Who is this guide for?

Everyday savoury breakfast eaters

If you eat rye bread regularly, compare the pack weight, number of slices and bread style to find a pack that suits your breakfast routine.

Shoppers looking for wholegrain rye and fibre

If the recipe matters to you, the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g give you a clearer picture than the bread style name alone.

Shoppers who read labels carefully

If you need to avoid gluten or other allergens, or are keeping an eye on salt and iodised salt, check the information on the current packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, rye contains gluten.

What to look for in rye bread

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Quantity per pack Check the net weight and number of slices in similar bread styles. If I eat a savoury breakfast every day, I want to know how many slices are in a pack. For around 36% of consumers, the quantity per pack is the most important factor.
Wholegrain rye and fibre Read the ingredients list and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. If you’re specifically looking for wholegrain rye, you’ll want to assess the recipe and nutritional information. For around 29% of consumers, wholegrain recipes and fibre come first.
Bread style See whether Frisian, Limburg, Oberländer or another style suits the savoury breakfast you want to make. If a bread style doesn’t go with my toppings, I won’t want to eat it regularly. For around 21% of consumers, their preferred style is the deciding factor.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current packaging for gluten-containing cereals, other relevant allergens, salt and any mention of iodised salt. If I need to avoid an ingredient or am checking the type of salt, I read the label first. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label is their first consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing a smaller pack without checking the quantity

    Pack sizes can vary considerably: Jumbo lists a 250 g pack of Bolletje, PLUS a 400 g pack of Soma and Dirk a 500 g pack of Van Dijk. So one pack won’t necessarily last for the same number of breakfasts as another.

    Check the net weight and number of slices before buying several packs of a particular bread style.

  • Treating different styles of rye bread as the same product

    Frisian, Limburg, Oberländer, Westphalian, multigrain and wholegrain refer to different styles or recipes. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular option will go well with your savoury toppings.

    Choose your preferred style first, then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of the options you’d actually eat.

  • Assuming rye bread is gluten-free if it contains no wheat

    Rye itself contains gluten, according to the Voedingscentrum. So ordinary rye bread isn’t gluten-free just because it contains no wheat.

    If you need a gluten-free product, check that the one you choose is explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the current packaging.

  • Assuming all rye bread contains iodised salt

    The Voedingscentrum says bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. The type of salt can therefore vary from one loaf to another.

    Read the ingredients list if iodised salt matters to you. For unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.

Supermarkets as a guide

These supermarkets offer different types of rye bread. Always check the information for the specific product you’re considering.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online rye bread category, with product pages for Van Dijk, Bolletje, Hollandia and AH Brabant rye bread, among others.

  • You can look at different bread styles and product labels.
  • Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so check the packaging you buy too.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists its own rye bread options, including Oberländer and Tarwe Roggebrood Mehrkorn in 500 g packs.

  • The different names make it easier to search for the style you want.
  • Mehrkorn and Oberländer aren’t necessarily made to the same recipe, so check the ingredients of the option you choose.

Lidl

Lidl describes its rye bread as available in wholegrain and Westphalian 500 g options.

  • These two styles give you a clear starting point when choosing in store.
  • Check which option is available in your local store and read the label on that pack.

ALDI

ALDI lists FINEST BAKERY rye bread in a 500 g pack.

  • The stated pack weight is useful when comparing pack sizes.
  • The product page says ‘while stocks last’, so check availability before you count on finding it.

PLUS

PLUS lists GIJS Frisian rye bread and Soma options in wholegrain and Limburg styles, among others.

  • Product pages provide ingredients, allergen and nutritional information for the options listed.
  • Use the information for the exact option you choose, as the styles and recipes differ.

Dirk

Dirk stocks Van Dijk’s 500 g Frisian rye bread, Soma 400 g Oberländer and Bolletje rye bread, among other options.

  • The products listed offer different styles and pack sizes to consider.
  • Check the bread style, ingredients and quantity for each product before choosing.

Rye bread on Joybuy

These two rye breads are options to consider for a savoury breakfast. Compare their packaging and current label information with the style of bread you’re looking for.

TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces

TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces

An option to consider if you’re looking for a pack of nine pieces for your savoury breakfast. Check the net weight, ingredients and nutritional information on the current packaging before deciding.

View on Joybuy
Bolletje rye bread Bun, 500 g

Bolletje rye bread Bun, 500 g

An option to consider if a 500 g pack suits your breakfast routine. Check the current ingredients, allergens and nutritional information before choosing this product.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare packs of rye bread in different sizes?

Compare the net weight and number of slices, but start with bread styles you’d both be happy to eat for a savoury breakfast. A 400 g pack and a 500 g pack won’t necessarily give you the same number of portions.

Is rye bread gluten-free if it contains no wheat?

No. Rye itself contains gluten, according to the Voedingscentrum. If you need a gluten-free product, check that it is explicitly labelled gluten-free and read the current packaging.

Does all rye bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. Bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, according to the Voedingscentrum. For packaged bread, read the ingredients list. For example, PLUS lists iodised salt for the Soma options mentioned.

How should I store an opened pack of rye bread?

Follow the storage instructions on your product’s packaging. PLUS advises storing the Soma products mentioned in a cool, dry and dark place, while Jumbo says one Bolletje option should be sealed and kept in the fridge after opening.