Who are these options for?

Families shopping for several people

If the number of people having lunch varies, it helps to work out in advance how many rolls you need. Compare individual rolls with the number in a pack, and think about what you could do with any leftovers.

Lunch planners with an oven or air fryer

Part-baked rolls are a good fit for a lunch you can prepare in advance. Check each pack to see which appliance you need and how long baking takes; not every product can be prepared in an air fryer.

Shoppers looking for wholemeal and fibre

If you’re looking for a wholemeal roll, don’t rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. Check the product description, ingredients and nutritional information, including the fibre per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.

What should you consider when choosing rolls for lunch?

First, work out how many rolls you need for lunch. Then choose between rolls you can eat straight away, baking them yourself or keeping them in the freezer.

Individual rolls

A good fit for: a lunch when you want to buy only the number of rolls you need.

Bear in mind: individual rolls leave you with less in reserve if extra people join you.

Part-baked rolls

A good fit for: a planned lunch when you can bake several rolls yourself.

Bear in mind: you’ll need time to prepare them and the appliance specified on the pack.

Frozen rolls

A good fit for: lunches when you want to keep some rolls in reserve and have freezer space.

Bear in mind: after defrosting, follow the preparation and storage instructions for the specific product.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to most
Getting the quantity right Count the rolls and, for packs, check the weight too. Think about how many you’ll use for this lunch. If I’m making lunch for several people, I want enough rolls without unused leftovers; getting the quantity right is the main concern for around 42% of consumers.
Preparation and storage Check which appliance you need, the preparation time and the storage instructions. For frozen rolls, also read what to do after defrosting. I want to be able to keep rolls for another school holiday lunch, but only if preparing them fits my schedule. Around 33% of consumers put this convenience first.
Wholemeal and ingredients Read the product description and ingredients; compare the fibre listed per 100 g for the specific products. If I’m specifically looking for a wholemeal roll, I want to be able to confirm that from the packaging rather than relying on the word ‘multigrain’. This product detail is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Counting only the number of packs

    Packs can vary in the number of rolls they contain and their weight. An extra pack may go unused if fewer people join you for lunch.

    First work out how many rolls you need, then check how many are in the pack.

  • Assuming every pack of part-baked rolls can go in the freezer

    Storage instructions vary by product. For example, Albert Heijn says its white part-baked rolls reviewed here are not suitable for home freezing.

    Check the packaging before keeping rolls for a later lunch. For frozen rolls, also follow the instructions for using them after defrosting.

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    The word ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you whether a roll is a wholemeal product.

    Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and, if needed, compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

  • Assuming every roll contains iodised salt

    What’s listed on one product label doesn’t tell you what’s in another roll.

    If you want to know which type of salt a specific product contains, check its current ingredients list.

Brands to consider

These examples show the types of products you might come across; always check the packaging of the variant you want to buy.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes its white part-baked rolls as a pack of four, weighing 300 g.

  • For this product, Albert Heijn recommends baking in the oven for 8–10 minutes at 220 °C.
  • Albert Heijn says this variant is not suitable for home freezing.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers, among other products, part-baked rolls and white frozen rolls.

  • The frozen variant gives you the option of keeping rolls for a later lunch.
  • For these frozen rolls, Jumbo says not to refreeze them after defrosting, and to prepare and eat them within 24 hours.

Lidl

Lidl describes 700 g packs of white rolls that you bake at home.

  • The product information lists a pack for anyone who wants to bake several rolls at once.
  • Lidl says this item is available in store only.

ALDI

ALDI offers freshly baked white rolls sold individually.

  • Buying them individually means you can take exactly the number you need.
  • If you’re looking for a specific type, check in store to see which variant is available.

PLUS

PLUS offers white part-baked rolls and a pre-baked wholemeal multigrain variant.

  • For its wholemeal multigrain variant, PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Preparation instructions and nutritional information apply to the specific variant, so check the product and packaging you choose.

Dirk

Dirk offers both packs of four white part-baked rolls and individual brown rolls.

  • These two ways of buying let you choose between a planned pack and a small number of individual rolls.
  • Check the weight, ingredients and in-store availability of each variant.

Rolls at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How many rolls should I buy for a school holiday lunch?

Start with the number of people eating and how many rolls you want to serve for this lunch. Then see whether individual rolls or the contents of a pack better suit that number, so you’re not left with unnecessary leftovers.

Can I freeze part-baked rolls for later?

Check the instructions for the specific product: not every pack of part-baked rolls is suitable for home freezing. Albert Heijn advises against freezing the white part-baked rolls reviewed here. For Jumbo’s white frozen rolls, don’t refreeze them after defrosting; prepare and eat them within 24 hours.

Is a multigrain roll also wholemeal?

Not necessarily: ‘multigrain’ alone doesn’t confirm that it’s made with wholemeal flour. Check the product description and ingredients. PLUS describes its multigrain rolls reviewed here as pre-baked wholemeal multigrain rolls and lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour.

How can I tell whether a roll contains iodised salt?

Read the ingredients list on the specific pack; don’t assume it’s the same across the product category. The Albert Heijn and PLUS rolls reviewed here list iodised salt, but that doesn’t tell you anything about other variants.

What should I check if I have a food allergy?

Check the allergen information on the current packaging for the specific product. The white rolls from Albert Heijn and PLUS reviewed here contain wheat and also state that they may contain other cereals and sesame; don’t assume the same applies to another variant.