If you want to cut thick slices yourself for the barbecue, choose a whole multigrain loaf and ask before buying whether it can be supplied unsliced. Pre-sliced bread saves you the effort of cutting it, but gives you less control over the thickness. Multigrain bake-at-home baguettes are suitable for individual portions, rather than thick slices from a round loaf. Also check the product description, allergens and ingredients on the label.
If you want to pile your bread high with toppings and choose the thickness of each slice, look for a whole multigrain loaf. Do check whether it will be supplied unsliced: the word ‘whole’ doesn’t confirm this on its own.
Pre-sliced multigrain bread saves you the effort of cutting it. Multigrain bake-at-home baguettes are another option if you want to bake bread just before eating. Neither option automatically gives you the thickness you want for a slice of bread.
If you’re looking at wholemeal flour, fibre per 100 g, allergens or baker’s salt, the name ‘multigrain’ alone won’t tell you enough. Compare the product description, nutritional information and ingredients for the specific loaf.
Choose this if: you want to decide how thick to cut the slices for barbecue toppings.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to check whether you can get the loaf unsliced, then cut it yourself.
Choose this if: you want to top and serve the slices straight away.
Bear in mind: the loaf is already sliced, so you can’t adjust the thickness.
Choose this if: you want to bake baguettes or bread rolls shortly before serving.
Bear in mind: the shape is different from a round loaf, and baking it takes oven space and time.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | For a whole loaf, ask whether you can get it unsliced; for sliced bread, check the slices themselves. | I want to add plenty of toppings to my bread and would rather decide how thick to cut it myself. Around 36% of consumers prioritise having this control. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the product description and ingredients; compare fibre per 100 g for the loaves you’re considering. | If the ingredients determine my choice, I want to know whether the bread is wholemeal rather than judging by its dark colour. This matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and baker’s salt | Check the allergen information and ingredients for the specific loaf, including whether it contains baker’s salt if that’s relevant. | I need to check which ingredients and allergens are in the bread before serving it. This label check is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check whether the bread is sliced or needs baking, read the preparation instructions and choose an amount to suit your guests. | When I’m preparing bread for a barbecue, serving time and portion sizes matter more than choosing the slice thickness myself. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this. |
Voedingscentrum describes multigrain bread as bread made with at least three types of grain. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal.
Compare the product description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g if wholemeal flour or nutritional value is an important factor for you.
A whole loaf can be a good starting point if you want to cut your own slices, but the name doesn’t confirm how the bread will be supplied or how thick any slices will be.
Ask before buying whether you can get the loaf unsliced. If you want reliably thick slices, check how the specific product is cut.
According to Voedingscentrum, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. So the name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t tell you whether it has been used.
Read the ingredients on the label. If baker’s salt affects your choice, ask for the ingredient information when buying unpackaged bread.
A whole loaf or several bake-at-home loaves may make more portions than you need for the barbecue.
Choose an amount to suit your guests. Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you plan to use it later.
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel and AH OerDesem donker meergranen heel gesneden.
Jumbo lists multigrain breads under a range of names, including hearty, wholemeal multigrain and whole.
PLUS describes Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel as a wholemeal multigrain loaf.
ALDI lists multigrain bread, sliced boeren-volkoren-meergranenbrood and multigrain bake-at-home baguettes.
Dirk lists products including Bakkers meergranen heel, vloerbrood meergranen heel and multigrain bake-at-home baguettes.
Lidl describes a multigrain bread made with ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat, available in store only.
If you want to cut your own slices, there’s a round multigrain loaf here; for individual portions, there are multigrain bake-at-home baguettes. Check whether the round loaf’s delivery format suits the way you want to slice it.
Image unavailable
This round loaf is a good fit if you want to bake it, then cut your own slices for barbecue toppings. Check before buying whether it will be supplied unsliced.
The product information lists ingredients including sunflower seeds, linseed and sesame. The bread needs to be defrosted and baked, then left to cool for about half an hour before slicing.
Read the label if allergens or the use of baker’s salt are important to your choice.
Image unavailable
These four individual multigrain baguettes are a good option if you want to bake bread in separate portions, rather than cut thick slices from a round loaf.
The product information lists ingredients including sunflower seeds, sesame and linseed. Defrost and bake the baguettes according to the instructions on the packaging, and check the baking time there too.
Read the packaging if allergens or the use of baker’s salt are important to your choice.
No. ‘Multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t mean the same thing when it comes to bread. Voedingscentrum describes multigrain bread as bread made with at least three types of grain. If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients.
No. According to Voedingscentrum, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients on the label, or ask for the ingredient information if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Read the allergen information for the specific loaf, even if you’ve bought a similar multigrain variety before. Ingredients and statements about the possible presence of other allergens can vary from one product to another.
According to Voedingscentrum, you can freeze bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you plan to use it later. That way, you can defrost only the amount you need. If the packaging is unopened, follow the storage instructions on the label too.
