Who might find the choice makes a difference?

Brunch planners who want to serve one larger croissant per guest

Compare the number of pieces with the pack weight. Jumbo lists its Super Croissants as six pieces weighing 340 g, or 56.7 g per portion. This gives you a useful guide when planning an individual serving, but doesn’t tell you how large the croissants are.

Hosts serving a generous buffet

Mini croissants let guests choose a smaller portion alongside the other dishes. Check how many pieces are in the pack and how much oven space you’ll need. PLUS lists a baking time of 3–5 minutes in the oven for its mini butter croissants.

Shoppers checking allergens for their guests

Check the information for every variety you choose, even if two croissants are from the same brand. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for packaged products appears on the label; for unpackaged products, this information must be available before purchase.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide what matters most for your Christmas breakfast: a single larger portion, a varied buffet, preparation time or ingredients that suit your guests. Then compare packs of the type of product that best fits your needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Portion per croissant Divide the total weight by the number of pieces and compare the same type of product. Jumbo lists 340 g for six Super Croissants; a 180 g pack containing four works out at 45 g per croissant. If I want to serve one croissant as a clearly defined portion, the weight per item is more useful to me than the term ‘thick cut’. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a larger portion.
Preparation and timing Check whether the product contains pre-baked croissants or dough, and read the baking time and storage instructions. PLUS lists 4–6 minutes for its pre-baked butter croissants; Danerolles Original also needs shaping and has a baking time of 12–15 minutes. If the oven is also needed for other Christmas dishes, I want to know how much work the croissants will involve just before serving. Ease of preparation is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.
Buffet and quantities Compare the number of pieces and choose between regular and mini croissants. Match the quantity to the other dishes you’re serving. For a buffet with several rolls and dishes, I want to be able to offer guests a smaller croissant. Around 25% of consumers prioritise variety and quantity.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients, allergen declaration and any warnings about possible cross-contamination for the exact product. For unpackaged croissants, ask for allergen information before buying. If a guest needs to avoid an allergen, I put the label ahead of size or convenience. Around 19% of consumers give this check top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Treating ‘thick cut’ as a standard croissant size

    The term doesn’t give you a useful measure of the portion each guest will get. Even a striking product photo won’t tell you how much each croissant weighs.

    Compare the total weight, number of pieces and any stated portion size for similar croissants.

  • Assuming ‘butter’ or ‘plant-based’ tells you about all the allergens

    These labels don’t replace the allergen declaration. Ingredients and warnings about possible cross-contamination vary from product to product.

    Read the latest information on the pack you choose. For unpackaged croissants, ask about allergens before buying.

  • Only counting the croissants

    Four pieces don’t tell you how much each guest will get or how much preparation is needed. Dough that needs shaping involves different steps from croissants that only need a short time in the oven.

    Compare the quantity, weight per item and preparation instructions with your brunch plans, and bear in mind how much oven space you have.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt

    Ingredients vary from product to product. PLUS lists iodised salt in the ingredients for its butter croissants, but that doesn’t tell you anything about other varieties.

    Check the ingredients list on the croissants you actually buy.

Brands and shops to consider

These examples can help you compare different types of product. Check the ingredients, preparation method and availability for each croissant individually.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s croissant range includes larger, mini, plant-based and frozen varieties.

  • The Super Croissants are listed as six pieces weighing 340 g, so you can compare the weight per item.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety. The Super Croissants list wheat and gluten and may contain milk.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers fresh and bake-off croissants, including Danerolles Original dough, which you shape yourself.

  • The instructions for Danerolles Original make the extra preparation and baking time of 12–15 minutes clear.
  • Don’t apply these instructions to other croissants; read the packaging for the variety you choose.

PLUS

PLUS offers pre-baked butter and mini butter croissants.

  • The listed oven times are 4–6 minutes for the regular variety and 3–5 minutes for the mini variety.
  • The product information checked lists wheat and milk; check the current declaration on the pack you choose.

Dirk

Dirk offers, among other things, 1 de Beste butter croissants for baking and Délifrance frozen croissants.

  • The packs listed are four pieces weighing 180 g for 1 de Beste, and six pieces weighing 330 g for Délifrance.
  • Check the preparation method and ingredients on the pack you choose before planning when to serve the croissants.

Lidl

Lidl offers a butter croissant as an in-store product.

  • The product description makes it clear that this is a butter variety.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and availability of the product in store.

Christmas croissants at Joybuy

These croissants include regular portions and a mini variety to suit different Christmas breakfasts. Compare the stated weight and number of pieces with the portion size you have in mind. Before baking, and whenever you’re catering for guests with allergies, always check the packaging for the variety you choose.

g'woon butter croissants, four pieces, 180 g

g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

For a breakfast where a 45 g portion per croissant fits your plans.

The pack lists four pieces and 180 g in total. Check the preparation method and allergen information on the packaging.

View at Joybuy
SCHOOF croissants, four pieces

SCHOOF croissants, 4 pieces

For anyone planning to serve four croissants and happy to bake them.

To check whether they’ll make the portion size you want, compare the pack weight and read the instructions and allergen information before baking.

View at Joybuy
g'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g

g'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g

A mini variety to serve alongside other dishes on a Christmas buffet.

The pack lists 200 g. When planning portions, check the number of pieces, preparation method and allergen information.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I spot a larger croissant for Christmas brunch?

For croissants of the same type, compare the weight per item rather than looking for a description such as ‘thick cut’. Jumbo, for example, lists 340 g for six Super Croissants, which works out at about 56.7 g each. Also check the portion size if one is given on the packaging.

Can I buy croissants in advance and bake them on Christmas morning?

You can, as long as the storage instructions and preparation method for the product fit your plans. PLUS lists 4–6 minutes in the oven at 200 °C for its pre-baked butter croissants. Danerolles Original is dough that needs to be shaped first, then baked for 12–15 minutes according to the product instructions. Follow the packaging for the variety you choose, and don’t eat Danerolles dough raw.

Where can I find allergen information for croissants?

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for packaged croissants appears on the label. If you’re buying unpackaged croissants, ask for this information before you buy. Also check for any warnings about possible cross-contamination for the specific product.

How can I tell whether croissants contain iodised salt?

Read the ingredients list on the pack you choose. PLUS, for example, lists iodised salt in its butter croissants; you can’t assume that other croissants contain it too.