Who is this choice for?

Small households who want to get the portions just right

If bread is a side dish, you may only want to buy one or two rolls. Buying them individually makes it easier to match the amount to your meal.

Home cooks who want to bake rolls just before serving

A pack of part-baked rolls can be a good fit if you plan the oven around your Sunday roast and have a use in mind for any leftovers.

People who take ingredients and fibre into account

As well as the number of rolls, you may want to compare white, wholemeal and multigrain options. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre than white grain products. Ingredients and allergens vary by product.

What should you look for when buying?

First, work out how many rolls you’ll need with your Sunday roast. Then decide whether you’d prefer to buy them fresh or bake them at home. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, compare the ingredients.

What to considerWhat to check when buyingWho it matters to
Portion size Check whether the rolls are sold individually or in packs of two or four, and read the storage advice in case you have any left over. I want to serve bread to one or two people without having an opened multipack left over. For around 46% of consumers, portion control is the top priority when making this choice.
Serving time For bake-at-home rolls, check the cooking method, temperature and timings on the exact pack. When the main course comes out of the oven, I want to know whether I’ll still have time to bake the rolls. Around 27% of consumers give serving time the highest priority.
Ingredients Compare wholemeal and multigrain options using the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g. Also check the allergens and whether iodised salt is listed. I want to know which grains and allergens the rolls contain, and how much fibre they provide. For around 27% of consumers, ingredients and nutritional information matter most.

Common mistakes

  • Buying a pack of four when you only need one or two rolls

    You may have rolls left over after a small meal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread among the product groups that Dutch households waste a lot.

    Decide in advance how many rolls you want to serve. Choose a single roll if that’s enough, or plan how you’ll use or store the rest according to the pack instructions.

  • Using the cooking time for a different product

    The part-baked rolls we looked at have different cooking times and oven temperatures. A time that works for one product may not suit another.

    Read the instructions on the pack you buy and fit baking the rolls around your Sunday roast.

  • Assuming multigrain, spelt or sourdough means gluten-free

    The PLUS multigrain and spelt rolls we looked at contain gluten-containing grains. Some varieties also list other allergens.

    Check the allergen information for the exact product. Don’t rely on the type of grain or the name of the preparation method alone.

  • Assuming every roll contains iodised salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory. The type of salt can therefore vary from one recipe to another.

    Read the ingredients list if the presence of iodised salt or baker’s salt matters to you.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

For a choice between an individual wholemeal roll and white part-baked rolls in a divisible pack of four.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the white rolls are packed in pairs within the divisible pack.
  • These white rolls need to be baked for 8–10 minutes and, according to the product page, aren’t suitable for home freezing.

Jumbo

An option if you’re planning to serve four white part-baked rolls with your meal.

  • The pack we looked at contains four rolls, each weighing 75 g.
  • Jumbo says to bake this product for 10–12 minutes at 200 °C. It contains wheat and gluten, and may contain milk and sesame.

PLUS

For comparing white, multigrain and spelt rolls in 300 g bags.

  • The multigrain variety we looked at lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour and 7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The multigrain and spelt varieties we looked at contain gluten-containing grains. Check the allergens for each variety.

Dirk

For white and rustic multigrain rolls in packs of four.

  • The white pack we looked at contains four rolls with a total weight of 300 g.
  • Check the information for the variety you choose to find out about fibre, allergens and the type of salt used.

ALDI

A shop option if a single white roll suits you better than a pack of four.

  • ALDI lists a white roll sold individually.
  • Check the current product information or the packaging in store for ingredients and allergens.

Lidl

A shop option for an individual white roll.

  • Lidl describes the white wheat roll we looked at as a product available in store.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens before you buy the roll.

Rolls at Joybuy

This pack of four white rolls is a good fit for a meal where you want to serve four. Check the cooking and storage instructions if you plan to serve the rolls at different times.

g'woon White Rustic Roll, pack of 4

g'woon White Rustic Roll, pack of 4

A pack for anyone who wants to serve four white rolls with their Sunday roast.

Before buying, check whether the rolls need baking and what storage advice applies to this pack.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are four rolls the same as half a loaf?

No. They’re four individual rolls, not a loaf sold as half a loaf. So decide how much you need based on the number of rolls you want to serve with your meal.

What should I choose if we only need one or two rolls?

Buying rolls individually is the most straightforward option if you only need one or two. If you do buy a pack of four, think ahead about when you’ll use the rest and follow the storage advice for that product.

Can I freeze any rolls left over?

It depends on the product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions straight after purchase, but Albert Heijn says the white rolls we looked at aren’t suitable for home freezing. So follow the instructions on the pack you buy.

Does every Dutch roll contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the specific roll to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.

Are multigrain or spelt rolls gluten-free?

Not necessarily. The PLUS multigrain and spelt rolls we looked at contain gluten-containing grains. Check the allergen information and only assume a product is gluten-free if the exact product is labelled as such.