Budget-conscious fakeaway cook
You’re looking for bread you can use for several filled sandwiches or rolls, without needing a distinctive crust or shape.
Who is this choice for?
Shopper who cares about crust and presentation
You want to serve bread with soup or dips, for example, and care more about its shape and crust than a simple tin loaf.
Label-conscious bread shopper
You want to check the ingredients, allergens or nutritional information for the specific bread you’ve chosen before adding it to your meal.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much bread you’ll need for your meal. Then choose the shape and crust you want, and check the label on the variety you’re actually buying.
| What to consider | Check when buying | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| How much bread | Whole or half loaf, weight and the number of portions you need. | If I’m making several sandwiches, I want to know whether one loaf will be enough. Around 45% of consumers put this first. |
| Shape and crust | Tin loaf, tiger bread or individual rolls; if it’s bake-at-home bread, check the preparation instructions too. | With soup or dips, I want bread I can serve in a suitable way, even if I have to bake it first. For around 36% of consumers, shape and crust are the main considerations. |
| Label | Ingredients and allergens; if needed, check fibre and salt per 100 g, and whether it contains baker’s salt or iodised salt. | I want to know whether this particular bread suits the ingredients I look out for. Label information comes first for around 19% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all whole loaves are the same size
A description such as ‘whole loaf’ doesn’t tell you how much bread you’ll have for your sandwiches or side dish.
Check the weight and work out how many portions you’ll need for your meal.
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Assuming all white bread contains baker’s salt
Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but according to the Voedingscentrum, not all bread is made with it.
Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients list. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask about the ingredients.
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Treating bake-at-home bread as ready to eat
Bake-at-home baguettes and some rolls need preparing before you can serve them.
Check the preparation instructions, and choose bread that’s ready to eat if you don’t want to bake it.
Defrosting or baking may take extra preparation time.
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Relying on the label of a different white loaf
Ingredients and allergen information can vary from product to product. The product information consulted from Jumbo and Albert Heijn does not list the same additional allergen information.
Read the packaging for the exact loaf you’re buying, especially if you need to avoid an ingredient.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Wit heel is an example of a whole white tin loaf for sandwiches.
- For this product, Albert Heijn lists the ingredients and says it can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
- Check the packaging again if the ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.
Jumbo
The Jumbo white bread reviewed is a standard loaf for anyone looking for a simple whole loaf.
- The product information lists ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and storage advice.
- This information applies to the product reviewed, not automatically to every white loaf from Jumbo.
Lidl
Lidl lists an 800 g white loaf as a shop product.
- The stated weight helps you decide whether the pack is right for the number of portions you need.
- For oven-fresh bread, check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.
ALDI
ALDI describes a whole white tin loaf and also lists white bake-at-home baguettes.
- This gives you the choice of a standard whole loaf or a bake-at-home option for your meal.
- According to ALDI, you’ll need an oven or air fryer for the bake-at-home baguettes.
PLUS
PLUS lists, among other options, a whole 800 g white loaf.
- The stated weight gives you a clearer idea of how much bread you’ll have for your meal.
- Check whether your chosen variety is available at your local shop, and read the current label.
Dirk
Bakker van der Akker Boeren tijger wit heel is a tiger white loaf for anyone who wants this style of bread with their meal.
- Dirk describes the product as fresh tiger white bread.
- Check the weight and product information before comparing it with another whole loaf.
Rolls and baguettes on Joybuy
This selection includes white baguettes, ciabatta and pistolets for anyone who wants to serve individual rolls or bread with a fakeaway meal. Check the packaging for preparation instructions and ingredients for each product.
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g'woon white baguette 220 g
A baguette-style loaf to serve with a meal. The stated weight is 220 g; check the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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G'Woon ciabattina with olive oil 240 g
A ciabattina for anyone looking for a roll to serve with a meal. The name mentions olive oil and 240 g; check the packaging for the ingredients and preparation instructions.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Ciabatta 4 × 135 g
Four individual ciabattas could be just right for sandwiches for several people. The product name lists four rolls of 135 g each; check the exact product details and the defrosting and baking instructions on the packaging.
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g'woon white baguettes 2 pieces, 300 g
Two baguettes to share around the table. The packaging states a total weight of 300 g; check whether the baguettes need to be baked before serving.
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g'woon white rustic pistolets 4 pieces
Four individual pistolets for serving smaller rolls. Check the total weight and preparation instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How does white bread compare with wholemeal bread?
According to the Voedingscentrum, white bread contains fewer nutrients than wholemeal or brown bread. If fibre matters to you, compare the nutritional information for the loaves you’re considering, as well as choosing a shape that suits your fakeaway meal.
Does all white bread contain baker’s salt?
No, not all bread is made with baker’s salt. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt is iodised; check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask about the type of salt used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Which allergens should I check for in white bread?
Check the allergen information for the exact loaf you’re buying. The Jumbo product information consulted lists wheat and possible traces of, among other things, milk, nuts, sesame and soya; the information for AH Wit heel lists different ingredients and allergens. So don’t rely on the label for a different product.
How should I store leftover white bread?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging for your loaf. Jumbo recommends storing the white bread reviewed in a cool, dry place away from light; Albert Heijn says AH Wit heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.