Choose rustic sourdough or hearth-baked bread if crust and flavour matter most, or look for wholemeal bread if you’re mainly choosing for its fibre content. Bake-at-home bread is a good option for a warm breakfast, as long as you have time to prepare it. For any loaf, check the ingredients, allergens and whether iodised salt or baker’s salt has been used: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory.
For a savoury breakfast that feels more like brunch, look for bread with a distinctive crust and a crumb that’s easy to top. Sourdough or rustic bread could be a good choice; check the description of each product to see if it matches your preferences.
If bread is a regular feature on your breakfast table, start by checking the type of flour used and the fibre content per 100 g. A rustic appearance is no substitute for checking the product description and nutritional information.
You want warm rolls ready just before you eat, perhaps to serve with eggs, cheese or hummus. Bake-at-home bread lets you serve it fresh from the oven, but you’ll need to allow time for preparation and baking.
First, decide what matters most for this savoury breakfast: flavour, wholemeal ingredients, fitting in with your shopping plans or clear allergen information. Then compare the descriptions and labels of the breads that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and crust | Check whether the bread is described as sourdough, rustic or hearth-baked, and see whether it’s sold whole or sliced. | For a breakfast with savoury toppings, I mainly want to serve bread with plenty of character. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this flavour and serving experience. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the type of flour in the product description and compare fibre per 100 g. Also check separately whether iodised salt or baker’s salt has been used. | If bread is a regular part of my breakfast, I want to know what flour it contains and its nutritional value. This nutritional information matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
| Availability and preparation | Check what your local store stocks or how to order, and read the preparation instructions for bake-at-home bread. | If I’m planning bread for a particular breakfast, it needs to be available and ready in time. This is the first thing around 20% of consumers consider. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and check the specific product for any required label, such as gluten-free. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check whether this bread is suitable before buying. This is the top priority for around 10% of consumers. |
A dark colour or rustic name doesn’t automatically tell you what type of flour has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than bread made with less fully milled grain.
Check the product description and the flour used, and compare the fibre per 100 g if that’s your main selection criterion.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. So you can’t assume that iodised salt has been used based on the type of bread alone.
Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask about it if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves can’t be ordered online. ALDI says its freshly baked range is available in stores with a bakery section, while Lidl notes that its fresh range can vary by store.
Before you shop, check how to order and what’s available at the store you plan to visit. It’s also worth having another type of bread in mind that would work with your breakfast.
A separate trip to the shops can take extra time if your chosen bread isn’t available with your usual groceries.
Sourdough doesn’t tell you whether a bread contains gluten. Bread made with wheat, rye or spelt isn’t suitable if you need to avoid those ingredients.
Check the label and the latest allergen information for the specific bread. If you’re buying it unpackaged, ask about the ingredients and allergens before you buy.
The AH Liefde & Passie range includes sourdough breads, including OerDesem varieties, for anyone who wants to choose their bread by type and flavour for a savoury breakfast.
Jumbo has a range of rustic sourdough breads for anyone looking for this type of loaf for breakfast.
PLUS offers Korenlanders sourdough bread and bake-at-home sourdough demi-baguettes. Choose between them based on when you’d like to serve your bread.
Lidl offers freshly baked bread and rustic sourdough options for anyone who wants to choose a loaf for a savoury breakfast in store.
ALDI offers Bakkersgoud Rustiek, among other options, for anyone looking for rustic bread in its stores.
Dirk offers a range of breads, including wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough. Each type calls for a different check of the flour and ingredients.
These products are rustic baguettes and round loaves for a savoury breakfast. The varieties described need to be defrosted and baked. Choose baguettes or a whole loaf to slice yourself, depending on how you plan to serve them, and always follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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For anyone who’d like to serve multigrain baguettes with a warm, savoury breakfast.
The packaging states 4 × 135 g × 2. Allow time to defrost and bake, and follow the latest preparation instructions.
If you have allergies, check the information about wheat, barley and sesame. Check the packaging to see what type of salt has been used.
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A round loaf for anyone who wants to slice it themselves to serve with savoury toppings.
According to the product information, this 550 g loaf needs around four hours to defrost, 11–13 minutes to bake and then around 30 minutes to cool. Follow the packaging for preparation instructions.
If you have allergies, check the information about wheat and rye, and read the label to see what type of salt has been used.
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For anyone who wants to bake four individual rustic baguettes for breakfast.
Allow time for defrosting and baking. The product information gives varying baking times, so follow the instructions on the packaging.
If you have allergies, read the information about wheat and check the packaging to see what type of salt has been used.
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A multigrain option for anyone who wants to serve four warm baguettes with savoury toppings.
The packaging states 4 × 135 g. Allow time to defrost and bake; don’t assume that multigrain means wholemeal.
If you have allergies, check the information about wheat, barley and sesame, and read the label to see what type of salt has been used.
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A round multigrain loaf for anyone who wants to slice it themselves for breakfast after baking.
According to the product information, this 550 g loaf needs around four hours to defrost, 11–13 minutes to bake and then around 30 minutes to cool. Follow the packaging for preparation instructions.
If you have allergies, check the information about wheat, barley and sesame. Check the label for the types of flour and salt used.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask if the bread is sold unpackaged.
No. Sourdough doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour. Read the product description and ingredients list, and compare the fibre per 100 g if that’s what you’re choosing by.
Start with the preparation instructions for the bread you’ve bought, and allow for any defrosting and cooling time. For example, PLUS gives oven or air fryer instructions for its Korenlanders sourdough demi-baguettes; don’t use those timings for another product.
Check the information for the specific bread before you buy it, and ask about allergens if it’s unpackaged. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products.
You can’t assume so: Lidl says its fresh range can vary by store, while ALDI’s freshly baked range is available in stores with a bakery section. Jumbo also says its rustic sourdough loaves can’t be ordered online. So if you want a particular loaf, check the store and how to order it.
