If you’re cooking for a larger Christmas gathering
You’ll want enough rye bread for the dishes you’ve planned, so check the pack weight and the number of slices or portions.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re serving rye bread with a sharing board or soup
You’re looking for a texture that works with your toppings or soup, and choosing between compact Frisian rye bread and other rye and wheat or multigrain varieties.
If you’re checking the label for your guests
You’ll want to know which grains and potential allergens are listed on the pack. If iodised salt matters to your diet, check for it on each product too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much rye bread you want to serve. Then choose a bread style and check the label of the variety you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Check the pack weight and, where listed, the number of slices or portions. | If I’m catering for several guests, I want enough rye bread without having lots left over. Around 40% of consumers prioritise having enough portions. |
| Bread style | Check which grains and, if applicable, seeds have been used; compare the nutritional information per 100 g if fibre is part of your decision. | For a sharing board or to serve with soup, I look for a texture that suits my toppings and dishes. Bread style is the deciding factor for around 30% of consumers. |
| Label | Check the ingredients and allergen information; if needed, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt too. | If guests need to avoid certain grains, I want to check what’s in the bread before buying. For around 30% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming rye bread contains only rye
A rye bread variety may also contain wheat, while multigrain varieties may include other grains too. The product name doesn’t tell you which grains are in the pack.
If guests have relevant allergies or other dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.
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Assuming all rye bread is made with baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it’s present just from the type of bread.
If it matters to your diet, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the label. For unpackaged bread, ask the seller.
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Buying extra packs without a storage plan
Once opened, storage instructions and shelf life may differ from those for an unopened pack.
Choose an amount that suits the number of guests and follow the pack’s storage instructions once opened.
Opened bread that goes unused may otherwise go to waste.
Brands to compare
Bolletje
Bolletje’s Frisian rye bread comes in a 500 g pack and is an example of a traditional rye bread style.
- PLUS states that this variety is made with 100% wholegrain rye and contains no preservatives.
- The product information lists rye and wheat. Once opened, this bread should be sealed and kept in the fridge.
Van Dijk
Van Dijk Rye Bread is a Frisian rye bread option if you’d like to serve sliced bread.
- Albert Heijn lists ten slices in the 500 g pack.
- The product information lists rye and wheat; check the pack if the ingredients matter to your guests.
Soma
PLUS stocks several Soma rye bread styles, including wholegrain and Frisian rye bread.
- The product information for Soma Wholegrain Rye Bread lists wholegrain rye flour, cracked rye and iodised salt.
- Ingredients and potential allergens vary by variety, so check the label on the pack you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers rye and wheat varieties, including Mehrkorn and Oberländer, if you want to compare different bread styles.
- The ingredients information for Jumbo Mehrkorn lists flaxseed, sunflower seeds and oat flakes, among other things.
- Check the gluten-containing grains and other allergens for each variety; the ingredients in Mehrkorn aren’t necessarily the same as those in Oberländer.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range includes several rye bread styles, including Frisian and Brabant rye bread.
- Albert Heijn describes AH Brabant Rye Bread as thinly sliced rye and wheat bread and gives storage instructions for freezing this variety.
- Check the specific variety you want to buy for ingredients, storage instructions and availability.
Rye bread on Joybuy
You can compare these two rye bread products with the portion size and bread style you’re looking for. Check the latest product information before choosing, especially if the shape of the loaf or allergens matter to you.
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TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
An option if you’re looking for a pack with a stated number of pieces as you plan your Christmas table. The product name lists 9 pieces; check how they’re served and, if relevant to your guests’ allergies, read the label on the pack.
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Bolletje rye bread bun, 500 g
An option if you want to work out how much rye bread you’ll need from a 500 g pack for your Christmas table. Before buying, check that the bread shape and portion size suit the way you want to serve it; the product information uses different descriptions.
Frequently asked questions
Does rye bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt; for unpackaged bread, you can ask the seller.
Can someone who needs to avoid gluten-containing grains eat rye bread?
Don’t assume that rye bread is suitable: rye itself is a gluten-containing grain, and a variety may contain other grains too. Check the specific grains and any warnings about traces on the pack; the NVWA explains how gluten-containing grains are listed on labels.
How should I store rye bread until Christmas dinner?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose, including after opening. PLUS states that Bolletje Frisian rye bread has a limited shelf life once opened and should be sealed and kept in the fridge; instructions for one variety don’t necessarily apply to another rye bread.