For small Easter lunch bites with light toppings, go for a thin sesame Melba toast. If you’d like a larger surface for more generous toppings, consider a sesame cracker or crispbread. These are different types of product, so first decide how you’d like to serve them, then check the ingredients and allergens on each pack.
A thin toast can be served as an individual topped bite on a platter. The sesame Melba toast described by Albert Heijn is one example of this kind of small base. Choose your toppings with the size of the toast in mind.
A sesame cracker or crispbread is a different option from Melba toast. If you’d rather serve a larger lunch base than a small piece of toast, consider the size and shape of the product.
For a product containing sesame, the label matters more than the serving suggestion. Check the allergens present and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the guest in question; this information can vary from product to product.
First decide whether you want small pieces of toast or a larger, crunchy lunch base. Then compare the seeds and nutritional information. If you have allergies, always read the label on the product you’re actually serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shape and toppings | Check whether it’s small Melba toast, crackers or crispbread, and consider the size in relation to the toppings you have planned. | If I’m serving lots of little bites, I’ll want a different base from one I’d choose for generous toppings. For around 40% of consumers, finding a base that suits the toppings comes first. |
| Seeds and texture | Check which seeds are listed in the ingredients. If you’re considering fibre, compare the amount per 100 g. | For simple toppings, I mainly want the seeds to add the bite I’m looking for. Around 30% of consumers prioritise their choice of seeds and texture. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warning. | When I’m buying for a guest with an allergy, I need to know exactly what’s in that product. For around 30% of consumers, this check is their top priority. |
Sesame is also an allergen. The sesame toast and sesame cracker described here also contain gluten-containing cereals; some specific varieties are also labelled as containing soya or carrying warnings about other allergens.
For each guest, read all the information on the current packaging, including any ‘may contain’ warning. The Voedingscentrum advises that allergens must be listed on the label.
A small piece of toast and a larger cracker don’t give you the same portion size or surface area for toppings. Thin toast may also be less practical for heavy or moist toppings.
First choose between small topped bites and a larger lunch base. Then compare products within the format you want to serve.
The presence of seeds tells you nothing about whether iodised baker’s salt was used in a bakery product. According to the Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum, the agreement on its use doesn’t apply to every product category.
If the type of salt used matters to your choice, check the ingredients on the packaging or ask the manufacturer.
These examples show different product formats. The features listed apply to the varieties described, not necessarily to every product from each brand.
Melba sesame toast is a small base for topped bites.
Bagel Crackers Sesame is a cracker for toppings, not Melba toast.
An ALDI product range to consider if you’re looking for sesame crispbread rather than small pieces of toast.
These Joybuy products are crackers and other crispbread options to consider as an alternative to small pieces of toast. Choose by product type and label: seeing a sesame flavour in the name doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much sesame the product contains.
Image unavailable
A cracker to consider if you’d like a different base for toppings at Easter lunch from small pieces of Melba toast. The pack contains 225 g; check the current ingredients and allergen information before serving.
Image unavailable
A thin cracker for anyone looking for a crunchy alternative to Melba toast. The pack mentioned contains 190 g; consider its size in relation to your toppings and check the ingredients on the label.
Image unavailable
A rusk option to consider if you’d rather serve individual pieces than small Melba toast. The product name mentions eight pieces and sunflower seeds; check the packaging for the full ingredients and allergen information.
Image unavailable
A soda cracker to consider if you’re looking for an alternative to sesame-flavoured toast. The pack contains 100 g; check the ingredients to see whether it contains sesame and, if so, how much.
Read the ingredients list and check whether a percentage of seeds is given. For example, Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame seeds for Van der Meulen Melba sesame toast; Bolletje lists 7.6% roasted sesame seeds for Bagel Crackers Sesame. Check the packaging of the variety you’re buying.
No. Don’t choose a product that lists sesame as an ingredient for someone who needs to avoid it. Check for other relevant allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings too: both the Melba toast and bagel cracker described contain sesame and gluten-containing cereals.
You can’t tell from the type of product. The Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum describes an agreement for Dutch bakeries making products for the Dutch market, but that doesn’t mean every piece of toast is made under the same agreement. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer if the type of salt used affects your choice.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal an opened pack tightly. For the Bolletje Bagel Crackers described here, the product information says to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Check the packaging for the best-before date.
