If you’re looking for crispbread for generous toppings at your Sunday roast, use a description such as ‘robust’ to narrow down your options, but don’t take it as proof that a cracker will hold heavy or moist toppings. Check the size too, and read the ingredients, allergen and nutrition information on the pack. Try a new variety first with the topping you plan to serve.
You’re looking for a base for toppings such as cheese, spreads or roasted vegetables to serve with a Sunday meal. A variety described as ‘robust’ is a sensible place to start, but try it for yourself to see whether it stays intact under your chosen toppings.
Start by choosing a type of grain, then compare the fibre and other nutrition information for the specific varieties. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre than products made with white flour. This says nothing about how sturdy a cracker is.
You want to know which grains, seeds and allergens a variety contains, and how much salt it lists, before you buy. Check the label on the pack you’re buying, not just the product range name.
For generous toppings, start by choosing a size and style of product you’d like to try. Then compare the ingredients and nutrition information of the varieties you’ve shortlisted.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sturdiness under generous toppings | Check the size and texture; try a new variety first with the toppings you plan to use. | If I’m serving a cracker with generous toppings, I want to know whether it will stay intact in practice. Sturdiness is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Wholegrains and fibre | Check which grains are listed in the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g on the current packaging. | I mainly want to choose a wholegrain product and compare the fibre content of different varieties. Wholegrains and fibre are the top priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Check the allergen information, ingredients and salt content of the specific variety. | If I need to take ingredients or salt into account, the label matters more than an appealing product description. This is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Pack size and availability | Check the net weight and number of crackers, and make sure your preferred variety is available at the shop where you’re buying it. | If I’m shopping for a sharing platter, I want to know whether one pack will be enough and whether I can find the same variety again. This is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
Bolletje and ALDI use ‘robust’ in product names or descriptions. On its own, the term doesn’t tell you how much topping a cracker can hold.
Use the description to narrow down your options, then try a new cracker with the heaviest topping you plan to serve.
Wholegrain describes the type of grain used; it doesn’t tell you whether a product meets your allergen requirements. According to the Joybuy product page, Wasa Wholegrain contains rye. It’s also worth checking the exact ingredients list for varieties containing seeds.
Read the allergen information on the current pack of the flavour and variety you’re buying.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the conditions under which iodine compounds may be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through the use of baker’s salt. This doesn’t mean that every crispbread contains this salt.
Check the ingredients of the specific variety if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
Wasa offers both wholegrain and thin crispbread varieties.
Ryvita makes rye-based crispbread, including Original Crispbread.
Albert Heijn sells own-label crispbread, including sesame varieties.
Jumbo’s online range includes own-label crispbread and varieties from Bolletje.
Lidl has a Dutch crispbread page.
ALDI describes a Goud Gebakken variety as Robuust crispbread with wholegrain and seeds.
For toppings to serve with your Sunday roast, you can assess this Wasa variety by its size and ingredients. The product name gives the pack weight; try it for yourself to see whether it’s suitable for the amount of topping you plan to use.
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A crispbread variety to consider if you’re looking for crackers to serve with toppings at your Sunday roast.
Pack weight: 215 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging. If you’re planning to use heavy or moist toppings, try the cracker first.
No, ‘robust’ on its own is no guarantee that a cracker will hold its toppings. Use the description to narrow down your options, check the size and try one cracker first with heavy or moist toppings.
No, wholegrain tells you about the type of grain used, not how sturdy the cracker is. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products contain more fibre than products made with white flour. For generous toppings, you should assess the cracker itself too.
No, rye contains gluten. For example, Ryvita lists rye in the ingredients of Original Crispbread. If you need to follow a gluten-free diet, always check the gluten-free claim and allergen information on the current pack of the specific variety.
No, the rules permitting its use don’t mean that every product contains iodised baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that iodine compounds may be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products only through added baker’s salt, up to a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the ingredients on the pack if this matters to your choice.
Add the toppings shortly before serving if you want to keep the crisp texture. Until then, store the crispbread in a dry, tightly sealed place and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
