Who are these options for?

Hosts making lots of canapés

If you’re serving several guests, you’ll want even slices that you can quickly turn into toast or croutons. Brioche Pasquier, for example, has a crouton recipe that uses sliced brioche.

Those who enjoy brioche as it is

You care more about the recipe and presentation than saving time on slicing. A braided brioche or a gâche is worth considering, depending on its ingredients and format.

Guests who pay attention to ingredients

Fibre, ingredients and allergens all influence your choice. Compare the nutritional information and ingredients list for each product, especially if you’re sharing the food with anyone who has allergies.

Which criteria should you prioritise?

First, decide whether you’ll be serving canapés that need assembling, brioche to enjoy as it is, or enough portions for a large group. Then check the ingredients and storage instructions for the product you choose.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Size of the bites Check whether the brioche is pre-sliced and whether the slices are the right size for your planned toast or cubes. If you need to assemble lots of canapés, even portions save you having to cut everything while you’re serving. Around 31% of consumers would make ease of preparation their top priority.
Recipe and presentation Compare the ingredients list, stated proportions and whether each product is braided. If the brioche will take pride of place on the platter, some consumers would prioritise its recipe and presentation: around 25% would make these their main criteria.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g on the exact pack. If any guests need to avoid certain ingredients, what’s in the brioche matters more than the appearance of the bites. This would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Check the number of slices and the pack instructions; keep any toppings that need it chilled. Hosting a group on a terrace means having enough portions without leaving heat-sensitive toppings out on the table. Around 19% of consumers would put this planning first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Relying on the word ‘premium’ alone

    A range label doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe or its allergens. Nor do highlighted ingredient proportions replace the full ingredients list.

    Compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g for the products you’re actually considering.

  • Treating fresh toppings like brioche

    The storage instructions for wrapped brioche don’t apply to toppings that need to be kept chilled. ANSES recommends limiting how long perishable foods are left at room temperature.

    Keep these toppings chilled and add them shortly before serving. Use a cool bag if needed for serving on the terrace.

  • Forgetting about allergens on a sharing platter

    Brioche Pasquier’s Brioche Tranchée Nature lists wheat, eggs and butter. Other products may contain different ingredients or carry different ‘may contain’ warnings.

    Check each pack intended for guests with allergies, and use separate utensils where you need to avoid cross-contamination.

  • Opening a large pack too early

    A large number of slices makes it easier to serve a group, but Auchan’s 700 g sliced brioche comes with instructions to protect it from heat and humidity.

    Prepare the number of bites you need, keep the pack out of direct sunlight and reseal it as instructed.

Brands to consider

Brioche Pasquier

Its plain sliced brioche can be used as a base for toast or the croutons featured in one of the brand’s recipes.

  • Brioche Pasquier’s recipe cuts the slices into cubes of around 1.5 cm before baking.
  • Brioche Tranchée Nature lists wheat, eggs and butter.

Harrys

Its Brioche Tranchée Complète lets you compare a wholemeal recipe with the other brioches on your platter.

  • Harrys’ product information lists 7.0 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The ‘no additives’ claim doesn’t mean you can skip checking the ingredients and allergens for this product.

Carrefour

Carrefour Traiteur offers a sliced, all-butter braided brioche for anyone who wants this style on their platter.

  • Its product information lists 12% butter and 11% fresh eggs.
  • It lists gluten, eggs and milk, which guests with allergies or intolerances will need to take into account.

E.Leclerc

Nos Régions ont du Talent’s sliced Vendée PGI brioche is worth considering if you’re looking for a regional product.

  • E.Leclerc’s product information lists 15.7% fresh eggs and 11.4% concentrated butter.
  • Check the product details and availability at your local store or for click and collect.

Auchan

There are two formats for different needs: sliced brioche when you need plenty of portions, and sliced gâche if you’re choosing based on the recipe.

  • Auchan lists 26 slices for its 700 g brioche; its Gourmet gâche product information details the eggs, butter and cream.
  • The 700 g brioche should be protected from heat and humidity. If the ingredients are important to you, check the gâche’s ingredients separately.

Two Joybuy products for your drinks party

These two options are prepared differently: ready-filled savoury mini bites to bake, or an all-butter brioche for which you’ll need to check the slicing format before planning your toast.

ERHARD mini brioche bites with ham and Emmental, pack of 9

ERHARD Mini Ham & Emmental Brioche Bites, 9 pieces, 115 g

These ready-filled bites are a convenient choice if you don’t want to assemble each portion before your drinks party. The pack contains 9 pieces and weighs 115 g. Keep them frozen at −18 °C or below and cook them thoroughly before eating. Once defrosted, the instructions say to store them between 0 and 4 °C and eat within 24 hours. They contain wheat or gluten, milk and eggs.

View on Joybuy
280 g ERHARD all-butter brioche

ERHARD Pure Butter Brioche, 280 g

This butter brioche is an option if you’d like to prepare your own bites for the platter. Before buying, check whether it’s pre-sliced and how many portions you can make. It contains wheat or gluten, eggs and milk; traces of soya, nuts and sesame are also listed.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What should you check on a brioche pack?

Check the ingredients, allergens, quantity, date and storage instructions for the product you’re buying. To compare two recipes, also look at their nutritional values per 100 g. The DGCCRF says allergens must be clearly highlighted on food labels.

How should you keep brioche on the terrace before serving?

Follow the instructions on the pack and protect it from heat and humidity if the product requires it. Auchan’s 700 g sliced brioche comes with this instruction; keep the bag resealed until you’re ready to prepare the portions you need.

Can you top the toast well in advance?

If the topping needs to be refrigerated, keep it chilled and assemble the toast shortly before serving. ANSES recommends limiting how long perishable foods are left at room temperature. The storage instructions for brioche on its own don’t apply to topped bites.

Is ‘no additives’ brioche suitable for guests with allergies?

Not necessarily: Harrys Brioche Tranchée Complète lists wheat, eggs and butter, among other ingredients. Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact pack you’ll be serving.

How do you make croutons with sliced brioche?

Brioche Pasquier’s recipe suggests cutting the slices into even cubes of around 1.5 cm, then seasoning them before baking in the oven. This gives you a different kind of bite from topped toast, so adjust the quantity to suit your platter.