Choose a fresh hearth-baked loaf if you want to slice and serve it straight away with drinks. Part-baked baguettes or rolls are a better choice if you want to bake them just before serving and have the time and equipment; for a small group, a smaller loaf or a pack of rolls may be more practical. Check each product’s wholegrain status, ingredients and allergen information: multigrain does not automatically mean wholegrain or gluten-free.
A whole hearth-baked loaf is ideal for a drinks party where you want to slice bread for cheese, dips and toppings without turning on the oven first. Albert Heijn, ALDI and Dirk list this type of loaf in their ranges; check whether each loaf is pre-sliced.
Part-baked baguettes or rolls are a good fit if you can plan time to finish baking them. PLUS says its multigrain sourdough demi-baguettes take 8–10 minutes in the oven; cooking times may vary for other products.
Look beyond words such as multigrain, sourdough and rustic. The product name, ingredients, nutrition information per 100 g and allergen information can help you decide whether a loaf is right for your guests.
First decide whether you want to serve the bread straight away or have time to bake it. Then compare the size and ingredients of the bread that suits your occasion.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving straight away | Is the bread fresh or part-baked, whole or half, and is it sold sliced? | If I want to serve bread with cheese and dips as soon as my guests arrive, I don’t want to plan time to bake it. Around 36% of consumers prioritise serving bread straight away. |
| Baking it warm | Check what equipment the product requires and follow the temperature, baking time and any defrosting instructions on the packaging. | If I want a warm crust just before the drinks party, I’ll make time to bake the bread. Around 29% of consumers prioritise having warm bread. |
| Ingredients | Read the product name, ingredients, wholegrain information, nutrition information and allergen information for the exact loaf. | If I’m serving guests for whom ingredients or allergens are a deciding factor, I don’t want to rely on the word multigrain. Ingredients matter most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Right-sized portions | Compare a whole or half loaf with a smaller loaf or individual rolls, taking into account the number of guests and other snacks. | For a small drinks party, I want to serve enough bread without having lots left over. Around 14% of consumers give the right size their top priority. |
According to the Voedingscentrum (the Netherlands Nutrition Centre), multigrain means that a bread contains at least three different types of grain. It doesn’t tell you whether wholemeal flour, white flour or a combination has been used.
If wholegrain matters to you, check the product name and ingredients list rather than relying on the front of the packaging.
A rustic appearance or the word sourdough doesn’t mean a bread is gluten-free. The PLUS sourdough demi-baguettes reviewed contain wheat, rye and spelt, and also state that other allergens may be present.
If a guest has a relevant allergy or coeliac disease, check the current allergen information for the exact product, including any warnings about possible traces.
Part-baked bread needs time just before serving, and the equipment and instructions vary by product. PLUS says its sourdough demi-baguettes take 8–10 minutes at 220 °C in the oven or 5–6 minutes at 200 °C in an air fryer.
Choose bread you can serve straight away if you don’t have time to bake it. Otherwise, check the instructions on your packaging in advance.
If you’re hosting a small drinks party with lots of other snacks, a whole loaf may be more than you need. Half loaves, smaller loaves and packs of individual rolls are also available.
Choose a size that suits your guests and the rest of your drinks spread, and decide in advance what you’ll do with any leftover bread.
For anyone looking for a whole multigrain hearth-baked loaf that’s ready to serve.
For anyone considering individual multigrain rolls as portions for a drinks party.
For anyone looking for a rustic multigrain sourdough loaf with seeds and grains.
For a choice between pre-sliced hearth-baked bread and baguettes to bake at home.
For a smaller multigrain sourdough loaf or demi-baguettes to bake at home.
For Dirk shoppers comparing a whole hearth-baked loaf with a half multigrain loaf.
These products include baguettes to bake at home, round loaves to share and a pack of four rolls. Focus on how much preparation you’re happy to do and how much bread you need for your drinks party; check each product’s current cooking and allergen information.
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Four baguettes are a good choice for a drinks party where you want to bake individual portions of bread. According to the product information, allow around four hours for defrosting before baking; check the instructions on the packaging.
Check the allergen information if wheat or sesame is relevant to your guests, and read the label to find out which type of salt has been used.
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This multipack is a good fit for a larger drinks party or two planned occasions. Check that eight baguettes will be enough for your guests, and allow time to defrost them before baking, as stated in the product information.
Check the packaging for cooking instructions, allergen information and the type of salt used.
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A 550 g round loaf is an option if you want one loaf to slice and share. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling before slicing, and check the packaging for the baking time.
Check the ingredients if you’re specifically looking for wholegrain bread, and read the latest allergen information if wheat, barley or sesame is relevant to your guests.
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Two round loaves are a good choice for a drinks party where you want to share more bread, but may be too much for a small group. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling, and check the packaging for the baking time.
Read the latest allergen information if wheat, barley or sesame is relevant, and check the label if the type of salt matters to you.
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Four individual rolls can make it easier to plan portions for a smaller drinks party. Check the packaging before serving to see whether the rolls need to be baked first.
Also read the latest allergen information if gluten-containing cereals or sesame are relevant to your guests.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum (the Netherlands Nutrition Centre), multigrain means that the bread contains at least three different types of grain. Check the product name and ingredients if you’re specifically looking for wholegrain bread.
No, don’t choose a loaf based on the word multigrain alone. The PLUS sourdough demi-baguettes reviewed contain wheat, rye and spelt. Check the current labelling for the exact loaf to make sure it meets the relevant dietary requirements, including information about possible traces of allergens.
Cooking methods vary by product. PLUS gives instructions for its sourdough demi-baguettes for both the oven (8–10 minutes at 220 °C) and air fryer (5–6 minutes at 200 °C). Always follow the instructions on the packaging of the bread you buy.
No. The Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Check the label or ask the baker which type of salt has been used in the specific bread.
A smaller or half loaf, or a pack of individual rolls, may be easier to match to a small number of guests than a whole hearth-baked loaf. For example, PLUS lists a 300 g part-baked multigrain sourdough loaf, while Jumbo offers a pack of four multigrain rolls. Remember to factor in any preparation time when making your choice.
