Families serving topped snacks
You’re looking for a crunchy base for a variety of savoury toppings and want to serve enough snacks for everyone at the table.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers who confuse digestives and toast
You don’t want to pick up a sweet biscuit when you need a base for savoury toppings.
Shoppers who check the label
You want to compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the variant you’ve chosen before you buy.
What should you look for when buying?
Digestive biscuit
Choose this when: you want a sweet biscuit or a base for a dessert.
Bear in mind: a digestive isn’t a direct substitute for savoury toast with toppings.
Melba toast or mini crackers
Choose this when: you want to make small, flat snacks with savoury toppings.
Bear in mind: check that the shape suits the topping you want to serve.
Toasts with a raised edge
Choose this when: you want to serve salad or another loose filling. Jumbo describes the edge of Haust Snack Cups as useful for filling.
Bear in mind: the shape doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients or nutritional value.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Shape for your topping | Compare a flat toast base with one that has a raised edge, considering the filling you want to serve. | If I’m serving a loose or creamy filling, I want the snack to be easy to fill. Around 40% of consumers prioritise finding a suitable shape. |
| Quantity for the table | Check the net weight and, if stated, the number of toasts or crackers in the pack. | When I’m making snacks for several people, I want to match the quantity to my menu. For around 30% of consumers, having enough to serve is the top priority. |
| Label and nutritional information | Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for the variant you’ve chosen; compare salt and fibre using the same stated basis. | If someone at the table needs to watch what they eat, I want to check the current packaging. Around 30% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
Common mistakes
-
Buying digestives for savoury toppings
Jumbo sells digestives as biscuits, while melba toast and toasts are separate product types for topped snacks.
Before you buy, decide whether you need something sweet or a savoury base.
-
Going by the words ‘wholegrain’ or ‘plain’ alone
A product name doesn’t tell you how much salt or fibre is in the portion you’ve chosen. Values vary by product and portion size.
Compare the nutritional information on the packs and check whether the values are given per 100 g or per portion.
-
Skipping the current allergen label
Albert Heijn warns that ingredient and allergen information can change. The same product name is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re buying.
Check the current ingredients list and allergen information every time you buy.
-
Assuming all toast contains iodised baker’s salt
The Voedingscentrum discusses iodised baker’s salt in bread. This doesn’t tell you which salt is used in an individual toast, cracker or biscuit product.
If this ingredient matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
Brands to consider
Van der Meulen
If you’re looking for melba toast, Jumbo lists several options in this range, including plain, wholegrain and multigrain.
- You can compare different grain varieties within the range.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for each variant.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own-brand toast and mini crackers for anyone looking for a simple base for snacks.
- The product types shown give you a choice between toast and small crackers.
- Check the packaging of the product you choose for its ingredients.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists melba toast and mini crackers under its own brand.
- You can compare the product types with the toppings you want to serve.
- Albert Heijn says product information can change, so check the current packaging.
Lidl
Lidl lists separate products for melba toast and party toast.
- You can look at the two product types separately.
- Lidl’s melba toast page says it’s only sold in store, so check availability there.
Bolletje
Bolletje is worth considering if you’re also looking at crackers or crispbreads; for example, Albert Heijn lists Bolletje Bagel Crackers Sesam.
- A cracker can be another crunchy product type to compare with toast.
- Don’t automatically treat a cracker or crispbread as the same product as melba toast.
Products on Joybuy
This selection includes melba toast, mini crackers and other crunchy options for a snack table. For rice toast, check whether the shape suits the topping you want to use; digestives serve a different purpose.
No image available
Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
A melba toast option to consider for topped snacks; the pack contains 240 g. Check the allergens on the pack before buying: the available product information is contradictory.
No image available
Lu Mini Cracker Natural 250 g
Mini crackers to consider if you want to serve small snacks; the pack contains 250 g. Check the current allergen information, especially if gluten or possible traces of milk are a concern for your guests.
No image available
Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round 100 g
A round melba toast option for small snacks, in a 100 g pack. Check the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces on the current packaging for your guests.
No image available
Lu Cracottes Natural 250 g
A cracker option to consider if you’d like to compare another base for toppings with melba toast; the pack contains 250 g. If you have allergies, read the current ingredients and allergen information.
No image available
Van der Meulen Rice Toast Natural 65 g
A 65 g rice toast option to compare with melba toast. Check that the shape suits your topping and check the allergens on the pack: the available product information is contradictory.
Frequently asked questions
Are digestives the same as toast for toppings?
No. Jumbo sells digestives as biscuits, separately from melba toast and toasts. For savoury topped snacks, choose a toast or cracker product; digestives are better suited to sweet toppings.
Which type of toast is best for a loose filling?
A toast with a raised edge is designed to make it easier to serve a loose filling. Jumbo describes this feature on Haust Snack Cups; also check the size of the toast for the portions you want to make.
Where can I find allergen information for prepacked toast?
Check the label on the pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens in prepacked foods must be clearly and correctly shown on the label; a product’s ingredients can change.
Does toast always contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume it does. The Voedingscentrum lists bread made with iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine in the Netherlands, but that doesn’t determine the ingredients in every toast, cracker or biscuit product. Check the ingredients list for the variant you’ve chosen.