More About Belin

Belin makes the savoury biscuits that fill bowls at a French apéro: Monaco cheese crackers, Minizza, Triangolini, Chipster potato petals and Croustilles corn puffs. Epicerie Corner stocks single packs, maxi bags and mixed boxes of Belin aperitif snacks for sharing with drinks, delivered across the UK.

The Story of Belin Biscuits

Belin takes its name from Gustave Belin, who opened a wafer and biscuit factory in Bagnolet, on the edge of Paris, in 1902. In 1931 the company moved production to Château-Thierry in the Aisne, a town surrounded by the cereals, milk and sugar beet it needed. Over the following decades Belin moved into aperitif biscuits, the savoury crackers that are now its signature.

After passing to LU, Belin is today part of Mondelez International, which also owns LU.

Belin Crackers and Snacks in Our Range

Monaco and cheese crackers

Monaco is Belin's signature cracker: a thin, crisp biscuit topped with grated Emmental. Buy the Belin Monaco Emmental Crackers 110g, the Maxi 170g bag, the Box Monaco Emmental 205g, or the Monaco Crackers Assortment 340g, which mixes Monaco with extra-fine Belin crackers. The Crackers Cheese Sheets 95g are a puff-pastry style cracker (feuilleté) with Emmental, and Belin also offers a 205g box of assorted crackers made for sharing at the apéritif.

Minizza and Triangolini

The Minizza Crackers 95g are oven-baked and flavoured with tomato and Provence herbs, like a bite of pizza. Belin Triangolini 110g are triangle-shaped crackers topped with sesame and poppy seeds, a good choice if you want something without cheese. For a party, the Crackers Reception 4 Flavours Assortment 380g combines Monaco, Minizza, Hexago and Triangolini in one box.

Chipster and Croustilles

Two Belin snacks are not crackers at all. Chipster are light, puffed petals made from potato flakes and starch, lightly salted; try the Chipster Belin Salted Petals 85g or the Maxi 150g bag. Croustilles are puffed corn snacks, available with ground roasted peanuts or with an Emmental flavour, in 88g bags and 138g family bags.

How to Choose Belin Aperitif Biscuits

• Cheese or no cheese: Monaco, the Cheese Sheets and the Emmental Croustilles all carry a cheese flavour; Triangolini, Minizza and the peanut Croustilles offer other tastes.
• Texture: Chipster are the lightest and most airy, Croustilles are crunchy puffs, and the crackers are crisp and biscuity.
• Number of guests: a 95g or 110g pack suits two to four people, while the Reception assortment, Monaco Assortment and maxi bags are made for larger groups.
• Allergens: most Belin crackers are made with wheat and milk, Triangolini contain sesame, and the peanut Croustilles contain peanuts. Always check the ingredients on each product page and on the pack.

Putting Together a French Apéro with Belin

The apéro (short for apéritif) is the relaxed moment before dinner when friends share a drink and a few savoury bites. A simple Belin spread might pair a bowl of Monaco crackers with Triangolini and a bag of Chipster, so guests get cheese, seeds and a light crunch. For a larger gathering, open the Reception assortment and add a family bag of Croustilles, which children usually enjoy too. Add olives, cherry tomatoes and a few slices of saucisson, and set out a cheese spread or dip alongside.

Crackers suit chilled white wine, cider, beer or a non-alcoholic spritz equally well. Pour snacks into separate bowls rather than mixing them, so flavours and allergens stay clear for your guests, and keep opened packs sealed in a cool, dry cupboard so they stay crisp. Crackers also work beyond the apéro: crumble Monaco over a soup or salad, or pack a few in a lunchbox. For peanuts and more corn snacks, see Benenuts, or browse the full Snacking and Aperitifs range. Fans of French biscuits can also explore LU.

Belin FAQs

Who makes Belin crackers?

Belin was founded by Gustave Belin in 1902 and is now part of Mondelez International, the group that also owns LU. The brand concentrates on aperitif biscuits and snacks sold mainly in France.

What are Chipster made of?

Chipster are not sliced crisps. According to the pack, they are made mostly from potato flakes and potato starch, with palm oil and salt, then puffed into thin, curved petals. This gives them a lighter, airier crunch than a classic crisp.

What is in the Belin Reception assortment?

The Reception box contains four Belin crackers: Monaco with Emmental, Minizza with tomato and herbs, Triangolini with sesame and poppy seeds, and Hexago. It is a convenient way to offer several flavours at a party without opening many packs. The assortment contains wheat, milk, sesame, barley, soya and celery and may contain eggs and nuts.

Are Belin snacks suitable for people with nut allergies?

Not all of them. The Cacahuete (peanut) Croustilles contain peanuts, and several other packs carry may-contain warnings for nuts, including the Reception assortment and the Emmental Croustilles. Read the allergy information on the pack of each product before serving.