Hosts who love soft brioche
You’re planning brioche bites for your Christmas drinks party and want to choose a recipe made with wholemeal flour, while also keeping an eye on its sugar and fat content.
Who are these formats for?
Hosts who prefer crisp bases
You’re looking for individual bases to top and are happy to choose the crisp texture of toasted bread instead of soft brioche.
Households mindful of the ingredients they serve
Before offering the same bites to several guests, check the ingredients, any listed allergens and the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen.
What should you look for before buying?
First decide whether you want a soft bite or a crisp base, then compare the details for the exact product you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal flour and fibre | Look for wholemeal flour in the ingredients, then compare fibre, sugars and fat per 100 g. Auchan’s listing for Harry's wholemeal brioche states that it contains 27.8% wholemeal wheat flour and 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g. | For soft canapés, I want brioche with a fibre content that suits what I’m looking for, rather than relying on the word “wholemeal” alone; around 36% of consumers put this need first. |
| Texture and format | Choose between slices to cut up and individual toasted pieces. Auchan’s listing for Pasquier toasted rolls states that there are about 18 pieces in a 225 g pack. | If I’d rather top small, crisp bases than slice up a brioche, individual portions are my priority; this matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any “may contain” statements on the exact pack. Auchan’s listing for Harry's brioche mentions wheat, eggs and milk, as well as possible traces of soya, nuts and sesame. | When guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check each product before serving it; around 21% of consumers put this check first. |
| Use-by date and storage | Check the best-before date on the pack you buy and follow its storage instructions, especially after opening. | If I’m preparing for a drinks party in advance, I want the base to keep its texture until serving time; this kind of planning comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming wholemeal brioche is low in sugar
Wholemeal flour alone doesn’t tell you everything about a recipe. For Harry's wholemeal brioche, Auchan lists 15 g of sugars and 11 g of fat per 100 g.
Compare fibre, sugars, fat and salt using the same 100 g serving size.
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Confusing “multigrain” with “wholemeal”
Multigrain toast can work as a base for party bites, but the name alone doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour it contains or how much fibre it provides.
Check the product name, ingredients list and nutritional information on the pack you choose.
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Choosing toasted bread when you want something soft
Pasquier wholemeal toasted rolls are crisp; they don’t have the same texture as sliced brioche.
Decide what texture you want before choosing a base for your toppings.
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Forgetting to check the pack when buying in advance
The date on the batch you buy and the storage instructions matter if you’re shopping before Christmas.
Check the best-before date and follow the pack instructions, including after opening.
Brands and products to know
Harry's
Wholemeal Sliced Brioche is an option if you want to keep the soft texture of brioche. Auchan’s listing for this product states that it contains 27.8% wholemeal wheat flour.
- Auchan’s listing states that it contains 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- It also lists 15 g of sugars and 11 g of fat per 100 g, so check the full nutritional information.
Brioche Pasquier
The wholemeal toasted rolls are an option for making crisp bites, rather than soft brioche.
- Auchan’s listing states that the 225 g pack contains around 18 rolls and 7.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The same listing mentions cereals containing gluten and 1.1 g of salt per 100 g.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists Multigrain Thin Toasts among its toasts and canapé bases.
- This format is worth considering if you’re looking for toast rather than brioche.
- Check the pack for wholemeal flour and fibre content: “multigrain” doesn’t tell you either.
Toasted rolls for your drinks party on Joybuy
This selection is for crisp wholemeal wheat bases to top for your Christmas drinks party, rather than soft brioche.
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KRISPROLLS Swedish-Style Wholegrain Toasted Buns, 425 g
Worth considering for crisp bites to top when you’re not looking for the soft texture of brioche.
425 g pack. If bite size or allergens matter to your guests, check the number of pieces, ingredients and any “may contain” statements on the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is wholemeal brioche always a better choice for this drinks party?
No. It’s a good choice if you want the soft texture of brioche and would like to check its ingredients. For every 100 g, Auchan’s listing for Harry's Wholemeal Sliced Brioche states that it contains 7.5 g of fibre, 15 g of sugars and 11 g of fat. The right choice also depends on the kind of bites you’re making.
How can you tell a wholemeal product from multigrain toast?
Check the product name and ingredients for wholemeal flour or wholemeal wheat. The word “multigrain” alone doesn’t tell you how much fibre the product contains, so check the relevant line in the nutritional information.
Which allergens should you check in Harry's wholemeal brioche?
Auchan’s listing mentions wheat, eggs and milk, as well as possible traces of soya, nuts and sesame. Check the allergen information on the pack you’re actually serving, especially if the recipe or packaging has changed.
Can you buy the bases several weeks before Christmas?
First check the best-before date on the pack you buy and its storage instructions. For Harry's brioche and Pasquier toasted rolls, also follow the instructions on each pack after opening to help preserve the texture you want.