If you want to serve them straight away
If you don’t want to plan in extra preparation while cooking, look for a ready-to-eat croissant. If you’re buying it in a shop, check whether it’s available at your local branch.
Which type is right for you?
If you want to serve them warm
A part-baked croissant is a good choice if you can finish baking it just before eating. With chilled croissant dough, you’ll also need to set aside time to shape it.
If you want to check the ingredients
Before buying, check the latest ingredients, allergen and nutritional information for your chosen variety. Check the ingredients too if the presence of iodised salt matters to you.
What should you look for when choosing?
Ready-to-eat croissant
Choose this type: if you want to serve croissants without baking them after your shop; Lidl and ALDI list individual butter croissants as in-store products.
Bear in mind: availability varies by shop, and you’ll have less control over serving them warm straight from the oven.
Part-baked croissant
Choose this type: if you want to finish baking the croissants just before eating. PLUS says its part-baked butter croissants take 4–6 minutes in the oven or 4 minutes in the air fryer.
Bear in mind: you’ll need the right equipment and time for a final baking step during your evening.
Chilled croissant dough
Choose this type: if you want to shape and bake the croissants yourself. Danerolles Original contains dough for six croissants, which the product information says needs to be cut and rolled.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to keep it chilled, prepare it and allow for the stated baking time of 12–15 minutes; don’t eat the dough raw.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving straight away | Check whether the croissant is ready to eat and whether an in-store product is available at your local branch. | If I don’t want to spend time baking during my Asian-themed evening, the croissants need to be ready to serve. For around 36% of consumers, serving them straight away is the top priority. |
| Finishing them in the oven | Compare part-baked croissants with raw dough, and read the instructions for the equipment and preparation time required. | I want to serve the croissants warm just before eating and can set aside time to prepare them. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Flavour that suits the menu | Check whether the variety is plain or has a sweet or savoury filling; if you’ve chosen a dish, check the ingredients too. | If I haven’t settled on the menu yet, I don’t want to choose a filling that clashes with what I’m serving. Matching the flavour matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| The right quantity | Compare the number of croissants and the pack weight with the number of people you’re serving. | When I’m catering for several people, I want enough croissants without unnecessary leftovers. Around 14% of consumers say getting the quantity right is their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Treating ‘medium sliced’ as a type of croissant
This search term doesn’t tell you whether you need a whole croissant, a sliced croissant or medium-sliced bread. You could end up choosing the wrong type of product.
First decide what you want to serve. If you want to slice a croissant, choose a suitable whole one and decide whether slicing it works with your serving plans.
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Confusing part-baked croissants with raw dough
They need different preparation and planning. PLUS says its part-baked variety takes just a few minutes in the oven, while Danerolles Original needs to be shaped and then baked for 12–15 minutes.
Read the preparation and storage instructions on your chosen pack before deciding when to serve the croissants.
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Skipping the allergen information
A croissant isn’t automatically suitable for someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on prepacked foods.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information every time you buy, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using bakers’ salt isn’t compulsory. PLUS listing iodised salt for one specific part-baked butter croissant doesn’t tell you anything about other varieties.
If iodised salt is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients on the product you’re actually buying.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes fresh, bake-at-home and frozen varieties.
- The range page includes mini, butter, cheese and ham and cheese varieties.
- Check how each product should be served and whether it’s available at your local shop.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s online range includes regular, plant-based, frozen and filled croissants.
- The products shown include packs of four and six.
- Check which varieties are available at your local shop or in your delivery area.
Lidl
Lidl lists an individual butter croissant for in-store purchase.
- The product page lists the ingredients and allergens for this variety.
- The product is marked as available in-store only.
ALDI
ALDI lists an individual fresh butter croissant as an in-store product.
- Buying them individually could suit you if you want to choose the quantity yourself.
- Check the latest allergen information and availability at your local branch.
PLUS
PLUS lists part-baked butter croissants to prepare at home.
- For the 180 g pack shown, PLUS provides oven and air fryer instructions, ingredients and allergen information.
- You’ll need to finish baking this variety before serving it warm.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including a pack of four Schoof margarine croissants.
- The varieties shown give you a starting point for comparing packs and ingredients.
- Dirk doesn’t list a delivery service, so plan to visit a branch if you shop there.
Croissants on Joybuy
These croissants come in different formats for your Asian-themed evening: a bake-at-home option, an individual croissant and packs to share with a group. Decide when to serve them only after reading the preparation instructions on your chosen pack.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
An option if you want to bake four croissants before serving. Check the pack to see what equipment and preparation time you’ll need.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant, 85 g
An individual croissant for anyone who wants to serve it without a final baking step; check whether the cheese seasoning suits your menu. The product information gives the weight as 85 g and warns that the colourings E102 and E110 may affect activity and attention in children.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack of four croissants if you want to plan the quantity in advance. The pack weighs 180 g; read the preparation instructions before deciding when to serve them.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g
The mini size could be a good choice if you want to serve smaller croissants alongside other dishes. The pack weighs 200 g; check the number of pieces and the preparation instructions on the pack when planning portions.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘medium sliced’ mean for croissants?
Don’t assume that ‘medium sliced’ is a standard croissant specification. Decide whether you want to slice a whole croissant yourself or whether you’re actually looking for medium-sliced bread; then choose the product type that suits your menu.
How can I tell if croissants still need to go in the oven?
Read the preparation instructions for the variety you’ve chosen. PLUS gives a short oven or air fryer cooking time for its part-baked butter croissants. Danerolles Original is dough that you need to cut and roll before baking for 12–15 minutes. The dough must not be eaten raw.
Where can I check the allergens in croissants?
Check the latest packaging for the exact variety you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on prepacked foods; also read any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
Does every Dutch croissant contain iodised salt?
No, the use of bakers’ salt doesn’t mean that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says its use isn’t compulsory. PLUS lists iodised salt for one specific part-baked butter croissant; check the ingredients separately for other products.