Which type is right for you?

For drinks-party nibbles

If you want small toasts for cheese, spreads or dips, check the shape and pack size. Albert Heijn lists Jos Poell Sourdough Toast as a product suited to this kind of occasion.

For a crunchy breakfast or lunch

If you’re after a larger base for toppings, compare crispbread varieties rather than just small toasts for drinks parties. Albert Heijn lists Wasa Sourdough Rye, Wasa Sourdough Multigrain and Leksands sourdough rye crispbread.

If the label is a deciding factor

If you want to check the type of grain, fibre, salt or allergens, read the current packaging rather than relying on words such as ‘artisan’ and ‘sourdough’. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on labels.

What should you look for when choosing?

Before your first shop, decide whether you need small toasts for drinks-party nibbles or crispbread for breakfast or lunch. Then compare the label and pack size within your chosen product type.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Label and everyday use Compare similar products for fibre and salt per 100 g, and check which flour or grain is listed in the ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing labels per 100 g. If you want to eat toast regularly for breakfast or lunch, you’ll want to know what’s in it. For around 42% of consumers, checking the label is the top priority.
Shape and toppings Check whether it’s small toast or crispbread, and whether the shape suits your toppings and the occasion. If I’m making nibbles for drinks, I want something different from what I’d choose for a topped lunch. The right product type comes first for around 33% of consumers.
Quantity and shelf life Check the pack contents, best-before date and any storage instructions. When doing my first shop, I don’t want to buy more than I can use. That’s why around 25% of consumers prioritise a suitable quantity.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sourdough’ or a dark colour means it’s wholegrain

    The name and colour don’t tell you enough about the flour used, the fibre content or the salt. A sourdough product isn’t automatically wholegrain.

    Read the ingredients and compare similar products for fibre and salt per 100 g, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends when comparing labels.

  • Assuming sourdough toast contains iodised baker’s salt

    You can’t tell whether baker’s salt has been used from the product name. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.

    If this matters to you, check the ingredients or ask which salt has been used in an unpackaged product.

  • Confusing small toasts for drinks parties with crispbread for lunch

    The product’s shape affects how you can top and serve it. A pack of small toasts may not be what you had in mind for breakfast or lunch.

    Choose when you’ll use it first, then check the shape and quantity on the packaging.

  • Checking for allergens based on the front of the pack

    A product name doesn’t give you the full picture of its ingredients and allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on labels.

    Check the current packaging before buying. For unpackaged products, ask for the allergen information.

Brands to consider

Jos Poell

Albert Heijn lists Jos Poell Sourdough Toast for anyone specifically looking for small toasts.

  • The product is well suited to topped nibbles for drinks parties.
  • Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information if these will influence your choice.

Wasa

Albert Heijn lists two separate Wasa varieties: Sourdough Rye and Sourdough Multigrain.

  • The two product names distinguish between a rye variety and a multigrain one.
  • The names don’t tell you how much fibre or salt each product contains, so compare the labels.

Leksands

Albert Heijn lists Leksands Swedish Rye Sourdough Crispbread in a multipack.

  • A recognisable option if you’re looking for sourdough crispbread made with rye.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Bolletje

Bolletje lists Tomato & Herbs Ciabatta Crackers as a cracker product.

  • An alternative cracker option if sourdough isn’t essential.
  • Don’t treat these crackers as sourdough toast if sourdough is what’s on your shopping list.

Sourdough crispbread on Joybuy

This rye variety is a good fit if you’re looking for a crunchy base for breakfast or lunch on your first shop. Small toasts for drinks parties are a different type of product.

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g pack

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g

Worth a look if you’re after sourdough rye crackers for breakfast or lunch, rather than small toasts for drinks parties.

Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens, and whether iodised baker’s salt has been used if that matters to you.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough toast automatically wholegrain or high in fibre?

No. The word ‘sourdough’ alone doesn’t tell you which type of flour has been used or how much fibre the product contains. Read the ingredients and compare the nutritional information per 100 g. General advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre about wholemeal bread doesn’t automatically apply to every type of toast or cracker.

Does sourdough toast in the Netherlands have to contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. Having ‘sourdough’ in the name doesn’t mean that iodised baker’s salt has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients for a specific product or ask about the salt used in unpackaged toast.

How do I check for allergens in toast or crispbread?

Before buying, read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the label. For unpackaged products, ask for this information.

How do I compare two types of sourdough toast?

First compare products with a similar shape and purpose, then look at their ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g. Also consider which pack size and shelf life suit your shopping needs.