Plain Melba toast is a natural choice for a platter with a range of toppings: its mild flavour lets the toppings take centre stage. If you’d prefer the toast itself to have a more pronounced grain flavour, compare wholegrain options; choose sesame toast when it suits the menu. Whichever you choose, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you buy, especially if any guests need to avoid certain ingredients.
If you’re serving fish, cheese, cold meats and vegetarian spreads, plain Melba toast makes a mild base. Van der Meulen describes its plain variety as a base for topped nibbles; just remember to check the allergens for the variety you choose.
If you want the toast itself to add flavour, a wholegrain variety is worth comparing. Jumbo describes Van der Meulen Meergranen Toast as containing 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the grains, seeds and allergens before serving it to guests.
Sesame toast can work well with nibbles where that flavour is an intentional part of the menu. Albert Heijn’s organic sesame Melba toast contains 7% sesame seeds and carries the EU organic logo. Don’t choose this variety for a sharing platter until you’ve checked whether any guests need to avoid sesame.
First decide whether you want the toppings or the toast to provide most of the flavour. Then check the allergens and choose a pack size to suit the number of nibbles you’re planning to make.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral base | Check that you’re buying a plain variety and that any added flavourings work with your toppings. | I’m putting all sorts of toppings on one platter and don’t want the toast to give everything the same flavour. Around 33% of consumers prioritise a versatile base like this. |
| Grain flavour and fibre | Compare the ingredients and the stated fibre content per 100 g of the varieties you’re considering. | For savoury nibbles, I want the toast itself to have more of a grain flavour, even if that makes it less neutral. For around 25% of consumers, that grain-based option matters most. |
| Organic and sesame | Check for the EU organic logo if organic is a requirement, and read the sesame allergen information. | I’m building the menu around sesame, but need to know whether everyone can eat it. That flavour or the organic certification is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Allergens and planning | Read the current label; also check the pack size and how to store the toast after opening. | I need to be able to check the ingredients for my guests and plan enough toast without opening everything too early. Around 17% of consumers give this practical preparation the highest priority. |
According to the product information, Albert Heijn’s organic sesame Melba toast also contains soya, barley and wheat. Organic certification doesn’t remove allergens.
Ask guests in advance which ingredients they need to avoid, then check the current packaging of the exact variety you’ll be serving.
Sesame or herbs will affect the flavour of every nibble you make with the toast. Plain Melba toast is a different option if you want to combine a range of toppings on one platter.
Use a flavoured variety for nibbles that suit it, or choose plain toast if you only want to buy one type to go with a range of toppings.
An online listing doesn’t tell you whether a particular variety will be available at your local shop in time. For example, Lidl lists its Melba toast as an in-store-only product.
Check current availability before making a specific type of toast a fixed part of your menu.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell which salt was used to make a product simply from the word ‘toast’.
If iodine is important to your choice, check the label or ask the manufacturer about the specific product.
Offers plain Melba toast and a wholegrain variety, among other products.
Own-label range offering both plain Melba toast and an organic sesame variety.
Stockist of the Melba toast varieties reviewed, including products from Van der Meulen.
ALDI describes a plain Melba toast in a 240 g pack.
An in-store option for a 240 g pack of Melba toast.
These products include two types of Melba toast for topped nibbles, plus rice toast as an alternative. First choose the type that suits your menu; rice toast isn’t the same as classic Melba toast.
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Plain Melba toast to consider if you want to serve a range of toppings without a strongly flavoured base.
If you’re catering for guests with allergies, check the current packaging. Also check how many pieces of toast are in the pack if you’re planning nibbles per person.
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The round shape may work well for small, individually topped nibbles.
Compare the size with what you plan to serve, and check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
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Rice toast to compare if you’re looking for a different type of crunchy base from Melba toast.
The pack contains 65 g. Check that the size and flavour work with your toppings, and if you have allergies, read the current information on the packaging.
No, you can’t assume that all toast does: according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Ask the manufacturer about the specific product or check the label if this matters to your choice.
It depends on the variety you choose. Albert Heijn labels the plain Melba toast it reviewed as vegan, but also lists allergens. Always read the current packaging before serving it to guests; vegan doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Store the toast somewhere dry and seal an opened pack or tin tightly. If you’re using moist toppings, it’s best to add them shortly before serving.
Only if the flavour works with your nibbles and the ingredients are suitable for your guests. According to the product information, the organic sesame toast from Albert Heijn that was reviewed contains sesame, soya, barley and wheat; the EU organic logo doesn’t change the need to check for allergens.
