Who is this choice important for?

Planners serving canapés in stages

If you won’t be putting all the toast on the table at once, it’s worth thinking about when to add the toppings. Keeping the bases dry and topping them later gives you more control over when they’re served.

Planners with guests who have allergies

For guests who need to avoid gluten or other allergens, sourdough is not a safety label. The toast and crispbread reviewed contain gluten-containing grains, so check the toppings and the current packaging too.

Planners looking for a wholegrain alternative

If you want to offer a sturdier buffet option alongside light toast, compare the nutritional information for each variety. Albert Heijn lists 18 g of fibre per 100 g for Wasa Sourdough Multigrain; Jumbo lists 19 g per 100 g for Wasa Sourdough Rye.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want small, light canapés or a sturdier cracker base. Then check the ingredients for each product and how you plan to serve it at the buffet.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important for?
Crispness and serving Check the size and storage instructions, and decide when to add moist toppings. If I can’t serve all the canapés at once, I want to decide when to add toppings to the dry bases. This buffet-planning consideration comes first for around 40% of consumers.
Allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information for both the base and the toppings, and keep different varieties separate when serving. If guests need to avoid certain allergens, I want to know what’s in each canapé. Clear allergen information is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Grains and nutritional information Compare the wholegrain listed, as well as the fibre and salt per 100 g; check the type of salt separately. If I’m looking for a sturdier wholegrain option, I want to be able to identify it from the packaging rather than the word ‘sourdough’. This product information matters most to around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholegrain or gluten-free

    According to Albert Heijn, Jos Poell Sourdough Toast contains wheat and rye. The word ‘sourdough’ in a product name doesn’t tell you how much wholegrain it contains, and it doesn’t make gluten-containing grains gluten-free.

    Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific variety before choosing what to serve at your buffet.

  • Assuming all toast contains iodised salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers can use baker’s salt, but they aren’t required to. So you can’t tell from the name ‘sourdough toast’ what type of salt has been used.

    Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used in the product you’ve chosen.

  • Checking only the toast for allergens

    Toppings can contain allergens too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that businesses selling unpackaged food must tell customers about any allergens it contains. For a catered buffet, this information should match the canapés being served.

    Make it clear which ingredients and allergens are in each base-and-topping combination, and keep different varieties separate when serving.

  • Topping all the canapés well in advance

    Dry toast or crackers and moist toppings need some planning if the canapés are going to sit on the buffet for a while. A claim about the crispness of one catering toast product doesn’t automatically apply to other products.

    Follow the storage instructions on the packaging, add moist toppings as late as possible, and try your chosen combination in advance under similar serving conditions.

Brands to consider

Jos Poell

Toast products for topped canapés, including sourdough toast and a separate catering toast.

  • Albert Heijn describes Jos Poell Sourdough Toast as toast made with wheat and rye.
  • Check availability, and treat manufacturers’ claims about crispness as applying only to the product they refer to.

Wasa

Sourdough crispbread as a sturdier alternative to light party toast.

  • Jumbo lists 19 g of fibre per 100 g for Sourdough Rye; Albert Heijn lists 18 g per 100 g for Sourdough Multigrain.
  • It’s still crispbread rather than light, airy toast. Check the gluten-containing grains and other allergens for each variety.

Bolletje

Crackers and rusks as separate options to compare for a buffet.

  • Bolletje offers crackers and rusks in its range.
  • Check whether the product you choose contains sourdough; an ordinary cracker or rusk isn’t automatically sourdough toast.

Joybuy products for a sturdy base

This sourdough rye crispbread is a good fit for a buffet where you want a sturdy, dry base. It has a different texture from small, light sourdough toast.

Wasa sourdough rye crackers, 235 g pack

Wasa sourdough rye crackers 235 g

A sturdy rye base for anyone who would rather serve crispbread than light party toast.

235 g pack. For Wasa Sourdough Rye, Jumbo lists wholegrain rye and 19 g of fibre per 100 g.

Before setting up your buffet, check the size of the crackers and the allergen information on the current packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does sourdough toast mean it contains iodised salt?

No, you can’t tell from the product name. According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used.

Can I serve sourdough toast to guests who need to eat gluten-free?

Not unless the product you’ve chosen is explicitly labelled gluten-free. The Jos Poell Sourdough Toast described by Albert Heijn contains wheat and rye. For a separate gluten-free option, check the current allergen information too and prevent cross-contamination when serving.

What allergen information do I need for a catered toast buffet?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, businesses selling unpackaged food must inform customers about any allergens it contains. Make sure the information covers every combination of toast or cracker and topping you serve, and state which gluten-containing grains are present.

How should I plan for toast canapés that won’t be served straight away?

Store the dry bases according to the instructions on the packaging and add moist toppings as late as possible. Try a prepared canapé in advance under similar serving conditions; don’t assume a crispness claim for a different toast product applies.