If you want to share bread at the table
A whole or round loaf is ideal for a table where guests can help themselves to a piece. If you want to serve it warm, check whether it needs baking and allow time for this.
Which bread is right for you?
If you’re looking for wholemeal bread specifically
Check the wholemeal description and the ingredients rather than relying on a dark colour or visible seeds. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means the bread contains at least three types of grain; it doesn’t mean that it’s wholemeal.
If you need to consider gluten and other allergens
If a guest needs gluten-free bread, look for an explicit gluten-free label. Also check the other allergens and warnings on the packaging of the bread you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with your guests’ dietary requirements. Then choose between bread that’s ready to share and bread that still needs baking; assess whether it’s wholemeal separately from how it’s served.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and ingredients | Check the wholemeal description and the types of flour in the ingredients list. If you’re comparing loaves, check the fibre per 100 g too. | If wholemeal is my main requirement, I want to know which flour has actually been used, rather than just seeing seeds on the crust. This is the top consideration for around 46% of consumers. |
| How it’s served and preparation | Decide whether you want a whole loaf, baguettes or individual rolls, and whether they need defrosting or baking. | I want to be able to share the bread at the right moment or serve it warm, without preparation holding up the meal. This is the most important consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | If needed, look for an explicit gluten-free label and read all the allergen information, including possible traces. | If a guest needs to avoid a particular ingredient, I want to be able to check each pack and decide what I can serve. This check is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
Bread made with several types of grain can still be made mostly from white flour. So the name alone won’t tell you whether it has the wholemeal base you’re looking for.
Check the wholemeal description and ingredients list; don’t rely on a dark colour or seeds instead.
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Choosing bake-at-home bread without planning when to serve it
Bread that still needs defrosting or baking takes preparation before you can serve it warm.
Check the instructions on the packaging and make sure you have space in the oven. For example, PLUS recommends baking its Korenlanders Desem demi-baguettes meergranen for 8 to 10 minutes in a preheated oven at 220 °C.
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Assuming gluten-free means allergen-free
A gluten-free label doesn’t rule out other allergens. According to the product information, Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn contains soya and carries warnings about possible other allergens.
If a guest has an allergy, read all the information on the current packaging.
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Expecting every loaf to contain the same type of salt
Ingredients vary from loaf to loaf; you can’t tell from the word ‘multigrain’ whether iodised salt has been used.
If it matters to your choice, compare the ingredients list and the amount of salt per 100 g on the packaging.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers products including AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen and AH Vloerbrood meergranen for anyone looking for a loaf to slice and share.
- There are several options, including whole and sliced loaves.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each loaf before choosing based on wholemeal content or suitability for a particular diet.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes multigrain breads as well as products labelled wholemeal, including Jumbo Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen.
- The product names make it easier to search specifically for a multigrain or wholemeal option.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the individual product label rather than relying on the category.
PLUS Korenlanders
The multigrain demi-baguettes and sourdough baguette are options if you want to bake the bread just before serving.
- PLUS provides preparation instructions, ingredients and allergen information for these products.
- The varieties mentioned contain gluten-containing grains; check the other allergens on each pack too.
ALDI
ALDI lists a multigrain baguette and Boeren volkoren meergranen as different types of bread to compare.
- The wholemeal description makes it easier to look specifically for that option.
- Check the label of the bread you choose for full ingredients and allergen information.
Schär
Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn is labelled as gluten-free multigrain bread, making it an option for anyone looking for a gluten-free alternative.
- The gluten-free label gives you a clear starting point when choosing a product.
- The bread contains soya and may also contain lupin, sesame and mustard; check the packaging for the guest concerned.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
These products offer different options for the Sinterklaas Eve table: baguettes and round loaves that need baking to be planned for, as well as individual multigrain rolls. Check the ingredients and preparation instructions for each product separately.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
Four individual baguettes are ideal for serving bread in portions at the table.
To serve them warm as described, you’ll need to defrost and bake them in the oven. Check the current packaging for wheat, sesame and possible other allergens; if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check the ingredients too.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g
The two round loaves are a good option if you want to slice and share bread at the table.
To serve them as described, you’ll need to defrost and bake them in a fan oven, then leave them to cool. Check the current packaging for wheat, sesame and possible other allergens, and read the ingredients if wholemeal bread is a requirement.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 pieces
Four individual multigrain rolls are an alternative to a whole loaf that you still need to slice.
If you want to serve them warm, check the preparation instructions on the packaging first. For a wholemeal option, check the ingredients and current allergen information, including any mentions of gluten-containing grains, lupin, milk, sesame and soya.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the term doesn’t mean the bread is wholemeal. Check the wholemeal description and the types of flour in the ingredients list.
Should I choose a whole loaf or bake-at-home bread for Sinterklaas Eve?
A whole loaf is a good choice if you want to slice and share it at the table; bake-at-home bread works well if you want to serve it warm and have time to prepare it. If you choose a bake-at-home option, check the instructions for defrosting, oven temperature and baking time in advance.
Can I serve regular multigrain bread to someone who eats gluten-free?
Don’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’: choose a product with an explicit gluten-free label. The regular PLUS sourdough breads mentioned contain gluten-containing grains; Schär Meesterbakker Mehrkorn is labelled gluten-free, but contains soya, so you’ll need to check the other allergens too.
Does all Dutch multigrain bread contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the name of the bread. Check the ingredients list of the product you choose for a mention of iodised salt, and compare the nutritional information if the amount of salt matters to your choice too.