For a small Mother’s Day breakfast, choose your rusks by the number in the pack, not by a ‘half loaf’ size. A roll of 10 or 13 is a good option if you’ll use the leftovers later and store them somewhere dry in an airtight container. If you want individually wrapped portions, Bolletje Echte Beschuit Mono is an option, although Bolletje says it isn’t available in supermarkets. Then compare the grain varieties and check the packaging for allergens if you’re serving guests.
If you’re serving just a few rusks, the number in the pack determines how many you’ll have left over. The supermarket packs mentioned here contain 10 or 13 rusks. Bolletje says its individually wrapped Echte Beschuit Mono isn’t available in supermarkets.
If fibre is a priority, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients for the specific variety. A wholegrain name or seeds on the rusk aren’t a substitute for checking.
If you’re serving different toppings to a range of guests, it’s worth checking the rusks themselves too. Product information for the varieties reviewed lists ingredients including wheat, egg or sesame; the relevant allergens vary by pack.
First, count how many rusks you’ll need and decide what you’ll do with the rest. Then compare the nutritional information and check the latest label if you’re serving guests.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of rusks and leftovers | Compare the number in each pack and check how to store it once opened. Only look for individually wrapped rusks if you need that type of packaging. | If I’m making breakfast for a few people, I want to know whether I can use the remaining rusks later. Limiting leftovers would be the main concern for around 50% of consumers. |
| Fibre and choice of grain | Compare the fibre per 100 g and check whether your chosen variety is actually wholegrain. | When I choose rusks based on the grain, I want to compare the nutritional value of the different varieties. Around 30% of consumers would put fibre and grain choice first. |
| Toppings and allergens | Choose a variety to go with your planned toppings and check the latest ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the pack. | For breakfast with guests, I want to choose a flavour that works without overlooking an allergen in the rusks. This combination would be the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
‘Half a loaf’ isn’t a useful size for the rusk packs reviewed: the examples are sold as a roll or pack of 10 or 13.
Count how many you’ll serve, then choose a pack whose leftovers you can use and store.
PLUS lists ingredients including wheat, barley, spelt, egg and sesame for its spelt rusks. For Bolletje multiseed rusks, PLUS lists wheat and sesame.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the current packaging, even if you’ve bought the variety before.
A pack of 10 doesn’t tell you how each individual rusk is wrapped. Bolletje says its Mono variety is individually wrapped, but isn’t available in supermarkets.
Check the packaging if you want to keep portions unopened. For a regular opened roll, follow the storage instructions on the pack.
Bolletje offers Echte Beschuit, a multiseed variety and Echte Beschuit Mono, among other products.
PLUS offers plain rusks in a roll and spelt rusks with seeds and kernels, among other products.
This ALDI brand offers plain and wholegrain rusks.
The own-brand range includes plain and wholegrain rusks, among other products.
These Bolletje packs contain 10 or 13 rusks, with a choice of multiseed, dark wholegrain, Original and wholegrain varieties. For a small breakfast, work out how many you’ll use and plan what to do with the rest.
No image available
An option if you’d like multiseed rusks for breakfast and want to plan the number in advance.
Check the packaging for allergens and advice on storing any leftover rusks.
No image available
Worth considering if you’re looking for wholegrain rusks and want to plan for no more than 10 from one pack.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the allergens on the pack.
No image available
An option if you’d like to serve the Original variety and use any leftovers later.
If you’re serving guests, read the allergen information on the pack and store any leftovers as directed.
No image available
A wholegrain option to consider if you can use 13 rusks or plan to store the rest.
A small breakfast may leave you with more rusks than a pack of 10 would. Also compare the nutritional information and allergens on the label.
The supermarket examples reviewed aren’t sold in a half-loaf size. Instead, they list the number of rusks per roll or pack, such as 10 or 13. Choose based on how many you’ll serve and what you plan to do with the rest.
Store leftover rusks somewhere dry in an airtight container and follow the instructions on the packaging. Before serving them later, check the best-before date and make sure they’re still in good condition.
No, spelt isn’t a gluten-free alternative. For the spelt rusks reviewed, PLUS lists spelt, wheat, barley and gluten-containing cereals, among other ingredients. Always check the latest label on the pack you choose.
The Dutch rules on baker’s salt don’t mean that all rusks contain iodine. Under the Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foodstuffs, in force since 14 November 2014, iodine may only be added to bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through baker’s salt, at a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the label or ask the manufacturer to find out whether a particular rusk contains iodine.
