Anyone preparing topped bites
Pre-sliced rye bread means less cutting for you to do. Before the procession, check how many slices are in a pack and how to store it once opened.
Who is this relevant for?
Anyone looking for wholegrain rye and fibre
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. A light rye and wheat variety won’t necessarily have the same ingredients as rye bread sold as 100% wholegrain rye.
Anyone checking ingredients or allergens
Rye contains gluten, and some varieties we looked at also contain wheat or barley. Check the allergen information on every pack, and read the ingredients list if baker’s salt or preservatives matter to you.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what size of slice you want for your party bites. Then compare the ingredients and check for anything that matters to you or your guests.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice size | Check whether the bread is sliced, how many slices are in the pack and whether the thickness is specified. ‘Sliced’ doesn’t confirm that the slices are medium-thick. | For bites to serve around the procession, I want slices that are quick to top and hand out. Ease of serving is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain, fibre and flavour | Compare the ingredients, any claim that the bread is made with 100% wholegrain rye, and the fibre per 100 g. Also check whether it’s light, Frisian or dark rye bread. | If the ingredients are the deciding factor, I want to compare wholegrain rye and fibre without judging by colour alone. This is the most important consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including details about wheat and barley. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt if you want to avoid or identify it. | When I’m taking into account what guests can and can’t eat, I want to know which grains and other ingredients are in each pack. These checks are the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘sliced’ means ‘medium-sliced’
Products may be described as sliced, as having ten slices or as having twelve thin slices. That still doesn’t tell you whether they’re the right thickness for your toppings.
Check the slice description on the packaging. If you’re making bites for a larger group, try topping and portioning one pack first.
-
Assuming rye bread is gluten-free or wheat-free
Rye contains gluten. Some rye breads also contain wheat, so the product name alone won’t tell you which allergens are in a particular variety.
Read the allergen information on the pack you choose. For a gluten-free diet, only choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and take care to avoid contact with other foods when adding toppings.
-
Assuming all rye bread contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is made with baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s present just from the fact that a product is rye bread.
Check the ingredients list if baker’s salt matters to your choice.
-
Relying on a range you saw in store previously
A product you’ve looked at online may not be available at the branch or in the delivery area where you shop.
Check which variety you can buy shortly before the procession, and read the packaging again when you purchase it.
Brands compared
Bolletje
Worth considering if you want to compare light wholegrain rye bread with Frisian rye bread from the same brand.
- Jumbo describes Bolletje Licht Volkoren as sliced, with a lighter flavour and colour. Bolletje says its Frisian rye bread is made with 100% wholegrain rye.
- The light variety also contains wheat. Check which variety you’re actually buying and whether it’s available in your shop.
Van Dijk's
Worth considering if a stated slice count helps you plan how many topped portions to make.
- Jumbo lists ten slices in a 500 g pack of Van Dijk's Ambachtelijk Fries Roggebrood.
- This variety contains rye, wheat bran and preservatives, among other ingredients. Check the packaging for the latest ingredient information.
Hollandia
Worth considering if you’re looking for dark sourdough rye bread in thin slices.
- Albert Heijn describes Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem as a 500 g pack containing twelve thin slices, and states that it’s made with 100% wholegrain rye.
- The product also contains barley and cereals containing gluten. Check the label when you buy it, as product information can change.
Brood van Soma
Worth considering if you want to compare a sourdough Schwarzbrot variety with Frisian rye bread.
- PLUS sells Brood van Soma Schwarzbrot as rye bread made with sourdough.
- The variety we looked at lists wheat, wheat gluten, barley malt extract, sugar syrup, baker’s salt and preservatives, among other ingredients. Compare the ingredients for each product.
FINEST BAKERY
Worth considering if you’re looking at a 500 g pack of rye bread at ALDI.
- ALDI lists FINEST BAKERY Roggebrood in a 500 g pack.
- Check the label and slices in store if the ingredients, allergens or slice thickness will affect your choice.
Rye bread at Joybuy
This pre-sliced rye bread may be a good fit when preparing topped bites. If you’re specifically looking for medium-sliced rye bread, check the slice thickness on the packaging.
Image unavailable
TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
The pre-sliced portions can save you time when preparing topped bites. The product name states that there are nine pieces; before buying, check that the slice thickness works with the toppings you want to use.
Check the packaging for allergen information and storage advice once opened.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat rye bread if I need to follow a gluten-free diet?
Regular rye bread isn’t gluten-free: rye contains gluten, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains. For a gluten-free diet, only choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check the label. If you have a wheat allergy, you’ll also need to check each product for wheat.
Does rye bread always contain baker’s salt?
No, baker’s salt isn’t necessarily an ingredient. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is made with it. Check the ingredients list if it matters to your choice.
How should I store an opened pack of rye bread until the procession?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for the product you’ve chosen. The product information we checked for Bolletje and Hollandia, among others, recommends keeping the pack sealed in the fridge once opened. Don’t assume the same advice applies to another pack.
How do I work out how much rye bread I’ll need for party bites?
As well as checking the pack weight, look at the number and thickness of the slices and decide how large you want your bites to be. Jumbo lists ten slices per 500 g for Van Dijk's Fries Roggebrood, while Albert Heijn describes Hollandia dark sourdough as having twelve thin slices per 500 g.