Which snack format is right for you?

If you want something crunchy straight away

Ready-made toast or crackers are a good choice if you don’t want to slice or toast bread and would like something to top straight away. Check the size if you’re looking for a small portion.

If you’re looking for a wholegrain option

Compare the type of grain, whether it’s labelled wholegrain and the fibre per 100 g. This gives you a clearer idea of what you’re choosing than the word ‘sourdough’ alone.

If you check ingredients carefully

Sourdough toast and crackers may contain wheat, rye, barley or spelt. If you have relevant allergies, check the current packaging, including any warnings about possible traces of allergens, and compare the salt per 100 g if needed.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want something ready to eat or bread you can toast yourself. Then compare products in your preferred format by ingredients, nutritional value and allergens.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Ready to eat and crunchy Is it ready-made toast or a cracker, and is the size right for the portion you want? If I want something topped late at night, I don’t want to toast bread first. For around 37% of consumers, being able to eat it straight away is the top priority.
Wholegrain base and fibre Check the type of grain and whether it’s labelled wholegrain; compare the fibre per 100 g. I don’t want to rely on the word ‘sourdough’; I want to know which grain my snack is made from. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this wholegrain and fibre choice.
Bread to toast yourself Is it bread that you need to toast yourself, and is it actually made with sourdough? I’m happy to do a little extra work for a slice of toast, even if a cracker is quicker. For around 18% of consumers, this bread format is their first choice.
Allergens and salt Read the current ingredients and allergen information; compare the salt per 100 g. If an ingredient is a deciding factor for me, I want to read the label before choosing. For around 9% of consumers, checking this comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholegrain

    Sourdough refers to how something is made, not necessarily to the type of flour used. Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat flour and rye flour for Jos Poell Sourdough Toast, while AH Liefde & Passie Spelt Wholegrain is described as wholemeal bread.

    If a wholegrain base is important to you, check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

  • Reading only the front of the packaging

    A product name doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt toast or crackers contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the information on the packaging too.

    Compare the ingredients and nutritional values on the same 100 g basis.

  • Overlooking allergens

    The sourdough products mentioned contain gluten-containing cereals; some also list possible traces of other allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of checking the allergen information on the label.

    If you have relevant allergies, check the current packaging rather than relying on the term ‘sourdough’.

  • Assuming a product page confirms availability

    Albert Heijn’s product page listed Jos Poell Sourdough Toast as no longer in the range. Jumbo says its fresh sourdough breads cannot be ordered online.

    Before buying, check what’s currently available from the shop you plan to order from or visit.

Relevant brands and product ranges

AH Liefde & Passie

The Spelt Wholegrain variety is bread to toast yourself, made with spelt sourdough.

  • According to Albert Heijn’s product information, this variety contains 7,2 g of fibre and 1,05 g of salt per 100 g; iodised salt is listed in the ingredients.
  • It isn’t ready-made toast. The product information lists spelt and wheat and warns that it may contain milk, sesame, soya and lactose.

Leksands

Knäckebröd Sourdough is a ready-to-eat option if you’re looking for a wholegrain rye base.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists 85% wholegrain rye flour, 3,8% rye sourdough and 21 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The same information lists gluten-containing cereals, including rye, barley and wheat, and 1,2 g of salt per 100 g.

Wasa

The sourdough rye crackers are made to eat straight away, not to toast like bread.

  • According to Joybuy’s product information, this variety contains 100% wholegrain rye and 19 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product information lists 1,2 g of salt per 100 g, rye and barley, and possible traces of sesame and milk.

Jos Poell

Sourdough Toast is a small, ready-made toast if you don’t want to toast bread yourself.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information lists ingredients including wheat flour, rye flour and sourdough powder.
  • The same page lists 1,9 g of salt per 100 g and marked the product as no longer in the range; check current availability.

Jumbo

The fresh sourdough breads are an option if you want to make toast at home.

  • Jumbo describes these loaves as made with fresh sourdough and left to rise for more than 24 hours.
  • Jumbo says these fresh loaves can’t be ordered online; you’ll also need to toast the bread yourself.

Sourdough crackers on Joybuy

This cracker is a ready-to-eat option for a late-night snack. If you’d rather toast a slice of sourdough bread, you’ll need a different type of product.

Wasa sourdough rye crackers, 235 g pack

Wasa sourdough rye crackers – 235 g

A cracker you can top and enjoy as a late-night snack without toasting.

According to Joybuy’s product information, this variety contains 100% wholegrain rye, 19 g of fibre and 1,2 g of salt per 100 g. The information lists rye and barley and warns that it may contain sesame and milk; if you have relevant allergies, check the current label.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough toast automatically wholegrain?

No, sourdough doesn’t automatically mean wholegrain. Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat flour and rye flour for Jos Poell Sourdough Toast. If you’re looking for a wholegrain product, check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

What should I choose if I don’t want to toast anything in the middle of the night?

Choose ready-made toast, crackers or crispbread if you want something crunchy straight away. Sourdough bread is another option, but you’ll need to toast it yourself to make toast.

Is sourdough toast suitable if I need to avoid gluten?

Don’t assume sourdough toast is gluten-free. The products mentioned here list gluten-containing cereals such as wheat, rye, barley or spelt. Always check the current ingredients and allergen information to make sure a product meets your requirements.

How do I compare the salt in toast, crackers and bread?

Compare the salt per 100 g so you’re using the same basis. Albert Heijn’s product information lists 1,05 g per 100 g for AH Liefde & Passie Spelt Wholegrain and 1,9 g for Jos Poell Sourdough Toast. Jumbo’s and Joybuy’s product information lists 1,2 g for Leksands Knäckebröd Sourdough and Wasa sourdough rye crackers respectively.

Does all sourdough toast contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the word ‘sourdough’. Albert Heijn’s product information lists iodised salt for AH Liefde & Passie Spelt Wholegrain. For another type of toast or crackers, check the ingredients on the current packaging if this matters to you.