Picnickers on a tight food budget
If you’re buying for a small group, check how many croissants you need and how many come in a pack. That way, you won’t take more than you need for your picnic.
Which option is right for you?
Picnickers ready to head straight out
If you don’t want to use the oven at home, an individual ready-to-eat croissant is an obvious choice. Albert Heijn and ALDI both list individual options in their ranges.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
If you have a specific dietary requirement or food allergy, the exact product matters more than the croissant’s name. Check the current packaging, and ask for allergen information if you’re buying an unpackaged product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many croissants you need and whether you can bake them before you leave. Then check the ingredients of the option you plan to take with you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity for your group | Compare the number of croissants in a pack with the number of people eating, and allow for any leftovers. | If I’m buying for several people, I want enough croissants without unnecessary leftovers. Around 42% of consumers put their group budget first. |
| Ready to eat | Check whether the croissants are ready to eat or need to be baked at home first. | If I’m heading out spontaneously, I don’t want to plan time to use the oven. For around 33% of consumers, convenience and being able to eat straight away matter most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the option you’ve chosen. For unpackaged croissants, ask the shop for this information. | If ingredients or allergens determine my choice, I want to be able to check the specific croissant. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a pack without checking how many croissants it contains
A pack won’t necessarily be the right size for your picnic group. You’ll also need a suitable plan for storing any leftovers.
Count how many people are coming, then compare individual croissants with packs in different sizes.
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Taking bake-at-home croissants without planning ahead
Bake-at-home croissants need time and an oven. That can be inconvenient if you want to go straight to the park.
Check the cooking instructions before you buy, and choose a ready-to-eat option if you’re heading out spontaneously.
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Assuming plant-based means allergen-free
A plant-based croissant may still contain gluten or carry warnings about other allergens. Voedingscentrum stresses the importance of checking label information if you have a food allergy.
Read the ingredients and the ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging. For unpackaged pastries, ask for allergen information.
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Taking chilled fillings without a cool bag
For fillings that are usually kept in the fridge, it’s important to consider how long they’ll be out of the fridge. Voedingscentrum advises throwing these products away if they’ve been kept unrefrigerated for more than two hours.
Pack chilled fillings separately in a cool bag, take them out of the fridge shortly before you leave, and fill the croissants just before eating.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists both individual croissants and multipacks in its croissant range.
- Useful for comparing a small number of individual croissants with packs of four.
- Check whether each option is ready to eat or needs baking first.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists own-brand, butter and plant-based croissants in packs of four or six, among other options.
- A choice of pack sizes makes it easier to find one that suits your group.
- Check the ingredients and preparation instructions for the specific option; the product name alone isn’t enough.
ALDI
ALDI lists a fresh, individual butter croissant as an in-store product.
- An individual croissant suits a small group and needs no oven preparation.
- Check which option is available in store, and ask for allergen information if needed.
PLUS
PLUS lists Schoof Croissants in packs of four, among other products. For this bake-at-home option, PLUS recommends baking for 4–6 minutes at 220 °C.
- The cooking instructions help you decide whether baking them at home before your picnic will work for you.
- PLUS describes this option as vegan, but the product information also mentions possible traces of milk. If you have an allergy, always check the current label.
Dirk
Dirk lists a pack of four butter croissants, weighing 180 g in total.
- The pack size helps when planning for a small group.
- Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the pack you choose before you set off.
Lidl
Lidl describes croissants that you bake at home.
- A bake-at-home option could suit you if you have an oven at home.
- Check the packaging in store for the number of croissants, cooking instructions, ingredients and allergens.
Croissants for your picnic on Joybuy
These croissants include options for heading out without using the oven, as well as products that need to be prepared at home. Check the pack size for each product, along with the latest storage and allergen information.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant, 85 g
For anyone who wants to take one croissant without using the oven. Check the current packaging to confirm whether your chosen option is ready to eat.
Weight: 85 g. If you have an allergy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g
Worth considering if you’re buying for several people and can plan the preparation before you leave.
Weight: 200 g. Check the pack for the number of croissants, cooking instructions and allergen information.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
For a small group, if you can bake the croissants at home before heading to the park.
Pack of 4. Follow the cooking instructions and check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Which croissants should I take if I’m heading to the park spontaneously?
Choose a ready-to-eat croissant if you don’t want to bake anything at home. A bake-at-home option needs time in the oven; PLUS, for example, recommends baking Schoof Croissants for 4–6 minutes at 220 °C.
How should I take chilled fillings on a picnic?
Pack fillings that are usually kept chilled in a cool bag, and take them out of the fridge shortly before you leave. Voedingscentrum advises throwing these products away if they’ve been kept unrefrigerated for more than two hours.
How should I store leftover croissants?
Voedingscentrum says an opened croissant can be kept for two days in a kitchen cupboard or for one to three months in the freezer; freezing may affect its quality. For an unopened pack, follow the storage and use-by information on the label.
Is a plant-based croissant also free from gluten and milk?
No. The term ‘plant-based’ doesn’t confirm that a croissant is gluten-free or that it carries no warning about possible traces of milk. If you have a food allergy, check the allergen information for the exact product; Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of checking the current label.
Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t assume that every croissant does. The Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Food describes baker’s salt as iodised table salt used for bread and other bakery products, but that doesn’t confirm the ingredients of any individual croissant. Check the ingredients list on the pack you choose.