Multigrain Sourdough for Barbecues: Rolls, Baguette or Sliced?

Which bread shape works best for you?

For sharing warm bread

If you’re serving bread with salads, dips and grilled food, rolls or a baguette are practical options. With bake-at-home products, remember to allow time for preparation, and check the allergen information for your guests.

For preparing sandwiches in advance

Sliced multigrain bread is a good choice for sandwiches you’re making ahead of the barbecue. Compare the product description, the proportion of wholemeal flour and the fibre per 100 g if these details will influence your choice.

For checking ingredients carefully

If allergens or the use of baker’s salt matter to you, read the label of the variety you choose. For unpackaged bread, ask the shop whether it can provide this information. Even with organic bread, don’t assume that baker’s salt has been used.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how you want to serve the bread and how much preparation you’re happy to do. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the options that suit your barbecue.

What to consider	What to check	Who it matters to
How it’s served	Check whether the bread needs baking and whether its shape suits individual portions, sharing or sandwiches.	I want to serve warm bread without the preparation getting in the way of mealtime. Around 26% of consumers prioritise how the bread is served.
Wholemeal and fibre	Read the product description and ingredients list; compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g.	For filled sandwiches, I want to know which flour has been used rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’. Around 21% of consumers prioritise checking wholemeal content and fibre.
Buying and preparation	Check whether you need to pick up the bread in store, and follow the product’s storage and baking instructions.	When I plan my shopping in advance, I want to know where to buy the bread and what I’ll still need to do on barbecue day. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Sourdough and flavour	Look for sourdough in the ingredients list and check separately whether yeast is also listed.	I’m specifically looking for sourdough bread to serve at the barbecue, but I don’t want to rely on the product name alone. Around 16% of consumers prioritise choosing sourdough.
Allergens and baker’s salt	Read the latest allergen information, including ‘may contain’ statements, and look for baker’s salt or iodised salt.	I need to know which ingredients and potential cross-contact allergens are listed for my guests; the type of salt may also affect my choice. For around 16% of consumers, checking the label comes first.

Common mistakes

Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with at least three different types of grain. The name doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour it contains.

Look for an explicit wholemeal description, check the ingredients and compare the stated fibre per 100 g.
Assuming ‘sourdough’ means there’s no baker’s yeast

Ingredients lists for some multigrain sourdough products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS include both sourdough and yeast.

If how the bread is leavened matters to you, check for both ingredients separately.
Taking baker’s salt for granted

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that baker’s salt is not compulsory. So the words ‘sourdough’ or ‘organic’ don’t tell you which type of salt has been used.

Look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ on the label, and ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.
Choosing based only on the shape of the bread

A suitable shape tells you nothing about the allergens in the variety you choose. Bake-at-home products may also have different preparation instructions.

Read the allergen information and plan when to bake the bread according to the packaging before serving it to your guests.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Worth considering if you’re looking for sliced multigrain sourdough bread for sandwiches.

For AH OerDesem dark multigrain bread, Albert Heijn lists 44% wholemeal wheat flour, 7,1% wholemeal wheat sourdough and iodised salt.
The ingredients also include baker’s yeast; check the full allergen information for your guests.

Jumbo

Offers several types of bread to consider for a barbecue, including multigrain sourdough rolls.

For its Multigrain Sourdough Rolls, Jumbo lists wholemeal wheat flour, sourdough and iodised salt.
Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves, baked in store, cannot be ordered online. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information for each loaf you choose.

Lidl

Lists a 600 g organic brown multigrain sourdough loaf with seeds and kernels.

The product page says this bread is available in store.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging or in store, especially if baker’s salt matters to your choice.

ALDI

Describes a pre-sliced premium multigrain hearth loaf, a shape that works well for sandwiches made in advance.

According to ALDI, this hearth loaf contains grains and seeds and comes pre-sliced.
Check the packaging if you’re specifically looking for sourdough, a particular proportion of wholemeal flour or allergen information; the shape of the bread won’t tell you.

PLUS

Lists both a smaller brown multigrain sourdough loaf and a multigrain sourdough baguette.

For the Korenlanders Kleintje, PLUS lists 27% wholemeal wheat flour and 9% sourdough; the Korenlanders multigrain baguette lists 11% wheat sourdough.
Both ingredients lists also include baker’s yeast. Check each variety for the cereals containing gluten and any potential cross-contact allergens listed.

Dirk

Describes a hearty multigrain hearth loaf with grains and seeds.

A whole hearth loaf is a good option if you want to slice it yourself before serving.
Check the label if sourdough or specific ingredients matter to you; the description ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you.

Multigrain baguettes at Joybuy

If you’d like to share a multigrain baguette at your barbecue, this baguette matches the shape featured in the buying guide. Check the packaging if sourdough as an ingredient, allergens or baker’s salt are deciding factors for you.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g x 2

A baguette for sharing bread at the barbecue, if you have the time and oven space to bake it.

Pack size: 4 x 135 g x 2. Check the latest ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions on the packaging.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means the bread is made from at least three different types of grain. To check for wholemeal flour, read the product description and ingredients list. If you want to assess its nutritional information, compare the fibre per 100 g.

Is multigrain sourdough bread always free from baker’s yeast?

No. The ingredients lists for some multigrain sourdough products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS include both sourdough and yeast. If you want to avoid baker’s yeast, check the ingredients for the variety you choose.

Does organic multigrain sourdough bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the words ‘organic’ or ‘sourdough’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the label, or ask about it when buying unpackaged bread.

How can I check for allergens when guests are joining me?

Read the latest allergen information for the bread you’re serving, including any ‘may contain’ statements. Ingredients vary by product: for example, the Jumbo multigrain sourdough rolls reviewed contain several cereals with gluten and sesame.

When should I bake rolls or a baguette for the barbecue?

Plan the baking around the instructions on the packaging and the oven space you have available. Preparation, storage and any defrosting time can vary by product, so check these before deciding when to serve the bread.