For an Easter breakfast or brunch, a whole or sliced wholemeal loaf makes a practical base if you want to serve a range of toppings. Choose bake-at-home bread if serving time and available oven space are your main considerations; crispbread or flatbread offers a different way to serve bread. For each specific product, check the wholemeal labelling, nutritional information and allergens on the current packaging.
You want to serve wholemeal bread and compare the product description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is high in fibre; a loaf’s colour doesn’t tell you how much fibre it contains.
You’re looking for bread that you can serve with a variety of toppings. The choice between a whole loaf, sliced bread or another shape also depends on what your guests prefer. If any guests need to avoid allergens, always check the packaging of the product you choose.
You want to have bread ready in time without preparing more than you need. Storage instructions and the time needed to defrost or bake the bread determine whether fresh, freezable or bake-at-home bread suits your serving plans.
First decide whether you want to serve soft bread, a crisp alternative or bread to bake at home. Then compare the details of the products you’re considering for your table.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the product description and ingredients; compare fibre on the same basis, preferably per 100 g. | If I’m looking specifically for wholemeal bread for brunch, I don’t want to judge it by its dark colour. For around 37% of consumers, choosing wholemeal and fibre is the top priority. |
| Shape and texture | Choose between a whole loaf, sliced bread, flatbread or crispbread based on the toppings and how you plan to serve it. | When I’m serving a range of toppings, I want to put out bread my guests will enjoy. Around 27% of consumers prioritise how easy it is to serve. |
| Allergens | Check the current ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the exact packaging. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check which bread is suitable. This is the main concern for around 18% of consumers. |
| Storage and preparation | Read the storage and preparation instructions, and allow for defrosting time and oven space. | If I’m organising the bread in advance, I want to know whether it’ll be ready at the planned time. For around 18% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means that a loaf contains at least three types of grain. On its own, this label doesn’t prove that the bread is wholemeal.
Look for the wholemeal description, and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g of the bread you want to buy.
Ingredients and allergens vary between breads and can change for an individual product. So the type or appearance of a loaf is no substitute for checking the information on the current packaging.
Read the allergen information for the bread you buy before serving it. For unpackaged bread, ask for information about the specific product; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergen information must be provided to consumers.
Bread that needs defrosting and baking requires a different schedule from bread you can serve immediately.
Check the packaging instructions before choosing, and think about when your oven will be available.
Also consider how much storage space the bread needs and the preparation involved just before brunch.
These product examples show which label details you can compare; information about one loaf doesn’t automatically apply to other breads from the same brand.
AH Round Wholemeal is an example of a wholemeal wheat loaf for brunch.
ALDI Extra High-Fibre Wholemeal Bread is a product you can compare with other wholemeal breads for fibre content.
PLUS Farmhouse Wholemeal is an example of a wholemeal loaf with nutritional information available.
Bakker van der Akker Farmhouse Wholemeal is an example of a whole loaf to compare with other wholemeal breads.
These options range from Lebanese flatbread and crispbread to rye bread and wholemeal bread to bake at home. First choose the type of bread you want to serve, then check the packaging of your chosen product for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Image unavailable
A flatbread option if you’d like to serve bread with dips or toppings at brunch.
According to the product name, the pack contains six pieces. Check the current allergen information: the product details list wheat and gluten, and possible traces of soya and milk.
Image unavailable
A crisp alternative to softer bread when you want to serve toppings on individual pieces.
This is crispbread, not soft brunch bread. Check the current packaging carefully if allergens are a concern; the product information lists several allergens.
Image unavailable
A rye option for anyone who wants to serve rye bread alongside other types of bread.
Check the shape of this product before buying: the title suggests a bread roll, while the description refers to sliced rye bread. Also check the current information about wheat, rye and gluten.
Image unavailable
Two loaves to bake at home if you want to plan ahead for a larger brunch.
The product name specifies two loaves of 550 g each. Allow time for defrosting and oven use; check the preparation instructions on the packaging, as the baking times listed differ.
Image unavailable
A whole loaf to bake at home if you have oven space just before serving.
The product name specifies 550 g. The product information describes defrosting and baking; follow the instructions on the current packaging for preparation and storage.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ means a loaf contains at least three types of grain; it doesn’t mean the bread is automatically wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients of the bread you choose for Easter.
Yes. If allergens matter to one of your guests, check the current information for the exact bread. Read both the ingredients and any warnings on the packaging; for unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information.
You can’t tell from the wholemeal description. For example, AH Round Wholemeal lists iodised salt, but check the ingredients list for every other loaf.
Yes, as long as the storage and preparation instructions for the bread you choose fit your plans. Albert Heijn says that AH Round Wholemeal can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; bake-at-home bread also needs time to defrost and bake. Always follow the instructions on the packaging of the bread you buy.
