Hosts who want the cracker itself to add flavour
With olives, cheese or a mild spread, a thin rosemary or garlic cracker can add a distinct herby note. Decide in advance whether that flavour will also work with the other nibbles on the table.
Which base suits which guest?
If you want the toppings to take centre stage
With burrata, tapenade or grilled vegetables, a more subtly flavoured base leaves more room for the toppings. Choose between wholemeal and rye according to the grain flavour you want to serve alongside them.
Hosts who need to check for allergens
If you’re buying for several people, check the latest ingredients and allergen information for each variety. Wheat, rye, barley and sesame are found in the product types mentioned; warnings about possible traces are worth checking too.
What should you look for?
For an Italian-themed evening, first decide whether the crispbread should add flavour or simply carry the toppings. Then check the packaging for the guests around your table.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour of the base | Check which herbs have been added and whether the cracker will be served with or without toppings. | For simple antipasti, I want the cracker itself to bring out the rosemary or garlic flavour. Around 33% of consumers give this herby base top priority. |
| Toppings and texture | Compare thin crackers with wholemeal or rye crispbread; if you’re serving generous or moist toppings, try one piece first. | If I’m serving burrata or tapenade, I want to know how the crispbread I’ve chosen works with those toppings. For around 27% of consumers, this combination comes first. |
| Allergens | Read the latest ingredients list and check for warnings about possible traces, especially of cereals containing gluten and sesame. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check what’s in each pack. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Using leftovers after your drinks party | Check the pack size and storage instructions, and consider whether you’ll want to eat the flavour you’ve chosen another time. | If there are crackers left over, I want a type I can use with another meal too. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Serving a herby cracker with every topping
Rosemary and garlic give the base a flavour of its own. That can work well with simple nibbles, but it may also distract from a topping whose subtle flavour you want to appreciate.
Save a herby variety for nibbles that welcome that extra flavour, and serve a milder type with other toppings.
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Assuming a product name tells you about allergens
Wholemeal crispbread and seeded crackers can also contain cereals with gluten or sesame. Ingredients and warnings about possible traces vary between products.
If you’re catering for guests with allergies, check the latest packaging before buying and again before serving.
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Assuming all crispbread contains baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, iodine is added to baker’s salt, but bakers aren’t required to use it. So you can’t tell whether it’s used just from the product category.
If baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the label or ask the manufacturer which salt is used.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Wasa (Wasabröd)
Among the product ranges mentioned, you can choose between thin, herby Delicate crackers and rye-based crispbread.
- Rosemary or roasted garlic gives the cracker a flavour of its own on the drinks-party platter.
- Check each variety for cereals containing gluten and any other allergens; Delicate isn’t a neutral-tasting option.
Jumbo
Jumbo Wholemeal Crispbread is an option if you want the toppings to provide the flavour.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, this variety contains wholemeal wheat and rye.
- The variety mentioned contains cereals with gluten; check the packaging for complete allergen information.
Albert Heijn
AH Rosemary Garlic Seed Crackers can sit alongside crispbread on a drinks-party platter, but they’re toast crackers rather than traditional crispbread.
- The combination of rosemary and garlic offers a herby alternative in a different type of cracker.
- According to the product information, these seed crackers contain sesame and cereals with gluten.
Ryvita
Ryvita describes Original as rye crispbread and Multigrain as a variety with added seeds and grains.
- Ryvita’s ingredients information lets you compare a simple rye variety with a multigrain option.
- When buying, compare the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the product you’re actually choosing.
Crispbread and crackers for your table
This Joybuy selection includes a thin, herby cracker and several wholemeal and rye varieties. Choose according to the role of the toppings, and check the latest packaging if you’re buying for guests with food allergies.
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Wasa Thin Crisp Rosemary & Salt – 190 g
A good choice if you want the cracker itself to add a rosemary note to simple antipasti. Joybuy’s product information describes this variety as extra thin and made with wholemeal wheat flour. If you’re serving guests, check the latest allergen information on the packaging.
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Wasa Wholegrain Crispbread – 260 g
Consider this wholegrain crispbread if you’re looking for a base for cheese or spreads rather than a cracker with added herbs. If you’re adding generous toppings, try one piece first to see how well it holds them.
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g'woon Wholemeal Crispbread – 375 g
A wholemeal base to consider if you want cheese, spreads or vegetables to provide the flavour on your drinks-party platter. If you’re serving guests, check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread – 265 g
A wholegrain option if you want to serve a different-tasting base alongside herby crackers. Decide on the topping once you’ve seen how well the crispbread holds it.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers – 300 g
Consider this variety if you want to serve a selection of wholemeal crackers. Don’t rely on the product name to judge its nutritional value or suitability for your guests; check the latest nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging instead.
Frequently asked questions
Which crispbread works well on an Italian-style drinks-party platter?
Choose a thin rosemary or garlic cracker if you want the base itself to add flavour. If the toppings are the main event, go for a milder wholemeal or rye crispbread. You could serve both, pairing one with simple antipasti and the other with more distinctive toppings.
Is crispbread automatically gluten-free?
No. The Wasa and Jumbo varieties mentioned may contain cereals with gluten, such as wheat, rye or barley. If you’re buying for guests, always check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you choose.
Does crispbread in the Netherlands always contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that all crispbread contains baker’s salt. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use it. Check the label or ask the manufacturer which salt is used in the variety you’ve chosen.
How can I keep opened crispbread crunchy until my drinks party?
Store it according to the instructions on the packaging and seal the pack tightly after opening. Add moist toppings just before serving to stop the crackers from going soft.