Fibre-conscious lunch planners
If you’re looking to swap a white roll for your office lunch, compare the wholemeal label, ingredients and fibre content of the product you’re considering.
Who this choice is for
Lunch planners with freezer space
If you want to keep rolls for several working days, you’ll also need to factor in the space and time required for a frozen product and baking it.
Label readers
If ingredients, allergens, salt or baker’s salt affect your choice, check the information on the packaging of the exact roll.
What to look for when buying
First decide whether it specifically needs to be a Kaiser roll. Then compare fresh and frozen options based on your lunch plans. Once you’ve chosen some products, check their ingredients and nutritional information side by side.
Fresh wholemeal Kaiser roll
Best for: a lunch you’re putting together that day, when you want a roll labelled as a wholemeal Kaiser roll.
Bear in mind: check the current range and packaging before you buy.
Frozen option
Best for: rolls you want to store in advance and bake at home.
Bear in mind: you’ll need freezer space and a suitable way to bake them; follow the product’s storage instructions.
Another wholemeal roll
Best for: a lunch where wholemeal matters more than the shape of a Kaiser roll.
Bear in mind: a wholemeal bun or bake-at-home roll isn’t the same product; check the label on its packaging.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label on the exact product. Compare fibre only on a like-for-like basis, for example per 100 g. | If I want to replace a white roll, I want to know whether the lunch roll I’ve chosen is genuinely wholemeal. This is the most important consideration for around 45% of consumers. |
| Storage and baking | For a frozen product, check the storage instructions and what you’ll need to prepare it. | If you plan lunches for several working days, you’ll want to be able to store the rolls and prepare them at home. This comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and information about allergens that are present or may be present. If it matters to your choice, check whether baker’s salt is listed. | When I need to watch out for certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the product name alone. This is the main purchasing concern for an estimated 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming brown, multigrain or seeded means wholemeal
Colour and added ingredients don’t tell you whether a roll is wholemeal. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre than white grain products.
Check the exact product description and compare the nutritional information for the rolls you’re actually considering.
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Buying frozen rolls without a baking plan
A frozen option is only practical for a weekday lunch if storage and preparation fit your plans. Jumbo says its frozen wholemeal Kaiser rolls should not be refrozen after thawing.
Check you have enough freezer space before buying, and follow the current storage and preparation instructions on the packaging.
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Assuming wholemeal means allergen-free
The wholemeal label doesn’t mean a product is suitable for people with allergies. The product information for Jumbo Frozen Wholemeal Kaiser Rolls lists, among other things, cereals containing gluten and soya.
For the exact product, check both which allergens it contains and which it may contain.
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Assuming every roll contains baker’s salt
According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. So the name Kaiser roll doesn’t tell you whether it contains any.
Check the ingredients list to see whether baker’s salt is listed for the roll you’ve chosen.
Brands and retailers to consider
The retailers listed below offer different rolls to consider; always assess the exact product rather than assuming an entire range is wholemeal.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a product called AH Wholemeal Kaiser Roll and also has a category for wholemeal bake-at-home rolls.
- A Kaiser roll explicitly labelled wholemeal is a useful starting point if you’re after that particular shape.
- Check the current ingredients and nutritional information for the roll you’re buying.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists Frozen Wholemeal Kaiser Rolls in a pack of four.
- The product information includes fibre per 100 g, allergens and storage conditions.
- This product needs freezer space and baking; Jumbo says it should not be refrozen after thawing.
PLUS
PLUS lists a Wholemeal Kaiser Roll sold individually; the ingredients information states that it contains 67% wholemeal wheat flour.
- The product name and ingredients give you specific details to help assess whether it’s wholemeal.
- Check the current packaging and availability at the shop you’re buying from.
Lidl
Lidl describes its Kaiser roll as white and lists a wholemeal bun separately.
- The wholemeal bun is an alternative shape to consider if you don’t need a Kaiser roll.
- The Kaiser roll and wholemeal bun listed are different products; Lidl says its fresh range may vary between stores.
ALDI
ALDI lists wholemeal bake-at-home rolls as an option for home.
- A bake-at-home roll could suit you if preparing it yourself matters more than having a Kaiser shape.
- Check the name, shape and ingredients of the specific roll.
Dirk
Dirk lists white Kaiser rolls and bake-at-home rolls.
- If you’re mainly looking for a Kaiser roll, check the current product description in store.
- Don’t assume a roll is wholemeal because it’s Kaiser-shaped; check the label on the exact product.
Bread alternatives on Joybuy
These products are for anyone considering a different bread shape from a wholemeal Kaiser roll. For each one, check that the wholemeal label, pack size and preparation method suit your lunch plans.
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Bolletje Rye Bread Bun 500 g
A rye bread alternative if you don’t need a Kaiser shape. The product name states 500 g; check the packaging for the exact bread shape, wholemeal labelling and nutritional information before comparing it with other rolls.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g × 2
A round loaf labelled whole wheat, for anyone considering a different shape from Kaiser rolls. The product name states that the pack contains two 550 g loaves. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging and compare fibre only on the same stated basis.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
This is also a round loaf labelled whole wheat, not a Kaiser roll. The product name states 550 g. Check the packaging for the correct preparation instructions, ingredients and nutritional information for this version.
Frequently asked questions
Is a brown or multigrain Kaiser roll automatically wholemeal?
No. Check whether the exact roll is labelled wholemeal and read the ingredients and nutritional information. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre than white grain products; the brown colour or addition of seeds alone doesn’t confirm that a roll is wholemeal.
Can I store frozen Kaiser rolls in the same way as fresh rolls?
No. Follow the storage and preparation instructions for the frozen product. For its Frozen Wholemeal Kaiser Rolls, Jumbo specifies storage at −18 °C and says the product should not be refrozen after thawing.
Are wholemeal Kaiser rolls free from gluten and soya?
Not necessarily. The product information for Jumbo Frozen Wholemeal Kaiser Rolls lists, among other things, cereals containing gluten and soya. For the roll you’re buying, also check the information about allergens it may contain.
Does a Kaiser roll always contain baker’s salt?
No. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the specific Kaiser roll if you want to know whether it contains any.