Who are these types of bread suitable for?

If you want to prepare nibbles quickly

With pre-sliced bread, you can make topped pieces or triangles without much preparation. Check the slice thickness if you want to use medium-thick slices.

If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread

Multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour, so check that the bread you choose is labelled wholemeal.

If you want to serve small, crunchy slices

Multigrain baguette or bake-at-home bread gives you a different shape of bread for your sharing board. Bear in mind that you’ll need to slice or bake it yourself.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want slices that are ready to top or smaller, crunchier slices. Then check that the bread is labelled wholemeal and choose an amount that suits your get-together.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Portioning the bread Check the actual slice thickness and choose a half or whole loaf to suit the number of nibbles you want to make. If you want to make topped nibbles without much preparation, choose bread that you can divide into pieces straight away. Practical portioning is the top priority for around 45% of consumers.
Wholemeal and labelling Look for a wholemeal claim and read the ingredients and nutritional information. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread isn’t necessarily wholemeal. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread to serve, don’t rely on its colour or visible seeds alone. This is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Shape and texture Choose between pre-sliced bread, baguette or a bake-at-home option. If you choose the latter, check the baking instructions. If I want small, crunchy slices, I’d rather take the time to slice or bake them myself. A crunchy presentation is the top priority for around 22% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread can be made with refined flour. So the name alone doesn’t tell you whether you’re buying wholemeal bread.

    Look for an explicit wholemeal claim rather than relying on the colour, kernels or seeds alone.

  • Assuming sliced bread is medium-thick

    A description such as ‘sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. This matters if you want to make nibbles of a particular size for your get-together.

    Check the slices on the packaging or ask at the bakery counter about the slice thickness.

  • Buying more bread than you’ll use

    If you’re having a small get-together, a whole loaf may give you more slices than you need.

    Consider buying half a loaf, or freeze any unused slices in portions as soon as you get home, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.

  • Relying only on online product information

    Ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. This is especially important if you need to take allergens into account for your guests.

    Check the current packaging of the bread you’re actually serving.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a sliced multigrain loaf in its product information.

  • AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen is described as sliced.
  • Check the slice thickness and current label; Albert Heijn warns that product information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists multigrain bread, including a half Lo-Sel multigrain loaf.

  • For this specific Lo-Sel variety, Jumbo states that it contains 0.5 g of salt per 100 g.
  • This salt value doesn’t tell you anything about other Jumbo loaves or the slice thickness of this variety.

Lidl

Lidl describes a multigrain bread made with ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.

  • The product listing gives you a starting point for looking at this type of bread.
  • In store, check the slice thickness and nutritional information for the loaf in question.

ALDI

ALDI lists both a pre-sliced multigrain hearth loaf and a sliced farmhouse wholemeal multigrain loaf.

  • The product names help distinguish between sliced multigrain bread and a variety specifically labelled wholemeal.
  • Check the actual slice thickness and current label for each loaf.

PLUS

PLUS lists multigrain bread and a separate multigrain baguette.

  • The baguette is a different type of bread for anyone who wants to slice their own small nibbles.
  • Don’t assume from the product name that it’s medium-thick sliced bread for everyday use.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results show half and whole multigrain loaves, as well as a multigrain baguette to bake at home.

  • The options listed give you different choices for the amount or shape of bread.
  • Check the slice thickness of the loaf you choose; half and whole refer to the size, not the slice thickness.

Multigrain products for crunchy nibbles

These bake-at-home baguettes are a good fit if you want to slice smaller pieces yourself for a get-together. They’re not pre-sliced multigrain bread with medium-thick slices ready to top.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g

For nibbles you want to slice yourself after baking. The pack contains four 135 g baguettes; follow the instructions on the current packaging for baking.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour. If you want to buy wholemeal bread, look for an explicit wholemeal claim.

Should I choose half or a whole loaf for nibbles?

Half a loaf may be enough if you’re making a small number of nibbles; a whole loaf could be more practical for a larger spread. Freeze any slices you don’t use in portions as soon as you get home, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.

Where can I check for allergens in multigrain bread?

Check the current packaging of the specific loaf. According to the Voedingscentrum, common allergens must be clearly listed on the label. Ingredients can vary between products and may change over time.

Does all Dutch bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume so without checking the label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that iodine compounds may only be present in bread through baker’s salt; this doesn’t mean that every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt. Check the ingredients of the bread you buy.