Who is this guide for?

Budget-conscious everyday toaster

You’re looking for sliced bread for breakfast, lunch or toasties, and want to know how much bread and how many slices you get in a pack.

Shopper comparing different types of bread

You want the shape of toastie bread, but for everyday use you also consider the type of bread and the fibre and salt listed per 100 g.

Shopper looking for crunchy toast

You’re looking for Melba toast or crisp toasts as a crunchy base for a snack or party bite, not soft bread for a toastie maker.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you need soft bread or crunchy toast. Then compare packs of the same product type and check that the slices suit the way you plan to use them.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Pack contents Check the net weight and number of slices. Only compare packs of the same product type. When I buy bread for several breakfasts and lunches, I want to know how many usable slices are in a pack and avoid having bread left over. Around 50% of consumers prioritise pack contents.
Type of bread and nutritional information Read the product name and compare the fibre and salt content of similar breads per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre when comparing labels. For my everyday sandwiches, I want to choose between options such as white, brown and wholemeal, and know what the label says. Around 30% of consumers prioritise the type of bread and its nutritional information.
Texture and slice Check whether it’s soft bread or crunchy toast. For bread, check the slice size is right for your toaster or toastie maker. For a toastie, I need soft slices that fit my appliance, not Melba toast. For around 20% of consumers, the right shape and slice are the main consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Picking up Melba toast when you want to make toasties

    Melba toast is crunchy and has a different texture from soft, sliced bread. It’s therefore not a substitute for a sandwich in a toastie maker.

    Look for toastie bread or sliced bread if you want to make toasties. Choose Melba toast or crisp toasts when you’re after a crunchy base.

  • Comparing only the number of packs

    Packs can vary in weight and number of slices. A pack of crunchy toast isn’t directly comparable with a loaf of bread either.

    Check the net weight and number of slices for similar products. Compare the nutritional information separately per 100 g.

  • Assuming toast bread is wholemeal

    The name ‘toast bread’ on its own tells you nothing about the type of bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.

    Read the product name and ingredients list, and compare the fibre listed per 100 g if the type of bread is important to you.

  • Skipping the label when you buy it again

    Ingredients and allergen information can change, so don’t rely solely on what you remember from an earlier pack.

    Check the current packaging every time you buy, especially if you need to take allergens or other dietary requirements into account.

Brands and ranges to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists soft toastie bread and Melba toast as separate product types.

  • The product page describes AH Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren as suitable for toasties and club sandwiches, and includes freezing instructions.
  • AH BASIC Melba Toast is crunchy Melba toast, not soft toastie bread. Check the current packaging and availability for each product.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s bread range includes whole and half loaves in different varieties.

  • The choice between whole and half loaves makes it easier to find a pack size that suits your needs.
  • For a particular loaf, check the slice shape and whether it’s suitable for the toast or toasties you have in mind.

ALDI

ALDI describes a bread range featuring standard half and whole loaves, alongside separate crunchy products.

  • White, brown and wholemeal are some of the bread types to look out for in the range.
  • Check the label and slices on the specific loaf in store before choosing it as toastie bread.

Bolletje

Bolletje sells crackers and rusks, among other products, making it a brand to consider when you’re looking for something crunchy.

  • The range offers options to compare if you’re looking for a crunchy base for breakfast or lunch.
  • A crunchy product isn’t automatically interchangeable with soft, sliced bread for toasties.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is Melba toast the same as toastie bread?

No. Toastie bread is soft, sliced bread for sandwiches and toasties, among other things; Melba toast is crunchy. If the word ‘toast’ is the only thing that catches your eye on a pack, check the product name.

How do I compare sliced bread for everyday use?

Compare breads of the same product type by pack weight, number of slices and the size you need. Use the nutritional information per 100 g for fibre and salt, so differences in stated serving sizes don’t skew the comparison.

Can I freeze toastie bread if I won’t use a pack quickly?

That depends on the instructions on the pack. Albert Heijn says AH Extra lang lekker tostibrood volkoren can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other bread.

Does Dutch toast bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume this applies to every product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out the conditions under which iodine compounds may be present in bread and other baked goods through the use of baker’s salt. To check whether a particular toast bread contains iodised salt, read the current ingredients list.

How should I store an opened pack of crisp toasts?

Store opened crisp toasts in a tightly sealed pack, somewhere cool, dry and dark. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened crisp toasts in a kitchen cupboard for around a month; this guidance doesn’t apply to soft toastie bread.