For guests with particular tastes, multigrain bread made with both wholemeal flour and white flour can be a good compromise, provided its ingredients and texture suit their preferences. If you prefer fully wholemeal bread, look specifically for the ‘wholemeal’ label. If you want to serve the bread warm, check that you have the right equipment and allow enough time to bake part-baked bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ alone tells you nothing about whether bread is wholemeal.
You want to be able to tell whether the bread is fully wholemeal, and you also compare the fibre content per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between multigrain bread, made with different types of grain, and wholemeal bread, made from 100% wholemeal flour.
You’re looking for an alternative to bread with a strong wholemeal or seeded texture. An ingredients list that includes both wholemeal flour and white flour is a clear way to identify a blended loaf, but it doesn’t necessarily mean every guest will enjoy the taste.
You want to bake baguettes or crusty rolls just before serving, and have room in your oven or air fryer to do so. Check the preparation instructions for each product to make sure baking it fits into your barbecue plans.
First decide whether the ingredients, an easy-to-enjoy texture or serving the bread warm matters most to you. Then compare the labels of products that match your preference.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal content and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre per 100 g shown on the packaging. | If I want bread that is definitely wholemeal, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. For around 36% of consumers, wholemeal content is the top priority. |
| Baking to serve warm | Check whether the bread needs baking and what equipment and preparation time the label specifies. | I want to serve the bread warm at the barbecue, but I need to be able to fit baking it into my plans. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| An easy-to-enjoy texture | Check whether the bread contains both wholemeal flour and white flour, and look at the seeds listed. | For guests with particular tastes, I’d rather choose a blend than bread with a pronounced seeded texture. Around 28% of consumers give this preference top priority. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. The name doesn’t confirm that the bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
If you want fully wholemeal bread, check for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging.
Part-baked baguettes need time and suitable equipment just before serving. This can be inconvenient if you need the oven or air fryer for other dishes.
Read the preparation instructions in advance. If you don’t want to bake the bread, choose one that’s already baked.
Ingredients and allergen information vary from one bread to another. The products reviewed include varieties containing wheat, sesame or soya.
For any guest with a relevant allergy, check the current allergen information on the packaging. If you need a gluten-free option, choose only bread explicitly labelled as gluten-free.
Recipes and nutritional information can change. If you need wholemeal bread or have a relevant allergy, the ingredients in the bread you serve are what matter.
Compare the current packaging with the information you used to make your choice.
AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel is a ready-baked multigrain loaf for anyone who doesn’t want to bake bread just before the barbecue.
Jumbo Stevig Meergranen is worth considering if you’re looking for an explicitly wholemeal multigrain loaf with seeds.
PLUS has products to suit two different preferences: wholemeal multigrain baguettes to bake at home, and a multigrain sourdough baguette made with both wholemeal flour and white flour.
This Joybuy option suits a barbecue where you want to defrost and bake multigrain baguettes until warm. If it’s important to you to confirm that the bread contains both wholemeal flour and white flour, check its wholemeal status separately.
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A multigrain baguette to defrost and bake in the oven, ready to share at your barbecue.
The product description lists wheat flour, sunflower seeds, sesame and linseed. Allow time for defrosting and follow the baking instructions on the packaging. Check it for allergen information and wholemeal status too, if these are important to your choice.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means the bread contains at least three types of grain, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So if wholemeal is your main requirement, look specifically for the ‘wholemeal’ label.
Part-baked baguettes are a good choice if you have the time and suitable equipment to serve warm bread just before eating. A ready-baked whole loaf doesn’t need this extra preparation. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients if wholemeal flour or allergens will affect your decision.
No, don’t assume it does. The RIVM says that not all bread is made with iodised salt. If the type of salt matters to your dietary choices, check the ingredients list.
Not just because it’s called ‘multigrain’. The regular products reviewed list wheat or other gluten-containing grains. If you need a gluten-free option, choose bread explicitly labelled as gluten-free and check the other allergen information on the packaging too.
