Small households looking to cut down on leftovers
If you drink coffee alone or as a couple, buying one croissant means you don’t have to open a pack of four or six for a single coffee break. ALDI and PLUS, among others, sell croissants individually.
Who is this relevant to?
Coffee drinkers who want to serve them warm
If you’re expecting guests, bake-at-home croissants, chilled dough or frozen croissants could be suitable. Just allow for the preparation required by your chosen product: not every variety is ready to eat straight away.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
If ingredients or allergens are important to you, compare the current labels on the specific products. Croissants may contain wheat, milk or egg, among other ingredients; the recipe varies by product.
What should you look for when buying?
First, work out how many croissants you actually need. Then decide whether you want to serve them straight away or bake them yourself, and check how to store any leftovers before you buy.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Check whether the croissants are sold individually, in packs of four or in packs of six, and read the storage advice for any leftovers. | If I’m buying for one coffee break, I don’t want to open a whole pack for a single croissant. For around 31% of consumers, avoiding leftovers is the main priority. |
| Preparation | Check whether the croissants are ready to eat or need to be defrosted or baked first, and what equipment you’ll need. | I want to serve warm croissants without underestimating the preparation involved. For around 31% of consumers, ease of preparation is the most important factor. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the allergens on the packaging; compare nutritional values per 100 g or per serving if they’re relevant to your choice. | If I’m buying croissants for someone with a food allergy, the label on that exact variety needs to give me the answer. Around 23% of consumers would consider checking the label their top priority. |
| Stock and storage | Compare the storage conditions and instructions for after opening or defrosting with your planned coffee breaks. | If I’m planning for several afternoons, I want to know when the croissants will be used. For around 15% of consumers, planning how much to buy would be their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Buying more croissants than you need
A pack of four or six leaves several croissants over if only one person is having coffee. Whether you can use them later depends on the product’s storage instructions.
For a single coffee break, choose one croissant, or decide before you buy when you’ll use the rest and how you’ll store them.
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Expecting fresh and bake-at-home croissants to be ready just as quickly
An individual fresh croissant can go straight on the table; a bake-at-home or defrosted product needs preparation. Instructions vary from one product to another.
If you want to serve warm croissants at a particular time, check the packaging for defrosting instructions, equipment and baking time.
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Assuming they all contain the same ingredients
Croissants with similar names can still differ in ingredients, allergens and nutritional values. Average nutritional values are no substitute for checking the product label.
If you have an allergy, check the current allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen and compare nutritional information on the same basis.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through bakers’ salt, which can contain no more than 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This doesn’t mean that every croissant contains iodised salt.
If iodised salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product.
Relevant brands and retailers
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists chilled croissant dough for six 40 g portions.
- An option if you can prepare the baking for a planned coffee break.
- The variety described must be kept chilled and baked straight after opening; according to the product label, it isn’t suitable for home freezing.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists, among other options, packs of four butter croissants and frozen varieties.
- You can choose a product to suit a planned coffee break or your storage needs.
- Check how many croissants are in the pack you choose; not every variety is intended as a single portion.
Lidl
Lidl lists a butter croissant as an in-store item.
- An individually sold item could be a good fit if you’re looking for one croissant.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and availability at the store you’re visiting.
ALDI
ALDI lists a fresh butter croissant sold individually.
- The pack size suits a coffee break when you only need one croissant.
- For ingredients and allergens, check the current shelf label or product information in store.
PLUS
PLUS lists both a small butter croissant sold individually and a 180 g pack of four bake-at-home croissants.
- The pack size could suit either one portion or several planned portions.
- Preparation and defrosting instructions vary by product; check the label for ingredients and allergens too.
Dirk
Dirk lists a 180 g pack of four butter croissants and a frozen product containing six Délifrance butter croissants.
- Four croissants could be a good fit if you’re expecting guests or have several coffee breaks planned.
- If you’re buying six frozen croissants, factor in the freezer space you’ll need and the preparation instructions.
Croissants by pack size on Joybuy
These Joybuy products come in multi-portion packs. They’re best suited to times when you’re expecting guests or planning croissants for more than one coffee break; if you only need one croissant, buying one individually is a different option.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
A pack of four to plan for several coffee breaks. These croissants are intended for baking; check the preparation instructions on the pack and plan for any leftovers.
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G'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g
A pack of mini butter croissants for a planned coffee break. The stated pack size is 200 g; check the label for the number of pieces, preparation method and allergens.
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g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
Four croissants for guests or several planned portions. The pack contains 180 g; check the label for how to serve or prepare them and how to store any leftovers.
Frequently asked questions
Is half a loaf a smaller pack of croissants?
No, half a loaf refers to a bread size, not to the croissant packs discussed here. For a small coffee break, look for croissants sold individually or check how many pieces are in a pack.
How long can I keep an opened pack of croissants?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping the opened croissant described there for two days in a kitchen cupboard or one to three months in the freezer. Also follow the label on your product: not every variety can be frozen at home.
Can I freeze a defrosted croissant again?
Follow the instructions for the specific croissant. The label on the small PLUS butter croissant says that a defrosted product must not be frozen again.
Where can I check which allergens croissants contain?
Check the current allergen information on the packaging or shelf label for the variety you’ve chosen. Croissant products may contain wheat, milk and egg, but ingredients and any warnings vary from product to product.
Does every croissant in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?
That doesn’t follow from the Dutch rules on bakers’ salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through bakers’ salt, which can contain no more than 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. Check the ingredients list of the croissant you want to buy.