Who is this choice important for?

Host serving generously topped bites

You want to serve hummus, salsa or salad and are looking for toast that stays crisp for as long as possible once topped.

Maker of small party bites

You use only a little topping and consider a thin, crisp base more important than a thick slice.

Label-conscious shopper

You want to check the ingredients, allergens or nutritional information for the exact type of toast before buying.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how much topping you’ll use and how moist it is. Then compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the toast you’re considering.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Crispness with toppings Read what the manufacturer says about how crisp the toast stays once topped, and check its size and thickness separately. If I’m serving moist or generous toppings, I want the base to stay crisp until serving. For around 50% of consumers, this ability to hold up is the priority.
Allergens and dietary requirements Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about traces on the exact product packaging. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I only choose after reading the label. For around 30% of consumers, this check is the top priority.
Nutritional information and baking salt Compare fibre and salt per 100 g; for baking salt, check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer. If I’m comparing toast varieties by nutritional value, I want to use the same quantity as a basis and not assume the iodine content from the product name. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this label information.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming extra crisp means thick-cut

    A description of how crisp the toast stays once topped doesn’t tell you how thick it is. Van der Meulen describes its Melba toast as super-thin; Haust refers to a different quality: how crisp it stays with toppings.

    For substantial toppings, check both the product description and the size and thickness shown on the packaging or in store.

  • Relying on ‘wholemeal’, ‘multigrain’ or ‘plain’ to tell you about allergens

    These names don’t tell you which allergens a specific variety contains. The Melba varieties described contain wheat, sesame, barley, rye and soya, among other ingredients; Haust Krokant Toast also contains egg.

    For the product you choose, read both the allergen information and any warnings about possible traces.

  • Assuming all toast contains iodine-enriched baking salt

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that iodine-enriched baking salt accounts for some of the iodine intake from bread in the Netherlands. This doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in an individual type of toast.

    Check the ingredients list for that variety or ask the manufacturer if this is important to your choice.

  • Assuming an online range reflects in-store stock

    Lidl lists the party toast and Melba toast described as in-store products. A product page doesn’t mean the variety you’ve chosen will be available when you visit.

    Check availability with the store and read the label there before planning bites for your guests.

Brands to consider

Van der Meulen

The wholemeal and multigrain Melba toast described is intended as a thin base for small topped bites.

  • According to Jumbo’s product descriptions, these Melba varieties are super-thin and crisp.
  • That doesn’t confirm they’re thick-cut toast; check the allergens for the variety you choose, too.

Haust

Krokant Toast is worth considering if you want to top your bites in advance.

  • Haust says this twice oven-baked toast stays crisp for extra long with toppings, thanks to its coating of seasoned breadcrumbs.
  • This brand claim doesn’t confirm the thickness of the slices; check the allergens for this variety, too.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s party toast category includes Melba toast plain and an organic variety with sesame seeds.

  • The category offers different types of toast to compare by size and ingredients.
  • Use the packaging or the page for the exact product to check thickness, ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s toast category includes its own crisp toast, as well as varieties from Van der Meulen and Haust.

  • You can compare different types of toast side by side.
  • Check the current product packaging for the features and availability of the variety you want to buy.

Bolletje

Bolletje’s product range includes crackers, crispbreads and other crunchy grain products.

  • The range offers other types of crunchy base to consider for party bites.
  • A cracker or crispbread isn’t automatically party toast or thick-cut toast.

Toast and related products at Joybuy

When browsing Joybuy, compare any toast, crispbreads and crackers available for your occasion. For moist or generous toppings, look for toast described as staying crisp once topped; for smaller bites with light toppings, thin Melba toast may be a better fit. Check the size, thickness, ingredients and allergen information on each product listing before you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘thick cut’ mean toast is sturdy enough for generous toppings?

No, the term alone doesn’t tell you how a piece of toast holds up once topped. Compare the stated thickness and size with the product description of how crisp it stays once topped; a crispness claim on its own doesn’t confirm that it’s a thick slice, either.

Which toast should I consider for hummus or salsa?

For moist toppings, look for toast with a specific description of how crisp it stays once topped. Haust says its Krokant Toast stays crisp for extra long with toppings, but check the size and thickness separately; Van der Meulen’s super-thin Melba toast isn’t confirmed as a sturdy, thick base.

Does all toast contain iodine-enriched baking salt?

You can’t tell from the word ‘toast’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that iodine-enriched baking salt contributes to iodine intake from bread in the Netherlands; for a specific toast product, check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer.

What should I check if my guests have allergies?

Read the allergen information and any warnings about traces on the packaging for the exact variety. The Melba varieties described contain wheat, sesame, barley, rye and soya, among other ingredients; Haust Krokant Toast contains egg and cereals containing gluten, and may contain traces of oats, milk and sesame.

How can I keep toast crisp until serving?

Follow the storage instructions for the product you choose and, where possible, add the toppings shortly before serving. The product information for Haust Krokant Toast says to protect it from moisture and heat; the multigrain Melba variety described should be stored in a cool, dry place.