Who are these choices relevant to?

Households keeping an eye on fibre

If you regularly buy rolls for breakfast or lunch, you can compare products by checking whether they’re labelled wholemeal and looking at their fibre content per 100 g.

Small households planning their stock

If you don’t want to use several fresh rolls at once, weigh up buying a roll individually against a frozen pack for meals on different days.

Shoppers who read labels carefully

When you have questions about allergens, salt or baker’s salt, the product name alone isn’t enough. The current ingredients list and nutritional information are what matter when making your choice.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether the roll really needs to be wholemeal. Then choose between eating it straight away and baking it at home, and check the label for anything that matters to your household.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre content per 100 g, using the same weight basis each time. If rolls are a regular part of my breakfast or lunch, I want to be able to tell which version is wholemeal and how much fibre it contains. This is the top priority for around 42% of consumers.
Storage and preparation Check the number of rolls, storage instructions and whether they need to be baked at home. If I need rolls on different days, I want to plan my stock without buying several fresh rolls each time. This matters most to around 25% of consumers.
Label information Read the allergen information, salt content per 100 g and ingredients list to check for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If allergens, salt or baker’s salt affect my choice, I want to be able to check that information on the current product label. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain or brown means wholemeal

    Those words alone don’t confirm that a Kaiser roll is wholemeal. To compare fibre content, you also need the nutritional information per 100 g.

    Look for the wholemeal label on the product, then compare the fibre content. Don’t judge by the colour or visible grains alone.

  • Assuming every roll contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s used just from the name Kaiser roll.

    Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt on each product.

  • Trying to work out allergens from the type of bread

    The frozen version described by Jumbo contains wheat, rye, barley and soya, among other ingredients. Ingredients and warnings about possible traces may vary from product to product.

    Read the current label, and if you’re buying unwrapped rolls in store, ask for the allergen information for that specific product.

  • Assuming a shop’s range is always in stock

    A roll shown on a shop’s website may not be available at your chosen branch every time you shop. Lidl says its fresh range can vary by branch.

    If you need the rolls for a planned meal, check with your chosen branch shortly before you buy them.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes a fresh AH wholemeal Kaiser roll, sold individually.

  • The product information lists wholemeal wheat flour, iodised salt, 7,1 g of fibre and 1,13 g of salt per 100 g.
  • According to the product page, this roll is only available in store. Check the current packaging and availability at your chosen branch.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes frozen wholemeal Kaiser rolls in a pack of four, weighing 260 g, which you bake at home.

  • The product information lists 6,7 g of fibre per 100 g and includes ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions.
  • The product contains wheat, rye, barley and soya. Jumbo says it must not be refrozen after defrosting.

PLUS

PLUS describes a fresh wholemeal Kaiser roll, sold individually.

  • The product page lists 67% wholemeal wheat flour, baker’s salt, 6,9 g of fibre and 1,141 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Check the current product information and availability at your chosen branch when you buy.

Lidl

Lidl’s fresh-from-the-oven range includes a wholemeal roll and a white Kaiser roll: two different products.

  • A clearly labelled wholemeal roll could be another format to consider.
  • Lidl says its fresh range can vary by branch. Check the product name and label if you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal Kaiser roll.

ALDI

ALDI offers wholemeal bake-at-home rolls as a different type of roll to bake at home.

  • The product name makes clear that these are wholemeal bake-at-home rolls, not white Kaiser rolls.
  • Check the packaging if you want to compare the nutritional information or ingredients with a wholemeal Kaiser roll.

Dirk

Dirk’s bake-at-home range includes Kaiser rolls and wholemeal baguettes as separate products.

  • A wholemeal baguette could be an alternative format if wholemeal matters more to you than the shape of a Kaiser roll.
  • Don’t assume a Kaiser roll is wholemeal just because it’s listed in the shop’s bake-at-home range. Check the label on the specific product.

A wholemeal alternative on Joybuy

This round wholemeal loaf is an alternative if you don’t need the shape of a Kaiser roll. It isn’t a wholemeal Kaiser roll.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

This round wholemeal loaf is only a suitable alternative if you don’t specifically need a Kaiser roll.

Check the storage and baking instructions on the packaging before planning to eat it later. Only compare its fibre content with other breads if the amount per 100 g is clear.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a Kaiser roll is wholemeal?

Check whether the product is explicitly labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients list. The product information for the Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS versions described here lists wholemeal wheat flour. To compare fibre content, also check the nutritional information per 100 g.

Does a Kaiser roll always contain baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the type of bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, not all bread is baked with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the roll you choose.

Which allergens should I check?

Check the allergen information for the specific roll, not just whether it’s labelled wholemeal. The Jumbo version described here contains wheat, rye, barley and soya. For another product, read the current label or ask what allergen information is available for unwrapped bread.

Can I refreeze defrosted wholemeal Kaiser rolls?

Not for the Jumbo frozen version described here: according to the product information, it must not be refrozen after defrosting. For other rolls, follow the storage and preparation instructions on their packaging.