Hosts looking for seeds
You want a different texture from a classic white kaiser roll and don’t mind if a seeded roll comes in a different shape. Check the ingredients: a multigrain name alone doesn’t tell you which seeds it contains.
Who is this choice for?
For Friday afternoon drinks, the shape of the bread may matter less than what’s in it, how you serve it and what your guests can eat.
Anyone preparing rolls just before serving
You want to know whether the rolls are ready to serve or need to be baked off first. For bake-at-home rolls, the instructions and the space in your oven or air fryer will determine how many you can prepare at once.
Anyone taking allergens into account
Check the ingredients and allergen information for each product before choosing rolls for your guests. This matters for seeded varieties too: for example, the Jumbo multigrain rolls reviewed here list sesame.
What should you look for when choosing?
Consider the type of bread and whether it contains seeds separately: a wholemeal kaiser roll isn’t automatically seeded, and a multigrain roll isn’t automatically wholemeal.
White kaiser roll
Choose this when: You want the classic kaiser roll shape for a range of toppings to serve with drinks.
Consider: Don’t assume it contains seeds or wholemeal ingredients without checking the ingredients list.
Wholemeal kaiser roll
Choose this when: You want to keep the kaiser roll shape and specifically choose a variety made with wholemeal flour.
Consider: The wholemeal kaiser roll described by Albert Heijn doesn’t list seeds as ingredients.
Roll with seeds
Choose this when: Named seeds matter more to you than the kaiser roll shape.
Consider: The Jumbo multigrain rolls and PLUS multigrain triangle roll reviewed here aren’t kaiser rolls; check their allergen information too.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds and wholemeal ingredients | Look for the seeds you want in the ingredients list. Check wholemeal ingredients and fibre per 100 g separately. | If I want seeds, I need to be able to find them in the ingredients list rather than relying on a multigrain name alone. This is the top priority for around 44% of consumers. |
| Preparation and serving time | Check the oven or air fryer instructions and how many rolls you can prepare at a time. | If I still need to bake off rolls just before guests arrive, I want to avoid having to wait for several oven batches before serving. This planning is the biggest consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quantity and portions | Compare the number of rolls and the weight per pack; check the storage instructions in case you have any left over. | When the number of guests varies, I want to serve enough rolls without having lots left over. For roughly 23% of consumers, choosing the right quantity is the first consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal or seeded
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The term alone doesn’t mean a roll is wholemeal or contains the seeds you’re looking for.
Check the ingredients list for the types of grain, wholemeal ingredients and named seeds. You may also want to compare the fibre content per 100 g.
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Choosing a seeded roll without checking allergens
The Jumbo multigrain rolls reviewed here list sesame among their ingredients. Other products may have different ingredients or a separate warning about the possible presence of allergens.
Check both the ingredients and any warnings on each pack, and keep rolls clearly separate for guests with different dietary needs.
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Leaving it too late to check the baking time
Preparation times apply to the specific product and the stated method. If you can’t fit all the rolls in at once, you’ll need to plan ahead for serving.
Read the instructions before getting ready for your guests, and work out how many rolls will fit in each oven or air fryer batch.
Relevant brands to consider
The products listed show why you shouldn’t treat a kaiser roll and a seeded roll as the same thing. Always check the label of the specific product when you buy.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes a 70 g wholemeal kaiser roll that is baked in store.
- The ingredients list wholemeal wheat flour and iodised salt.
- The ingredients described don’t mention seeds, so wholemeal here doesn’t also mean seeded.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both kaiser rolls and separate part-baked multigrain rolls.
- The multigrain rolls described list pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, linseeds and sesame seeds, among other ingredients.
- These multigrain rolls aren’t described as kaiser rolls and contain sesame; check the full allergen information.
PLUS
PLUS describes white bake-at-home kaiser rolls as well as a multigrain triangle roll.
- The triangle roll lists sunflower seeds and linseeds as ingredients.
- The triangle roll isn’t a kaiser roll; don’t assume the white kaiser rolls contain seeds without checking the label.
Lidl
Lidl describes a white kaiser roll and separate wholemeal rolls with seeds in its fresh-from-the-oven range.
- The separate types of bread make it easy to look specifically for a classic kaiser roll or a seeded roll.
- Lidl says its fresh-from-the-oven range may vary by store; the description doesn’t confirm that a seeded kaiser roll is available.
Dirk
Dirk describes a pack of four bake-at-home kaiser rolls.
- According to Dirk, the rolls described can be baked in an oven or air fryer.
- Check the ingredients if seeds or wholemeal flour are important to your choice.
Bread products on Joybuy
These products are alternatives if you don’t need the classic kaiser roll shape for your get-together: a brioche roll whose name mentions sesame and linseed, and a round multigrain loaf. Check the current ingredients and preparation instructions for both before choosing them for your guests.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Brioche Roll 50 Sesame/Flaxseed Deco, 50 g x 2
An option if you’re looking for a roll with sesame and linseed in the product name and don’t need the kaiser roll shape.
The product name specifies two 50 g rolls. This is a brioche roll, not a kaiser roll. Check the current allergen information and serving instructions on the pack.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread, Round, 550 g x 2
An option if you’d like to slice a round multigrain loaf for your get-together instead of serving individual kaiser rolls.
The product name specifies two round 550 g loaves. Check the label to see which seeds and allergens they contain, and follow the preparation instructions if you want to serve the bread warm.
Frequently asked questions
Is a multigrain roll also wholemeal?
Not automatically. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain. Check the ingredients list too, to see whether wholemeal flour has been used and which seeds it contains.
Can I serve seeded rolls if a guest has a sesame or nut allergy?
Don’t choose based on the product name alone. Check the ingredients and warnings on the specific roll’s packaging: the Jumbo multigrain rolls described contain sesame, and the PLUS multigrain triangle roll carries a warning about the possible presence of sesame and walnuts.
How should I plan baking kaiser rolls for a get-together?
Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen and allow time for any separate batches. PLUS says its white kaiser rolls described here take 6–8 minutes in an oven at 220 °C; times and settings may vary for other products or cooking methods.
Does baker’s salt mean every roll contains iodine?
No. Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but that doesn’t mean it’s used in every roll. The Voedingscentrum says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt; if it matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt.