Anyone putting together a dessert table
With separate toast and chocolate, guests can choose their own toppings and portion sizes. It’s ideal for small, cold bites that you assemble just before serving.
Who are these options for?
Anyone serving dessert warm and fresh
Warm chocolate toast is a good choice if you can toast it just before eating and use a sandwich maker, as in Lidl’s recipe.
Anyone catering for food allergies
When serving toast, chocolate and toppings separately, you’ll need to check the label on each product. A product name or image doesn’t tell you which allergens are listed on the current packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve cold toast bites with chocolate on the side or warm chocolate toast. Then check the ingredients of everything you plan to combine.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of toppings | Choose a toast base and check whether the chocolate is suitable as a topping for bread or toast. | I want to offer small toast bites so guests can choose their own chocolate and other toppings. For around 38% of consumers, this variety would be the main consideration. |
| Serving warm | Check that you can use a toaster and sandwich maker to prepare the warm version just before serving. | If I’m serving a warm dessert straight away, I need the time and equipment to make it on the spot. For around 37% of consumers, serving it warm would be the priority. |
| Allergens | Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the toast, chocolate and any toppings separately. | When guests have food allergies, I want to check every ingredient before offering any combinations. For around 25% of consumers, checking for allergens would be the main concern. |
Common mistakes
-
Confusing chocolate spread with toast coated in chocolate
A chocolate slice for topping toast, a coated snack and warm chocolate toast are different products or preparations. So even an appealing-looking pack may not be right for what you want to serve.
Decide which type of product you’re looking for before you shop, then check the product name and description.
-
Treating warm chocolate toast like a ready-made toast platter
Lidl’s double chocolate toast recipe uses a toaster and sandwich maker. It needs to be served at a different time from cold toast bites that guests top themselves.
Make warm toast just before serving. For a DIY table, offer separate toast and toppings.
-
Checking only the product name when catering for allergies
Toast, chocolate and toppings each have their own ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label.
Check the current packaging for each item and keep it available when you serve the bites.
-
Assuming all toast contains iodised baker’s salt
According to Brood.net, using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. So you can’t tell what a toast product contains just from its product category.
Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to you.
Brands and shops to consider
Bolletje
Bolletje offers crackers that you could include as a crunchy option on your table.
- Ciabatta Crackers Tomato & Herbs are a specific option if you also want to serve savoury bites.
- As they’re flavoured with tomato and herbs, these crackers aren’t the same as plain toast for chocolate toppings.
Van der Meulen Melba Toast
Melba toast is one possible base if you want to add the chocolate yourself.
- Jumbo lists Van der Meulen varieties in plain, wholemeal and sesame.
- Choose a variety to suit your preferred ingredients and toppings; melba toast isn’t automatically coated in chocolate.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers a separate chocolate option for anyone who wants to top their own toast.
- Jacques Dark Chocolate 60% Matinettes are sold as thin chocolate slices for bread or toast, with at least 60% cocoa and 8 g portions.
- Matinettes are chocolate toppings, not toast coated in chocolate. Check the current packaging if you’re catering for guests with allergies.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a range of toast and melba toast as possible bases for toppings chosen by your guests.
- The range shown includes Jumbo Crispy Toast and Van der Meulen Melba Toast Plain.
- Check whether the flavour, size and ingredients of each product suit your serving plans; a toast base isn’t the same as a coated snack.
ALDI
ALDI lists toast and melba toast that you could use as separate bases for chocolate.
- The range shown includes Sun Snacks Toast and Sun Snacks Melba Toast.
- Check the packaging and current in-store range for the variety you need.
Toast as a base for your own chocolate toppings
These Joybuy products are melba toast for cold bites. Choose your chocolate and any other toppings separately; these toast products aren’t ready-made chocolate-coated bites.
Image unavailable
Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
A melba toast base for small bites topped with chocolate of your choice.
100 g pack. If you have allergies, check the current label on both the toast and the topping.
Image unavailable
Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round 100 g
Round melba toast for bites you can top with chocolate yourself.
100 g pack. If you have allergies, check the current label for every ingredient.
Image unavailable
Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
A melba toast base for a table with chocolate served separately.
240 g pack. The allergen information for this toast is contradictory; check the current label before buying and serving.
Frequently asked questions
Is toast coated in chocolate the same as toast with chocolate toppings?
No. With toast and chocolate toppings, you add the chocolate yourself; toast coated in chocolate should be sold as a ready-made product. If you want to buy a coated snack, check the exact product type rather than relying on the general term ‘chocolate toast’.
What should I choose for a sweet toast platter that guests can top themselves?
Choose a plain toast or melba toast base and serve the chocolate separately. That way, guests can choose their own combinations when you serve it. Lidl’s warm double chocolate toast recipe, by contrast, needs to be made using a toaster and sandwich maker.
How do I check for allergens when combining toast and chocolate?
Check the current packaging for the toast, chocolate and every topping separately. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the specified allergens must be listed on the label. If someone has an allergy, don’t rely solely on a product image or category name.
Does Dutch toast always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume this of every type of toast. According to Brood.net, using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. Check the ingredients list for the specific product if this matters to your choice.