If you’re looking for something to top
You want something crunchy to top with savoury or sweet ingredients for breakfast, lunch or a King’s Day picnic. In that case, you’re looking for something different from a biscuit to enjoy with your coffee.
Who might find this choice relevant?
If you’re comparing fibre content
You want to compare the amount of fibre per 100 g and per piece, rather than relying solely on the word ‘wholegrain’ on the front of a packet.
If you check food labels
You’re buying for yourself or someone else who may need to consider ingredients such as cereals containing gluten or sesame. In that case, the information on the specific packet is what matters.
What should you look for when choosing?
Wholegrain crispbread
Suitable for: a crunchy base to top for a meal or snack.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to take the toppings separately, and they may need to be kept chilled when you’re out.
Wholegrain digestive
Suitable for: a sweet biscuit to enjoy with tea or coffee.
Bear in mind: even with ‘wholegrain’ in the name, this is a different type of product from crispbread that you can top.
First decide whether you want something to top or a biscuit. Then use the label to compare products within that category.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | Compare fibre per 100 g and per piece or serving; check which grains are listed in the ingredients. | If I regularly eat crispbread as a base for toppings, I want to know how much fibre my usual portion contains. This is the main priority for an estimated 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any warnings such as ‘may contain’. | If I’m buying for someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the specific packet. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Toppings and transport | Choose a texture that works with your toppings, and plan how you’ll keep perishable ingredients chilled. | For a King’s Day picnic, I want to be able to transport the dry base and toppings easily. An estimated 21% of consumers say this is their main need. |
| A sweet treat | Check whether you’re buying a biscuit or crispbread; then compare sugars, fat and fibre per 100 g and per serving. | If I want something sweet with tea or coffee, I’m specifically looking for a biscuit rather than something to top. This is the main preference for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘digestive’ as a nutritional claim
Digestive is a type of biscuit. Jumbo lists 19.3 g of sugars, 17.7 g of fat and 5.8 g of fibre per 100 g for its Digestive Wholegrain biscuits; these figures apply to that product, not to every digestive.
First choose what you want to eat it for, then check the nutritional information per 100 g and per serving.
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Assuming all wholegrain varieties are the same
Ingredients and allergens can vary between crispbreads. Bolletje’s wholegrain variety, for example, contains wheat, rye, barley and sesame.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current packaging for the exact variety you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ warning.
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Planning the crispbread but not the toppings
Taking a dry base with you is not the same as keeping perishable toppings safely. For food sold at markets and events, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority specifies a storage temperature below 7 °C for perishable foods.
If necessary, take your toppings separately in a cool bag. If you’re selling food, make sure you follow the applicable rules on hygiene, temperature and allergen information.
A cool bag and separate food containers take up extra space when you’re transporting and displaying your food.
Brands to consider
Wasa / Wasabröd
Wasa offers a range of crispbreads, including wholegrain, rye and sourdough varieties.
- For its specific Wholegrain variety, Wasa lists 20 g of fibre per 100 g and 2.6 g per piece.
- Don’t apply these figures to other Wasa varieties; check the ingredients and salt content on each packet too.
Bolletje
Bolletje offers several types of crispbread, including wholegrain varieties with different textures.
- Bolletje says its Fibre-Rich Wholegrain Crispbread is made with 100% wholegrain cereals.
- According to the product information, this variety contains wheat, rye, barley and sesame, among other ingredients; check allergens for each variety.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists its own-brand crispbread alongside varieties from other brands.
- The range includes AH Wholegrain Crispbread, 375 g.
- Check the packet you choose: ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both its own-brand wholegrain crispbread and a separate digestive biscuit.
- The product listings clearly distinguish between a base for toppings and a sweet biscuit.
- Jumbo Digestive Wholegrain lists sugar and sunflower oil as ingredients; don’t assume the same applies to other Jumbo crispbreads.
Goud Gebakken (ALDI)
Goud Gebakken is an ALDI product range that includes wholegrain crispbread.
- ALDI lists 25 pieces and 375 g for the relevant packet.
- For ingredient or allergen information, check the current packet before choosing.
Lidl
Lidl lists crispbread and wholegrain crispbread in its product range.
- This gives you another retailer to check when looking for a wholegrain variety.
- Compare fibre, salt and allergens using the label on the specific product.
Crispbread and crackers on Joybuy
These products fit the crispbread option: four could work as a base for toppings, while Wasa High-Fiber Crackers are better suited to a crunchy snack. Choose a digestive if you’re looking for a sweet biscuit instead.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g
A rye cracker to consider if you’re looking for a base to top. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens; if you’re going out, take perishable toppings separately in a cool bag.
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g'woon wholegrain crispbread, 375 g
A wholegrain crispbread to compare as a base for toppings. Before buying, read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packet, especially if you’re buying for someone with an allergy.
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Bolletje wholegrain crispbread, 265 g
A wholegrain option if you’re looking for crispbread to top. Bolletje’s product information for its wholegrain variety lists wheat, rye, barley and sesame; if you have an allergy, check the packaging for this specific product.
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Wasa Wholegrain Crispbread, 260 g
A wholegrain crispbread to consider for topping. If fibre is important to your choice, compare the amount per 100 g and per serving on the packet; don’t assume the figures for another Wasa variety apply.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
A cracker for anyone looking for a crunchy snack. Check the shape on the packaging if you plan to top it, and if you have an allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Are digestives the same as crispbread?
No. A digestive is a biscuit, while crispbread is a base for toppings. Jumbo lists its Digestive Wholegrain as a biscuit product containing ingredients such as sugar and sunflower oil, so choose according to the occasion rather than the word ‘wholegrain’ alone.
How do I compare the fibre in wholegrain crispbread?
Compare the amount per 100 g and per piece or serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists 1.4 g of fibre in a 10 g piece of wholegrain crispbread; Wasa lists 2.6 g per piece for its specific Wholegrain variety. Before buying, check the serving size on the packet you’ve chosen.
What should I check if someone needs to avoid cereals containing gluten or sesame?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. According to the European Union, allergens in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list. Bolletje’s wholegrain variety mentioned here contains wheat, rye, barley and sesame, among other ingredients; don’t assume other varieties have the same ingredients.
Does all crispbread contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product category alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes baker’s salt as an authorised way to add iodine compounds to bread and bread substitutes. That doesn’t mean every individual crispbread contains this salt, so check the ingredients of the product you’ve chosen.
What do I need to arrange if I’m selling topped crispbread at a King’s Day market?
Above all, plan how to store perishable toppings safely and check which hygiene and allergen rules apply to your sales. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority specifies a storage temperature below 7 °C for perishable foods at markets and events. A packet of dry crispbread doesn’t remove the storage requirements for the toppings.