Choose crispbread that is explicitly labelled as individually wrapped if guests will help themselves at different times. The remaining crackers will stay in their own wrappers until they’re handed out. If you’re passing a platter round straight away, you can choose a multipack based on the number of crackers it contains; the number alone doesn’t tell you whether they’re individually wrapped. If any guests have allergies, always check the label on the product you choose.
If you’re setting up a stall, picnic or buffet where guests will help themselves throughout the day, look for an explicit statement that the crackers are individually wrapped. Albert Heijn labels Bolletje Knackebrod sesam as individually wrapped.
If you’re putting the crackers straight onto a platter, the number of crackers and the pack weight can help you plan. Jumbo and ALDI list these quantities for specific crispbread products.
If you’re buying for someone with an allergy or specific dietary requirement, check the ingredients and allergen information on every pack you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that prepacked products must show allergen information on the label.
First decide whether you’ll be handing out individual portions at different times or filling a platter for everyone to enjoy straight away. Then check the label before choosing the variety and quantity you need.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Look for the words ‘individually wrapped’ on the pack you choose; don’t assume this from the number of crackers. | I want to hand out crackers at different times without opening the rest straight away. For around 33% of consumers, individual wrapping is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information. If you need a gluten-free option, check that it is explicitly labelled gluten-free. | If I’m buying for guests with an allergy or specific dietary requirement, the label on every product I choose must meet their needs. For around 27% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Quantity for a group | Compare the number of crackers and pack weight with what you plan to serve; ‘5 x 5 crackers’ does not confirm that they’re individually wrapped. | If I’m serving a platter that will be passed round straight away, I want to know whether there’ll be enough crackers. Around 20% of consumers prioritise having the right quantity. |
| Choice of variety | See which wholegrain or seeded variety goes best with your toppings, and check the ingredients for that exact variety. | If flavour and how well the crackers go with my toppings determine my choice, I compare the available varieties. For around 20% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
A label such as ‘5 x 5 crackers’ or ‘25 crackers’ tells you how many crackers are in a pack, not whether they’re individually wrapped. This matters if you want to hand out portions or serve them throughout the day.
Look for an explicit statement that the crackers are individually wrapped, and check the packaging itself before buying for a group.
The fact that crispbread is sold in the Netherlands doesn’t tell you whether baker’s salt was used in that particular product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that iodine is added to some products, including baker’s salt.
If baker’s salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list rather than making assumptions based on the product category.
Individual wrapping doesn’t change the ingredients. For example, a sesame variety isn’t suitable to hand out to someone with a sesame allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on the label.
Check every pack you choose and keep the packaging by the serving area so guests can read the information for themselves.
Albert Heijn labels Bolletje Knackebrod sesam as ‘individually wrapped’. This makes this particular variety worth considering if individual portions are your priority.
Jumbo lists wholegrain crispbread in packs of 5 x 5 crackers, as well as a pumpkin seed variety in packs of 4 x 4 crackers. These quantities can help when you’re filling a platter.
Jumbo lists Wasa Wholegrain, Wasa High Fibre and Wasa Light among its crispbread range. Compare the packaging and label of the variety you choose, rather than relying on the range name alone.
ALDI lists Goud Gebakken wholegrain crispbread as containing 25 crackers, with a pack weight of 375 g. This information is especially useful when working out how many crackers you’ll need for a group.
Lidl lists crispbread in several varieties, including sunflower seed and pumpkin seed. The product listings say these items are only available in store.
Not necessarily: ‘5 x 5 crackers’ tells you how many crackers there are, not how many individual wrappers. If you want to hand them out separately, choose a product only if it is explicitly labelled as ‘individually wrapped’.
Don’t assume this from the product name or the country where it’s sold. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that baker’s salt can contain added iodine. If this matters to you, check the ingredients list for the specific crispbread product.
Before buying, check the allergen information on every pack you choose, and keep products separate when serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that prepacked products must show allergen information on the label. An individual wrapper doesn’t make a cracker allergen-free.
Follow the storage and usage instructions on the label, and reseal the pack after taking out the portions you need. If serving takes a while and you don’t want to open everything at once, choose a variety that is explicitly labelled as individually wrapped.
