If bread is the centrepiece
You’re serving bread alongside dips or a sharing platter and want a hearth-baked loaf or sourdough that looks right on the table.
Which bread is right for you?
If you’re choosing wholemeal
You want the multigrain bread to be explicitly labelled as wholemeal, rather than assuming this from the fact it contains several grains.
If you want to serve warm bread
You want to bake a multigrain baguette just before the meal and check that the equipment and preparation time suit your evening.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether presentation, an explicitly wholemeal option or warm bread at serving time matters most to you. Then check the details of the bread you want to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation at the table | Check the shape of the bread and whether it’s whole, sliced or still needs baking. | For dips or a sharing platter, I want bread I can share and put on display at the table; around 42% of consumers prioritise presentation. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the same preparation basis. | If I want to make a conscious choice of wholemeal multigrain bread, I can’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone; around 33% of consumers put this choice first. |
| Serving warm | Check whether the bread needs defrosting and what equipment, temperature and baking time the packaging recommends. | I want to serve the bread warm just before eating, but I’ll need to allow time for it; baking bread just before serving is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
The fact that a bread contains several grains doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. So the bread you choose might not be what you had in mind when looking for a wholemeal option.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product name and check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific bread.
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Forgetting to prepare bake-at-home bread
Bake-at-home bread needs to be prepared before you can serve it warm, and instructions vary by product.
Read the packaging before planning your meal and allow for any defrosting, preheating and baking time.
Preparation also takes time and requires the specified equipment.
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Guessing the allergens from the bread’s name
A name such as ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you exactly which grains, seeds and other potential allergens are used.
If you have an allergy or food intolerance, read the allergen information on the exact product packaging. If you need a gluten-free option, only choose bread explicitly labelled as gluten-free, and check its label too.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised salt
A reference to baker’s salt or iodised salt on one loaf tells you nothing about the ingredients in another multigrain bread.
If this information matters to your choice, check the ingredients list of the bread you’re buying.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The Liefde & Passie and OerDesem ranges are worth considering if you want your bread to take pride of place on the table.
- Albert Heijn describes its Liefde & Passie sourdough loaves as crusty, with a stone-baked base.
- Check the wholemeal labelling, allergens and availability in your store for each loaf.
Jumbo
The multigrain range includes loaves explicitly labelled as wholemeal.
- Product listings may include ingredients, allergens and nutritional information per 100 g, making it easier to compare options.
- Check the current listing for the loaf you choose; a previously listed Jumbo Meergranen Heel was no longer available online.
Lidl
Lidl’s multigrain bread is one option to serve with a meal.
- Lidl describes its multigrain bread as containing grains and seeds, including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- Check the label on the specific loaf in store and confirm it’s available at your local branch.
ALDI
ALDI lists both a multigrain hearth-baked loaf and a loaf explicitly named Boeren volkoren meergranen.
- These separate names make it easier to distinguish a hearth-baked loaf from a wholemeal option.
- The product name alone is no substitute for checking the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
PLUS
Korenlanders multigrain bread and a bake-at-home multigrain baguette offer different ways to serve bread with a meal.
- PLUS provides preparation instructions for its bake-at-home baguette, which can help you plan ahead.
- Don’t assume the ingredients, allergens or preparation instructions for that baguette apply to other PLUS breads.
Dirk
Bakker van der Akker offers multigrain and hearth-baked loaves that you could consider serving at the table.
- Dirk describes its multigrain hearth-baked loaf as firm and packed with grains and seeds; this is the retailer’s description of that loaf.
- Check the wholemeal labelling and label for the variety you choose, rather than assuming it has the same properties as another loaf.
Multigrain bread for the table on Joybuy
These Lekhaven Bakkerij loaves include a round country loaf and baguettes for sharing over a meal. Choose the shape that suits how you plan to serve it, and check the preparation instructions, allergens and any wholemeal labelling on each pack.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country loaf, 550 g x 2
These round loaves are a good option if you want bread to share at the table. Check the packaging for any defrosting and baking steps before planning your meal.
Check the allergen information and look for an explicit wholemeal label if that matters to your choice.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g x 2
The baguette format is ideal for sharing at the table. Plan when to serve it only after checking the defrosting and baking instructions on the packaging.
Check the allergen information too, and don’t assume it’s wholemeal unless this is explicitly stated.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g
These baguettes are an option for sharing with a meal; check the packaging before baking them.
The baking times given in the product information for this variety differ. Follow the instructions on the packaging, and check the allergens and any wholemeal labelling.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?
No, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. If you want wholemeal bread, look for an explicit label and check the ingredients information. For example, ALDI uses this wording for Boeren volkoren meergranen.
Can I cook a multigrain baguette in the air fryer for a fakeaway night?
Yes, if the instructions for that specific bread include air-fryer cooking. PLUS recommends 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 200 °C for its Korenlanders multigrain sourdough baguette; don’t use that timing for a different baguette.
What should I check if I have an allergy or need a gluten-free option?
Always check the allergen declaration for the exact bread: ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you which grains and other ingredients it contains. If you need a gluten-free option, choose a product explicitly labelled as such and check its other allergen information too.
Does multigrain bread always contain iodised salt?
Don’t assume this is the case for every multigrain bread. Check the ingredients list on the packaging to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed for that specific loaf.