Which option is right for you?

Host serving coffee-time bites

You want small, evenly sized bases that you can serve straight away with sweet or savoury toppings. The shape of the toast matters more to you than its fibre content.

Shopper keeping an eye on wholegrain and fibre

You’re looking for a crunchy base and comparing the wholegrain content and fibre per 100 g. Crispbread rather than small toast is a good fit.

Host checking for allergens

Before serving, you want to know which ingredients and allergens matter to your guests. For packaged products, check the latest label; for unpackaged products, ask the seller for allergen information.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want small, ready-to-serve bites or bread you can slice yourself. Then compare the features that matter most to your guests.

Small sourdough toast

Best for: small bites you can top without cutting.

Bear in mind: check that the specific toast you choose is currently available.

Sourdough crispbread

Best for: anyone who values wholegrain and fibre more than the classic toast shape.

The difference: crispbread isn’t small toast, so check that its shape works with your toppings and serving plans.

Fresh sourdough bread

Best for: larger slices that you want to cut and top yourself.

Bear in mind: slicing takes a little preparation, and how crisp the bread is will depend on how you serve it.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Size and suitability for toppings Check whether you’re buying small pieces of toast, larger crackers or a whole loaf, and whether you’ll need to cut it yourself. I want to serve evenly sized topped bites without slicing bread beforehand. For around 40% of shoppers, this convenience when serving is the top priority.
Wholegrain and fibre Check the wholegrain claim and compare the fibre per 100 g in the products you’re considering. If I’m serving crispbread, I want to know which grain it contains and how much fibre the pack lists. Around 30% of shoppers prioritise wholegrain and fibre.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest label, including warnings about possible traces; for unpackaged products, ask the seller for allergen information. When guests could be at risk from certain ingredients, I want to check what they can eat before serving. This is the main concern for around 20% of shoppers.
Current availability Check the product’s status with the shop where you plan to buy it; an older product page doesn’t confirm that it’s currently available. I want to be able to pick up everything for coffee time in one planned shopping trip. Current availability is the top priority for around 10% of shoppers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholegrain or gluten-free

    Sourdough alone doesn’t tell you which flour has been used. The Wasa and Leksands varieties discussed here contain gluten-containing grains.

    Check the wholegrain claim, ingredients and allergens separately on the packaging.

  • Assuming a product page means it’s currently available

    Albert Heijn lists the Jos Poell Sourdough Toast reviewed here as discontinued. It’s therefore an example of this type of product, but not a confirmed option at that shop.

    Check the product’s current status just before you shop, and choose another type of toast or product if needed.

  • Assuming all sourdough bread is made with baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it has been used from the name ‘sourdough bread’ alone.

    If this matters to you, check the label or ask the baker which salt they’ve used.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Jos Poell

The Sourdough Toast reviewed here is an example of small sourdough toast for topped bites.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat, rye and wheat sourdough powder for this particular toast.
  • Albert Heijn lists this item as discontinued; check other retailers or choose an alternative.

Wasa

Wasa Original Crisp is a thin sourdough crispbread, not small toast.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information states that Original Crisp contains 100% wholegrain rye and 20 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Original Crisp contains rye, a gluten-containing grain. The nutritional information given is for this variety, not other Wasa products.

Leksands

The Knäckebröd Zuurdesem reviewed here is an alternative if you don’t need small pieces of toast.

  • Jumbo states that this variety contains 85% wholegrain rye flour, 3.8% rye sourdough and 21 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The allergen information lists gluten-containing grains, including barley, rye and wheat. You may need to break it into smaller pieces for bite-sized servings.

Joybuy products: sourdough crackers

This cracker is a good fit if you’re looking for a crunchy sourdough base rather than small pieces of toast. Check that this shape works with the toppings you want to serve.

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g pack

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g

A coffee-time option if you’d like to serve sourdough rye crackers instead of small pieces of toast.

Pack weight: 235 g. If you’re choosing this for guests, check the latest ingredients and allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough toast automatically wholegrain?

No. Sourdough doesn’t automatically tell you which flour has been used. Check the wholegrain claim and ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, crackers and pieces of toast can also be labelled wholegrain if they’re made entirely from wholemeal flour.

Is sourdough bread always made with iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. If the type of salt used matters to you, check the label or ask the baker.

How can I check for allergens when serving toast to guests?

For packaged toast, read the latest ingredients list and allergen information, including any warnings about possible traces. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about allergens present must also be available for unpackaged food. Ask the seller before you buy.

How should I store toast or crispbread until coffee time?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal opened packs well. The product information reviewed for Wasa Original Crisp and Leksands Knäckebröd Zuurdesem says to store in a dry place.