For snacks with generous toppings
If you want to add plenty of warm or juicy toppings, a whole baguette or loaf lets you choose the thickness of each slice. You will need to do some slicing, and may need to prepare the bread before serving.
Which base is right for you?
For quick toasties and sandwiches
Pre-sliced bread gives you even portions without having to cut it yourself. Check the slices first if their thickness matters for your snack.
For small bites with light toppings
Melba toast and other small, crisp toasts are a different type of product from a thick slice of bread. They’re a good choice if you mainly want to serve bites with light toppings.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to choose the slice thickness yourself, prepare even portions quickly or serve small, crisp bites. Then check the size and packaging information for the product you plan to use.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slicing a thick base yourself | Choose a whole baguette or loaf if you want to decide the slice thickness yourself. Check that the size suits your preparation. | With generous or warm toppings, I want to decide how much bread sits underneath, even if slicing takes extra preparation. Around 50% of consumers say having control over the base is their priority. |
| Preparing even portions quickly | For pre-sliced bread for toasties or sandwiches, check the size and visible thickness of the slices; the product name alone doesn’t tell you enough. | If I want to make several evenly sized snacks, I want to spend as little time as possible slicing. Around 30% of consumers say speed and portion size are their priority. |
| Choosing small, crisp bites | Compare the size, ingredients and allergen information for Melba toast, crisp toasts or crackers. Compare nutritional values per 100 g if they matter to your choice. | For light toppings, I’m looking for small, crisp bites rather than a thick slice of bread. This is the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every type of toast is ‘thick cut’
Melba toast, crisp toasts and pre-sliced bread for toasties are different types of product. Their names don’t tell you how thick the individual slices are or how well they’ll hold your toppings.
If you want to choose the thickness yourself, go for a whole loaf or baguette. If you’re buying pre-sliced bread, check the slices before assuming they’ll work for your snack.
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Using small toasts straight away with moist toppings
Small, crisp toasts aren’t a proven substitute for a thick bread base under generous or moist toppings. The time between adding the toppings and serving may also make a difference to your snack.
Try one bite first with your chosen topping. If you need a thicker base, slice a whole loaf or baguette yourself.
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Assuming all toast contains the same type of baker’s salt
The ingredients in bread and toast can vary from one product to another. So don’t assume a product contains iodised baker’s salt just because of the type of product it is.
Check the product’s ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
A name such as bread for toasties, Melba toast or crackers doesn’t give you the full picture of the ingredients or possible allergens. Different varieties may vary.
Always check the latest allergen information on the packaging, especially if someone with an allergy will be eating with you.
Relevant brands and ranges
These brands offer examples of different types of bread and toast. Compare the specific product with the snack you want to make.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes pre-sliced bread for toasties and baguettes: two different ways to prepare portions for a fakeaway night.
- Pre-sliced bread for toasties means less slicing; with a whole baguette, you can choose the slice thickness yourself.
- Check the dimensions and preparation instructions for your chosen bread. Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are only available in store.
Albert Heijn
AH Melba toast naturel is an example of a small, crisp type of toast for bites that don’t need a thick slice of bread.
- Albert Heijn describes this Melba toast as toasted slices of bread.
- If you’re looking for thick slices for generous toppings, don’t confuse this type of product with bread you can slice yourself.
ALDI / Sun Snacks
ALDI offers both Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel and crisp wheat toast from Van Vlegelaar. ALDI also lists baguettes in its fresh-from-the-oven range.
- This gives you a choice between small, crisp toasts and a whole loaf you can slice yourself.
- ALDI says its fresh-from-the-oven bread is only available in stores with a bakery department, so check what your local store stocks.
Bolletje
Bolletje Bagel Crackers Sesam are a cracker option for toppings if you’re not looking for a thick slice of toast.
- Bolletje says you can add toppings to the crackers or eat them on their own.
- These are crackers, not thick-cut toast. Check the ingredients and allergen information on your chosen pack.
Baguettes to slice yourself at Joybuy
These four baguettes are suited to making fakeaway snacks with slices you cut yourself. Their product names don’t specify slice thickness or how well they’ll hold generous toppings, so choose the thickness as you slice and try them with your topping.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g
For snacks where you want to choose the thickness of your baguette slices yourself. The pack contains four multigrain baguettes, each weighing 135 g.
Check the preparation instructions on the packaging and try one portion first with heavy or moist toppings. Also read the latest allergen information.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g
If you want to slice several baguettes to suit your chosen snack, this pack contains four baguettes, each weighing 135 g.
Check the preparation instructions on the packaging. The best way to find out whether a slice will work with generous or moist toppings is to try it with your topping.
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G'woon White Rustic Baguette 250 g
A 250 g white rustic baguette for anyone who wants to slice their own bread for a sandwich-style snack.
If you’re adding generous toppings, try out the slices you cut to see how well they work. Check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
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g'woon White Baguette 220 g
A 220 g white baguette for anyone who would rather slice their own bread than use pre-sliced toast.
Check the packaging for preparation instructions and listed allergens. Try out your chosen slice thickness before serving it with generous or moist toppings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rely on the ‘thick cut’ label when choosing toast?
Don’t rely on the label alone if thickness is crucial for your snack. For pre-sliced bread, check the slices or the stated dimensions; with a whole baguette or loaf, you can choose the thickness yourself.
Should I check allergens when buying toast for a group?
Yes. Check the latest packaging if someone with an allergy will be eating with you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed foods, so don’t rely on the product name or a previous purchase alone.
Does all toast contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume that it does. Ingredients can vary from product to product, so read the ingredients list if the type of baker’s salt matters to your choice.
How should I store AH Melba toast naturel after opening?
Follow the instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn says to store AH Melba toast naturel in a closed tin after opening; check the storage advice on other toasts.
What should I look for if fibre matters to me?
Compare the stated fibre per 100 g and check whether a product is labelled wholegrain. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products contain more fibre than white cereal products made from flour; this alone doesn’t tell you how thick or sturdy a slice of toast will be.