Who is this relevant to?

Breakfast eater with coeliac disease

You’re looking for a gluten-free base for savoury toppings, and also want to prevent crumbs from gluten-containing bread getting onto your breakfast via kitchen utensils or toppings.

Savoury topping fan

You want to skip the chocolate sprinkles and find a cracker or bread alternative to pair with toppings such as cheese, egg, hummus or vegetable spread. The texture you want will help determine which base to choose.

Comparing bread alternatives

As well as checking the gluten-free label, you look at fibre, protein, salt and other allergens. If you eat less bread, you may also want to know whether bakers’ salt affects your iodine intake.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with a base that is explicitly labelled gluten-free, then check the topping and how you prepare it. Only then compare the texture and nutritional information of products that could work for your breakfast.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Gluten-free and prepared safely Look for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol on the current packaging. Check the topping too, and use clean kitchen utensils. If I have coeliac disease, I don’t want crumbs from regular bread ending up on my breakfast. For around 42% of consumers, being gluten-free without cross-contamination is the top priority.
Suitable for savoury toppings Compare a light cracker with a firmer cracker or bread alternative in terms of texture and how much topping you want to use. I want to skip the chocolate sprinkles and choose a base that works with my savoury topping. For around 33% of consumers, this practicality matters most.
Nutritional information if you eat less bread Compare fibre, protein, salt and allergens per 100 g. If you’re buying bread, check whether bakers’ salt is listed in the ingredients. If I often replace bread, I want to know what else is in my breakfast and whether my iodine intake will change. For around 25% of consumers, this is the most important consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming rusks or crackers are automatically gluten-free

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists rusks and crackers among products that often contain gluten. So the shape of a product doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for coeliac disease.

    Read the current packaging: look for a gluten-free label or the Crossed Grain symbol, and check the other allergen information separately.

  • Choosing oats without checking them carefully

    Oats in a cracker must be explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Dutch Coeliac Society also points out that some people with coeliac disease react to pure oats as well.

    Check the packaging and discuss any symptoms or concerns about oats with your healthcare professional or a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease.

  • Using chocolate sprinkles when you want a savoury breakfast

    The chocolate sprinkles from De Ruijter and Venz that we looked at are sold as sweet bread toppings. So they aren’t a savoury topping, whatever base you use.

    Choose a gluten-free base first, then add a savoury topping. If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging of that topping too.

  • Assuming a bread alternative provides the same iodine intake

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread made with iodised bakers’ salt is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands. However, bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt.

    Check the ingredients on packaged bread or ask your baker. If needed, discuss questions about your overall diet with a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease.

Brands to consider

AH Glutenvrij

A range of gluten-free staples, including crackers, for anyone looking to compare different breakfast alternatives.

  • Albert Heijn describes AH Glutenvrij Crackers as made from rice and maize and produced in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • Check the current packaging of the specific product for ingredients and allergens; these vary between crackers.

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten

A gluten-free range that includes light crackers for anyone looking for a neutral base for savoury toppings.

  • The light crackers described by Jumbo carry the Crossed Grain symbol and contain rice flour and maize flour.
  • Jumbo lists 2,3 g of fibre per 100 g for these crackers. Compare the nutritional information if fibre is one of your deciding factors.

Schär

A brand with a range of gluten-free crackers and bread products, worth considering if you want to compare textures.

  • The Schär Crackers we looked at are described as gluten-free and wheat-free.
  • These crackers contain soya and list 1,6 g of salt per 100 g. Check that the current version suits your other dietary needs.

Nairn's

A brand with crackers made from gluten-free oats, including a seeded version for anyone looking for a different texture.

  • For the Super Seeded Wholegrain Crackers we looked at, Jumbo lists 51% gluten-free wholegrain oats and ingredients such as linseed and chia.
  • These crackers contain oats and may contain milk. If you have coeliac disease, even explicitly gluten-free oats need to be considered in light of your personal tolerance.

De Ruijter

A brand of chocolate sprinkles; useful for highlighting the difference between the original combination and a savoury breakfast.

  • Albert Heijn describes the intensely dark chocolate sprinkles we looked at as a sweet bread topping.
  • These chocolate sprinkles aren’t a savoury topping. If you have coeliac disease, check the current packaging of each topping separately.

Products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are regular rusks suitable for coeliac disease?

Don’t assume they are without checking. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists rusks among products that often contain gluten. Choose a base that is explicitly labelled gluten-free on the current packaging or carries the Crossed Grain symbol.

Are chocolate sprinkles suitable for a gluten-free savoury breakfast?

Chocolate sprinkles aren’t a savoury topping: the De Ruijter and Venz products we looked at are described as sweet bread toppings. If you have coeliac disease, also check the packaging of your chosen topping separately for a gluten-free label.

What should I look for in crackers made with oats?

If you have coeliac disease, choose oat crackers only if the oats are explicitly labelled gluten-free. According to the Dutch Coeliac Society, some people with coeliac disease also react to pure oats. Discuss any symptoms or concerns with your healthcare professional or a dietitian who specialises in coeliac disease.

How can I keep crumbs off my gluten-free breakfast?

Use clean hands and utensils, and make sure your topping hasn’t come into contact with crumbs from gluten-containing bread. The Dutch Coeliac Society points out that these crumbs can contaminate a gluten-free product.

Does gluten-free bread always contain iodine from bakers’ salt?

No. Don’t assume that bakers’ salt has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, its use isn’t compulsory in the Netherlands. Check the ingredients list on packaged bread or ask your baker if you eat less regular bread.