal the pack tightly again after serving them.

Can I refreeze defrosted frozen Kaiser rolls?

The product instructions for Jumbo Frozen White Kaiser Rolls say not to refreeze them after defrosting. For other versions, check the instructions on the packaging.