Who is this relevant to?

Fans of topped snacks

If you want to top crispbread with ingredients such as cheese, fish or a spread, sturdiness is a sensible first thing to consider. Also check the size and whether the slices stay intact in the pack.

Shoppers looking for wholegrain and fibre

Check the ‘wholegrain’ description and compare the nutritional information on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholegrain if its grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour.

Comparing supermarket varieties

If you’re choosing between own-brand, seeded and branded products, compare the individual packs. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl and ALDI offer different crispbread varieties; the features of one variety don’t automatically apply to another.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you mainly need the crispbread to support generous toppings. Then compare the grain, nutritional information and the varieties you’re actually considering buying.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is it important to?
Sturdiness for toppings Look for an explicit description of how sturdy it is; also check the size and how easily the slices break. If I want to add generous toppings, I’m looking for a slice that feels practical for this and isn’t mainly intended for dipping. Sturdiness is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Wholegrain and nutritional information Check the ‘wholegrain’ description, the ingredients and the fibre and salt values per 100 g. When I’m choosing mainly for the grain content and nutritional value, I don’t want to rely on the brown colour or seeds alone. Around 30% of consumers give this top priority.
Flavour and availability Check which seeded or own-brand variety is available in your shop, and read the label on that exact product. If I want to pick up a particular flavour or seeded variety while shopping, the selection in store determines which products I can compare. This need is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘robust’ means a measured thickness

    A product name or description doesn’t tell you how many millimetres thick a slice is or how much topping it can support. Wasa describes Rustic as sturdy, but this isn’t an independent load-bearing test.

    Use terms like these to narrow down the options, then check the size and condition of the slices in the pack.

  • Assuming brown crispbread is wholegrain

    Colour and seeds don’t determine whether the grain ingredient is wholegrain. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the grain ingredient must consist entirely of wholemeal flour for a product to be called wholegrain.

    Look for the ‘wholegrain’ description on the packaging and check the ingredients list if you’re unsure.

  • Working out allergens from the grain alone

    Other allergens and warnings about possible cross-contamination may also be relevant, in addition to the grain used. Wasa Rustic lists possible traces of milk and sesame.

    Check the current allergen information on the pack every time you buy it, even if you already know the product.

  • Assuming it contains iodine based on the product category

    A 2008 publication by the Dutch government describes an agreement encouraging the use of iodised salt in bread and bread substitutes. This doesn’t tell you what type of salt is used in an individual crispbread product.

    If the type of salt used matters to your choice, check the ingredients of the specific product.

Brands compared

Wasa

Wasa describes its Rustic crispbread as sturdy and lists wholemeal rye flour and rye bran among the ingredients.

  • The product information lists the ingredients and nutritional values for Rustic.
  • The description of its sturdiness is a brand claim, not a measured thickness. Rustic contains rye; Wasa also lists possible traces of milk and sesame.

Goud Gebakken (ALDI)

ALDI describes its Robuust crispbread as a wholegrain variety with seeds, and also lists a separate wholegrain crispbread.

  • According to ALDI, the Robuust range offers two varieties.
  • The name ‘Robuust’ doesn’t indicate thickness or load-bearing capacity in itself; check the pack you choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s crispbread range includes own-brand products alongside varieties from other brands.

  • You can compare different types of product within the same range.
  • A range page doesn’t tell you how sturdy each individual variety is; check the current product label.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s own-brand range includes wholegrain, golden-brown, sunflower seed and pumpkin seed crispbread.

  • The varieties offer different grain and flavour options to compare pack by pack.
  • The category description doesn’t tell you the thickness or load-bearing capacity of individual products.

Lidl

Lidl lists crispbread varieties with sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.

  • The two seeded varieties give you a choice of flavour.
  • Check the pack in store for information about the specific variety.

Ryvita

Ryvita offers several types of crispbread; the brand positions Thins as light snacks for dipping.

  • Thins are a different option from crispbread you’re mainly looking for to carry generous toppings.
  • This product description comes from Ryvita’s UK website. Check the packaging and availability of a specific variety in the Netherlands.

Crispbread at Joybuy

This crispbread option is worth considering if you’re looking for a base for topped snacks. For the Rustic variety, check the product description and packaging before assuming that the features of Wasa Rustic apply to this pack.

Wasa Rustic Crispbread, 215 g pack

Wasa Rustic Crispbread 215 g

For anyone looking for crispbread as a base for toppings; check whether the sturdiness of this Rustic variety suits the toppings you have in mind.

Pack size: 215 g. Check the label on this variety for ingredients and allergens.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘wholegrain’ mean on crispbread?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, a product can only be called wholegrain if its grain ingredient consists entirely of wholemeal flour. Check the product description and ingredients list; a brown colour or seeds aren’t a substitute.

Is sturdy crispbread also gluten-free?

No, sturdiness doesn’t tell you whether a product contains gluten. Wasa Rustic contains wholemeal rye flour. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for every variety.

Does all crispbread contain iodine from baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the product name. A 2008 Dutch government publication describes an agreement to encourage the use of iodised salt in bread and bread substitutes, not the ingredients of a specific product. Check the ingredients of the crispbread you’re buying to find out what type of salt it uses.

Where can I find allergen information for crispbread?

According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information should be shown on the label of pre-packed crispbread. Read the information for the specific variety, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination.