Those making a snack to eat straight away
If you want to fill a roll today, its shape, crust and freshness are the main things to consider. A description such as ‘thick cut’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much filling it can hold.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Those stocking up to bake at home
If you’re buying rolls for several meals, weigh up the time needed in the oven against your available freezer space and the storage instructions. Jumbo sells both part-baked and frozen rolls.
Those keeping an eye on fibre
If the type of bread is an important factor for you, the wholemeal description and fibre content per 100 g are useful points of comparison. The Albert Heijn wholemeal roll included in this review lists 7.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide when you want to eat the rolls. Then compare the type of bread and the ingredients, and check the roll itself if you want to add a generous filling.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Filling straight away | Check the shape, crust and freshness in store; don’t treat ‘thick cut’ as a measure of sturdiness. | I want to fill a roll today and judge for myself whether it will suit my filling. Around 40% of consumers would put immediate use first. |
| Type of bread and ingredients | Compare the ‘wholemeal’ description, fibre per 100 g, and the ingredients and allergen information. | If fibre and ingredients guide my choice, I want to be able to tell white and wholemeal rolls apart. For around 30% of consumers, the type of bread would be the main consideration. |
| Storage and preparation | Check whether the rolls are fresh, part-baked or frozen, and read the preparation and storage instructions. | I want to spread the rolls across several meals and make sure I have room in the oven or freezer. For around 30% of consumers, convenient storage would come first. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘thick cut’ as proof that a roll is sturdy
A product name doesn’t tell you how much filling a roll can hold. Nor is the weight or a description of the crust a like-for-like measure of thickness.
If you’re planning a generously filled roll, check its shape and crust in store and, if necessary, try it with a small amount of filling first.
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Treating white and wholemeal rolls as the same
The Albert Heijn wholemeal roll included in this review lists 7.1 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 2.8 g per 100 g for the white roll reviewed. This difference doesn’t tell you how well either roll will hold a filling.
If the type of bread matters to you, check that it’s described as wholemeal and compare the fibre content per 100 g on the label.
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Refreezing thawed rolls
According to Jumbo’s product information, the frozen rolls included in this review must not be refrozen after thawing and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours.
Thaw only what you need for your planned meals and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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Assuming every roll contains iodised salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you what kind of salt a roll contains.
Check the ingredients list for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘bakers’ salt’.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s white and wholemeal rolls offer a straightforward comparison between two types of fresh bread.
- According to Albert Heijn, both rolls included in this review weigh 70 g. Their stated fibre contents are 2.8 g and 7.1 g per 100 g respectively.
- These product details don’t tell you which roll can hold more filling; check the roll itself.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s white rolls included in this review show the difference between part-baked rolls and a frozen option.
- For the pack of four part-baked rolls, Jumbo recommends baking for 10–12 minutes in a preheated oven at 200 °C.
- The frozen option has separate thawing and storage instructions, so check which one suits your plans.
Lidl
Lidl lists 700 g packs of white rolls to bake at home, available to buy in store.
- The pack size and preparation method can help you decide whether these rolls suit your shopping plans.
- If ingredients and nutritional information matter to you, compare the details on the packaging.
Dirk
Dirk stocks, among other varieties, white, brown, rustic white and rustic multigrain rolls.
- The different product names give you a starting point when choosing a type of bread.
- Don’t assume that ‘brown’, ‘rustic’ or ‘multigrain’ tells you the fibre content or how sturdy a roll is; check the details for the variety you choose.
Rolls at Joybuy
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I compare rolls online by ‘thick cut’?
Not as a measure of sturdiness: the term doesn’t indicate a comparable thickness or how much filling a roll can hold. If you’re planning a generously filled roll, check the shape and crust of the product itself.
When should I choose frozen rolls?
Frozen rolls are a good option if you want to keep them for later meals and have space in your freezer. For the Jumbo variety included in this review, you must not refreeze the rolls after thawing, and should prepare and eat them within 24 hours. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you buy.
Does every roll contain iodised salt?
No, you can’t tell from the type of bread alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt, so check the ingredients list for ‘iodised salt’ or ‘bakers’ salt’.
Where can I check the allergens in rolls?
Read the allergen information on the current packaging for the variety you’re buying. The white and wholemeal Albert Heijn rolls included in this review list wheat. The Jumbo varieties reviewed also list wheat or gluten, and additional may-contain warnings can vary by product.