Choose bread that you can cut thickly and toast yourself if you want a larger base for generous toppings at coffee time; Albert Heijn uses four thick slices of bread in one of its recipes. For small, crunchy bites, packaged melba toast is a better fit, while Lidl describes its Fornaccini as a thin toast to dip. If you’re choosing packaged toast, don’t rely on the product name alone if thickness matters to you.
If you want a larger toast base to enjoy with your coffee, you can cut bread thickly and toast it yourself. Albert Heijn uses thick slices of bread in a recipe for topped toast; small packaged toast is a different type of product.
For bites with modest toppings, try packaged melba toast. Albert Heijn describes its melba toast as light and crunchy.
If you’re comparing plain, multigrain and wholemeal/spelt options, check the nutritional information per 100 g and the allergen information. The product type alone won’t tell you which ingredients or nutritional values a particular option contains.
Choose this: if you want to make a larger piece of toast with generous toppings.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to cut and toast the bread yourself; the thickness depends on the bread and how you slice it.
Choose this: if you want to serve small, crunchy bites with modest toppings.
Bear in mind: the name melba toast doesn’t mean the toast is thick-cut.
Choose this: if you’re looking for a thin toast to dip, as Lidl describes its Fornaccini.
Bear in mind: this isn’t the right choice if you specifically want thick slices of bread.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size for toppings | Check whether you can cut the bread thickly yourself. For packaged toast, check the size rather than relying on the name. | I want to add generous toppings to a larger piece of toast with my coffee. Around 45% of consumers say this is their main requirement for a toast base. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the current allergen information. | When choosing between plain and grain options, I want to know what’s in them. For around 33% of consumers, the label matters most. |
| Convenience and packaging | Check the pack size, packaging and storage advice after opening; check current availability at your shop if needed. | I want to be able to grab small bites without having to toast bread first, and store the rest properly. Around 22% of consumers put this convenience first. |
Albert Heijn uses thick-cut bread for topped toast, while its melba toast is described as light and crunchy. Lidl calls Fornaccini a thin toast for dipping. These are different starting points for your toppings and presentation.
Before choosing, decide whether you want a larger piece of topped toast, small crunchy bites or toast to dip.
A name like this doesn’t replace the ingredients list. If you want to take fibre, salt or allergens into account, the information for the specific option you choose is what matters.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the allergen information on the current packaging.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread isn’t always baked with baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used just from the word ‘toast’.
Check the label or ask the baker which type of salt was used in the bread.
Albert Heijn recommends storing opened melba toast in a sealed tin.
Follow the storage advice on your chosen pack and seal the toast after use.
Albert Heijn sells melba toast and, in a separate recipe, shows you how to toast thick-cut bread.
Van der Meulen offers melba toast in varieties including 7-grain and wholemeal/spelt.
Jumbo’s toast range includes different types, such as crunchy toast, mini crackers and melba toast.
ALDI sells Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel, as well as other types of toast and crackers.
Bolletje offers crackers, including ciabatta crackers: a different category from melba toast or thick-cut bread.
These products are suited to small pieces of toast to enjoy with coffee. If you’re looking for a larger, thick-cut base for generous toppings, choose bread that you can cut and toast yourself; check the size of packaged toast before using it for this purpose.
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An option if you’re looking for a small, crunchy bite to enjoy with your coffee. Check the size if you want to add generous toppings, and if you have an allergy, read the current information about sesame and soya on the packaging.
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Melba toast for small, crunchy bites with toppings. Check the dimensions if you’re looking for thick-cut toast, and read the current allergen information on the packaging.
No, the name melba toast doesn’t mean it’s a thick slice. Albert Heijn describes its melba toast as light and crunchy; for thick slices, a separate recipe uses bread that is sliced and toasted.
Cut bread into thick slices and toast it before adding your toppings. Albert Heijn uses this method in one of its recipes; choose the thickness and type of bread to suit the toppings you want to serve.
For AH melba toast, follow Albert Heijn’s advice and store it in a sealed tin. For another product, check the storage advice on its packaging.
Read the current allergen information for the exact type of toast you want to buy. Ingredients vary between plain, multigrain and wholemeal/spelt options; don’t assume a product contains wheat, sesame or soya based only on its type.
