The stock planner
You want to put out enough crackers without opening more than your guests will eat. If so, check both the number of individual packs and what you can use later.
Who are these options for?
The canapé maker
You want to serve little bites with coffee. Melba crackers and small pieces of toast are different products from larger breakfast crackers, so choose a size that suits your toppings and presentation.
The label reader
You want to take account of ingredients, nutritional values and allergens that may matter to your guests. Compare similar products per 100 g, and read the label on the exact pack you’ll be serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with how much you want to put on the table and what will be left after your guests have gone. Then choose the right shape for your topped bites, and check the labels if nutritional values or allergens are important to your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Check the net weight, the number of individual packs and the storage advice once opened. | I want to put out enough without opening the whole pack for a small gathering. For around 40% of consumers, getting the right portion sizes while keeping some stock sealed is the most important consideration. |
| Size for toppings | Compare the shape and size of the crackers or pieces of toast with the toppings you want to serve. | For a platter of topped bites, I’m mainly looking for small pieces that guests can easily pick up; around 30% of consumers prioritise this size. |
| Label information | Compare similar products per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. | If guests need to avoid specific ingredients or compare nutritional values, I need to know what’s in the product I’ve chosen. For roughly 30% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a large pack is automatically a handy family pack
A higher total weight doesn’t tell you how much you’ll need to open at once. Small individual packs may be a better fit if you’re only serving some of the crackers during your coffee visit.
As well as the weight, compare how the contents are divided up, such as two 125 g packs or individually wrapped portions. Once opened, follow the storage advice on the pack.
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Assuming plain crackers are suitable for every guest
Plain describes the flavour, not the allergens. The cracker and toast varieties mentioned contain different ingredients and have different warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
Ask which ingredients matter to your guest and read the allergen information on the current pack of the exact variety.
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Relying only on ‘wholegrain’ or ‘high fibre’ on the front of the pack
A claim on the front doesn’t give you the full picture of a cracker’s nutritional information or ingredients.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional values per 100 g. Compare similar crackers side by side, and check the ingredients list and allergen information too.
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Assuming a range you’ve browsed will always be in stock in store
A product range page can help you choose a type of product, but it doesn’t guarantee which pack you’ll find on your next visit. Lidl says the crackers mentioned are sold in store.
Before you shop, check which variety is available and read the pack for information that matters to your guests.
Brands to consider
These examples show how pack formats can vary; the features described apply to the products mentioned, not every cracker from a particular brand.
Bolletje
Bolletje Ontbijtcrackers Volkoren Meergranen is a larger breakfast cracker for anyone looking to serve something different from small pieces of toast.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the 250 g pack contains twelve crackers, packed in threes.
- The listed ingredients and allergens, including wheat and sesame, make it important to check the variety you choose if any guests have an allergy.
Melba
Melba Crackers Naturel, in a 125 g pack, are thin crackers to serve alongside other topped bites.
- The smaller pack may work well if you’re serving Melba crackers as part of a varied platter.
- For this variety, Jumbo lists wheat and soya among the ingredients; also check the warning about the possible presence of sesame.
Albert Heijn
AH Melba Toast Naturel offers small pieces of toast in a multipack for serving with toppings alongside coffee.
- According to Albert Heijn, the 240 g pack contains twelve small packs, each with six pieces of toast, so you can keep some sealed for another occasion.
- Wheat and soya are among the ingredients listed for this variety. If anyone has an allergy, check the other information on the current pack too.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other products, light plain crackers in two 125 g packs and larger packs of crispbread.
- The light plain crackers come in separate packs, so you can keep one sealed if you don’t need it during your visit.
- Jumbo advises sealing its light plain crackers well after opening and eating them within a few days; also check the allergen information for this variety.
Lidl
Lidl lists light crackers in a 250 g pack and wholegrain luxury crackers in a 210 g pack among its in-store products.
- These product types give you different shapes and pack weights to compare in store.
- Check the label on the variety you choose for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
Aldi
The range shown by ALDI Nederland includes different types of crackers and toast, including Goud Gebakken robuuste crackers in a 200 g pack.
- You can compare a robust cracker with smaller pieces of toast, depending on the bites you want to serve.
- Check which variety is available in store, and read the current pack for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Crackers for different coffee occasions
These Joybuy products include crackers in a range of pack sizes and flavours. Choose an amount to suit your guests, and check that the flavour and label are right for them before serving.
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Pacific Biscuits with Iron & Onion Flavour Family Pack 400 g
A family pack to consider if you’d like to serve onion-flavoured crackers. Check that the flavour goes well with your toppings, and read the pack if anyone has an allergy.
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Tuc Original Crackers, 3 x 100 g
Three 100 g packs are a good choice if you want to spread the contents over more than one occasion. Decide how many you’ll need for your visit, and check the current allergen information.
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Pacific Biscuits Large Gift Pack
A pack of crackers to consider if you’re shopping for several guests or occasions. Check the contents, any individual packs, ingredients and storage instructions for each item before deciding how much to open.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers 300 g
This 300 g pack is worth considering if you want to compare the nutritional information of different crackers. Check the values per 100 g, and if you’re hosting a small coffee get-together, see how the contents are packed and how they should be stored.
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Pacific Soda Cracker Seaweed Flavour 100 g, four packs
The four packs make it easy to serve the seaweed-flavoured crackers a little at a time. The total contents weigh 100 g, so decide whether that’s enough for your guests and check that the flavour and ingredients are suitable.
Frequently asked questions
When is a family pack of crackers useful for coffee with friends?
A family pack is most useful when the amount suits what you’ll serve during the visit and what you’ll use later. So don’t just look at the weight: according to Albert Heijn’s product information, AH Melba Toast Naturel, for example, contains twelve smaller packs, while other crackers come in larger portions.
How should I store crackers once I’ve opened the pack?
Follow the storage advice on the pack you’ve chosen, and seal any opened crackers well. For its light plain crackers, Jumbo recommends eating the remaining contents within a few days of opening.
Are plain crackers suitable for guests with a food allergy?
Not necessarily: ‘plain’ tells you nothing about the allergens in a particular cracker. Ask which ingredients matter to your guest, then check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings on the exact pack.
Is ‘wholegrain’ or ‘high fibre’ enough to compare two crackers?
No, compare the nutritional information of similar products too. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing values per 100 g; also read the ingredients and allergen information if they matter to your choice.
Can I choose a cracker based on the information on a supermarket website?
A supermarket website can help you compare pack formats in advance, but check the current pack before serving. The ingredients and allergens must be suitable for the exact variety you’re offering your guests.