Host catering for fussy eaters
If not everyone at the table wants the same bread with their split pea soup, serve white and wholemeal rolls separately so they’re easy to tell apart. Everyone can then choose the type they prefer.
Who might this choice matter to?
Fibre-conscious soup lover
If you’re looking for a roll with a wholemeal base, look beyond the name on the front of the pack. The ingredients and fibre per 100 g can help you compare specific products.
Planning a hot soup meal
If you want to bake the rolls just before eating, the pack instructions will tell you when to get started. For frozen rolls, you’ll also need to check the defrosting and storage instructions.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether your choice of rolls for split pea soup will be guided by different tastes, a confirmed wholemeal base or when you plan to serve the meal. Then check the packaging of the rolls you want to buy.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Different preferences | Choose white and wholemeal rolls separately, and keep the two types clearly distinguishable. | If not everyone at the table wants the same bread, I can offer both types without choosing for anyone else. For around 33% of consumers, having that choice comes first. |
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Read the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g shown on the pack; assess multigrain rolls individually. | I want to know whether my roll genuinely has a wholemeal base, even if it says ‘multigrain’ on the pack. Around 42% of consumers say this clarity is their top priority. |
| Serving warm | Check the cooking time and, for frozen products, the instructions for after defrosting. | When the soup is nearly ready, I want to know when the rolls need to go in the oven or air fryer. Timing is the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
| Where to shop | See which type is available at your chosen shop, then check the packaging of the specific product. | I want to be able to choose white or wholemeal rolls as part of my usual shop. For around 8% of consumers, this practical choice of shop matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
Multigrain refers to different types of grain; it doesn’t necessarily mean the product has a wholemeal base. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain.
Read the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g. For example, PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g for its multigrain rolls. Check other rolls against their own packaging.
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Assuming every roll contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it has been used just from the labels white, wholemeal or multigrain.
For packaged rolls, check the ingredients for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.
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Defrosting frozen rolls without planning when to serve them
According to the product information, Jumbo Frozen White Rolls must not be refrozen after defrosting and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours.
Read the instructions for your chosen product before taking rolls out of the freezer, and make sure you have the right amount for your soup meal.
If you defrost rolls but don’t use them in line with the storage and preparation instructions, you may not be able to keep them for another soup meal.
Brands and places to shop for inspiration
Albert Heijn
The individual AH White Roll and AH Wholemeal Roll make it easy to compare the same type of product; according to Albert Heijn, both weigh 70 g each.
- Albert Heijn lists 100% wholemeal flour and 7.1 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholemeal version, compared with wheat flour and 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g for the white version.
- Both versions contain wheat and gluten. Check the current packaging, including for information about iodised salt.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers several types of bake-at-home and frozen rolls, including white and multigrain varieties.
- The frozen white rolls are an option if you want to plan when to serve them with your split pea soup.
- According to Jumbo, this frozen variety must not be refrozen after defrosting and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours.
PLUS
PLUS offers white and multigrain bake-at-home rolls in 300 g bags, so you can compare them pack by pack.
- PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g for the multigrain version; the white version contains wheat flour and 2.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The multigrain version contains several gluten-containing grains and may also contain soya, milk and sesame. If you have allergies, check the current packaging.
Dirk / 1 de Beste
Dirk offers white and multigrain rolls from 1 de Beste, both sold in packs of four.
- You can choose between a white variety and one made with a mix of grains within the same product range.
- Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details on the pack before treating the multigrain version as a wholemeal option.
ALDI
ALDI offers an individual white roll for anyone at the table who prefers white bread.
- Buying rolls individually makes it easy to include white rolls alongside other types.
- Check the current ingredients, allergen information and nutritional details for the roll before using them to make your choice.
Lidl
Lidl offers bread rolls, bread baps and bake-at-home bread in its bakery range.
- The shop is one place to look for rolls to serve with split pea soup.
- Check the specific product to see whether it’s a crusty roll and which ingredients and allergens are listed.
A white roll for the bread basket
This white roll is a good fit for the part of the bread basket set aside for anyone who prefers white bread. If you want to offer both white and wholemeal, choose a separate roll with a confirmed wholemeal base.
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g'woon White Rustic Pistolet, 4 rolls
A white option for a table where you also want to offer wholemeal rolls separately.
Pack size: 4 rolls. If you want to serve them warm, check the preparation instructions on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose white, wholemeal or multigrain rolls with split pea soup?
Serve white and wholemeal rolls side by side if people at the table have different preferences. If you want just one type and a wholemeal base matters most to you, read the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g; you’ll need to check multigrain rolls in the same way.
Is a multigrain roll also wholemeal?
Not necessarily: ‘multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t mean the same thing. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. Check the pack to see which flours and how much fibre a specific roll contains.
Does bread have to contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt. For packaged rolls, look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ in the ingredients list; if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask.
When should bake-at-home rolls go in the oven?
Follow the instructions on the pack you choose. PLUS recommends baking its white and multigrain rolls for 8–10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C, or for 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 200 °C. These timings don’t necessarily apply to other products.
What should I look out for if I have allergies?
Check the current allergen information for every roll you serve. The AH white and wholemeal rolls described contain wheat and gluten; the PLUS multigrain rolls described contain wheat, rye, barley and oats, and may also contain soya, milk and sesame.