For generously topped toast
If you’re making broad, open-faced bites, look for bread labelled as thickly sliced or choose a whole loaf that you can slice yourself.
Which bread shape is right for you?
If you’re comparing ingredients
Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact loaf, including fibre and salt per 100 g. The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean that a loaf is wholemeal.
If you’re baking bread just before serving
A bake-at-home baguette lets you cut your own smaller bites, but you’ll need to allow time for preparation and baking. It’s a different shape from a broad slice of bread.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing multigrain bread for an Italian evening, start by considering the shape of your topped bites, the ingredients and when you’ll be serving them.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and loaf shape | Look for a stated slice thickness or choose a loaf you can cut yourself. The word ‘sliced’ alone doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. | If I’m adding generous toppings, I want a slice I can hold easily. Around 50% of consumers choosing multigrain bread for this Italian evening prioritise slice thickness or being able to cut it themselves. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. | When I’m choosing bread for guests, I want to know which grains and allergens it contains. For around 30% of these consumers, the ingredients matter most. |
| Preparation and serving time | Check whether the bread is ready to serve or needs to be defrosted or baked first. | If I want to serve warm, smaller bites, the preparation needs to fit my schedule. Around 20% of these consumers prioritise convenience at serving time. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sliced bread is thickly sliced
A sliced supermarket loaf won’t necessarily have the thickness you need for broad, topped bites.
Check the slice thickness, ask whether a whole loaf can be thickly sliced, or cut it yourself.
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Assuming all multigrain bread has the same ingredients
The grains used, whether the bread is wholemeal and its nutritional values vary from loaf to loaf. Allergens also depend on the exact product.
Read the product description, ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the packaging. Compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g.
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Choosing a bake-at-home baguette for broad open sandwiches
A baguette gives you smaller slices than a broad round loaf or hearth-baked loaf, and needs to be baked first.
Choose a baguette if smaller bites suit your plans. For broad slices, choose a loaf whose slicing you can control.
Brands to consider
These brands offer different types of multigrain bread. Check the loaf shape, slicing options and packaging for the specific product.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen as a sliced, brown multigrain loaf weighing 550 g.
- The product information lists ingredients including wheat, rye, millet, sunflower seeds and sesame.
- Check the slice thickness if you need broad, thick slices for toast.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s multigrain range includes Stevig Meergranen and Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen.
- There are different types of bread to compare by shape and ingredients.
- Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are only available in store and can’t be ordered online. Ask about the slicing options for the variety you want.
Lidl
Lidl describes a multigrain loaf containing ingredients such as wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- The product listing tells you which type of loaf you can look for in store.
- Lidl lists this loaf as available in store only, so check whether the slices are suitable for your bites while you’re there.
ALDI
ALDI includes multigrain loaves in its daily fresh range and also sells part-baked multigrain baguettes.
- ALDI gives a baking time of 8–10 minutes for its De Afbakker baguettes.
- A baguette gives you a different type of slice from a thick sandwich slice, so choose the shape that suits your toppings.
PLUS
PLUS lists various multigrain loaves, including Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit.
- For PLUS Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel, PLUS lists 6.8 g of fibre and 1.02 g of salt per 100 g.
- These nutritional values apply to that specific loaf. Check the slicing options and label for the loaf you choose.
Dirk
Dirk lists both Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half and a rustic bake-at-home multigrain baguette.
- You can cut the 440 g bake-at-home baguette into your preferred portions after baking.
- A baguette slice isn’t the same shape as a broad slice of bread.
Multigrain bread and baguettes at Joybuy
These products suit two ways of serving: a round multigrain loaf that you slice yourself for topped bites, or baguettes for smaller bites that you bake at home. Check how much preparation each option requires.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain bread, 2 × 550 g
A round loaf you can slice yourself if you want to choose the size of the slices.
According to the product information, this frozen bread needs to be defrosted and baked, then left to cool for around half an hour before slicing. Check the packaging for nutritional values per 100 g and allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij rustic multigrain baguettes, 4 × 135 g × 2
The baguette shape works well for smaller bites that you want to slice after baking, rather than broad sandwich slices.
Allow time for defrosting and baking. Follow the baking instructions on the packaging, and use the nutritional values per 100 g shown on the pack when comparing products.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain bread, 550 g
You can slice this round loaf yourself to choose the slice size for your topped bites.
This frozen bread needs to be defrosted and baked. According to the product information, leave it to cool for around half an hour before slicing. Check the packaging for nutritional values per 100 g and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘sliced’ mean thickly sliced?
No, ‘sliced’ on its own doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Bakkerij Lamers lists its Waldkoren separately as 11.5 mm for standard slices and 14.5 mm for thick slices. For another loaf, look for a stated thickness or ask about the slicing options.
Is multigrain bread always wholemeal?
No, ‘multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t mean the same thing. Check the product description and ingredients for the loaf you’re buying. For example, PLUS describes its Korenlanders Donker meergranen rond heel as wholemeal multigrain bread.
Where can I check allergens when buying bread for guests?
Read the allergen information on the packaging for the exact loaf, even if you’re not serving anything else with it. For example, Albert Heijn lists sesame among the ingredients in AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen. Don’t assume another variety has the same ingredients.
Is iodised baker’s salt a legal requirement in Dutch bread?
No, don’t assume that all Dutch bread contains iodised baker’s salt. The Staatscourant described efforts to encourage its use through an agreement in 2008; according to Brood.net Professionals, its use isn’t a legal requirement. Check the ingredients list for a specific loaf.
Can I freeze multigrain bread ahead of a dinner party?
You can if the storage instructions for that specific bread allow it. Albert Heijn advises freezing AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen on the day of purchase and using it within one month. For other loaves, follow the instructions on their packaging.