Guests who want to help themselves quickly
If everyone wants to make their own sandwich during the barbecue, pre-sliced white bread saves you from having to cut it first. Check the packaging to make sure the variety you’ve chosen is sliced.
Which type of bread is right for you?
Those who want to choose the slice thickness
With a whole or half loaf of white bread, you can tailor the slices to the toppings. Jumbo, Albert Heijn, PLUS and ALDI offer these types of loaf; just remember that you’ll need to slice the bread before serving.
Planners who may have bread left over
If you’re buying bread for more than one meal, you can freeze any portions you won’t use straight away. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions and notes that it can dry out if stored for longer.
What should you look for when choosing?
Pre-sliced white bread
Best if: guests want to make their own sandwiches straight away.
The trade-off: the slice thickness and portion size are already set. Check the variety you’ve chosen if you’re looking for medium-thick slices.
A whole or half loaf of white bread
Best if: you want to choose the slice thickness to suit the toppings.
The trade-off: you’ll need a bread knife, chopping board and time to prepare it.
White rolls or bake-at-home baguettes
Best if: you’d rather serve individual rolls or baguettes than sliced bread.
The trade-off: check whether the product needs to be sliced open or baked before serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to serve | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the slices will work with your chosen toppings. | If guests want to help themselves to a sandwich, I don’t want to be slicing bread during the barbecue. This convenience is the top priority for around 44% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose an amount that suits your group and read the storage instructions on the packaging. | If there might be bread left over, I only want to defrost what I’ll use later. Planning the quantity is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact product you’ve chosen. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly which bread I’m serving. Checking the label matters most to around 23% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a whole loaf for guests to help themselves
A whole or half loaf lets you choose the slice thickness, but you’ll need to cut it before guests can help themselves.
If serving bread without any slicing is your priority, choose a variety that’s clearly labelled as sliced.
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Assuming you know the allergens from the name ‘white bread’
Ingredients vary by product. A white bread product from Jumbo lists wheat and also names several other allergens it may contain.
Check the current allergen information on the packaging just before buying and serving.
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Leaving it until after the barbecue to decide what to do with leftovers
If you buy more bread than you’ll use straight away, you’ll also need to decide what to do with the rest. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bread can dry out if stored in the freezer for longer.
If you want to use the bread later, divide it into portions and freeze them as soon as you’ve bought it.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers sliced, whole and half loaves of white bread, as well as a separate category for baguettes and ciabatta.
- Handy for comparing different types of bread for the same barbecue.
- Check whether each product is sliced and whether the slice thickness suits your preference.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers products including half loaves of casino white bread, whole loaves of white bread and round white bread.
- A product page may include nutritional information per slice; one Jumbo white bread product lists a slice weighing 35 g.
- The weight of that slice doesn’t tell you the slice thickness of other loaves.
Lidl
Lidl’s bread range includes oven-fresh bread, pre-packed bread, soft rolls and bake-at-home bread.
- You can consider different types of bread to serve at your barbecue.
- Lidl notes that its fresh bread range may vary by store.
ALDI
ALDI’s fresh daily bread range includes whole and half loaves of white bread, casino white bread and white rolls.
- Whole loaves, half loaves and individual rolls give you different portion options.
- Check whether the bread you choose is already sliced.
PLUS
PLUS offers a range of white breads, including farmhouse white and casino white.
- Product information can help you compare the type of bread and its ingredients.
- PLUS warns that ingredients and allergen information may change, so check the current packaging.
Dirk
Dirk offers products including casino white bread, white schnitt rolls, burger buns and white bake-at-home baguettes.
- The different types make it easy to compare sliced bread, rolls and bake-at-home bread.
- The type of product alone doesn’t confirm that a white loaf has medium-thick slices.
White rolls at Joybuy
These white rolls are an option if you’d rather serve rolls than pre-sliced bread at your barbecue. Check whether you’ll need to slice them open.
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g'woon White Rolls, 4 pcs, 300g
A roll option for the barbecue if you don’t need pre-sliced bread.
The pack contains 4 pcs and weighs 300g. Check the packaging to see whether the rolls are already sliced open, and if you have allergies, read the latest information about cereals containing gluten and sesame.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do with white bread left over after the barbecue?
Ideally, freeze any portions you won’t use straight away on the day you buy the bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. Bear in mind that it can dry out if stored for longer, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
Do I need to check the allergens in white bread?
Yes. Check the current packaging if allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements are a concern. A Jumbo white bread product contains wheat and, according to its product information, may also contain milk, nuts, sesame and soya. This doesn’t tell you which allergens are present in every other white bread product.
Can I tell how much iodine a loaf contains from the words ‘baker’s salt’?
No. The words ‘baker’s salt’ alone don’t tell you how much iodine is in a loaf. Check the information for the specific product if the iodine content matters to your choice.