Who might find this choice useful?

If you want to compare fibre

You want to choose wholemeal rusks for a barbecue and compare the nutritional information per 100 g, so differences in size don’t skew the comparison.

If you’re serving savoury toppings

You’re looking for a flavour and texture to complement toppings such as vegetable spread, cheese or grilled vegetables, so you’re also considering darker or seeded varieties.

If you’re catering for dietary requirements

You check the ingredients and allergens before serving, for example because of egg, sesame or cereals containing gluten, or you’re looking for a product labelled as vegan.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what matters most for the barbecue toppings and your guests. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the rusks that fit the bill.

What to consider What to check when buying Who might find this useful?
Fibre Compare fibre per 100 g and check the serving size too. If I want to compare fibre, I don’t want to judge by the size of a single rusk. This is a priority for around 42% of consumers.
Flavour and texture Check the size and whether it contains seeds or kernels; add the toppings shortly before eating. With savoury barbecue toppings, I want to choose between a more neutral rusk and one with more bite. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this combination of toppings and texture.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy, particularly for egg, sesame and cereals containing gluten. If a guest avoids certain ingredients, I need to know which rusk I can serve. For an estimated 25% of consumers, checking this is their first concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming wholemeal rusks are always vegan

    Bolletje Volkoren, AH Beschuit volkoren and PLUS Volkorenbeschuit met zaden, among others, list egg as an ingredient. The word ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t mean a product is egg-free.

    Read the ingredients on the pack you buy. If you’re serving a vegan guest, choose only a product that’s labelled as suitable.

  • Serving a seeded variety without checking the allergens

    The dark Bolletje variety described here and PLUS Volkorenbeschuit met zaden contain sesame and several cereals containing gluten. Another variety from the same brand may have different ingredients.

    Check the allergen information on the exact pack you’re serving, even if you’ve already looked at a product page.

  • Comparing fibre per rusk without checking the size

    Rusks vary in size, so the amount per rusk isn’t directly comparable with the amount per 100 g.

    For a fair comparison, put the fibre values per 100 g side by side, then check separately how much each rusk weighs.

  • Adding toppings to rusks too far in advance

    Moist toppings can change the crisp texture of rusks. Perishable toppings also need to be stored carefully while you’re barbecuing.

    Keep the rusks dry and in a sealed container. Add toppings to small batches shortly before serving, and put perishable toppings back in the fridge after use.

Brands compared

Bolletje

Bolletje offers both a standard wholemeal rusk and a darker wholemeal variety in a larger size.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Bolletje Volkoren contains 11 g of fibre per 100 g, while the dark variety contains 10 g per 100 g.
  • Bolletje Volkoren contains egg. Bolletje labels its dark Vezelrijk variety as vegan, but it contains wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients.

AH

AH offers a standard wholemeal rusk and an organic wholemeal multiseed variety.

  • Albert Heijn lists 9 g of fibre per 100 g for the standard variety and 11 g per 100 g for the multiseed variety.
  • Both varieties described contain egg. According to Albert Heijn, the multiseed variety contains 0.73 g of salt per 100 g, compared with 0.48 g in the standard variety.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells its own-brand wholemeal rusks and has also offered an organic wholemeal variety.

  • According to Jumbo, its standard wholemeal rusks contain 7.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Check current availability and the label on your chosen variety before planning your barbecue shopping.

PLUS

PLUS offers a standard wholemeal rusk and a wholemeal variety with seeds and kernels.

  • According to PLUS, the standard variety contains 7.7 g of fibre per 100 g, while the seeded variety contains 10.6 g of fibre per 100 g and over 25% seeds and kernels.
  • Both varieties described contain egg. For the seeded variety, also check the information about wheat, barley, oats and sesame.

Goud Gebakken

Goud Gebakken is the brand of a wholemeal rusk that ALDI lists as containing 13 pieces.

  • ALDI’s product description mentions wholemeal cereals and a pack of 13 pieces.
  • To compare nutritional values or check whether it meets dietary requirements, read the information on the pack.

Wholemeal rusks on Joybuy

These two rusks offer a choice between a darker, larger wholemeal variety and a standard wholemeal variety. Compare their fibre per 100 g, size and ingredients if you’re planning to serve rusks with savoury barbecue toppings.

Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces

Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces

A darker, larger variety to consider with savoury toppings. Joybuy lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g; if you have dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack.

View on Joybuy
Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces

Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces

A standard wholemeal variety if you’re looking for a more neutral base for toppings. Joybuy lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g. This product contains egg; if you have allergies, read the rest of the information on the pack too.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Do all wholemeal rusks contain the same amount of fibre?

No, the amount listed varies by product. The standard AH variety described contains 9 g of fibre per 100 g, the dark Bolletje variety contains 10 g, and Bolletje Volkoren contains 11 g. Always compare values on the same basis.

Which wholemeal rusks could I serve to a vegan guest?

Bolletje labels its Vezelrijk Donker Volkoren rusk as vegan; check that this label appears on the pack you’ve bought before serving. Bolletje Volkoren, AH Beschuit volkoren and PLUS Volkorenbeschuit met zaden list egg as an ingredient.

Does ‘wholemeal’ guarantee that rusks contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, the term ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t confirm which salt has been used in a particular product or how much iodine it contains. If this matters to your choice, ask the manufacturer for information about that rusk.

When should I add toppings to rusks for a barbecue?

Add toppings shortly before serving, and keep the rest dry and in a sealed container to maintain their crisp texture. Keep perishable toppings chilled; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises throwing food away if it has been left out of the fridge for more than two hours.