If you want to fill your nibbles
Raised sides can make toast easier to fill with a loose or creamy topping. Jumbo describes Haust Snack Cups as having this shape.
Which toast shape is right for you?
If you’re serving a range of toppings
For small bites topped with, for example, cheese, fish or vegetables, a flat, neutral base is one option. Albert Heijn presents AH Melba toast naturel as a base for toppings; check that the size suits your presentation.
If you’re checking ingredients or allergens
Read the current packaging before choosing toast to meet a dietary requirement. For example, Jumbo says that Van der Meulen Rice Toast Original, which is labelled gluten-free, may contain traces of sesame and soya.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what you’ll serve on the toast and how much room the topping needs. Then check the packaging for size, ingredients and any nutritional information that matters for your table.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shape and topping | Check whether a flat toast or a cup shape suits the filling. If ‘medium sliced’ matters, check the actual size. | For a loose filling, I want to be able to fill and serve the bites without the topping immediately sliding off. For around 33% of consumers, keeping the topping in place is the top priority. |
| Neutral base | Check the ingredients and product description for herbs or other flavourings; choose a pack size to suit the number of bites. | If I’m serving a range of toppings on one platter, I don’t want the toast to overpower their flavour. Roughly 27% of consumers prioritise a neutral base above all else. |
| Allergens | Check the current ingredients list, ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements, and the gluten-free label if needed. | If gluten or another allergen needs to be avoided, the label determines which toast I can serve. For around 20% of consumers, this dietary requirement is the deciding factor. |
| Salt and fibre | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider how much toast you’ll serve; if you’re interested in wholemeal, check the packaging. | If I’m putting together a platter that also includes cheese or cold meats, I want to take the salt and fibre in the toast into account. This nutritional information is a top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all toast is the same size
Melba toast, rice toast and toast cups come in different shapes. A product name containing ‘toast’ won’t tell you whether a piece is large enough for your planned topping, and ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t confirm a specific size here.
Choose your topping first, then check the size, shape and pack contents on the packaging or in store.
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Confusing gluten-free with free from all allergens
Jumbo says that Van der Meulen Rice Toast Original, which is labelled gluten-free, may contain traces of sesame and soya. So a gluten-free label doesn’t tell you enough about other allergens.
Check the full allergen statement on the current packaging for every guest, even if the front says ‘gluten-free’.
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Only considering the salt in the topping
The toast base contains salt too. Albert Heijn lists 1,93 g of salt per 100 g for AH Melba toast naturel; Jumbo lists 1,5 g per 100 g for Van der Meulen Rice Toast Original. These figures alone don’t tell you how much you’ll be serving.
Compare products on the same basis, per 100 g, and also consider the portions and toppings on your platter.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Melba toast naturel is a flat toast that Albert Heijn presents as a base for toppings.
- The product information lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values that you can compare for this product.
- This variety contains wheat, barley and soya. Check the size separately if you’re looking for a particular format.
Haust
The Haust products reviewed include flat Krokant Toast and Snack Cups with raised sides.
- According to Jumbo’s product description, the sides of Snack Cups make them easier to fill.
- Check each variety for gluten-containing ingredients and other possible allergens. The claim that topped Krokant Toast stays crisp for longer is a product claim, not an independent comparison.
Hollandia
Hollandia 100% Natural Toast is an option if you’re looking for a flat toast with a simple ingredients list.
- For this variety, Jumbo lists wheat flour and water as ingredients.
- As it contains wheat flour, it isn’t suitable for anyone who needs to avoid wheat. Check the size too if that’s a deciding factor.
Van der Meulen
According to the product information on Jumbo, Rice Toast Original is rice toast labelled gluten-free.
- The label makes it a specific option when you need a gluten-free toast base.
- Jumbo lists possible traces of sesame and soya. Check the current packaging for all relevant allergens.
Toast products on Joybuy
This selection includes Melba toast and rice toast for small bites. Choose a shape to suit your topping, and check the packaging for the size and any allergens that matter to your guests.
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Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round, 100 g
Round Melba toast to pair with sweet or savoury toppings. Check the size if you want to serve a particular format.
The product information lists cereals containing gluten and possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard; check the current packaging for allergen information.
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Van Der Meulen Rice Toast Natural, 65 g
Rice toast as an alternative to Melba toast for small bites. If avoiding gluten is a priority, check the label on this pack.
Also check the allergen information for sesame and soya. If you’re looking for a medium size, check the dimensions separately.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
Melba toast for a range of small toppings. The product description calls the slices ‘ultra-thin’; check their dimensions if you’re specifically looking for a medium size.
Check the current packaging for allergens: statements listing wheat, barley and soya contradict a general claim that the product contains no major allergens.
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Crispy Melba Toast, 240 g
Melba toast for toppings such as cheese or spreads. The product description calls the slices ‘ultra-thin’; check their actual size before choosing them if you want a medium format.
Check the current allergen information: the listed ingredients wheat, barley and soya lecithin contradict a general claim that the product contains no major allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘medium sliced’ a standard size for toast?
Don’t rely on that term alone if the size matters. Product pages for Melba toast, toast cups and rice toast give different product information, but don’t provide directly comparable length, width and thickness measurements. So check the packaging or look at the toast in store.
How can I keep toast crisp while preparing dinner?
Keep opened toast tightly sealed and protect it from moisture. Albert Heijn recommends storing its Melba toast in a sealed tin after opening; if you’re using a moist topping, add it shortly before serving.
Which toast should I choose if someone needs to eat gluten-free?
Choose toast with a clear gluten-free label and check the current allergen information too. Jumbo labels Van der Meulen Rice Toast Original as gluten-free, but lists possible traces of sesame and soya; AH Melba toast naturel contains wheat and barley.
Can I rely on online allergen information when making my final choice?
Use online product information to compare options, but check the current packaging before serving. Albert Heijn says product information may change and that the allergen information on the AH product packaging takes precedence.