Anyone serving savoury snacks
You’re looking for something crunchy to serve with hummus, cheese or other savoury toppings, and can’t decide between flat crispbread and light, crisp rusks.
Who is this relevant for?
Anyone comparing wholegrains and fibre
You’re checking which grains are used and comparing fibre and salt per 100 g, rather than relying on the word ‘sourdough’ alone.
Anyone checking ingredients and allergens
For example, you may need to check for wheat, rye, barley, egg or sesame. The sourdough crispbreads discussed here contain gluten-containing grains.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want to serve flat crackers or light rusks. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of the options that suit your choice.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shape and toppings | Check whether it’s crispbread or rusks, and whether sourdough is listed in the ingredients. | When I’m serving savoury toppings, I want a flat, crunchy base rather than light rusks; this would be the main consideration for around 45% of consumers. |
| Wholegrains and fibre | Compare the type of grain, the wholegrain percentage, and the fibre and salt per 100 g. | For my snack board, I want to know how much wholegrain and fibre a product contains; this would be the first consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest allergen information; check whether baker’s salt is listed if iodine is relevant to you. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to know which salt has been used, I check the label first; around 22% of consumers would put checking the ingredients first. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking sourdough crispbread for rusks
The sourdough products discussed here are flat crackers, while traditional rusks are lighter and crisper.
First choose the product shape that suits your toppings, then check whether sourdough is listed in the ingredients.
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Assuming sourdough is gluten-free
The Wasa and Leksands options discussed here contain rye and other gluten-containing grains.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the option you’re buying.
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Assuming a product contains iodine based on its type
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it.
Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used if that’s important to your choice.
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Adding wet toppings too far in advance
Moisture can make rusks and crispbread less crunchy.
Serve dips on the side, or add toppings to the crackers and rusks just before eating.
Relevant brands to consider
Wasa
Wasa Sourdough Rye is a 235 g sourdough crispbread for anyone looking for a flat rye cracker.
- According to Albert Heijn, the product information lists 100% wholegrain rye and 19 g of fibre per 100 g.
- According to Jumbo, this option contains rye, barley and gluten; also check the packaging for any other listed allergens that may be present.
Leksands
The option discussed here, Sourdough Crispbread, is another rye cracker for a snack board with savoury toppings.
- Jumbo’s product information lists 85% wholegrain rye flour, 3.8% rye sourdough and 21 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This option contains gluten-containing grains, including rye, wheat and barley.
Bolletje
Bolletje is worth considering if you’re looking for round, crisp rusks rather than sourdough crispbread; its range includes several types of rusks.
- Bolletje’s range includes Echte Beschuit and Volkoren Beschuit, among other options.
- Don’t assume a rusk option contains sourdough unless it’s listed in the ingredients. Check the allergens for each option too.
Products compared
This editorial ranking compares three products based on whether they list sourdough, wholegrains and fibre, and on their suitability for a snack night. It isn’t an independent taste or quality test; the product information below comes from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Joybuy.
| Position | Product | Features | Why it’s ranked here | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wasa Sourdough Rye 235 g | According to Albert Heijn: 100% wholegrain rye and 19 g of fibre per 100 g. | Rye sourdough is listed, and the flat crispbread shape suits anyone looking for a cracker to serve with savoury toppings. This doesn’t tell you how long it will stay crunchy under wet dips. | Albert Heijn / Jumbo |
| 2 | Leksands Sourdough Crispbread | According to Jumbo: 85% wholegrain rye flour, 3.8% rye sourdough and 21 g of fibre per 100 g. | This is also sourdough crispbread for anyone looking for a flat cracker; its ingredients differ from those of the Wasa option. | Jumbo |
| 3 | Bolletje Dark Wholegrain Rusks | According to Joybuy’s product information: 100% wholegrain rusks. | An alternative if you prefer the crisp texture of rusks. Don’t choose it based on an assumed sourdough claim. | Joybuy |
Products available at Joybuy
These two products offer different options for a snack night: a sourdough rye cracker for savoury toppings, and wholegrain rusks for anyone who prefers their crisp texture.
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Wasa sourdough rye crackers, 235 g
A flat rye cracker for when you’d rather serve crispbread than light rusks with savoury toppings.
According to the product information: 100% wholegrain rye and 19 g of fibre per 100 g. Contains rye, barley and gluten-containing grains; if you have allergies, also check the packaging for possible traces of sesame and milk.
Serve wet toppings on the side, or add them just before eating.
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Bolletje Dark Wholegrain Rusks, 10 pieces
An option for your snack night if you’d prefer crisp rusks to sourdough crispbread.
According to the product information: 100% wholegrain and 10 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the packaging for wheat, oats, barley and sesame if these ingredients are relevant to you.
If sourdough is a must, check the ingredients of this option before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough crispbread the same as rusks?
No. The sourdough products discussed here are flat rye crackers, while traditional rusks are lighter and crisper. Decide which shape you want to serve with your toppings, then check the ingredients of your chosen option.
How can I keep crispbread crunchy during a snack night?
Keep it dry and add wet toppings just before eating, or serve dips on the side. Moisture can make it less crunchy.
Are Wasa Sourdough Rye and Leksands Sourdough Crispbread gluten-free?
No. According to Jumbo’s product information, both options discussed contain gluten-containing grains. Check the allergen information on the exact packaging every time you buy.
Do rusks always contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the type of product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre states that baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. So check the label or ask the baker which salt was used.