Drivers and passengers who want a snack straight away
For a short stop, you’ll want something you can eat without toppings or any extra preparation. Bolletje describes its Ciabatta Crackers Tomaat & Kruiden as individually wrapped in pairs.
Who are these snacks handy for?
Road-trippers planning a break with toppings
If you’re bringing dip, cheese or a spread, the key thing is whether the toast works as a base for your chosen topping. The sellers describe Van der Meulen Melba Toast and Gran Pavesi Le Sfoglie as suitable for toppings or dips.
Shoppers who want to compare labels
If ingredients, allergens or nutritional value will determine your choice, check the specific variety. Compare fibre, fat and salt per 100 g, and also consider how much you actually plan to eat.
What should you look for in toast for the road?
First decide whether you want to eat straight from the pack or plan a stop with toppings. Then check the portion packaging and the label of the variety you want to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check | Especially useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Portion convenience | Check the portion packaging and whether you can keep the rest sealed while you’re on the road. | If I’m only stopping briefly, I want to be able to eat something from a small pack without toppings or preparation. Portion convenience would be the main purchasing concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Toppings and dip | Check whether the toast is described as a base for toppings or dip; choose a plain or flavoured variety that works with them. | When I’ve planned a break, I want to be able to eat my own spread or cheese on toast. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise suitability for toppings or dip. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre, fat and salt per 100 g and per portion you plan to eat. | When I’m choosing between varieties, I want to understand what terms such as ‘multigrain’ or ‘premium’ mean in terms of nutritional information. For around 21% of consumers, comparing labels would be the most important factor. |
| Allergens and storage | Read the current ingredients and allergen list, and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | Before setting off, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are in this particular pack and how to store it on the road. This would be the main purchasing concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Things to consider when choosing
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Using ‘premium’ as a measure of nutritional value
Flavourings such as olive oil, herbs or sea salt don’t, by themselves, tell you how much fibre, fat or salt a product contains.
Compare the nutritional information for varieties you plan to eat in the same way, both per 100 g and per planned portion.
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Choosing a flavoured cracker when you want a neutral base
Tomato, herbs or olive oil contribute to the flavour of the cracker and may not work with your chosen topping.
If you want the topping to take centre stage, consider plain or multigrain melba toast. If you’re having a snack without toppings, the flavour of the cracker itself may be more important.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
Which allergens are present or may be present varies by product and variety. A pack you bought before is no substitute for checking the label on your current purchase.
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, paying particular attention to anything relevant to you.
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Assuming all toast contains iodised baker’s salt
Rules on baker’s salt don’t confirm which type of salt has been used in a specific toast product.
Check the ingredients on the pack you’ve chosen rather than assuming that toast always contains iodine.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
Bolletje presents its Ciabatta Crackers Tomaat & Kruiden as a snack for the road.
- According to Bolletje, these crackers are wrapped in pairs and contain ingredients including tomato, herbs and extra virgin olive oil.
- The product information lists wheat and cereals containing gluten, and also warns that other allergens may be present. Read the label on the pack you buy.
Van der Meulen
Thin Melba Toast is intended as a base for toppings and dips, among other things; the ingredients vary by variety.
- According to Jumbo, the multigrain variety contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour and 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Jumbo also lists 1.5 g of salt per 100 g for the same variety, and ingredients including wheat, oats, rye, sesame and soya. Don’t assume these details apply to plain toast.
Gran Pavesi
Le Sfoglie Classiche is a thin cracker that Albert Heijn describes as a base for tapenade, pesto and cheese, among other things.
- Albert Heijn lists 6.7% olive oil for this variety.
- Albert Heijn also lists 13 g of fat and 1.8 g of salt per 100 g. The product contains wheat and milk; check the label for allergens that may also be present.
Toast and crackers for the road on Joybuy
These products offer options for a snack without toppings or a planned break with toppings. Check whether the flavour, packaging and nutritional information of each product suit the way you like to eat on the road.
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Lu Mini Cracker Natural 250 g
A plain cracker to consider if you want to add your own toppings at a stop or prefer a snack without anything on top.
Check whether you can reseal an opened box properly if you want to spread the crackers over several stops. If you have allergies, read the latest ingredients information.
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Bolletje Sesame Bagel Crackers 225 g
An option for a break with toppings, or for anyone who prefers to eat crackers without anything on top.
Check the allergen information, especially if wheat or sesame is relevant to you. Compare the fibre content using the label on the pack.
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Thinmax Golden Danish Toast 4 × 85 g
Consider this toast for a snack that needs no preparation, rather than assuming it’s a substitute for thin, crisp melba toast with dip.
The product description mentions a soft texture. Check the latest allergen information on the pack.
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Tuc Original Crackers 3 × 100 g
A cracker for a snack break when you’ll want to put an opened pack away carefully.
Compare the salt content per 100 g if it matters to your choice, and read the allergen information on the pack.
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Oishi Bread Pan Buttered Toasted 42 g
The 42 g pack may suit a quick snack without planned toppings.
Check the nutritional information on the label before comparing figures with other snacks. Also check the allergens and whether the pack can be resealed once opened.
Frequently asked questions
Is premium toast automatically a healthier choice?
No, the word ‘premium’ doesn’t tell you how much fibre, fat or salt a product contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and factor in any toppings or dip you’ll be having with it.
Should I choose toast made with iodised baker’s salt for a road trip?
Not based on the product category alone: you can’t assume that all toast contains iodised baker’s salt. If the type of salt used matters to your choice, check the ingredients on the specific pack.
How can I check for allergens before setting off?
Read the allergen information on the exact pack you’re taking with you, even if you’ve bought a similar variety before. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods; check both the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces.
How can I keep toast and crackers crisp on the road?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and protect the product from moisture. Seal an opened pack as well as you can, and check before setting off that the packaging is suitable for this.