Buffet hosts serving savoury toppings
You want to serve individual bites topped with things like cheese, fish, spreads or vegetables. In that case, the shape and sturdiness of the crispbread are just as practical to compare as its flavour.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Guests who consider fibre and wholegrain content
You’re looking for a grain-based option whose fibre content and ingredients you can compare. The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists different fibre values for the wholegrain and high-fibre crispbread categories, so check the nutritional information for the specific product.
Buffet hosts catering for guests who need to avoid allergens
You want to know which ingredients and allergens each variety contains before serving. Keep a suitable alternative and its packaging clearly separate from the other buffet items.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you want to serve savoury bites that guests can top, or a separate sweet biscuit. Then compare the label and the qualities that matter to your guests and toppings within your chosen category.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Base for toppings | Check the shape and texture, and consider whether your chosen toppings might make the pieces damp or heavy. | I want to serve easy-to-pick-up bites that can hold their toppings. For around 37% of consumers, a base that can be topped would be the top priority. |
| Fibre and wholegrain | Compare the ingredients and fibre content on the same basis, per 100 g or per serving. | If I’m mainly looking for a wholegrain base, I want to know what’s in the variety rather than relying on the front of the packet. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warning about the possible presence of allergens. | For a guest who needs to eat gluten-free, I want to be able to serve a clearly identifiable option without mixing up products. Around 27% of consumers are expected to put this check first. |
| Sweet option | Make a deliberate choice between a digestive biscuit and crispbread. For the biscuit you choose, check the ingredients and nutritional information. | I’m looking for something sweet to go with coffee or dessert alongside the savoury bites, not another base for savoury toppings. For around 9% of consumers, this sweet option would be the main reason for their choice. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all crispbread contains the same amount of fibre
The Dutch Nutrition Centre lists 2.4 g of fibre per 10 g piece for the high-fibre crispbread category and 1.4 g for wholegrain crispbread. These category figures don’t automatically describe the packet you buy.
Compare fibre per 100 g on the label and, if serving sizes differ, per piece as well.
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Serving rye crispbread to a guest who needs to eat gluten-free
Rye is a gluten-containing grain, so regular rye crispbread isn’t a gluten-free choice.
Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, check for other allergens too, and keep it separate when serving.
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Checking only the fibre content or gluten-free label
On their own, these details tell you nothing about the salt content or any other ingredients that may matter to your guests.
Read the nutritional information per 100 g and the full ingredients and allergen information, even if you’ve already chosen a product based on one particular feature.
Brands to consider
Wasa
Albert Heijn’s range overview includes Wasa varieties made with different grains and textures. Choose one to suit your intended toppings and check the current label.
- The range gives you the choice of a neutral base or a variety with a more distinctive flavour.
- Ingredients and availability vary by variety, so the brand name alone shouldn’t determine your choice.
Leksands
Leksands Knäcke Original is a rye crispbread. Albert Heijn lists this specific variety as containing 97% wholegrain rye flour.
- A specific option if you’re looking for a wholegrain rye base for your buffet.
- This Original variety contains rye, so it isn’t suitable for guests who need to eat gluten-free. Don’t assume other varieties have the same ingredients.
Albert Heijn
Alongside its regular crispbread, Albert Heijn offers a separate variety called AH Gluten-Free High-Fibre Crispbread.
- Albert Heijn states that this specific variety is made in a completely gluten-free environment.
- Even with a gluten-free product, check the other ingredients and allergens. The label doesn’t mean it’s suitable for every guest.
Ryvita
On its UK product page, Ryvita describes its Original Crispbread as a rye variety. Check the packaging of the product you actually buy for its ingredients.
- A brand to consider if rye crispbread would work well with the savoury side of your buffet.
- The UK product information doesn’t confirm that a pack sold in the Netherlands has the same ingredients.
Products for the buffet
These Joybuy products include crispbread for toppings and a digestive biscuit as a separate sweet option. Before serving anything to guests with specific dietary requirements, compare the ingredients and nutritional information on each packet.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers 235 g
For savoury toppings if you’re looking for a rye and sourdough crispbread.
235 g pack. Rye is a gluten-containing grain; check the label for other allergens.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread 375 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for wholemeal crispbread to serve with toppings.
375 g pack. Compare the ingredients, fibre and allergens on the packet with those of other varieties.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread 265 g
For buffet hosts who want to serve wholegrain crispbread alongside other bases for toppings.
265 g pack. If you have specific dietary requirements, check the grains and allergens listed on the packaging.
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McVities Digestive Original 400 g
As a separate sweet biscuit for the buffet, not as a substitute for crispbread with savoury toppings.
400 g pack. Before serving, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for these biscuits.
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Wasa Rustic Crispbread 215 g
A crispbread option for the savoury side of the buffet. Choose the shape to suit the toppings you plan to serve.
215 g pack. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for this variety, not those of another Wasa product.
Frequently asked questions
Can I serve regular rye crispbread to guests who eat gluten-free?
No. Regular rye crispbread isn’t suitable, as rye contains gluten. Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the other ingredients and allergens on the packet you’re serving too.
Which allergens should I check for the buffet?
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for each product, paying particular attention to the grains and any sesame. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that the allergens which must be declared have to be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods, so don’t rely on the product name alone.
Does crispbread always contain iodised salt, like bread?
No, don’t assume it does. The Dutch Nutrition Centre highlights the contribution bread makes to iodine intake in the Netherlands. For crispbread, check each packet to see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients.
How can I keep crispbread crunchy on the buffet?
Keep it dry and, where possible, add the toppings shortly before serving, especially if they’re moist. Reseal an opened packet according to the storage instructions on the packaging. For its high-fibre gluten-free variety, Albert Heijn advises closing the packet securely and storing the product in a cool, dry place.