Anyone making Christmas market bites
You’re looking for a dry, crisp base for small bites and want to add the toppings just before serving. A thin sesame variety could work if its nutty flavour suits the toppings and your guests.
Who is this for?
Anyone comparing nutritional values
Look beyond the visible seeds: the wholegrain content, fibre, salt and serving size can vary between crispbreads. So compare the nutritional information on the specific packs you’re considering.
Anyone catering for guests with allergies
If a guest has a sesame allergy or needs to avoid gluten-containing grains, the ingredients list is crucial. Check the pack for any ‘may contain’ warnings too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re mainly looking for a thin base for toppings or a particular nutritional profile. Then check the label for all your guests and plan to transport the crispbread and toppings separately.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture and base for toppings | Look at the shape, thickness and seeds listed; consider whether you can add the toppings once you’re there. | For small bites, I want a crisp base that I can top shortly before serving. For around 30% of consumers, this combination of texture and presentation comes first. |
| Nutritional profile | Compare fibre, carbohydrates, protein and salt per 100 g; also check the serving size on the label. | If the nutritional make-up matters more to me than the visible seeds, I want to compare the nutritional values of specific varieties. Around 30% of consumers give this nutritional profile top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and check the exact pack for information about allergens present and possible traces. | I’m buying for guests with different dietary requirements, so I need to know whether sesame or gluten-containing grains are an issue. For around 20% of consumers, this is their main concern. |
| Transport and serving | Check the storage advice for the crispbread and arrange separate refrigeration for perishable toppings. | If I’m taking the bites to a Christmas market, I want to keep the dry base crisp and transport perishable toppings safely. This practical preparation matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming seeds are suitable for every guest
Sesame is an allergen in its own right. The crispbread varieties discussed also contain gluten-containing grains; individual products may carry warnings about other allergens too.
Read the ingredients and traces information on the pack. For unpackaged bites, ask about allergen information before buying or serving them.
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Assuming the nutritional values of one variety apply to all crispbread
According to product information from Wasa and Albert Heijn, Wasa Thin Rye Wholegrain contains 21 g of fibre per 100 g, while Wasa Sesame lists 11 g per 100 g. So visible seeds don’t tell you which values are on your pack.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact products, and check the weight of one piece too if you want to compare portions.
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Taking iodine from baker’s salt for granted
The Voedingscentrum explains that baker’s salt contains more iodine than table salt. That doesn’t mean every crispbread contains baker’s salt, or that a portion provides a particular amount of iodine.
Check whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients of the product you’ve chosen, but don’t use that to infer an iodine amount per portion.
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Storing dry crispbread and perishable toppings in the same way
A dry crispbread base and toppings such as cream cheese, fish or cold meats need different storage. For highly perishable foods, the Voedingscentrum recommends a fridge temperature of 4 °C.
Take the crispbread with you dry and well sealed, keep perishable toppings chilled, and add them to the bites shortly before serving.
Brands compared
Wasa
The range includes thin rye crispbread with sesame and multigrain sourdough crispbread.
- According to Wasa, Thin Rye Wholegrain contains 98% wholegrain cereals and 21 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Wasa Sourdough Multigrain has a different composition, with several gluten-containing grains and a warning about possible traces of sesame and milk. Assess each variety individually.
Albert Heijn
The retailer provides product information for items including Wasa Sesame and TastyBasics crispbread with poppy seeds and sesame.
- The product pages list ingredients and nutritional information, allowing you to compare the two varieties.
- Ingredients and allergen information can change, so check the packaging when you buy.
TastyBasics
The Low carb crispbread Poppy Seed and Sesame variety is worth considering if you want to compare that specific composition with other crispbreads.
- According to the product information at Albert Heijn, this variety contains 23 g of protein and 13 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The ingredients include wheat, spelt, soya, sesame and barley. Read the label if you’re buying for guests with dietary requirements.
Ryvita
The Multigrain and Pumpkin Seed & Oat products show how seed and grain combinations can vary between crispbread varieties.
- Ryvita lists 18% toasted seeds and grains for Multigrain; for Pumpkin Seed & Oat, the brand lists 12% pumpkin seeds and 10% oats.
- These figures apply to two specific products, not all Ryvita varieties. Check the composition of the pack you’re considering.
Products for a crisp bite-sized base
These Joybuy products are crispbread and crackers you could consider as a dry base for Christmas market bites. Bolletje bagel crackers are a different type of product from crispbread; for Bolletje wholegrain crispbread, check the packaging to see whether its sesame texture suits your preference.
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Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame, 190 g
A thin sesame cracker to top shortly before serving. The Joybuy product description lists wholemeal wheat flour and sesame seeds; check the label for allergens before buying for guests.
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g'woon Crispbread Sesame, 5 pieces
A sesame variety to consider as a dry base for your bites. The pack contains 5 pieces; check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack.
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Bolletje Sesame Bagel Crackers, 225 g
A sesame cracker to consider if you don’t specifically need crispbread for your bites. These are bagel crackers in a 225 g pack; check the label for ingredients and allergens.
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Bolletje Whole Grain Crispbread, 265 g
A wholegrain crispbread to consider if the grain base is your main priority. The pack contains 265 g; check the label to see whether the seeds and allergens are suitable for your bites and guests.
Frequently asked questions
Is seeded crispbread automatically gluten-free?
No. The varieties discussed include rye, wheat, spelt or barley. If a guest needs to eat gluten-free, check for an explicit gluten-free label and read the full allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.
Do I need to check for sesame if it’s only on top?
Yes. Sesame seeds are an allergen, wherever they appear in a product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for prepacked foods is shown on the label; for unpackaged bites, ask for this information before buying them.
Does seeded crispbread automatically provide iodine through baker’s salt?
No. The Voedingscentrum says baker’s salt contains more iodine than table salt, but not all crispbread lists baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list, and don’t infer a specific amount of iodine per portion from the presence of baker’s salt.
How can I keep Christmas market bites with crispbread crunchy?
Take the crispbread with you dry and well sealed, and add moist toppings shortly before serving. Keep perishable toppings chilled separately at 4 °C, as advised by the Voedingscentrum.