Organisers planning a special lunch
If you’re serving rolls with soup, salads or special fillings, you could consider rustic and sourdough options. Just check that you’ll have the time and equipment to finish baking them shortly before lunch.
Who are these options for?
Teams mindful of bread ingredients
If a wholemeal base or fibre is important, look beyond the word ‘multigrain’. Compare the proportion of wholemeal flour in the ingredients list and the fibre per 100 g on the label.
People ordering for dietary needs and allergens
If a guest eats gluten-free, labels such as spelt, sourdough or multigrain aren’t enough. Choose an option explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergens listed on the packaging too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which need matters most for your lunch. Then check whether the packaging, preparation method and ingredients of each option suit your guests and schedule.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Bread style and presentation | Check the type of bread, the number of rolls and whether the packaging actually specifies sourdough or a rustic style. | For a lunch with special fillings, I want the rolls to suit the presentation; for around 27% of consumers, bread style comes first. |
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Compare the proportion of wholemeal flour in the ingredients list and the fibre per 100 g. | If I’m deliberately looking for an alternative to white rolls, I want to be able to compare the ingredients. Around 27% of consumers give this their highest priority. |
| Preparation and planning | Check the baking time, suitable appliance, pack size and any defrosting instructions. | When lunch needs to be ready at a set time, I want to know how many rolls I can prepare at once; this matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Gluten-free and allergens | Read the gluten-free label and the current allergen information for the option you’ve chosen. | If I need to arrange a suitable bread option for a guest, I don’t want to rely on labels such as sourdough or multigrain. For around 13% of consumers, this is their first concern. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming spelt, sourdough or multigrain means gluten-free
The sourdough and multigrain rolls described by PLUS contain wheat or other cereals containing gluten. So the style of bread doesn’t mean a roll is suitable for a guest who eats gluten-free.
If needed, choose a separate product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the latest allergen information.
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Choosing based on ‘rustic’ alone
A rustic product name doesn’t tell you how much fibre it contains, which allergens are present or how long it needs to be baked.
Compare the ingredients, fibre per 100 g and preparation instructions for the options you’re considering.
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Refreezing defrosted rolls
According to Jumbo, the frozen rolls described should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours of defrosting; these products are not intended to be refrozen.
Only defrost as many rolls as you can use for lunch, following the instructions on the packaging.
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Relying on online information instead of the final label
Ingredients and allergens can vary between product options. That makes the packaging of the rolls you’re actually serving important when you’re hosting several guests for lunch.
Check the label when you buy the rolls, and again before serving them.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes both white part-baked rolls and a separate gluten-free white option.
- According to Albert Heijn, the white rolls described come in packs of two and need 8–10 minutes in the oven.
- According to Albert Heijn, the gluten-free option isn’t suitable for freezing at home; also check the other possible allergens listed.
Jumbo
The range described includes several bread styles, including sourdough and frozen rolls.
- A choice of bread styles and pack sizes gives you options for matching your order to the number of guests.
- For the frozen options described, it’s important to follow the instructions for use after defrosting; check the packaging of each one.
PLUS
The PLUS rolls described include white, multigrain, sourdough and gluten-free options.
- For the options described, PLUS lists ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions that you can compare.
- The multigrain sourdough option described contains cereals with gluten; check the label for any other allergens too.
Lidl
Lidl describes white and brown rolls that you can finish baking at home.
- The white and brown options give you a choice of bread styles.
- For a comparison of ingredients, allergens or nutritional value, read the label on the pack you choose.
Dirk
Dirk lists both loose rolls and packaged part-baked options.
- Loose and packaged rolls can suit different order sizes.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and any preparation instructions for the individual product.
Rolls on Joybuy
This pack of four white rustic rolls is a good fit for a lunch where you’re looking for that style of bread. Check the preparation instructions and label before matching your order to the number of guests and when you plan to serve them.
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g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4 pieces
A white rustic roll for a lunch where this style of bread is just what you’re looking for.
Pack: 4 pieces. Check the preparation instructions and allergen information on the packaging before serving to several guests.
Frequently asked questions
Does a rustic product name tell you anything about its fibre content?
No. Compare the nutritional information for each product instead. For its multigrain roll described here, PLUS lists 7 g of fibre per 100 g; for the white Korenlanders sourdough option described, it lists 2.29 g per 100 g. If a wholemeal base is important, check the ingredients too.
Are spelt, sourdough or multigrain rolls gluten-free?
Not based on those descriptions alone: the options described by PLUS contain wheat or other cereals with gluten. If a guest eats gluten-free, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergens on the label.
How much time should I allow for baking?
It depends on the product and appliance. Albert Heijn says the white rolls described need 8–10 minutes in the oven; for the Korenlanders options described, PLUS gives a baking time of 6–8 minutes in the oven or 4 minutes in an air fryer. Follow the instructions on the pack you choose and consider how many rolls will fit in the appliance at once.
Does every roll contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product name. Check the ingredients list for terms such as baker’s salt or iodised salt, and don’t assume all rolls have the same ingredients.
How can I avoid having rolls left over after lunch?
Match the number of packs to the expected number of diners and follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. Pay particular attention to the instructions for frozen rolls after defrosting: for the option described, Jumbo says they should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours and not refrozen.