If you’re making snacks for someone with coeliac disease, first choose toast or a toast alternative whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or bears the Crossed Grain symbol. Then choose a shape that works with your toppings, check separately for other allergens, and keep the gluten-free snacks separate from regular bread when preparing and serving them.
You want to choose a suitable gluten-free base and make sure it doesn’t come into contact with crumbs from regular bread when you add toppings or serve it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol when choosing a product.
You’re looking for a base whose shape and flavour work with your dips or toppings. Small toast bites and crackers aren’t the same type of product, so compare their size with the snack you want to make.
As well as gluten, your guests may need to avoid ingredients such as egg, oats, milk, nuts or sesame. Check the ingredients and allergen information for each product separately.
If you’re catering for a guest with coeliac disease, start by checking the gluten-free label on the packaging. Then compare the product shape and other ingredients for your fakeaway snacks.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Choosing and serving gluten-free snacks | Look for ‘gluten-free’ or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. When adding toppings, keep bread crumbs and shared utensils away from the gluten-free snacks. | If I’m cooking for someone with coeliac disease, I also want to avoid contact with regular bread when serving. For around 50% of consumers, choosing and preparing gluten-free food is the top priority. |
| Shape to suit your toppings | Compare the size and flavour of toast bites with crackers, and see which shape works best with your planned topping. | For individual party snacks, I’m looking for a small base, while I’d rather choose a larger one for other toppings. Around 30% of consumers prioritise how well the product works with their toppings. |
| Other ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per planned serving if salt content matters to you. | If any guests also avoid egg, oats, milk, nuts or sesame, I don’t want to rely on the gluten-free label alone. For around 20% of consumers, these additional dietary requirements come first. |
A product’s style says nothing about whether it’s suitable for someone with coeliac disease. Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and barley malt flour in AH Melba toast plain.
If you’re choosing for someone with coeliac disease, look for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Don’t rely on the name ‘Melba toast’.
Crumbs on a shared chopping board or transferred by a used knife can end up on gluten-free snacks.
Use clean, separate utensils and keep the toast and toppings for gluten-free snacks away from regular bread.
According to Jumbo’s product information, Gluten Free Bakery Holland Italian-Seasoned Toast Bites contain egg and oats. The packaging also says the product may contain almonds, hazelnuts, nuts, sesame and walnuts.
Check the full allergen information for your chosen product against the needs of all your guests. A gluten-free label doesn’t replace this check.
You can’t tell from the product category whether a particular item is made with iodised baker’s salt.
If the type of salt used matters to you, read the ingredients list on the product’s packaging.
Jumbo lists this brand’s Italian-Seasoned Toast Bites 100 g as a toast option for savoury snacks.
A bol.com product page offers Damhert Gluten Free Lactose Free Toast 150 g for anyone who is also avoiding lactose.
Jumbo includes Schär Gluten-Free Crackers as a cracker option in its toast range.
Albert Heijn’s range includes crackers and other products for meals and drinks with snacks.
Don’t assume it’s suitable: according to Albert Heijn, AH Melba toast plain contains wheat flour and barley malt flour. For someone with coeliac disease, choose a product whose current packaging explicitly says ‘gluten-free’ or bears the Crossed Grain symbol.
No. Check the finished product for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. The name of an ingredient alone isn’t enough.
Prepare and serve gluten-free snacks with clean, separate utensils, and keep them away from regular bread and crumbs. If needed, use separate toppings and a separate chopping board or serving dish too.
No. Check the label for other allergens separately. For example, according to Jumbo, Gluten Free Bakery Holland Italian-Seasoned Toast Bites contain egg and oats and may contain nuts and sesame.
