Small households
If you usually need just one snack at a time, individually sold croissants and small packs are a sensible place to start. Also check how to store or prepare the croissants once the pack is opened.
Who is this for?
Parents checking allergens
For a snack at school, nursery or a sports club, the exact product needs to meet any individual requirements, including those relating to wheat, gluten and other allergens.
Families who want to bake them at home
If you’re planning several portions and want to serve warm croissants, factor the oven or air fryer cooking time into your choice.
What should you look for when choosing?
First work out how many croissants you need, then check the label and make sure the preparation fits your schedule. Individually sold croissants, small packs and croissant dough to bake at home each call for a different approach.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and leftovers | Compare buying individually with the number of items or portions in a pack. Also read the storage instructions for after opening. | If I only need one snack, I don’t want to be left with unplanned leftovers. Portion size is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the label on the exact product and check it against the individual requirements for school or nursery. Gluten-free does not mean free from other allergens. | If a child needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know whether the croissant is suitable before packing it. This check is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Preparation | Check whether the croissant is ready to serve, needs defrosting or needs baking, and how much time and what equipment are required. | After school, I want to know when the snack will be ready, especially if it needs defrosting or baking. Preparation time is the top priority for around 24% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the nutritional information and ingredients for each product. Check the ingredients list if iodised salt is relevant to your choice. | If I’m weighing up different snacks, I want to be able to compare the ingredients in each specific product. This information matters most to around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens
The Consenza and Schär gluten-free croissants we looked at also list other allergens. So, being suitable for someone avoiding gluten does not mean a product is suitable for someone with other allergies.
Before packing a croissant, compare the allergens on the current packaging with the individual requirements.
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Buying a larger pack without planning the portions
The Albert Heijn croissant dough we looked at needs to be prepared straight after opening. A larger pack will only prevent leftovers if you can use all the portions according to the product instructions.
Work out how many croissants you need beforehand, then compare buying individually with a small pack or a pack to bake at home.
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Relying on a label you read previously
Ingredients and allergen information can change, even for a product you buy regularly.
Read the packaging again when you buy a product you’ve had before, especially if someone needs to avoid certain allergens.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory. So, a mention of iodised salt on one croissant tells you nothing about other varieties.
Check the ingredients list on the product you’re buying if this is relevant to your decision.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH product we looked at is chilled croissant dough for baking at home.
- Albert Heijn lists six 40 g portions and an oven cooking time of 12–15 minutes at 200 °C.
- The dough needs to be prepared straight after opening and, according to the product information, is not suitable for freezing at home. It contains wheat and may contain milk or lactose.
PLUS
The products we looked at include both a small individually sold croissant and a 180 g pack to bake at home.
- For its bake-at-home variety, PLUS gives instructions for cooking in an oven or air fryer.
- PLUS says the small croissant needs to be defrosted before baking. It must not be refrozen after defrosting.
Consenza
The gluten- and wheat-free croissants we looked at come in a pack of three.
- A pack of three gives you a set quantity to compare with your planned snack occasions.
- This variety contains egg and soya, and may contain sesame, lupin and nuts. Check the label if you have other allergies.
Schär
The frozen pack we looked at contains four gluten-free croissants.
- The pack of four makes it easier to plan the croissants for several snack occasions.
- This variety contains egg and milk and may contain other allergens. According to the product information, the croissants should be kept chilled after defrosting and eaten within one day. Do not refreeze them.
ALDI
ALDI describes the butter croissant we looked at as available to buy individually.
- Buying one at a time can work well for a single planned snack occasion.
- Check the packaging of the croissant you buy for allergen and ingredient information.
Croissants on Joybuy
These croissants come in quantities to compare with your after-school snack plans, from an 85 g croissant to packs of four. Check each product to make sure the quantity, preparation and label suit your needs.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
Compare this 85 g croissant if you’re looking for a small quantity for a snack occasion. Check how many you’re buying in total.
Read the current allergen label before packing it. If it’s a snack for children, also check the information about the colourings E102 and E110.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
A pack of four may suit you if you want to bake several croissants. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging before snack time.
Also read the current allergen label and check the ingredients list if iodised salt is relevant to your choice.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack of four could suit four planned portions or several people. Check the packaging to see whether the croissants need cooking.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack before you pack a croissant.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g
Compare these mini croissants with the number of snacks you’ve planned. Check the net weight on the packaging: different weight information is also listed for this product.
Read the preparation instructions and check the current allergen label before use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose a standard croissant if a child needs to avoid gluten?
Don’t choose based on the product name alone: the standard croissants from Albert Heijn and PLUS that we looked at contain wheat or wheat gluten. Read the label on the exact variety and check that it meets the individual requirements. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the label.
Is a gluten-free croissant also free from other allergens?
No. Gluten-free says nothing about other allergens. The Consenza variety we looked at contains egg and soya; the Schär variety contains egg and milk. Both also warn that other allergens may be present, so check the current packaging.
Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t assume that every croissant does. The Voedingscentrum says bread does not have to be made with baker’s salt, so check the ingredients list for the specific product. For example, PLUS lists iodised salt in the bake-at-home croissants we looked at.
Can a defrosted croissant be put back in the freezer?
Follow the instructions on the specific packaging. PLUS says its small butter croissant must not be refrozen once defrosted. Schär gives the same instruction for the frozen croissants we looked at and says they should be eaten within one day of defrosting.