The quick rusk breakfast fan
You want a crunchy base you can top without having to slice bread. Rusk fits the bill, as long as you’re not expecting a thick slice of bread; ALDI describes rusk as a round, dry type of bread.
Which base is right for you?
The thick-slice enthusiast
By ‘thick cut’, you mainly mean a thick slice as a base for chocolate sprinkles. A loaf you can slice yourself is a better fit than round rusk; Jumbo, for example, uses the term ‘thickly sliced’ for bread slices.
The regular chocolate sprinkles eater who checks labels
You want to keep enjoying chocolate sprinkles on rusk or bread, while also checking the amount of topping, nutritional information and any allergens for each product. With bread, you can also check whether baker’s salt has been used.
What should you look for when choosing?
Choosing between rusk with chocolate sprinkles and a thick slice of bread starts with the shape of the base you want. You can then consider the type of bread or rusk and the amount of topping separately.
Rusk with chocolate sprinkles
Choose this if: you want a round, crunchy base that’s ready to top straight away.
Bear in mind: rusk won’t give you the thick slice of bread you might mean by ‘thick cut’.
Thick-sliced bread with chocolate sprinkles
Choose this if: the thickness of the bread matters more to you than the shape of rusk.
Bear in mind: slicing your own bread takes an extra step; a thicker slice doesn’t change the nutritional information for the chocolate sprinkles.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A thick slice of bread | Check whether you can slice the bread yourself to your preferred thickness; don’t expect rusk to give you a thick slice. | I want chocolate sprinkles on a thick slice of bread, not on a round rusk. For around 33% of consumers, a substantial base is the priority. |
| Quick and crunchy | Choose a type of rusk that’s ready to top and check the number of pieces on the pack. | On a busy morning, I don’t want to slice bread first, so I’d rather choose a crunchy rusk. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Topping and nutritional information | Compare the nutritional information for your chosen chocolate sprinkles per portion or per 100 g, and check the label on the bread or rusk too. | If I eat this combination often, I want to know how much chocolate sprinkles I use and what’s in both products. For around 42% of consumers, this daily consideration matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘thick cut’ as meaning thicker rusk
ALDI describes rusk as round and dry, while the Jumbo recipe mentioned uses ‘thickly sliced’ to describe bread. So if you’re looking for a thick slice, ordinary rusk may not be what you have in mind.
First decide whether you want rusk or a thick slice of bread, then choose your chocolate sprinkles.
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Assuming the average nutritional value applies to every brand
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 9.4 g of sugars per 15 g portion of chocolate sprinkles. That value doesn’t apply to every variety.
Check the nutritional information on the pack of chocolate sprinkles you actually choose.
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Assuming all bread contains baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it has been used just from the type of bread.
Check the ingredients on the bread label or ask your baker.
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Counting on a ready-made combination
Rusk, bread and chocolate sprinkles are also sold separately. A ready-made Jumbo product shown previously was no longer listed in its online range, according to the product page.
If needed, put your breakfast together with a base and a separate pack of chocolate sprinkles, and check which products are available to buy.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Jumbo lists De Ruijter as a brand offering different types of chocolate sprinkles, including dark chocolate.
- You can compare flavours across the range shown.
- Check the pack of your chosen variety for ingredients and nutritional information; the brand name alone won’t tell you enough.
Venz
Venz features in the chocolate sprinkles ranges shown by Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
- The products shown include dark and milk chocolate sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the current packaging for product information, as ingredients and allergen information, among other details, can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers own-brand chocolate sprinkles in different varieties and also has a rusk category.
- You can browse rusk and chocolate sprinkles as separate options.
- Don’t assume a ready-made combination will always be available; check the current range.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists plain and wholemeal rusk, among other options, alongside chocolate sprinkles.
- You can choose your rusk base and topping separately.
- The rusk category doesn’t confirm a specific ‘thick cut’ variety; check the details for the individual product.
ALDI / Kiekeboe
ALDI lists Kiekeboe dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack, as well as rusk as a separate product.
- The pack size listed makes it easier to compare chocolate sprinkles packs.
- Check separately which type of rusk or bread you want to have with your chocolate sprinkles.
Lidl / Mister Choc
Lidl lists Mister Choc dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
- The product listing clearly states the flavour and pack weight.
- Lidl says this product is ‘in store only’; check whether it’s available at your local shop.
Products for breakfast with chocolate sprinkles
These products give you separate options to choose from: rusk, bread you can slice yourself, two types of chocolate sprinkles and crispbread as another crunchy base. Crispbread isn’t the same as rusk, so choose the base that suits your breakfast before deciding on the topping.
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Bolletje wholemeal rusk, 13 pieces
A rusk base for anyone who’d rather top a crunchy rusk than slice a thick piece of bread.
The product name states that the pack contains 13 pieces. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g
A bread option if you’d rather slice your own loaf than top rusk.
The product name states that it weighs 550 g. A particular slicing thickness isn’t specified, so check whether you can cut the thick slices you want and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone choosing their own rusk or bread base.
The product name states that the pack contains 390 g of chocolate sprinkles; the base is sold separately. Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smiley shapes, 600 g
Milk chocolate sprinkles sold separately, so you can choose your own bread or rusk base.
The product name states that the sprinkles are smiley-shaped and the pack contains 600 g. Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
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g'woon wholemeal crispbread, 125 g
Another crunchy base for toppings if you’re not specifically looking for rusk.
The product name states that it weighs 125 g. Crispbread and rusk are different products; check the shape and packaging if you have one or the other in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘thick cut rusk’ the same as thick-sliced bread?
No. Rusk and thick-sliced bread are different bases for chocolate sprinkles. ALDI describes rusk as round and dry, while a Jumbo example uses ‘thickly sliced’ to describe bread slices. If you’re mainly looking for a thick slice, choose bread you can cut to your preferred thickness.
What should I look out for if I often eat chocolate sprinkles for breakfast?
Think about how much chocolate sprinkles you use and check the nutritional information for both the topping and the base. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an average of 9.4 g of sugars per 15 g of chocolate sprinkles; for the variety you choose, the values on the current packaging are what matter.
Should I check the allergens again when choosing a different type of chocolate sprinkles?
Yes. Check the current packaging before using a different variety. Albert Heijn notes that product ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.
Does bread in the Netherlands always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. You can’t assume that baker’s salt has been used in every loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bread through baker’s salt, while the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use this salt. Check the bread label or ask your baker.