For generous toppings, you could start with baguette toast or rectangular wheat toast: both are described as a base for toppings, but that doesn’t tell you how thick or sturdy they are. For small bites you want to serve straight away, Melba toast may be a better fit. Check the size and packaging information for each option.
If you want to serve spreads, salads, cheese or fish on toast, start by looking at the shape and intended use. Albert Heijn describes Haust Baguette toast as baguette toast, while ALDI describes Van Vlegelaar wheat toast as rectangular toast for topping. Neither description tells you how much topping the toast can hold.
Melba toast is one option for a platter of small toasts that need no cutting. The pack of AH Melba toast naturel described by Albert Heijn contains twelve packets of six pieces.
If ingredients or allergens matter to you, check the information on the pack you choose rather than relying on the type of toast. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products. If you want to know whether iodised baker’s salt has been used, check that for each product too.
First, work out how much room your toppings need and whether you’ll add them in advance or just before serving. Then compare the ingredients, portions and quantity shown on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A base for generous toppings | Check the shape and whether the product is described as suitable for topped toast; don’t assume that ‘thick cut’ tells you how thick it is without a measurement. | If I want to serve salads or other generous toppings, I’ll first look for a suitable base. An estimated 39% of consumers put this need first. |
| Label information | Read the current ingredient and allergen information; check the salt content and whether baker’s salt is mentioned if that matters to you. | If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, I want to be able to assess the option I’ve chosen before buying. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
| Quick serving | Compare the shape, the number of pieces and whether the pack is divided into smaller portions. | I want to serve small bites without cutting and make portioning easy. This is estimated to be the main priority for 23% of consumers. |
| How much you can use | Compare the pack weight and, where stated, the number of pieces or portions, as well as the size. | For a get-together, I want to know how many bites a pack will provide in the shape I’ve chosen. Around 23% of consumers put this question first. |
An oblong or rectangular shape doesn’t tell you how thick or sturdy the toast is. Even if a product is described as suitable for toppings, you still don’t know how it will hold up under yours.
Use the shape to narrow down your options first, then check any measurements provided. For a larger gathering, you could try a pack with your planned toppings in advance.
Melba toast works well for small bites, but the product information doesn’t prove that every variety makes a sturdy base for heavy or moist toppings.
If you’re planning generous toppings, compare baguette toast and rectangular toast too. Decide when you want to add the toppings and serve the pieces.
Toast isn’t automatically made with iodised baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory.
If you want to know what kind of salt your toast contains, read the ingredients on the current packaging.
The weight doesn’t tell you how many pieces of toast you’ll get or whether their shape will suit your planned toppings.
Where possible, check the number of pieces or portions too, then choose a shape you’d like to serve.
Baguette toast for anyone looking for an oblong base for topped bites.
Melba toast for small bites, including a Luxe 7 granen variety.
Melba toast naturel in smaller packets for little bites that are ready to serve.
Toast cups and Melba toast for anyone considering different shapes for small bites.
Rectangular wheat toast to consider if you’re looking for room for toppings.
Don’t assume a particular thickness based on that term alone. Check the measurements if they’re provided, and also consider the shape and intended use. Larger toast isn’t automatically sturdier.
Start with baguette toast or rectangular wheat toast if you’re looking for more room for toppings. Albert Heijn describes Haust Baguette toast as baguette toast, while ALDI Netherlands describes Van Vlegelaar wheat toast as suitable for toppings; neither description confirms how well it will hold up under your toppings.
If you’re using moist toppings, it’s best to add them shortly before serving, and try the combination in advance to see how well it holds up. Haust says its multigrain baguette toast stays crisp for longer with toppings, but this brand claim isn’t a guarantee for every topping or serving time.
No, don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that baking with baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients on the toast you’ve chosen if you want to know what kind of salt it contains.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging for the specific variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label of prepacked products; different types of toast may contain different ingredients.
