Choose individual croissants if you want to serve them without having to plan around the oven. Choose bake-at-home croissants if you want to serve them warm and have the time and space to prepare them. Mini croissants are ideal for a buffet with smaller portions, while for a plant-based option, you should check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you choose. Don’t use ‘medium sliced’ as a way to compare croissant sizes: compare their dimensions, quantity, weight and preparation method instead.
If you can make time and space in the oven or air fryer on Christmas morning, bake-at-home croissants are worth considering. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging you choose before planning the rest of breakfast.
If you’re serving other bread and toppings alongside your croissants, mini croissants give guests the option of taking a smaller portion. PLUS includes mini butter croissants in its Christmas breakfast range.
A label such as ‘butter’ or ‘plant-based’ doesn’t tell you everything about the ingredients. Check the information for the exact variety, and ask for allergen information if you’re buying loose croissants.
First decide whether you want to serve the croissants straight away or bake them first. Then choose a size to suit your guests, and check the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen if you have specific dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| When you’ll serve them | Check whether the croissants are ready to eat or need to be prepared, then follow the timings and temperature on the packaging. | If I want to serve croissants warm, baking them needs to fit into my Christmas breakfast plans; around 42% of consumers say serving them warm is their top priority. |
| Buffet portions | Compare mini and standard sizes, the number of croissants and the total weight. | If there are several types of bread on the table, I want to be able to offer guests smaller portions; around 33% of consumers prioritise having that choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; ask for this information when buying loose products. | If a dietary requirement or food allergy affects my choice, I need to be able to check the exact variety; around 25% of consumers put this check first. |
Ingredients and allergens can vary between brands and varieties. The PLUS butter croissants reviewed list wheat, spelt and milk, among other ingredients; this tells you nothing about the ingredients in a different croissant.
Read the current packaging for the variety you’re buying. Ask for allergen information if you’re buying loose croissants.
Lidl says its butter croissants are only available in store. Jumbo notes that a specific Délifrance variety is no longer available online.
Before doing your Christmas shopping, check where the variety you want is available and consider which alternative size would work for your serving plans.
Pack sizes with different quantities can also vary considerably in total weight and size. Jumbo’s croissant range includes both standard packs and mini varieties.
Look at the quantity and total weight together, especially if you’re serving other bread too.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that bakery products may contain iodine compounds from baker’s salt. That doesn’t mean iodised salt is a standard ingredient in every croissant.
If you want to know whether your croissants contain it, check the ingredients list on the packaging you’ve chosen.
Shop websites show different ways to choose croissants for Christmas breakfast. Ultimately, compare the information for the product you actually intend to buy.
Albert Heijn includes rolls and croissants in its Christmas breakfast and brunch inspiration.
Jumbo’s croissant range includes butter, plant-based and mini varieties.
Lidl describes butter croissants that you bake at home.
ALDI offers a fresh butter croissant sold individually.
PLUS includes butter croissants to bake at home and mini butter croissants in its Christmas range.
Dirk offers an individual butter croissant and a pack of four butter croissants to bake at home.
These Joybuy products include a croissant that’s ready to serve, croissants to bake at home, and smaller packs or multipacks. Choose according to when you plan to serve them, and check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and any preparation instructions before buying.
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An option to serve without having to plan around the oven. The product name specifies 85 g; check the packaging if you want to warm the croissant or need to check its ingredients.
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For a brunch where you want to bake the croissants at home and can make time to do so. The product name says the pack contains four; follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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The mini size is ideal for a buffet with smaller portions alongside other bread. The product name specifies a 200 g pack; check the number of croissants and preparation method on the packaging.
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For anyone who wants to match the number of croissants and total weight to their breakfast in advance. The product name specifies four croissants and 180 g; check the packaging to see whether they need to be prepared.
No, don’t use that description to compare the croissants discussed here. For your Christmas breakfast, compare their size, quantity and weight, and check whether the variety you’ve chosen is ready to eat or needs to be prepared.
Ask for the allergen information for that specific variety if you’re buying a loose croissant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that allergen information must also be available for unpackaged foods; don’t infer the ingredients from the name or appearance.
No, don’t assume that. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt; check the ingredients list to see what applies to the pack you’ve chosen.
Yes, as long as the use-by date and storage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen suit your plans. For one butter variety reviewed, PLUS advises storing it in a cool, dry, dark place; don’t automatically apply this guidance to frozen products or other varieties.
