Buffet hosts serving a variety of toppings
If you want to top or dip small bites without toasting bread, ready-to-serve Melba toast is a practical option. Just check that each piece is large enough for the toppings you plan to serve.
Which toast is right for you?
Guests who prefer a larger bread bite
For larger open sandwiches, you can toast your own bread and add the toppings just before serving. If you want to use wholemeal bread, check the description on the packaging; brown bread isn’t automatically wholemeal.
Buffet hosts keeping allergens in mind
Check the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings about cross-contamination for every product you buy. Names such as plain and multigrain don’t tell you which ingredients a piece of toast contains.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want larger slices of bread to toast yourself or small, ready-to-serve pieces of toast. Then compare the actual size, ingredients and what your toppings require.
Medium-sliced bread
A good choice if: you want to make larger open sandwiches and can toast the bread shortly before serving.
The trade-off: toasting the bread yourself takes time. It’s best not to add moist toppings too long in advance.
Melba toast
A good choice if: you want to serve small, crunchy bites or toast with a dip without having to toast anything yourself.
The trade-off: its small, thin shape leaves less room for generous or heavy toppings.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Small bites without toasting | Compare the product shape and the number of pieces you’ll need for your toppings. | If I want to serve a selection of small bites or dips, I don’t want to be toasting bread during the buffet. For around 31% of consumers, being able to serve straight away is the top priority. |
| Size and sturdiness | Check the length, width and thickness; try one bite first if you’re using heavy or wet toppings. | For generous toppings, I want enough surface area without making the bite difficult to hold. Size is also the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Grain and fibre content | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g. | If the bread base matters to me, I want to know how much wholemeal flour and fibre the product contains. This is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Allergens and buffet toppings | Read the label on the product you buy and plan how to keep perishable toppings chilled. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the right packaging and prepare the toppings safely. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing toast for a buffet
-
Assuming medium-sliced means a standard size
On its own, the description doesn’t tell you how large or thick the slices are. A slice may turn out differently from what you had in mind for small bites or generous toppings.
Check the actual size and make one test bite using the bread and topping you plan to serve.
-
Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
Multigrain doesn’t mean that all the grains used are wholegrain. According to Jumbo’s product information, Van der Meulen Melba Multigrain Toast contains both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.
Check for a wholemeal description and read the ingredients list. You can also compare the fibre per 100 g.
-
Guessing the allergens from the product name
Plain, multigrain and seasoned toast can contain different ingredients and carry different cross-contamination warnings. So if you choose a different flavour or pack, check the label again.
Read the label on the exact product you buy, and take into account the information guests with allergies give you.
-
Preparing toast too early with perishable toppings
Moist toppings can make toast soggy. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, food that spoils quickly should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Keep perishable toppings chilled, put out small amounts at a time and add the toppings as late as possible.
Clear away perishable toppings if they’ve been left out of the fridge for too long; it’s better to replenish them from a chilled supply.
Brands to consider
Van der Meulen
Melba toast in several varieties, including multigrain, for small topped bites or dips.
- Jumbo states that Van der Meulen Melba Multigrain Toast contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour and 7,5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This multigrain variety also contains other grains and ingredients, including sesame and soya. If you have allergies, check the label on the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Own-brand toast, including tomato and basil, and a variety with black olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
- A boldly flavoured toast can work well with simple toppings.
- Jumbo states that its Crispy Toast with black olives and sun-dried tomatoes contains 17,1 g of fat and 1,89 g of salt per 100 g. Check the allergens for this variety too.
Sun Snacks
Plain Melba toast from ALDI’s own brand, for anyone looking for a simple toast base.
- ALDI describes Sun Snacks Plain Melba Toast as crisp, toasted slices in a 240 g pack.
- Before serving guests with dietary requirements, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
Bolletje
A crunchy grain-based alternative if you’re looking beyond Melba toast.
- Bolletje states that its High-fibre Wholemeal Crispbread is made with 100% wholegrain cereals.
- This product is crispbread, not Melba toast. Check the listed cereals containing gluten, sesame and any warnings about traces.
Lidl
A shop option for Melba toast in a 240 g pack.
- Lidl lists this Melba toast as an in-store product.
- Check the packaging to make sure the size, ingredients and allergens are suitable for your buffet.
Melba toast for small buffet bites on Joybuy
These products are ready-to-serve Melba toast for making small bites. If you’d rather toast larger slices yourself, compare medium-sliced bread by size and wholemeal description instead of treating these pieces of toast as an equivalent alternative.
No image available
Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
This Melba toast is a good fit for a buffet of small bites when you don’t want to toast the bread yourself.
240 g pack. Compare the size with your planned toppings, especially if they’re heavy or wet.
Check the allergens on the pack you buy: the available product information contains conflicting allergen details.
No image available
Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
This Melba toast is an option if you want to serve small pieces of toast alongside a variety of toppings.
100 g pack. Check the number and size of the pieces when planning portions for your buffet.
If you’re serving guests with allergies, check the packaging for wheat and barley, as well as possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard.
No image available
Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round 100 g
The round shape makes this toast an option for putting together small topped bites.
100 g pack. Before buying, check the dimensions and number of pieces against the portions you’re planning.
If you have allergies, check the label for wheat and barley, as well as possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose medium-sliced bread or Melba toast for Boxing Day?
Choose bread to toast yourself for larger topped bites, and Melba toast for small bites you can serve straight away. Either way, check that the size and sturdiness suit the toppings you plan to use.
Is multigrain Melba toast the same as wholemeal Melba toast?
No. Multigrain doesn’t mean a product is entirely wholemeal. Jumbo states that Van der Meulen Melba Multigrain Toast contains both 45% wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour. Read the ingredients list if wholemeal content is an important factor in your choice.
How long can perishable toppings be left on the buffet?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, food that spoils quickly shouldn’t be left out of the fridge for more than two hours. Keep extra toppings chilled, put out small portions and add them to the crunchy toast just before serving.
How do I choose toast for guests with a food allergy?
Check the ingredients, clearly listed allergens and any cross-contamination warnings on the exact pack you’re buying. Don’t rely on a name such as plain, and ask your guest which ingredients and warnings they need to know about.
Does toast in the Netherlands always contain iodine?
You can’t tell from the word toast alone. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. Check the specific product to see whether this applies to your toast.