Have you tried crispbread? They’re a wonderful, healthful base for a wide variety of toppings. Usually made of whole grains and not much else, I like to think of crispbreads as perfectly preserved thin toasts/crackers that are ready to eat anytime. The thinnest, crispiest version I’ve found is Finn Crisp. Their origional version is made of just 4 ingredients: whole grain rye flour, water, salt, yeast. You get a nice dose of fiber, some iron, and sodium levels in line with eating bread (not crackers). Other brands, such as Wasabread, will also make great bases.
So I stumbled on a collection of crispbread toppings a while ago, and I can personally attest that they’re all delicious. Generally, they’re easy enough to throw together as an afternoon snack, but also fancy enough that you could serve to guests as an appetizer.
#1: Avocado & Fresh Mozzarella
So creamy! How to: Layer thin slices of fresh mozzarella and avocado over crispbreads. Drizzle with olive oil and season with a little salt and fresh black pepper. Nutrition: Avocado & olive oil contribute plenty of healthy fat.
#2: Hummus, Carrot & Cucumber
Fresh! How to: Spread hummus on crispbread. Top with a small bundle of carrot and cucumber strands (made with vegetable peeler). Nutrition: Hummus, carrot, and cucumber all contribute fiber, which is great for heart and digestive health. Plus hummus has a little fat, which tastes great, and boosts absorption of the fat-soluble Vitamin A in the carrot.
#3: Dates & Goat Cheese
Sweet AND savoury! How to: Spread soft goat cheese on crispbread. Top with chopped dates and sliced almonds. Drizzle with honey to finish. Nutrition: Men & women looking for iron will find it both in the crisp bread and in the dates. (Dried fruit is a surprising source.)
#4: Tomato & Feta
Bright! How to: Slice tomato, layer onto crispbread. Crumble feta on top. Add a sprinkle of dried Italian herbs (oregano or other) and a drizzle of olive oil. Nutrition: How can you go wrong with fresh tomato? Well, assuming your not allergic or intolerant, I suppose. Each serving contains a nice dose of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure.
#5: Strawberries & Spice
Sweet! How to: Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese on crispbread. Add sliced strawberries and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg. Nutrition: Strawberries are an excellent natural source of vitamin C, which helps skin elasticity among other things. Cinnamon contributes fiber, flavour, and helps keep food safe by inhibiting bacteria.
#6: Avocado & Smoked Salmon
Feels indulgent! How to: Top crispbread with thinly sliced avocado and a slice of smoked salmon. Season with salt and pepper and serve with lemon wedges. Nutrition: Salmon, even smoked, is one of the easiest ways to get heart-healthy omega-3 fats into your meals or snacks. Keep aiming for 2 or more servings of fish a week!
Here’s my attempt at the avocado & smoked salmon, plus avocado & fresh mozzarella. The little extra drizzle of high quality olive oil, with topping of salt and pepper really adds the finishing touch. Yum!
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Liking this crispbread theme? There’s more! See what happens when I make 5-minute meals with crispbread and seafood.
Have you had crispbread? What’s your favourite topping?