Families with fussy eaters
If a strong wholegrain flavour is a stumbling block at the dinner table, try crispbread made with both wheat flour and wholemeal flour. Whether everyone likes it is still a matter of taste.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families looking for wholegrain
If wholegrain is your priority, there are rye-based crispbreads and varieties made with a mix of wholegrains. Compare the fibre per 100 g and bear in mind that flavour and texture can vary.
Households keeping an eye on allergens
If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, the current allergen information on the packaging is key. The grains used and any potential traces vary from product to product.
What should you consider when choosing?
For a family dinner, first decide whether a mild flavour or wholegrain is your main priority. Then compare the texture, nutritional values and allergens of the products that meet your requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Mild flavour | Check whether the ingredients include both wheat flour and wholemeal flour; a mix is not the same as wholegrain. | If fussy eaters are joining us, I’d like to try a crispbread that isn’t made entirely from wholemeal flour. For around 40% of consumers, flavour acceptance would be the first consideration. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Check the wholegrain claim and compare the fibre per 100 g across the products. | I’d rather choose wholegrain, even if the flavour of the grains is more pronounced. Wholegrain would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Texture with toppings | Check how the texture is described and try the crispbread with the toppings you plan to serve. | When serving a range of toppings, I mainly want a crispbread with a bite that suits them. That would be the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging before serving the crispbread. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, checking the specific pack comes before choosing on flavour. For around 10% of consumers, this would be the first condition when buying. |
What should you look out for?
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Assuming a brown colour means it’s wholegrain
Crispbread made with flour and wholemeal flour is not the same as a product made entirely from wholemeal flour. Wasa Goudbruin, for example, lists both wheat flour and wholemeal wheat flour.
If wholegrain is your main requirement, check the product name and ingredients. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term ‘wholegrain’ on crackers is intended for products made entirely from wholemeal flour.
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Choosing based on a light, crisp bite alone
Texture alone tells you nothing about the fibre or salt content. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Bolletje Goudbros contains 3,5 g of fibre and 1,21 g of salt per 100 g; other crispbreads examined have different values.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and decide which differences matter for your table.
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Assuming crispbread contains iodine because of its name
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread does not have to be made with iodised baker’s salt. So the product category alone doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular crispbread.
If the type of salt matters to you, check the packaging or ask the manufacturer.
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Relying on a previous purchase for allergen information
Ingredients and warnings about potential traces vary between crispbreads and can change. A wholegrain claim tells you nothing about whether a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually using.
Brands compared
Wasa
The varieties examined offer different options: Goudbruin combines wheat flour with wholemeal wheat flour, while Volkoren and Rustiek are made with wholegrain rye.
- According to Wasa, Goudbruin contains 57% wheat flour as well as wholemeal wheat flour; the product states that it contains 55% wholegrains.
- The varieties differ in grain type, fibre and potential allergen traces. Compare the specific packs rather than relying on the brand name alone.
Bolletje
Goudbros is a light variety made with wheat flour; Bolletje Volkoren Knäckebröd Vezelrijk is another option, made with wholemeal wheat, rye and barley.
- Albert Heijn lists 3,5 g of fibre per 100 g for Goudbros; Jumbo lists 14 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholegrain variety examined.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety, including cereals containing gluten and, where relevant, sesame.
Ryvita
Ryvita Original Crispbread is a rye variety you can compare with products made from other grains.
- For its UK product, Ryvita lists wholemeal rye flour, rye flour and salt as ingredients.
- If you’re buying in the Netherlands, check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details on the pack in front of you; the UK product specification may not apply to that packaging.
Albert Heijn
AH Knäckebröd volkoren is a supermarket own-brand option to compare with the brands mentioned above.
- The product name is a useful starting point if wholegrain is what you’re looking for.
- Check the current packaging to see which grains, nutritional values and allergens apply to this variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo Knäckebröd Volkoren is an own-brand option to compare with other wholegrain varieties.
- You can compare the nutritional information on the specific pack with that of other crispbreads.
- Don’t infer the fibre content, allergen profile or relative quality from the own-brand name.
Crispbread at Joybuy
These products include wholegrain and rye options for the family table. If you’re specifically looking for a mild mix of flour and wholemeal flour, check the ingredients for each product; a name that highlights fibre doesn’t automatically mean it’s wholegrain.
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Wasa Wholegrain Crispbread, 260 g
An option if you’re looking for wholegrain crispbread for a family dinner. Joybuy’s product information describes this 260 g variety as crispbread made with wholegrain rye. Check the allergens on the packaging.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g
For anyone keen to try a sourdough rye variety and see how it goes down at the table. The pack contains 235 g; check the ingredients and allergens before serving.
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Wasa Lightweight Crackers, 300 g
Worth considering if texture is a key factor at your table. The pack contains 300 g; compare the nutritional information and, if you have allergies, check the current ingredients list.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread, 265 g
If you’re considering a wholegrain variety from Bolletje, compare it with the toppings you plan to serve. The pack contains 265 g; read the ingredients to check which grains and allergens apply to this product.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
If you want to compare the fibre content of different crispbreads per 100 g, this is one to consider. The pack contains 300 g; also check the ingredients if wholegrain or avoiding allergens is a deciding factor for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is crispbread made partly with wholemeal flour wholegrain?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a cracker labelled ‘wholegrain’ is made entirely from wholemeal flour. Wasa says Goudbruin combines wheat flour with wholemeal wheat flour and contains 55% wholegrains.
Does crispbread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that a particular product does. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, iodine is added to baker’s salt in the Netherlands, but using it in bread is not compulsory. Check the packaging or ask the manufacturer which salt has been used.
What should I check if someone at the table needs to avoid allergens?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the crispbread you’re serving. The varieties examined differ in, among other things, cereals containing gluten, sesame and warnings about potential traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on labels.
How do I compare the fibre and salt content of crispbread?
Compare the values per 100 g so that different serving sizes don’t skew the results. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also recommends comparing nutritional information per 100 g.
How should I store an opened pack of crispbread?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose. The product information examined for Wasa Volkoren and Bolletje Volkoren recommends storing them in a dry place; for the Bolletje variety, it also says to keep the pack sealed.