Who are these options suitable for?

Picnickers looking for a sturdy seeded base

You want a seeded cracker that you can take with you dry and top once you reach your picnic spot. If fibre content matters to you, compare the figures per 100 g on the packaging.

Fans of thin toast

You want to make small, crunchy bites and prefer multigrain Melba toast to a thicker cracker. Take the toppings separately so the toast does not go soft during the journey.

Picnickers looking for a gluten-free option

You want an explicitly gluten-free alternative. Also check the latest ingredients and allergen information: a gluten-free seeded cracker may still contain sesame, for example.

What should you look for when choosing?

First choose between a sturdy cracker and thin toast. Then consider the ingredients, the toppings you plan to take and any allergens.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Sturdiness and crunch Choose a product shape that works with your toppings. Keep toast or crackers dry and add the toppings just before eating. If I’m making bites on the spot, I want the base to stay crunchy during the journey and not break when I add the toppings. This texture comes first for around 31% of consumers.
Seeds and fibre Compare the ingredients, any stated seed percentage and the fibre per 100 g; also consider the portion size. I mainly choose based on the ingredients and want to know how many seeds and how much fibre the cracker or toast contains. This is the first consideration for around 23% of consumers.
Taking toppings with you Carry toppings that need to stay chilled in a cool bag and keep them separate from the dry toast. When taking chilled toppings on a picnic, my main concern is stopping them from getting too warm on the way. Around 31% of consumers prioritise keeping food cool during transport.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; check a gluten-free label separately from information about sesame and other allergens. If I need to avoid an ingredient, the toast or cracker I choose must suit that restriction. This is the most important selection criterion for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Treating Melba toast and seeded crackers as the same product

    Thin Melba toast and sturdier crackers make different kinds of bites. Bolletje 45% Zadencrackers Zonnebloempitten are crackers, not thin slices of toast.

    Decide which shape you want to serve, then choose your toppings. Add moist toppings to the toast or cracker just before eating.

  • Topping the toast in advance and taking chilled toppings without a cool bag

    Moist toppings can make toast go soft. For toppings that spoil quickly, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using a cool bag; according to the Centre, these foods should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours.

    Keep the toast dry and separate. Carry chilled toppings in a sealed container in a cool bag, and add them to the toast once you reach your picnic spot.

  • Assuming seeded products suit every dietary restriction

    The seeded products reviewed show why a product name alone does not tell you everything: Bolletje seeded crackers contain cereals containing gluten and sesame, while AH Glutenvrij sesame and chia crackers still contain sesame.

    When you buy, check the latest ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the packaging.

  • Assuming every piece of toast contains iodised salt

    Whether a product contains iodised salt depends on the ingredients in that particular toast or cracker. AH Glutenvrij Biologisch crackers sesam & chiazaad explicitly lists it in its product information.

    If this matters to your choice, check the latest packaging for a mention of iodised salt.

Brands to consider

Bolletje

Bolletje makes seeded crackers for anyone who would rather serve crackers than thin toast at a picnic.

  • According to Bolletje, its 45% Zadencrackers Zonnebloempitten contain linseed, sunflower seeds and sesame, among other ingredients. Albert Heijn lists 18 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
  • This variety contains cereals containing gluten and sesame. Information about these seeded crackers does not automatically apply to other Bolletje crackers.

Van der Meulen (Melba Toast)

Melba Toast Meergranen is a thin toast with grains and seeds, ideal for small picnic bites.

  • Van der Meulen describes this variety as thin and crunchy and lists 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Thin toast is less practical if it will be in contact with moist toppings for a long time. Take the toppings separately and check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens.

AH Glutenvrij

The organic sesame and chia cracker is an option if you are specifically looking for a gluten-free product.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, these crackers are made in a completely gluten-free environment.
  • The cracker contains sesame and oats. Even when choosing a gluten-free product, check the other ingredients and allergens on the latest packaging.

Seeded crackers on Joybuy

These products suit the cracker option for your picnic. Check their shape and the latest packaging to see whether they work with your toppings and ingredient preferences.

Lu Vitalu Multiseed Crackers 200 g

Lu Vitalu Multiseed Crackers 200 g

An option if you’re looking for crackers with several types of seeds for your picnic and want to take the toppings separately.

200 g pack. Check the latest ingredients, allergens and nutritional information if the exact composition matters to your choice.

View at Joybuy
Bolletje Light Whole Grain Crackers 190 g

Bolletje Light Whole Grain Crackers 190 g

An option if you want to compare a wholegrain cracker with the multiseed variety for small picnic bites.

190 g pack. Check the latest packaging to see which seeds and allergens this variety contains; add toppings just before eating.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Should toast with toppings be kept chilled for a picnic?

You can take dry toast separately; whether anything needs to be chilled depends mainly on the toppings. Carry toppings that need to stay chilled in a cool bag. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends not leaving food that spoils quickly out of the fridge for more than two hours.

Does seeded toast always contain more fibre?

No, fibre content varies from product to product. Van der Meulen lists 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g for Melba Toast Meergranen; Albert Heijn lists 18 g per 100 g for Bolletje 45% Zadencrackers Zonnebloempitten. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, and bear in mind the difference between thin toast and crackers.

Is a seeded cracker automatically gluten-free?

No, having seeds in the name does not mean a product is labelled gluten-free. The Bolletje seeded crackers reviewed contain cereals containing gluten and sesame. According to Albert Heijn, AH Glutenvrij sesame and chia crackers are made gluten-free, but they still contain sesame and oats, so check the latest packaging.

How can I tell whether my toast contains iodised salt?

Check the ingredients list on the latest packaging for a mention of iodised salt. The product information for AH Glutenvrij Biologisch crackers sesam & chiazaad lists this ingredient, but that does not tell you anything about the ingredients in other toast or crackers.