Which option works best for you?

For hosts who want to bake just before serving

You want to serve warm croissants and have an oven or air fryer available at the time. Part-baked croissants need less shaping than croissant dough, but they still take up space while they bake.

For planners who want to shop in advance

You’re organising a buffet for several guests and want to get your shopping done early. Frozen croissants are a good option if you have enough freezer space and include baking time in your serving schedule.

For hosts who need to check the ingredients

You want to be able to tell guests which allergens a croissant contains, or check whether iodised salt has been used. Make sure you check the details for the exact product you’re serving, including unpackaged croissants.

What should you consider when choosing?

Fresh croissants

Choose these: if you want to put croissants on the buffet without a baking session.

Bear in mind: you have less control over when they come out of the oven; ask for allergen information if they’re unpackaged.

Part-baked croissants

Choose these: if you want to finish baking them shortly before serving, without shaping the dough yourself.

Bear in mind: you’ll need oven or air fryer space just before the buffet.

Frozen croissants

Choose these: if you want to shop in advance and bake them on the day.

Bear in mind: you’ll need freezer space and should follow the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.

Croissant dough

Choose this: if you want to decide on the shapes or sweet and savoury fillings yourself.

Bear in mind: you’ll need time to shape and bake the dough; PLUS gives a baking time of around 15–20 minutes for its butter croissant dough.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
How you’ll serve them Check the product format, preparation method and listed ingredients. A description such as ‘luxury’ doesn’t tell you how it tastes. I want to serve warm croissants and care more about when they’re served than keeping preparation to a minimum. This serving experience comes first for around 37% of consumers.
Oven space and timing Count how many croissants fit in your oven or air fryer at once, and follow the instructions for the product you choose. When I’m hosting several guests, I want to plan baking batches without holding up the buffet. Around 27% of consumers give this planning top priority.
Allergens and ingredients Read the label on the exact pack or ask for product information if the croissants are unpackaged. Check separately for iodised salt if it matters to your choice. When I serve croissants to guests, I want to know which ingredients and allergens they contain. This is the main consideration for around 18% of consumers.
Portions and preparation Compare the number of croissants and portion size with your guest list, and decide how much shaping or baking you want to do. I want to serve suitable portions without taking on more preparation than necessary. This is the main consideration for around 18% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘premium’ means better flavour

    A ‘luxury’ label or a mention of butter doesn’t mean a product has won a taste comparison. The product format and preparation method also affect how much work you’ll have to do on the day.

    Compare the ingredients, size and preparation method of the options you’re considering. Trying a batch in advance can help you work out your serving schedule.

  • Trying to bake all the croissants at once

    A short baking time on the pack doesn’t mean all the croissants will fit in the oven at once. For example, PLUS gives a baking time of 4–6 minutes at 200 °C for its part-baked butter croissants, compared with around 15–20 minutes for its croissant dough.

    Count how many croissants you can bake in each batch and plan the order before deciding how many you want to bake yourself.

  • Not asking about allergens in fresh croissants

    Even with unpackaged croissants, you need to know which ingredients may be relevant to your guests. The label on a similar packaged product isn’t a substitute.

    Ask the seller for allergen information about the product you’re buying and have it available at the buffet.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised baker’s salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell which salt has been used just from the word ‘croissant’.

    Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask the seller if the product is unpackaged.

Brands to consider

Délifrance

A brand to consider if you want to bake butter croissants or prepare them from frozen.

  • Jumbo lists Délifrance Butter Croissants in a pack of 4 × 45 g; Dirk shows an option with 6 croissants.
  • Check the ingredients and preparation instructions for the option you choose. Jumbo recommends eating its product immediately after opening and baking.

Danerolles

A brand with several croissant products for baking at home in the range shown by Jumbo.

  • Jumbo lists Original, Large and Mini, as well as filled options, so you can compare different sizes.
  • Check the number of croissants, ingredients and preparation instructions for each option; size alone doesn’t determine how a product will taste.

AH

Albert Heijn’s own brand offers both a fresh luxury butter croissant and butter croissants in its frozen range.

  • These product formats let you choose between serving them straight away and buying them in advance to bake later.
  • Check the ingredients, preparation instructions and availability around the festive period for the exact product you choose.

PLUS

The own-brand range includes both part-baked butter croissants and butter croissant dough to shape yourself.

  • PLUS states that its 180 g part-baked croissants contain 25% butter. According to PLUS, you can cut at least six triangles of dough from its 400 g roll of croissant dough.
  • The products require different preparation and storage. Also check the allergens in the option you’re serving.

1 de Beste

Dirk’s own brand offers butter croissants to bake at home.

  • Dirk lists a pack of 4, with a total weight of 180 g, and describes them as made with butter.
  • Check the preparation method, allergens and availability of this pack before planning your buffet around it.

Croissants at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do Dutch croissants always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers don’t always use baker’s salt. PLUS lists iodised salt for its part-baked butter croissants, but check the label or ask the seller about other products.

Which allergens should I check for a croissant buffet?

Check the information for every product you’re serving, not just for a similar croissant. PLUS lists wheat, spelt and milk among the ingredients in its part-baked butter croissants, which may also contain rye, barley and oats. According to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked foods appears on the label. For unpackaged croissants, ask the seller for product information.

Can I buy croissants in advance for Boxing Day?

Yes. Frozen croissants are an option if you have enough freezer space and follow the storage instructions. Fresh croissant dough needs different planning: PLUS says its butter croissant dough should be stored at a maximum of 7 °C and used immediately after opening. Also check the use-by date on the pack you buy.

How long does it take to bake croissants?

It depends on the product you choose. PLUS gives a baking time of 4–6 minutes at 200 °C in the oven or 4 minutes at 180 °C in the air fryer for its part-baked butter croissants. For its croissant dough, PLUS gives a baking time of around 15–20 minutes. Follow the instructions on the pack for other products.