Parents looking for a base for toppings
If you’re packing crispbread with toppings or vegetables for school, a variety specifically described as thick is a more sensible starting point than a product described only as thin.
Who is this choice important for?
Parents looking at wholegrains and fibre
The Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre) lists wholegrain crispbread as an option for school. If you also want to compare fibre, check the nutrition information per 100 g and the ingredients for the variety you choose.
Parents who need to check allergens
If your child has a relevant allergy or their school has specific rules, check the ingredients and any warnings on the current packaging. Rye, other gluten-containing cereals and sesame vary between products.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the crispbread needs to support toppings or whether you’d prefer a thin variety. Then compare the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens for the specific product.
Thick rye crispbread
When to choose it: If you’re looking for a sturdy base for toppings; Wasa describes Rustiek as thick.
Things to consider: Rustiek contains rye, and the product information mentions possible traces of milk and sesame. Your child may also prefer a thinner cracker.
Thin rye crispbread
When to choose it: If you prefer a thin cracker; Wasa describes Dun Rogge Volkoren as thin and gently baked.
Things to consider: Thin doesn’t mean it is less likely to break. Check this variety for sesame and possible traces of milk, too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sturdiness for toppings | Look for a description of the specific product’s sturdiness and check that it will fit in the lunchbox. | If I want to pack toppings, I look for a cracker designed to be a sturdy base. Around 42% of consumers prioritise a sturdy base for toppings. |
| Wholegrains and fibre | Check the ingredients and compare the stated fibre per 100 g. | For a school lunch, I mainly want to see which grains it contains and how much fibre the product lists. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this information. |
| Allergens and school rules | Read the current allergen information, including any warnings about traces, and take the school or after-school club’s rules into account. | Before I pack anything, I need to know whether the ingredients and warnings are suitable for my child and comply with the school’s rules. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all crispbread has the same allergens
The Bolletje spelt variety described by Albert Heijn lists wheat, rye, barley, spelt and sesame, among other ingredients. Wasa lists rye and possible traces of milk and sesame for Rustiek. So the product category or brand name alone doesn’t tell you enough.
Every time you buy, check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety on the current packaging.
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Assuming wholegrain means it contains iodine
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, but bakers aren’t required to use this salt. The words ‘wholegrain’ or ‘rye’ on crispbread don’t tell you how much iodine it contains.
If you want to know whether crispbread contains iodised salt, check the ingredients and nutrition information for that specific product instead of trying to work it out from the type of grain.
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Choosing a thin cracker for a sturdy base for toppings
Wasa describes Rustiek as thick and Dun Rogge Volkoren as thin and gently baked. These descriptions indicate different product characteristics, but they don’t provide a comparison of how easily the products break.
Before buying, decide whether a sturdy base for toppings or a preference for thin crackers matters more.
Brands to consider
Wasa
Wasa offers both the Rustiek variety, described as thick, and the thin Dun Rogge Volkoren for this choice.
- Wasa states that Rustiek contains 100% wholegrain cereals and 20 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Cereals, sesame and any trace warnings vary between varieties, so check the packaging of the one you choose.
Bolletje
The spelt variety described by Albert Heijn is worth considering if you’re comparing different types of grain.
- The product information specifies which gluten-containing cereals and sesame it contains.
- Because of its ingredients, this spelt variety isn’t necessarily interchangeable with other crispbread. Check the current warnings on the packaging, too.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI Nederland describes Goud Gebakken Robuust crispbread as wholegrain crispbread with seeds and lists two varieties.
- The name Robuust makes this product worth considering if a sturdy base for toppings is important.
- Check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens on the packaging of the variety you choose.
Crispbread at Joybuy
These crispbread varieties are worth considering for a lunch with toppings or if you’re choosing based on grains and fibre. If a sturdy base for toppings is essential, check how sturdy the specific variety is; the product name alone doesn’t confirm this.
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g'woon Wholemeal crispbread, 375 g
A variety to consider if you’re looking for crispbread to serve with toppings at lunch.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, and make sure it’s sturdy enough for the toppings you want to pack.
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Bolletje Whole Grain crispbread, 265 g
An option to compare if you’re looking for wholegrain crispbread to serve with lunch toppings.
Read the current allergen information, including details of gluten-containing cereals and sesame, and check separately that this variety is sturdy enough for the toppings you have in mind.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye crispbread, 235 g
This rye variety is worth considering if you’re looking for crispbread to serve with lunch toppings.
Check the packaging for allergens and any trace warnings. If the toppings need to stay in place, assess the crispbread’s sturdiness separately.
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Wasa Wholegrain crispbread, 260 g
A wholegrain variety to compare if you’re considering rye crispbread for lunch.
Check the ingredients and allergens on this pack; the name doesn’t tell you whether the crispbread is extra sturdy.
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Wasa High-Fiber crispbread, 300 g
A variety to consider if your choice depends on the stated fibre content and the grains used.
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g and read the allergen information, including details of sesame. Check how sturdy it is before choosing it as a base for toppings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pack wholegrain crispbread for a school lunch?
Yes. The Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre) lists wholegrain crispbread as an option to pack for primary school. Choose the variety and toppings based on what your child can store and eat at school, and take any school rules into account.
Do I need to check crispbread for sesame and other allergens?
Yes. Check beyond gluten: the types of grain, sesame and any trace warnings vary between varieties. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. So read the current packaging of the product you’re packing.
Does crispbread provide iodine like bread made with baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the words ‘crispbread’ or ‘wholegrain’. The Voedingscentrum says bread made with iodised baker’s salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands, and points out that using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. For crispbread, check the ingredients and product-specific nutrition information.
How can I keep crispbread in good condition in a lunchbox?
Keep it dry and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If moist toppings could affect its crispness, pack them separately. Also check that the cracker and packaging you choose will fit neatly in the lunchbox.