For generous or moist toppings, choose a wholemeal loaf you can slice yourself so you can control the thickness. Pre-sliced coarse or firm wholemeal bread saves time, but those descriptions don’t guarantee thick slices: check the slice before you buy.
Planning to serve tomato, mozzarella, vegetables or spreads on a wholemeal base? Check whether you can slice the loaf yourself, or check the thickness of a pre-sliced loaf. A product name such as ‘coarse’ doesn’t tell you how much topping a slice can hold.
Pre-sliced wholemeal bread saves you the effort of slicing when making toast or topped appetisers. Just check that the slices are suitable for the amount of topping you plan to use.
As well as the slice, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the bread you choose. If iodised salt matters to you, check whether it’s listed on the packaging.
First decide how much topping the slices need to hold. Then choose between the convenience of pre-sliced bread and the freedom to slice it yourself, and compare the labels of the remaining options.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and toppings | Look at the actual slice or check whether you can slice the loaf yourself; ‘coarse’ and ‘firm’ don’t indicate slice thickness. | If I’m adding generous toppings such as tomato and mozzarella, I want to decide how thick the base should be. For around 50% of consumers, the slice is the top priority for these toppings. |
| Serving and sharing quickly | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced; for smaller appetisers, consider a wholemeal baguette that you can slice yourself. | If the appetisers need to be on the table quickly, I don’t want to have to divide a large loaf into equal portions first. Around 33% of consumers put convenience when serving first. |
| Label and nutritional information | Read the current ingredients and allergen information; compare fibre and salt per 100 g if they affect your choice. | When choosing bread for guests, I want to know which ingredients and allergens it contains. Around 17% of consumers put checking the label first. |
These words don’t automatically tell you how thick a slice is. The loaf may not be what you expected for generous toppings.
Look at a slice before you buy, or check whether you can slice the loaf yourself to your preferred thickness.
Wholemeal breads can vary in their ingredients, allergens and nutritional value. You’ll also need to check each loaf to see whether it contains iodised salt.
Read the current label for the variety you’ve chosen, especially if you’re considering which ingredients your guests can eat.
A loaf you find online may not be available at your local shop when you go to buy it.
Check what’s available just before you shop, and have an alternative type of bread in mind.
These brands offer different types of wholemeal bread to consider for Italian appetisers. For each specific loaf, check how it’s sliced, the thickness of the slices and the label.
Albert Heijn lists, among other options, a pre-sliced wholemeal batard with sunflower seeds and a whole wholemeal hearth loaf.
Jumbo lists options such as Round Coarse Wholemeal and Firm Wholemeal with Sunflower Seeds.
PLUS lists Coarse Wholemeal and a wholemeal baguette, two different shapes for topped slices or smaller appetisers.
ALDI describes a pre-sliced Fine Wholemeal loaf and a separate extra-fibre variety.
Dirk lists options such as wholemeal hearth bread and batard, giving you different shapes to compare.
Lidl describes a wholemeal loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
These round wholemeal loaves are suited to slicing your own bread for Italian appetisers. Allow time for the preparation needed before slicing, and decide for yourself whether the finished slices are suitable for your toppings.
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An option if you want to slice the bread for your appetisers yourself. The product name states that the pack contains two 550 g loaves; allow time to defrost, bake and cool the bread before slicing.
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An option if you want to slice your own bread for smaller Italian appetisers. Defrost the loaf first, bake it and let it cool; follow the packaging instructions for the baking time.
No. ‘Coarse’ is a product description, not a set slice thickness. Look at the slice or ask whether the loaf can be cut to your preferred thickness.
A wholemeal baguette is handy if you want to cut small slices; with a loaf you slice yourself, you can choose the size of larger slices. With either option, check the actual slice before adding generous toppings.
Look on the label of the specific loaf for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’, or ask the baker. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt, so don’t rely on the word ‘wholemeal’ alone.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you plan to serve. Products may contain ingredients other than wheat that matter to your guests; always refer to the current label.
