Lunch-makers looking for a generous portion
If you want a larger individual croissant for each person, compare the net weight with the number of croissants in the pack. A label such as ‘Large’ doesn’t tell you how much each croissant weighs.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families who want slices they can fill
If you want to fill or share slices at lunchtime, a croissant loaf is better suited to this than individual croissants. Albert Heijn has a recipe that uses a croissant loaf cut into slices.
Lunch-makers checking ingredients
If you’re putting together lunch for children and need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, check the exact packaging. If you’re buying an unwrapped croissant from a shop, ask about allergen information before you buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
Individual croissants
Choose these: if you want to hand out individual portions without slicing anything.
Bear in mind: the weight per croissant helps you compare portions, but it doesn’t tell you how thick the slices will be or how easy the croissant is to fill.
Croissant loaf
Choose this: if you want to cut slices to fill or share.
Bear in mind: this is a different product format. Check the dimensions and how easy the loaf is to slice, rather than comparing the weight of individual croissants.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and format | For individual croissants, compare the net weight per croissant. If you want slices, look for a croissant loaf and check whether it can be sliced the way you want. | I want a generous portion for each person, or slices I can fill. For around 33% of consumers, portion size and format are the main considerations. |
| What else is on the lunch menu | Think about what you’ll serve alongside the croissant. The Voedingscentrum includes vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products as part of a packed lunch for school. | When making lunch for children, I want to think about more than just the croissant and decide what else to serve with it. Around 27% of consumers prioritise what else is included in the lunch. |
| Preparation and planning | Check whether the croissants are ready to eat or need baking, as well as the instructions for storage and use after opening. | If lunch needs to be on the table quickly, I want to know whether I’ll need to bake the croissants. This is the main planning concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label on the product you’ve chosen, including to check whether it contains iodised salt. If you’re buying unwrapped croissants, ask about allergen information before you buy. | If an ingredient or allergen matters, I want to be able to check before choosing a croissant. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming a heavier pack means larger croissants
The total weight could be higher because there are more croissants in the pack. For example, Jumbo lists packs of 180 g for four croissants and 340 g for six.
If portion size per person is your main priority, divide the net weight by the number of croissants.
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Assuming all croissants have the same ingredients
PLUS lists iodised salt, wheat and milk in a particular butter croissant. That doesn’t tell you what’s in another variety.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging. If you’re buying unwrapped croissants, ask about allergen information before you buy.
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Buying bake-at-home croissants without allowing time to prepare them
Baking them takes time and requires a suitable appliance. Storage and after-opening instructions can vary from one product to another.
Check the preparation instructions on the packaging before you buy, and make sure the number of croissants suits your lunch plans.
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Choosing only the croissant for a child’s lunch
Choosing between individual croissants and a croissant loaf doesn’t decide what else you’ll serve. The Voedingscentrum also includes vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products as part of a packed lunch for school.
Decide what else you’ll serve for lunch before choosing how many croissants to buy.
Brands and shops to compare
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a product called AH Excellent Butter Croissant Loaf. This format is worth considering if you want to make slices rather than hand out individual croissants.
- Albert Heijn has a recipe that uses a croissant loaf cut into slices.
- Check the dimensions, ingredients and preferred slice thickness for the product you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists croissant packs including 180 g for four croissants and 340 g for six.
- The stated weight and number of croissants let you compare the portion size.
- Check the current product page: a butter croissant variety listed previously was no longer available in the online range.
Lidl
Lidl describes a butter croissant variety to bake at home and notes that it is sold in store.
- The bake-at-home format makes it clear that you’ll need to allow time for preparation.
- Check the product information and availability at the shop you plan to visit.
ALDI
ALDI lists a fresh butter croissant sold individually, making it an individual portion for lunch.
- Buying croissants individually can work well if you want to choose the number separately.
- For a comparison by weight or allergen information, ask about the exact croissant.
PLUS
For a specific 180 g pack of butter croissants, PLUS lists the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
- For this variety, PLUS lists 25% butter and iodised salt.
- These ingredients apply to this pack and shouldn’t be assumed to apply to other PLUS croissants.
Dirk
Dirk’s range includes croissant packs of 340 g for six croissants and 330 g for six.
- The stated weights and quantities give you a starting point for comparing croissants individually.
- Always check the preparation instructions, ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose.
Individual croissants on Joybuy
These are individual croissants for serving as separate portions at a school holiday lunch. Compare the packaging and preparation instructions. If you’re looking for slices to fill, consider a croissant loaf as a separate product format.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85g
An individual croissant for when you want to choose a portion for each person without slicing anything.
The product name lists 85 g. If you’re serving it to children, also check the product warning about E102 and E110 on the packaging.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack of four individual portions. At 180 g for four croissants, that works out at 45 g per croissant, but doesn’t tell you how easy they are to slice.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you choose before serving.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
An option if you want to bake four individual croissants for lunch. Check the preparation instructions and weight per croissant on the packaging first.
When checking the ingredients, also look for any warnings about traces of allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get thick slices if I buy large croissants?
Not necessarily. The weight per croissant can help you choose a larger individual croissant, but it doesn’t tell you how thick the slices will be. If you want slices to fill, look for a croissant loaf; Albert Heijn has a recipe that uses one cut into slices.
Does every croissant contain iodised salt?
No, you can’t assume that. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may only be present in bakery products through the addition of iodised baker’s salt. This doesn’t mean that every croissant contains it. PLUS lists iodised salt in a particular butter croissant variety. Check the ingredients of the croissant you’re buying.
How can I check for allergens in an individual croissant from a shop?
Ask at the counter for allergen information before you buy, or check the product information available. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers must also inform customers about relevant allergens in unwrapped foods.
Can I prepare bake-at-home croissants ahead of lunch?
Follow the preparation and storage instructions on the exact packaging. Also check what to do with any leftover dough or croissants after opening. Instructions for one variety don’t automatically apply to another.
What can I serve alongside croissants for a school holiday lunch?
Think about the other parts of the lunch too. The Voedingscentrum includes vegetables, fruit and wholegrain products as part of a packed lunch for school. Choose the number of croissants in relation to what else you’ll be serving.