Which option is right for you?

If you want to cut thick slices yourself

For toast or generously topped sandwiches, you may want to choose the thickness of the slices yourself. Look for bread explicitly labelled unsliced, such as Albert Heijn’s Petit wholemeal variety.

If you’re looking for a coarser type of bread

A coarser type of bread may be your preference for savoury snacks. Albert Heijn offers Stevig grof volkoren, while Jumbo lists coarse and hearty varieties. Check separately whether your chosen loaf is sliced, and how.

If you want to make sandwiches quickly

If saving time matters more than controlling the slice thickness, explicitly labelled pre-sliced bread is an option. ALDI describes its Fijn volkoren as sliced for convenience.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to slice the bread yourself or top it straight away. Then check that it is labelled wholemeal, along with any other information that matters for your recipe and guests.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Slice thickness Look for unsliced. If it only says whole loaf, ask whether the bread has already been sliced. For generous toppings, I want to be able to cut the slices myself, even if that takes extra preparation. Around 36% of consumers would put control over slice thickness first.
Wholemeal and nutritional information Check that the product is labelled wholemeal bread. Compare fibre per 100 g only between specific products using the same nutritional basis. For an Easter brunch, I don’t want to judge by a dark crust alone; I want to know what bread I’m buying. Around 29% of consumers would make the wholemeal label and nutritional information their top priority.
Ease of preparation Check whether the bread is explicitly labelled as sliced and whether it needs any preparation before serving. If there’s a lot to put on the table at once, I want to be able to top the slices straight away and am happy to use the thickness they come in. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this convenience.
Storage Check the storage instructions and consider whether you can freeze any leftover bread in portions. After one brunch, I want to be able to use any leftover bread later, without putting out more than I need. For around 14% of consumers, storage would therefore be the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘whole loaf’ means unsliced

    The word ‘whole’ alone doesn’t tell you for certain whether you can choose the slice thickness at home. A product can be described as a whole loaf without making it clear how it has been sliced.

    Choose bread explicitly labelled unsliced, or ask the bakery counter how it is supplied before you buy.

  • Assuming ‘coarse’ or ‘hearty’ means thickly sliced

    These words can help you find a type of bread you like, but they don’t confirm a particular slice thickness.

    Check how it is sliced separately, then use ‘coarse’ or ‘hearty’ to guide your choice of bread type.

  • Assuming which type of salt has been used

    You can’t tell which salt has been used in a particular loaf just from the wholemeal bread label.

    If baker’s salt matters for your choice, read the ingredients list or ask the retailer about the specific bread.

  • Buying extra bread without a storage plan

    You may have bread left over after an Easter brunch that you won’t use straight away. Always follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve bought.

    If needed, freeze any portions you won’t use after buying the bread, then take only what you need out of the freezer later.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers, among other products, Stevig grof volkoren heel and a Petit wholemeal variety explicitly labelled unsliced.

  • The unsliced variety gives you a clear search term if you want to cut the slices yourself.
  • If a loaf is only described as whole, you’ll still need to check how it is sliced.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s wholemeal range includes fine, coarse, hearty, seeded and toast varieties.

  • You can compare different types of bread side by side.
  • The type of bread doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are.

Lidl

Lidl lists Fijn volkoren and Kids wholemeal bread, both weighing 800 g.

  • The stated weight helps you choose the right amount.
  • Ask how the bread is sliced if slice thickness matters to you.

ALDI

ALDI describes Fijn volkoren as sliced and also offers a whole loaf called Extra fibre-rich wholemeal bread.

  • With Fijn volkoren, it’s clear that you’re choosing pre-sliced bread.
  • The word ‘whole’ in the other loaf’s name doesn’t confirm that it is supplied unsliced.

PLUS

PLUS offers Boeren volkoren heel, with product information on ingredients, allergens and storage.

  • The product information gives you useful details to check before buying.
  • Check how it is sliced separately if you want to cut thick slices yourself.

Dirk

Dirk offers, among other products, Vloerbrood volkoren heel.

  • A recognisable option if you’re looking for a wholemeal artisan loaf.
  • The product name doesn’t confirm the slice thickness or that it is supplied unsliced.

Joybuy products for home preparation

These round Whole Wheat Country Round loaves are a good fit for an Easter brunch if you have time to defrost, bake and, once cool, slice the bread. Before buying, check whether the loaves are supplied unsliced and whether the packaging uses the Dutch label ‘volkorenbrood’ (wholemeal bread).

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, two 550 g loaves

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, 2 × 550 g

A pack of two round loaves for a brunch where you want to slice the bread yourself after preparing it.

  • Defrosting and baking are required; let the bread cool according to the preparation instructions before slicing.
  • Check the packaging to see whether the loaves are supplied unsliced and labelled as wholemeal bread.
View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, one 550 g loaf

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round, 550 g

A single round loaf for a meal where you have time to prepare it and slice it yourself afterwards.

  • Defrosting and baking are required; let the bread cool according to the preparation instructions before slicing.
  • Check the packaging to see whether the loaf is supplied unsliced and labelled as wholemeal bread.
View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a wholemeal loaf always unsliced?

No. The word ‘whole’ alone doesn’t tell you how the bread is sliced. Choose a product explicitly labelled unsliced, or ask the bakery counter how the loaf is supplied before you buy.

Are slices of coarse or hearty wholemeal bread thicker?

Not necessarily. ‘Coarse’ and ‘hearty’ describe the type of bread, not a set slice thickness. Check whether each product is offered pre-sliced or unsliced.

How can I check whether bread is made with baker’s salt?

For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen. If the information isn’t clear, or you’re buying bread from an unwrapped bakery counter, ask the retailer.

How can I ask about allergens in unwrapped bread?

Ask the retailer about the allergens in the specific bread before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that retailers must provide customers with allergen information about unwrapped foods.

What should I do with wholemeal bread left over after Easter brunch?

Freeze any portions you won’t use soon after buying the bread, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months.