If you’re serving in several rounds
You want to serve a small amount of toast at a time. Packs containing several crackers or two separate tubs help you decide what to open now and what to save for later.
Who is this relevant to?
If you need to consider allergens
If your guests need to avoid certain ingredients, check the latest packaging. The name or appearance of the toast won’t tell you which grains and other allergens it contains.
If you’re serving a variety of toppings
With mild and more strongly flavoured toppings, you can choose between plain crackers, seasoned crackers and rice toast. The flavour of the toast itself helps determine which combinations you’ll want to serve.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much you want to open for each serving round and which ingredients your guests need to avoid. Then choose a flavour to suit the toppings you have planned.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion packs | Check the number of packs and the number of crackers in each one; 8 x 5 doesn’t mean one cracker per pack. | If you’re serving in several rounds, you won’t want to open the whole pack straight away. Portion control is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients list and allergen information, including any warnings about traces. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, you’ll want to know which toast is suitable before serving. This is the first concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Flavour with toppings | Choose between plain and seasoned varieties based on the toppings you’re serving. | When you’re serving a variety of nibbles, you’ll want to avoid the flavour of the crackers overpowering the toppings. Around 25% of consumers give this combination the highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming portion packs contain one cracker each
A label such as 8 x 5 may mean eight portions of five crackers. That makes a difference if you want to open fewer at a time.
Check how many packs there are and how many crackers each one contains, rather than relying on the word ‘mini’ alone.
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Assuming plain crackers are allergen-free
The Jumbo plain mini-crackers examined contain wheat, barley and gluten. A neutral flavour tells you nothing about the ingredients.
For every guest with a dietary or allergy concern, read the latest label, even if you’ve bought the product before.
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Assuming ‘toast’ tells you which salt has been used
The product name doesn’t tell you whether the toast contains iodised baker’s salt.
Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used is relevant to your choice.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
The Jumbo Mini Crackers Plain and Olive Oil & Oregano varieties reviewed are sold as 8 x 5 crackers, divided into eight portions.
- The portion format helps when planning several serving rounds.
- Both varieties contain wheat, barley and gluten; check the rest of the allergen information too.
LU
LU offers Mini Crackers for aperitifs, including a plain variety labelled 8 x 5 pieces.
- The plain variety gives you a flavour option to suit a range of toppings.
- The plain variety reviewed contains wheat and barley and may contain milk. Check the information for the flavour you choose.
Van der Meulen
Albert Heijn describes Ricetoast Plain as gluten-free rice toast in two tubs.
- The two tubs offer a different portion format from a single opened pack.
- The product information reviewed warns that it may contain traces of sesame and soya; check the latest label if these allergens are relevant.
Bolletje
Bolletje says its Ciabatta Snack Crackers Tomato & Herbs are packed in pairs.
- A pack of two may suit smaller serving occasions.
- The tomato and herb flavour is a more distinctive choice than plain; the variety reviewed contains wheat and gluten-containing cereals.
Sun Snacks
ALDI lists Sun Snacks Plain Toast Cups in a 100 g pack.
- The stated total weight helps you plan how much you’ll need.
- Check the portion format and allergen information on the packaging before choosing these for your guests.
Toast and crackers for serving in rounds
These Joybuy products include plain and seasoned mini-crackers, rice toast and Danish Toast. Compare their packaging and flavours with the serving rounds and toppings you have planned.
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LU Mini Cracker Natural, 250 g
The plain variety is an option if you want to serve a range of toppings. Check how many crackers are in each portion pack and read the latest label if you have any allergy concerns.
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LU Mini Cracker Olive & Oregano, 3 x 250 g
Choose this olive oil and oregano variety if its herby flavour suits your nibbles; plain is a more neutral option when serving a variety of toppings. Check the portion packs and allergen information for this bundle.
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LU Mini Cracker Tomato Basil, 3 x 250 g
The tomato and basil variety suits a dinner where you want to serve crackers with a distinctive flavour. Check how many are in each pack in this bundle and read the latest allergen information.
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Van der Meulen Rice Toast Natural, 65 g
Albert Heijn describes Ricetoast Plain as gluten-free rice toast in two tubs. If you choose this toast for a guest with an allergy, also check the latest packaging for information about sesame and soya.
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Thinmax Golden Danish Toast, 4 x 85 g
The title lists four portions of 85 g. Before buying, check how they’re packed and whether this toast suits your planned toppings; if your guests have dietary or allergy concerns, check the label.
Frequently asked questions
Does 8 x 5 mean each cracker is individually wrapped?
No. For the Jumbo Mini Crackers reviewed, 8 x 5 means eight portions of five double crackers, not one pack per individual cracker. Check how many packs are included in the exact variety you’re buying.
How should I store toast between serving rounds?
Only open the amount you’re going to serve and follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the rest. For the mini-crackers reviewed, Jumbo recommends storing them in a cool, dry place.
Can I serve regular mini-crackers to a guest who needs to avoid gluten?
Don’t assume they’re suitable: the regular mini-crackers reviewed contain wheat and gluten-containing cereals. If needed, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, check the latest label for any other relevant allergens and take care to avoid cross-contact when serving.
How can I tell whether toast contains iodised baker’s salt?
Check the ingredients list on the specific pack to see which type of salt is used. The product name ‘toast’ alone doesn’t tell you.