Who might be weighing up this choice?

Households keeping an eye on fibre

You want to choose bread for your Easter brunch with a fibre contribution you can check. A roll explicitly labelled wholemeal may be a better fit than serving croissants alone.

Croissant lovers who want to compare

You want to keep croissants on the table, but when considering a seeded variety, you also check the ingredients and nutritional information, not just the name or the seeds on top.

Households shopping for guests

Before serving, you want to know which cereals containing gluten, milk and any other potential allergens are listed on the current packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether an explicit wholemeal label is essential for you. Then compare croissants and bread alternatives based on the features that matter for your brunch.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Look for an explicit wholemeal label on the exact product and compare fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g. If fibre is my priority, I want to be able to see what the bread on the brunch table contributes. For around 46% of consumers, a verified wholemeal label or a fibre contribution they can check matters most.
Croissants and preparation Check whether the croissant is fresh, frozen or part-baked, and follow the product’s instructions when baking it at home. I want to serve croissants and time the preparation to suit when guests arrive. The croissant experience and convenience are the top priorities for around 36% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergen warnings and, if it matters to your choice, salt per 100 g. When hosting brunch, I want to know whether my chosen product is suitable for guests’ stated allergies, rather than relying on the product name. For around 18% of consumers, checking the label is the first priority.

Common mistakes when choosing

  • Assuming seeded means wholemeal

    A croissant can contain seeds and wheat bran without being labelled wholemeal. For example, Albert Heijn describes its Meerzadencroissant as seeded; wheat flour is the first ingredient on the list.

    If a wholemeal label is essential, look for one explicitly and then compare the nutritional information for the exact product.

  • Relying on the product name when checking for allergens

    A name such as ‘seeded’ or ‘butter’ doesn’t tell you which allergens or may-contain warnings appear on the packaging.

    Check the current packaging for every guest with an allergy, and take care to avoid cross-contact when serving.

  • Using an old product page as a substitute for the label

    If the ingredients or nutritional values change, information you checked earlier may no longer apply to the croissant in your basket.

    Check the packaging again when buying if fibre, salt, iodised salt or allergens affect your choice.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants in its range.

  • AH Meerzadencroissant lists 3.6 g of fibre per 100 g and contains ingredients including seeds and wheat bran.
  • Seeded doesn’t mean wholemeal: wheat flour is the first ingredient in this croissant.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells croissants and also offers wholemeal rolls to bake at home.

  • A roll labelled wholemeal is a separate option if fibre is your main priority.
  • A wholemeal label on a roll says nothing about the ingredients in a croissant; check each product separately.

Lidl

Lidl lists a Meerzadencroissant as an in-store product.

  • The product description mentions several types of seed, making this croissant worth considering if you’re looking at seeded varieties.
  • Don’t treat the name ‘seeded’ as a wholemeal label; check the ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging.

ALDI

ALDI lists butter croissants and, separately, wholemeal bread in its bakery range.

  • ALDI says its wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour.
  • That information about the bread doesn’t mean the separately listed butter croissant is wholemeal.

PLUS

PLUS offers part-baked butter croissants, as well as wholemeal bread to bake at home.

  • PLUS lists 1.9 g of fibre and 0.95 g of salt per 100 g for its Roombotercroissants, so you can compare these values on the same nutritional basis.
  • The butter croissants listed aren’t a croissant variety labelled wholemeal.

Dirk

Dirk lists butter croissants and separate wholemeal products to bake at home, including baguettes.

  • A product labelled wholemeal and designed for baking at home can be served alongside croissants or instead of them.
  • The wholemeal label on the baguettes doesn’t automatically apply to the croissants.

Bread alternatives on Joybuy

These products offer an alternative when you don’t want to serve only croissants at your Easter brunch. They aren’t croissants; check each product for a wholemeal label, nutritional information and any ingredients that matter to your choice.

Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pieces

Souq Lebanese wholemeal flatbread, 6 pieces

Flatbread for anyone who wants to serve an alternative to croissants labelled wholemeal at their Easter brunch. The product name states that it contains 6 pieces; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

View on Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal bread, 550 g

A round loaf for when you don’t need croissant-shaped bread at your Easter brunch. The product name states that it is wholemeal and weighs 550 g; follow the instructions on the current packaging for preparation.

View on Joybuy
Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g

Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g

A rye bread product for anyone who wants to offer something other than croissants at their Easter brunch. The product name states that it weighs 500 g; check the packaging for the grain ingredients, allergens and fibre per 100 g before comparing it with other bread products.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a seeded croissant automatically wholemeal?

No. A name that mentions seeds doesn’t confirm that the whole grain has been used. AH Meerzadencroissant contains seeds and wheat bran, but wheat flour is the first ingredient on the list. If you want a wholemeal option, look for an explicit label on the exact product.

Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t assume that every croissant does. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its Meerzadencroissant, and PLUS does so for its Roombotercroissants; check the current ingredients list for other varieties.

Which allergens should I check for my Easter brunch?

Check the packaging of every product you serve. Albert Heijn lists cereals containing gluten and milk for its Meerzadencroissant, with warnings about possible traces of nuts, egg, soya and oats, among other things. PLUS lists wheat, spelt and milk for its Roombotercroissants.

How do I bake PLUS Roombotercroissants?

PLUS recommends baking its part-baked Roombotercroissants at 200 °C for 4 to 6 minutes. Check the instructions on your packaging; don’t assume the same timings apply to other croissants.