Wholemeal Bread for Topped Bites: Coarse or Thickly Sliced?

Who is this relevant to?

If you’re making generously topped bites

You’re looking for wholemeal bread for open sandwiches or other topped bites. In that case, the grain texture and shape of the slices matter more than the name of the bread variety alone.

If you compare labels

You want to make sure the bread is wholemeal, then compare the nutritional information, such as fibre and salt per 100 g, across similar breads.

If you need to take allergens into account

You’re making bites for someone with coeliac disease, a wheat allergy or another relevant allergy. In that case, check the label on your chosen bread or the allergen information for unpackaged bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

What to look for	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Slice shape and texture	Look at the slices themselves and, if you want a coarse texture, check for ingredients such as cracked or popped wheat. ‘Coarse’ isn’t a measure of slice thickness.	For generously topped bites, I want slices that work with my toppings. Around 46% of consumers prioritise a practical, sturdy base.
Wholemeal status and nutritional information	Check that the bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’ and compare fibre and salt per 100 g across similar breads.	I don’t want to judge by the colour of the bread; I want to be able to compare what’s in it. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this when choosing from labels.
Allergens	Read the current label or ask for allergen information before buying unpackaged bread. Ordinary wholemeal wheat bread is not a gluten-free alternative.	If my guest has an allergy, I want to know whether this particular bread is suitable before I serve it. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this check.

Common mistakes

Assuming ‘coarse’ means ‘thickly sliced’

A coarse grain mix doesn’t tell you how thick each slice is. The product name alone also doesn’t tell you whether the slices will work with your toppings.

Use ‘coarse’ to find the texture you want, then check the slices separately on the packaging, in the product photo or in store.
Relying on a product page you viewed earlier

A bread variety you saw online may not be available at your chosen store or when you place your order.

Check current availability before you shop, and reassess any alternative by checking its label, ingredients and slice shape.
Skipping the allergen check because it says ‘wholemeal’

‘Wholemeal’ doesn’t mean a bread is suitable for someone with coeliac disease or an allergy. Ingredients and allergens can vary from one loaf to another.

Check the current label for the specific product. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before you buy it.
Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt

The Dutch Government Gazette describes an agreement that encourages the use of iodised salt in bread. It doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a particular loaf.

If this matters to your choice, read the ingredients list on the bread you want to buy.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Boeren grof volkorenbrood heel is one example of a coarse wholemeal variety.

Albert Heijn lists cracked wheat and popped wheat as ingredients in this variety.
Check whether this variety is available and assess the slice shape separately.

Jumbo

Jumbo stocks products labelled Rond Grof Volkoren and Grof Volkorenbrood Heel.

Jumbo Rond Grof Volkoren lists cracked wheat in its ingredients.
Another Jumbo Grof Volkoren product page says the product is no longer available. Check the exact variety and slice shape.

PLUS

PLUS Grof volkoren heel is a whole loaf that lists cracked wheat as an ingredient.

PLUS also advises freezing this variety on the day of purchase.
Check the current label for ingredients and nutritional information; the product name doesn’t indicate slice thickness.

ALDI

ALDI lists products including sliced Boeren volkoren meergranenbrood and Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood heel.

Boeren volkoren meergranenbrood is explicitly described as sliced.
‘Sliced’ doesn’t specify slice thickness, so check the shape of the slices in the variety you choose.

Dirk

At Dirk, you can look for varieties such as Boeren volkoren and Vloerbrood volkoren.

The different product names give you a starting point for choosing a wholemeal variety.
Check the packaging of the exact product for ingredients, allergens and slice shape.

Lidl

Lidl describes Knip volkoren as sliced artisan bread weighing 800 g.

The product description makes clear that this variety is sold sliced.
Check the slice shape in store and refer to the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Joybuy products

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if bread is wholemeal?

Check whether the bread is labelled ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; a brown colour alone doesn’t mean a loaf is wholemeal.

What if my guest has coeliac disease or a wheat allergy?

Don’t choose ordinary wholemeal wheat bread as an alternative to bread suitable for their dietary requirements. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product, and ask for allergen information before buying unpackaged bread. Don’t rely on a general bread name alone.

Can I freeze bread for a small number of bites?

You can if the storage instructions for your chosen bread allow it. PLUS recommends freezing Grof volkoren heel on the day of purchase; check the packaging for any other bread.

Does Dutch bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume this is the case for every loaf. The Dutch Government Gazette describes an agreement that encourages the use of iodised salt; to check what’s in a particular loaf, read the ingredients list.