Who are these seed-based products suitable for?
It’s not just the seeds that make a difference, but the shape too: a small piece of toast calls for a different choice from a substantial cracker or rusk.
For anyone making small topped snacks
For cheese, salad or a spread on a sharing platter, small sesame melba toast is just the right size. Albert Heijn stocks this type of toast under its own brand and from Van der Meulen; a larger cracker is better suited to a different kind of snack occasion.
For anyone looking for a more substantial seeded snack
If the shape of a small party toast is less important, you can compare multiseed crackers or rusks. Check the flour ingredients and fibre per 100 g separately: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, seeds alone don’t tell you whether a product is wholemeal.
For anyone who needs to check allergens
With sesame toast, it’s not just the seeds that matter. Albert Heijn also lists wheat, barley and soya in the melba toasts reviewed. Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings for each product.
What should you look for in seeded toast?
Check allergens before choosing a product. Then decide whether you want small topped snacks or a more substantial bite, and compare nutritional information per 100 g across similar product types.
| What to consider |
What to check when buying |
Who should pay particular attention? |
| Size and sesame |
Check whether they’re small pieces of toast and look at the stated sesame content. Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame for both AH Biologisch Melba toast and Van der Meulen Melba toast sesam. |
If I’m serving topped snacks, I want a crunchy base that’s easy to serve. Around 27% of consumers prioritise small pieces of toast that are easy to top. |
| Flour and fibre |
Read the flour ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g. Bolletje lists 49% wholemeal wheat flour for Ontbijtcrackers Meerzaden; that figure alone doesn’t prove that all the flour is wholemeal. |
If I’d rather have a more substantial snack, I want to be able to compare the flour ingredients and nutritional information. For around 27% of consumers, wholemeal flour and fibre matter most. |
| Allergens |
Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings. Sesame, wheat, barley and soya are listed for the melba toasts reviewed. |
If I need to avoid an ingredient, I want to know exactly what’s in this product. For around 33% of consumers, checking allergens is the top priority. |
| Availability |
Check shortly before buying to make sure your chosen product is available. Jumbo listed the Party Toast met Sesam and Meerzaden Crackers reviewed as no longer available online. |
If I’m planning a snack occasion, I don’t want to have to find an alternative at the last minute. Around 13% of consumers prioritise current availability. |
Brands to consider
These product ranges show some of the differences you may find between small melba toast, crackers and crispbread; a brand name alone doesn’t tell you what’s in another product from the same brand.
Albert Heijn
AH Biologisch Melba toast met sesamzaadjes is a small piece of toast for topped snacks.
- Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame and 5.2 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- The ingredients list includes sesame, wheat, barley and soya, among other things; don’t assume it’s wholemeal just because it contains seeds.
Van der Meulen
Melba Toast Sesam is another small sesame toast for topped snacks.
- Product information from Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame, 5 g of fibre per 100 g and six packs of six pieces of toast.
- Wheat, barley, soya and sesame are listed for this product; it isn’t confirmed as a wholemeal option.
Bolletje
Ontbijtcrackers Meerzaden are a good choice if you’re after a cracker rather than small party toast.
- Bolletje lists 49% wholemeal wheat flour, along with ingredients including linseed, sunflower seeds, sesame and pumpkin seeds.
- This isn’t melba toast. Check the packaging for allergen information, and don’t mistake the stated percentage of wholemeal wheat flour for a flour mix made entirely from wholemeal flour.
Jumbo
Product information for Party Toast met Sesam and Meerzaden Crackers can help you tell the difference between product types and ingredients.
- Jumbo lists 8% sesame for the Party Toast met Sesam reviewed.
- Jumbo listed both products reviewed as no longer available online. Check their current status before choosing either of these products.
ALDI
Goud Gebakken Knäckebröd Sesam is a sesame crispbread, not small melba toast.
- ALDI describes a pack of 25 pieces with a total weight of 375 g.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of your chosen product before using it as an alternative to toast.
Joybuy products for seed-based snacks
This selection includes sesame crackers and multiseed rusks for anyone looking for a crunchy or more substantial snack base. They aren’t small, classic sesame melba toasts, so bear that in mind when making topped party snacks.
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Wasa Breakfast Biscuits Sesame 250 g
A sesame cracker for anyone looking for a crunchy snack. It isn’t a small piece of melba toast; if the ingredients or allergens affect your choice, check the current packaging.
View on Joybuy
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Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame 190 g
A thin sesame cracker for a crunchy snack, with or without toppings. According to Joybuy product information, this product contains wholemeal wheat flour; it’s still a cracker, not a small piece of melba toast.
View on Joybuy
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Bolletje multiseed rusks 10 pieces
A rusk for anyone looking for a larger snack base with a variety of seeds. Joybuy product information lists sesame among the ingredients; don’t expect it to be the size of a small piece of party toast.
View on Joybuy
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TastyBasics Multiseed Rusks 184 g
Multiseed rusks for anyone wanting a more substantial snack base than a small piece of toast. If you’re planning to serve them as topped party snacks, check the shape and allergens of the pack you choose.
View on Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
Is seeded toast automatically wholemeal?
No. Seeds don’t tell you exactly what flour has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre makes the same distinction for crackers and toast. For example, Bolletje lists 49% wholemeal wheat flour for Ontbijtcrackers Meerzaden; check the other ingredients before drawing conclusions about the overall flour content.
What should I look out for if I have a sesame or gluten allergy?
Before eating, check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. For the sesame melba toasts reviewed, Albert Heijn lists wheat, barley and soya as well as sesame. Check for any cross-contamination warnings too, as ingredients can vary from product to product.
Does all Dutch toast contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
You can’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the use of iodine-enriched baker’s salt in bakery products, but that doesn’t establish the ingredients of an individual product. Check the label to find out.
How should I store opened toast or multiseed rusks?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal it well after opening. For the melba toast reviewed, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin; for Bolletje multiseed rusks, Joybuy advises keeping the pack tightly closed and away from moisture and heat.
Can I choose a type of toast well in advance of a snack occasion?
Yes, but check again shortly before buying to make sure that particular product is still available. Jumbo listed the Party Toast met Sesam and Meerzaden Crackers reviewed as no longer available online, even though the product pages still contained information. If you choose a replacement, compare the ingredients and allergens again too.