The fibre-focused breakfast eater
Wants a crunchy base with fibre content and ingredients that can be compared on the label. A pronounced seed texture may matter more than a thin toast shape.
Who are these options for?
The topping and texture chooser
Is looking for a cracker or toast that suits the amount of savoury topping they want, such as egg, vegetables or hummus. A high proportion of seeds will not necessarily be the deciding factor.
The shopper checking allergens and salt
Reads the allergen information before buying and compares salt per 100 g. This is especially important when the ingredients in the base or chosen topping limit the options.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide what you want the base to do for your savoury breakfast: provide a noticeable seed texture, leave room for toppings or offer a thin piece of toast. Then compare the labels of the options that fit the bill.
Seed cracker
Best for: a breakfast where seed texture and the stated fibre content matter to you.
Bear in mind: a high seed content alone does not tell you whether the grain base is entirely wholegrain.
Multiseed breakfast cracker
Best for: anyone looking for a breakfast cracker with several types of seed as a base for savoury toppings.
Bear in mind: the Bolletje version described by Albert Heijn contains both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.
Melba toast
Best for: a smaller amount of savoury topping on a thin, crunchy base.
Bear in mind: the name Melba toast does not confirm that it is made with wholegrains or contains seeds.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this most? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre and grain base | Compare fibre per 100 g and check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients. Seeds on the packaging do not automatically make a cracker entirely wholegrain. | If I’m choosing mainly for fibre, I want to see how the grain base is made. Around 36% of consumers put this need first. |
| Texture and toppings | Check the size and serving amount, and think about how much topping you want to add. Thin Melba toast and a seed cracker offer different eating experiences. | For a breakfast with egg, vegetables or hummus, I want a base that suits the amount of topping I’m having. This combination matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the latest allergen information, including details of possible traces, and compare salt per 100 g. Factor in your savoury topping too. | If ingredients limit my choice, I want to know which allergens are listed and how much salt the product contains before buying. This is the first consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Thin toast and portion size | Look at the product shape and the amount per serving. Check the ingredients separately if the use of iodised baker’s salt is relevant to your choice. | I’d rather have a thin base for a small savoury portion than a strongly seeded cracker. Around 14% of consumers put this preference first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘with seeds’ means ‘entirely wholegrain’
A cracker can contain seeds, wholemeal flour and white flour. For example, Albert Heijn lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour in Bolletje Multiseed Breakfast Crackers.
Check the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g if the grain base is your main deciding factor.
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Comparing only the cracker and forgetting the topping
Savoury toppings also contribute to the nutritional profile of your breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that some toppings are high in salt or saturated fat.
Compare the salt content of the crackers, then check the nutritional information for the topping you plan to use.
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Choosing a seed product without checking the allergens
The seed crackers examined list, among other things, cereals containing gluten and sesame. According to Van der Meulen’s product information, Melba Toast Naturel contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain traces of sesame.
If you have a food allergy or coeliac disease, use the latest allergen information on the product you choose as your guide.
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Expecting every type of toast or cracker to contain iodine
The product category does not tell you whether iodised baker’s salt has been used in a particular product.
Check the ingredients information for the product you choose, or ask the manufacturer or retailer if this matters to your purchase.
Brands and retailers to consider
Bolletje
Offers both seed crackers and multiseed breakfast crackers for anyone looking for a crunchy base with seeds.
- Albert Heijn states that Bolletje 45% Seed Crackers contain 45% seeds and kernels; its Multiseed Breakfast Crackers contain 22% seeds and kernels.
- Compare the ingredients, fibre and allergens for each product: a multiseed name does not mean that all the grains used are wholegrain.
Melba / Van der Meulen
Melba Toast Naturel is a thin style of toast for anyone who wants to add a small amount of savoury topping.
- Van der Meulen describes this product as light and crunchy.
- According to the product information, Melba Toast Naturel contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain traces of sesame. The name does not confirm a wholegrain or seed profile.
Albert Heijn
Offers various types of toast and crackers, including seed cracker options.
- The product range includes seed crackers in flavours such as rosemary and garlic, onion and chive, and tomato and basil.
- Compare the ingredients, nutritional values and allergens on the product page or packaging for each individual option.
Jumbo
A retailer to consider if you’re thinking of using Melba toast as a base for savoury toppings.
- Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel in its range.
- That listing alone says nothing about its seed or wholegrain profile; check the packaging of the product you choose.
ALDI / Goud Gebakken
Worth considering when comparing multiseed crackers, wholemeal sesame options and seeded crispbread.
- ALDI Netherlands lists these product types in its Goud Gebakken range.
- Check the nutritional information table for the product you choose before comparing it with another cracker.
Lidl
A retailer to consider if you’re looking for thin crackers or wholegrain cracker options.
- Lidl Netherlands lists thin crackers and also highlights wholegrain options among its grain products.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional values and allergens on the packaging of the specific cracker.
Crackers for a savoury breakfast at Joybuy
These crackers and crispbreads are options to consider as a base for savoury toppings. Choose the product shape you’re looking for, then compare the ingredients, nutritional values and allergens on the packaging before making your final choice.
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Wasa High-Fiber Crackers, 300 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for crackers to serve with savoury toppings. Compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging, and check the allergen information if it matters to your choice.
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Bolletje Light Whole Grain Crackers, 190 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for a cracker to go with a smaller amount of savoury topping. Check the ingredients and nutritional values for this product if the grain base or seed content matters to your choice.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread, 265 g
Worth considering if you’d like to use crispbread as a base for a savoury breakfast. Check the packaging to see which grains and allergens are listed for this product, and compare fibre and salt per 100 g.
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Bolletje Sesame Bagel Crackers, 225 g
Worth considering if you’d like to pair a sesame cracker with savoury toppings. Check the packaging for the grain ingredients and allergens, and use the nutritional values per 100 g to compare it with other crackers.
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TastyBasics Crackers Sunflower Seeds, 8 pieces
Worth considering if you’re looking for a sunflower seed cracker to serve with savoury toppings. Compare the ingredients and salt per 100 g with other options; the product name does not confirm that the grain base is entirely wholegrain.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cracker with seeds automatically entirely wholegrain?
No. For Bolletje Multiseed Breakfast Crackers, Albert Heijn lists 49% wholemeal wheat flour as well as 23% wheat flour. Read the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g if the grain base matters to your purchase.
Can I choose Melba toast instead of a seed cracker?
Yes, if you mainly want a thin base for a smaller amount of savoury topping; the products will not necessarily meet the same needs. If you specifically want a wholegrain base or seeds, compare the ingredients and nutritional values of the particular Melba toast with those of the seed cracker.
Does every type of toast or cracker contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the product category. Check the ingredients information for the individual product, or ask the manufacturer or retailer if this is relevant to your purchase.
What should I look out for with sesame or gluten in toast and crackers?
Read the latest allergen information on the packaging of the product you choose. The Bolletje seed crackers examined list, among other things, cereals containing gluten and sesame; according to Van der Meulen, Melba Toast Naturel contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain traces of sesame.
What else should I consider alongside the cracker for a savoury breakfast?
The topping also affects the nutritional profile of your breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that some savoury toppings are high in salt or saturated fat, so check the nutritional information for both the base and the topping.