Want to make generously filled sandwiches at your holiday home? Choose bread whose slice thickness you can control, or a whole loaf that you can slice yourself. Choose a half or whole loaf to suit the number of people and the length of your stay. Part-baked bread is only practical if you have the right equipment and enough time. Always check the details of the specific product if you have dietary requirements or need to check its nutritional information.
If you like to pile plenty of filling into your sandwiches, you’ll want to check that the slices are thick enough for your lunch. With a whole loaf, you can choose the thickness yourself, as long as you have a bread knife.
Ready-to-eat bread is handy for a quick breakfast or lunch. Part-baked bread takes preparation and suitable oven or air fryer space.
If you have an allergy or a specific ingredient preference, the information for the exact loaf matters. If the use of iodised baker’s salt is relevant to your choice, check which type of salt has been used.
First decide whether you want bread that’s ready to eat or would rather slice and bake it yourself. Then check the slice thickness, loaf size and product information that matter to your group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Look at the slices of the specific loaf, or choose a whole loaf to slice yourself. The word ‘hearty’ doesn’t indicate a set slice thickness. | If I want to add plenty of filling to my sandwiches, I want to see in advance how thick I can slice them. For around 40% of consumers, this is the most important thing to check. |
| Type and size of loaf | Check the type of bread for the exact product and choose a half or whole loaf based on the number of people and the length of your stay. | If you’re making breakfast and lunch over several days, the type of bread may matter more than the thickness of a single slice. That’s the first consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Before buying, check whether the bread is ready to eat or needs baking, and whether you have the necessary equipment. | I don’t want to rely on part-baked bread in a holiday home without a suitable oven. For around 20% of consumers, ease of preparation comes first. |
| Ingredients | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf; check which type of salt has been used if necessary. | If I need to avoid an ingredient or allergen, I need to be able to check each loaf individually. For around 10% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
Those words don’t specify the slice thickness, so the slices may not be as thick as you expected for generous fillings.
Look at the bread or check the product information, and ask about the slices if you’re unsure. With a whole loaf, you can choose the thickness yourself.
Part-baked bread requires equipment and preparation, which may not suit the kitchen or schedule at your holiday home.
Check in advance which oven or air fryer you can use. Choose ready-to-eat bread if baking isn’t an option.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that bakers in the Netherlands aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you which salt a product contains.
Check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask which salt has been used for unpackaged bread.
Ingredients and allergen information can change from one product to another. Albert Heijn notes in its product information that it’s important to check the packaging too.
Check the latest information for the exact loaf you choose every time you buy.
These retailers’ ranges give you a starting point for comparing types of bread, sizes and preparation methods. Always check the slice thickness and product information for the loaf you want to buy.
Albert Heijn lists whole and sliced loaves online.
Jumbo lists whole and half loaves, including varieties with ‘Hearty’ in the name.
Lidl lists freshly baked bread and part-baked bread as options.
ALDI describes daily fresh bread, freshly baked bread and bread rolls to bake at home.
PLUS lists bread online and offers delivery or collection from a PLUS store.
Dirk lists wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough bread, as well as half and whole loaves and part-baked bread.
These two round loaves are for anyone who wants to choose their own slice thickness after baking. They need to be defrosted and baked, so only choose them if you have a suitable oven and enough time to prepare them at your holiday home.
Image unavailable
Once baked, you can slice this whole round loaf to your preferred thickness.
A 550 g multigrain loaf. Defrost and bake it before eating; check the baking instructions on the packaging. If you’re planning to add heavy or moist fillings, check the loaf itself to see how well it will work.
Image unavailable
Once baked, this whole round loaf lets you choose the slice thickness yourself.
A 550 g Whole Wheat variety. Defrost and bake it before eating, following the instructions on the packaging. If you’re planning to add generous or moist fillings, don’t rely on the name alone—check the slices too.
Check the slices of the specific loaf; terms such as ‘hearty’ don’t indicate a set slice thickness. Look at the bread or its product information, or choose a whole loaf you can slice yourself with a bread knife.
Part-baked bread is a good option if you have suitable equipment and time to prepare it. ALDI, for example, lists bread rolls to bake in an oven or air fryer. Always check the instructions for the product you buy.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, even though bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. Check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask which salt has been used for unpackaged bread.
Use the latest allergen information for the exact loaf you’re buying. Lidl publishes information for its freshly baked range; check when you buy that it applies to the variety you’ve chosen.
Choose a size to suit the number of people and the breakfasts and lunches you’re planning. A half loaf can help reduce leftovers on a short stay. If you want to cut your own thick slices, check that the variety you choose is unsliced.
