Hosts planning a savoury Christmas get-together
You’re looking for a crunchy base for a variety of savoury toppings, without a sweet biscuit influencing the flavour.
Who should consider each option?
Hosts planning a dessert or coffee table
You’re looking for a biscuit to serve with coffee or use in a sweet recipe, and you’re aware that digestives are a different type of product from toast.
Hosts who need to check food labels
You’re taking into account ingredients your guests avoid. The allergen information for the product you choose matters here, not just a claim such as wholegrain, vegan or gluten-free.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether your nibbles will be savoury or sweet. Then check the packaging for allergens, nutritional information and a quantity that suits your group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Base for savoury toppings | Check whether the product is plain Melba toast, a cracker you can top, or a biscuit. | When I’m serving a range of savoury toppings, I want a base that doesn’t steer the flavour towards dessert. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, including any statements about possible traces. | For guests who need to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to choose based only on the front of the pack. Checking the label is the first concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugars, fats, fibre and salt per 100 g; also check the portion size. | When I compare toast and biscuits, I want to understand what the difference on the nutrition label means for my choice. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Quantity and storage | Check the net weight and storage instructions after opening. | I want to have enough for the get-together without leaving an opened pack around for too long. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating digestives as plain toast
Albert Heijn sells Melba toast as a base for toppings, while AH Digestive is a biscuit. These product types aren’t automatically suited to the same savoury nibbles.
Choose your toppings first: for a mixed savoury platter, go for plain toast, and use digestives when a biscuit suits the sweet dish you have in mind.
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Assuming a claim on the front means a product is allergen-free
The AH Melba Toast described is vegan, but contains ingredients including wheat, barley and soya. The gluten-free Schär Digestive described contains soya and may contain egg and lupin.
If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the allergen statement for the exact product you’re buying.
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Looking only at the number of packs
A 120 g pack and a 240 g pack won’t provide the same amount of toast for a party platter.
Choose the net weight to suit the number of nibbles you want to make, and follow the storage instructions on the pack once opened.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers plain Melba Toast for toppings, as well as separate Digestive biscuits for sweet treats.
- The Melba toast described is vegan and lactose-free.
- That Melba toast contains wheat, barley and soya, so don’t choose it for guests avoiding these ingredients without checking the label.
Van der Meulen
The 120 g Melba Toast Naturel is plain toast, suitable for savoury toppings.
- Jumbo describes this product as thinly sliced, crisp, toasted pieces.
- The product described contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame.
Jumbo
The toast range includes different types, such as mini crackers, Melba toast and a wholegrain Melba toast option.
- The different product types let you choose a base to suit your topping.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by product, so check the pack you choose.
Sun Snacks
Sun Snacks offers Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack.
- ALDI’s product description presents this option as crisp, toasted bread.
- Check the information on the current packaging before doing your Christmas shopping.
Schär
Schär offers a gluten-free Digestive biscuit for anyone specifically looking for a biscuit to use in a sweet dish.
- The Digestive described is labelled gluten-free, wheat-free and lactose-free.
- This product contains soya and may contain egg and lupin; gluten-free doesn’t mean allergen-free in this case.
Products for different occasions
These products include Melba toast for toppings, Digestive biscuits for a sweet treat, and a cracker as a separate alternative. A cracker or biscuit isn’t necessarily a substitute for plain Melba toast with savoury nibbles.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
Melba toast to consider as a base for toppings, in a 100 g pack. If your guests have allergies, check the information on the current packaging.
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Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
Melba toast for a platter of toppings, in a 240 g pack. Work out how much you need based on the number of nibbles you’re making, and check the label if anyone has allergies.
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McVities Digestive Original 400 g
A Digestive biscuit to enjoy with coffee or in a sweet recipe, rather than as a plain base for savoury toppings. The pack contains 400 g; check the allergen information if your guests need you to.
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McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate 266 g
These Digestives with dark chocolate are ideal for a sweet treat, not as a plain base for savoury toppings. The pack contains 266 g; read the label if the ingredients matter to your guests.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers 300 g
A cracker to compare with Melba toast if you’re looking for a different type of base. The pack contains 300 g; check the nutritional information and allergens on the label for this product.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use digestives for savoury Christmas nibbles?
You can if you deliberately want to pair the biscuit flavour with a topping, but digestives aren’t a neutral alternative to toast. Plain Melba toast is a more natural choice for a range of savoury toppings; AH Digestive is sold as a biscuit.
Is vegan Melba toast suitable for every guest?
No: vegan doesn’t mean free from all allergens. The AH Melba Toast described contains ingredients including wheat, barley and soya; if anyone needs to avoid these, check the current packaging.
Is a gluten-free Digestive also free from other allergens?
Not necessarily. The gluten-free Schär Digestive described contains soya and may contain egg and lupin, so read the allergen information on the exact pack.
How should I store Melba toast after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal any opened toast well. Albert Heijn recommends storing its Melba toast in a sealed tin.