Holidaymakers short on breakfast time
If you want breakfast without an oven, look for ready-to-eat croissants. If you have baking equipment, a bake-at-home option could work well; check how much preparation your chosen product requires.
Which option is right for you?
Families having breakfast together
Choose the number of croissants to suit your group and how you can store them. Pack sizes vary: Jumbo, for example, lists Danerolles Original with six croissants per tin.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
Check the allergen information for the exact variety, especially if wheat, milk or egg is relevant to you. Read the label on prepacked croissants, and ask for information before buying loose ones.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much preparation suits your holiday morning. Then work out how many you need and how you can store them.
Ready to eat
When to choose it: If you want breakfast without baking; ALDI lists a fresh butter croissant as an in-store product.
What to consider: Check availability at the shop where you do your shopping.
Par-baked
When to choose it: If you have baking equipment and want to finish them off quickly; PLUS recommends 4–6 minutes in the oven at 200 °C or 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 180 °C for its butter croissants.
What to consider: You’ll need suitable equipment; follow the instructions on the packaging you choose.
Shape them yourself
When to choose it: If you have time to cut and roll croissant dough; Albert Heijn recommends a further 12–15 minutes in the oven for Danerolles Original.
What to consider: This involves more steps and requires an oven. Follow the instructions for chilling and using the dough, too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Is the croissant ready to eat, does it need baking, or do you need to shape the dough first? If baking is required, check the instructions on the packaging. | If I’m leaving early or don’t have an oven, I don’t want to rely on baking; around 33% of consumers prioritise minimal preparation. |
| Number of croissants | Check the number of croissants and the net weight, then choose a pack that suits your breakfast group. | For a breakfast together, I want to buy enough croissants without being left with unused ones; around 27% of consumers prioritise a suitable portion size. |
| Storage | Check the use-by date and the instructions for an opened pack. For frozen products, check the defrosting instructions. | If my holiday plans change, I want to be able to use the croissants within the stated storage period; around 20% of consumers prioritise storage for this reason. |
| Ingredients | Read the allergen and ingredient information for the variety you choose; check the label too if you want to know whether iodised salt has been used. | If I can’t rely on the product name because of an allergy or ingredient preference, I need information about the exact croissant; around 20% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all croissants are prepared the same way
A ready-to-eat shop-bought croissant is different from a par-baked option or dough that you still need to cut and roll. If your holiday accommodation doesn’t have the right equipment, a bake-at-home product might not be suitable.
First, choose a type of product that suits your breakfast schedule and the equipment you have available. Then follow the preparation instructions for that variety.
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Buying a large pack without a storage plan
Different instructions may apply once the pack has been opened. Some products need to be used up after opening; with certain frozen products, you must not refreeze croissants once they have defrosted.
Choose the number of croissants to suit your plans, and read the storage, opening and defrosting instructions before you buy.
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Relying on the product name if you have an allergy
Croissants with similar names can contain different ingredients and have different warnings about possible traces of allergens.
Check the current information on the exact packaging. If you’re buying loose croissants, ask for allergen information before you buy.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Lists fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants in a range of pack sizes.
- The category also includes products from Danerolles and Picard.
- Check how you can buy the variety you’ve chosen; some fresh croissants are listed as available in-store only.
Jumbo
Lists a range of croissants, including bake-at-home, frozen, plant-based and filled varieties.
- The number of croissants, weight and product type vary between the listed varieties.
- Check the current availability of the croissant you choose.
Lidl
Describes croissants for baking at home.
- An option for holiday accommodation with suitable baking equipment.
- Check the packaging for preparation instructions and ingredients for the specific product.
ALDI
Lists a fresh butter croissant as an in-store product.
- A ready-to-eat option that doesn’t require you to bake it yourself.
- Check availability and product information in store.
PLUS
Lists both individual croissants and par-baked butter croissants.
- For its 180 g pack of par-baked croissants, PLUS provides instructions for the oven and air fryer.
- Before use, check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions.
Dirk
Lists individual croissants and packs of own-brand and branded products.
- The options shown include a 65 g individual croissant and multi-packs.
- Check the current pack size and product information for the variety you choose.
Croissants on Joybuy
These croissants offer a few different options for a holiday breakfast: one is ready to eat, one needs baking, and for the third it’s important to check the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
For breakfast without baking equipment: this croissant is described as ready to eat and individually wrapped.
Check the date on the one you buy. The product information lists wheat, egg and milk as allergens, and warns that the colourings E102 and E110 may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
Four croissants for a planned breakfast where you can bake them at home. Before buying, check which equipment, timings and temperature the packaging recommends.
The product information lists wheat and iodised salt, and notes that it may contain traces of sesame, lupin, milk and soya. Also read the storage and usage instructions for after opening.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack of four butter croissants for breakfast together. Before buying, check the packaging to see whether they’re ready to eat or need to be prepared first.
Read the allergen information and check the use-by date on the one you buy. The ingredient information for this variety lists iodised salt.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook a bake-at-home croissant in an air fryer?
Yes, if the instructions for your variety include an air fryer. PLUS recommends 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 180 °C for its par-baked butter croissants; don’t assume the same setting will work for another product.
How long can I keep an opened croissant?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping an opened croissant in a kitchen cupboard for 2 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. For an unopened pack, follow the date and storage instructions on the label.
Can I refreeze frozen croissants once they’ve defrosted?
Not if the packaging says you mustn’t. The product information for the Délifrance frozen croissants mentioned here says that defrosted products must not be refrozen; check the instructions for your variety.
Where can I find allergen information for a croissant?
For a prepacked croissant, read the label on the exact variety; if you’re buying a loose croissant, ask for allergen information before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen labelling requirements for prepacked foods.
Does every croissant contain iodised salt?
You can’t tell from the product category alone. The ingredient information for a specific PLUS bake-at-home variety lists iodised salt; check the ingredients list for the croissant you want to buy.