Multigrain Bread for Easter: Wholemeal or Milder Mix?

Who is this choice important for?

Easter brunch planners comparing fibre content

You don’t want to judge by the seeds on the outside. Instead, you want to check the bread’s description and fibre per 100 g before choosing.

Families with fussy bread eaters

You’re looking for a loaf that also suits people who aren’t keen on the pronounced texture of wholemeal bread. An ingredients list that includes both wholemeal flour and white flour helps you identify a mixed base.

Hosts catering for guests with allergies

You want to check the ingredients and allergens in every loaf before the meal, and serve a separate loaf to anyone who needs to eat gluten-free.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the bread’s description and ingredients, then choose a shape that works for serving. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain have been used; it doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre	Look for ‘wholemeal’ on the label or shelf ticket, and compare fibre per 100 g.	I want to know whether the grain base is wholemeal for brunch, rather than judging by the visible seeds. For around 36% of consumers, a wholemeal base and fibre content come first.
Flavour and texture	Check whether the ingredients include both wholemeal flour and white flour; assess seeds and kernels separately from the bread’s description.	If not everyone enjoys strongly flavoured wholemeal bread, I’m looking for a mixed base without automatically calling it wholemeal. A milder bread is the priority for around 29% of consumers.
Allergens	Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about cross-contamination.	For a guest who needs to eat gluten-free or avoid certain allergens, I want to choose the right bread and keep it separate. This suitability is the main concern for around 14% of consumers.
Serving	Choose sliced bread if you want to prepare toppings in advance; follow the time and equipment instructions for bake-at-home bread.	I want to be able to prepare portions without baking clashing with the rest of the preparations. For around 21% of consumers, ease of serving is the deciding factor.

Common mistakes

Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ refers to at least three types of grain. Seeds on the crust don’t show whether the whole grain has been used.

Check whether the bread is described as white, brown or wholemeal, and compare fibre per 100 g if needed.
Assuming every loaf contains baker’s salt

According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. So you can’t tell from the name ‘multigrain’ whether it contains it.

For packaged bread, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients list. For unpackaged bread, ask the seller what type of salt was used.
Serving ordinary multigrain bread as a gluten-free option

The grains and other ingredients used determine which allergens the bread contains. A product labelled gluten-free may still contain other allergens.

For the guest concerned, check the gluten-free label, the full allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings. Keep the bread separate when serving.
Choosing bake-at-home bread without allowing time to serve it

Bake-at-home bread needs to be prepared shortly before eating for a warm crust, while sliced bread can be laid out in advance.

Choose sliced bread if you need everything ready in advance, or leave baking until the last step and follow the instructions for your chosen product.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The AH Boeren donker meergranen heel described here lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour in its ingredients.

With this specific loaf, you can check the ingredients to see whether it has a mixed base.
Check the current label and availability when you buy it; these product details don’t apply to all AH breads.

Jumbo

Jumbo Stevig Meergranen is labelled as wholemeal multigrain bread with kernels and seeds.

The product information for this loaf lists 8,6 g of fibre per 100 g and includes ingredients and allergen details.
Don’t apply these details to other Jumbo multigrain breads; always check the product you’ve chosen.

ALDI

ALDI describes, among other products, pre-sliced multigrain hearth bread and multigrain baguettes with seeds and kernels.

These different bread styles give you a range of options for serving at a shared table.
Check the packaging or shelf ticket for ingredients, allergens and the current bread selection.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results include half and whole loaves of multigrain bread, bake-at-home bread and a separate gluten-free multigrain product.

The different bread styles give you a starting point for comparing individual products.
A search result doesn’t show all the ingredients and allergens; check the specific product before buying.

Schär

Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn is sold as gluten-free multigrain bread.

The gluten-free label is relevant if a guest specifically needs gluten-free bread.
The product information lists soya and says it may also contain sesame, mustard and lupin. Check the current packaging for the guest concerned.

Multigrain rolls at Joybuy

These multigrain rolls are a good fit for an Easter table where you want to serve individual rolls. Check the packaging if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, a mix of wholemeal and white flour, or allergen information.

g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 rolls

Four individual multigrain rolls to serve separately. Check the packaging for the bread description, ingredients and allergens if these matter to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but it can be white, brown or wholemeal. If you want wholemeal bread, look for the explicit label ‘wholemeal multigrain’.

Does Dutch multigrain bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. For unpackaged bread, ask what type of salt was used.

What should I look for if a guest needs gluten-free bread?

Choose bread with a suitable gluten-free label and also read the current ingredients and allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on labels; also check for any cross-contamination warnings and keep the bread separate when serving.

How long should multigrain bake-at-home bread go in the oven?

Follow the instructions for the bread you buy. PLUS recommends baking its wholemeal multigrain baguettes in the oven at 220 °C for 8–10 minutes; that time and temperature won’t necessarily apply to other bake-at-home bread.

Can I buy multigrain bread before Easter and freeze it?

It depends on the instructions for the bread you choose. Albert Heijn says that AH Boeren donker meergranen heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should then be used within one month. Check the packaging for other breads.