Who are these options relevant to?

Buffet organiser without an oven at the venue

You want to serve croissants without having to bake them at the barbecue venue. In that case, shop-bought croissants that are ready to serve are a practical choice.

Host who wants to bake them just before serving

You can set aside space and capacity in your oven or air fryer, then choose based on preparation time, storage instructions and the number of croissants in each pack.

Shopper comparing ingredients or nutritional values

You want to check the allergens, ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety you’ve chosen, especially if guests are likely to ask about them.

What should you look for when choosing?

Ready-to-bake croissants

A good choice when: you can use an oven or air fryer just before the buffet and don’t want to shape the dough yourself.

Things to consider: you’ll need to set aside time and space for baking. For its butter ready-to-bake croissants, PLUS recommends 4–6 minutes in the oven at 200 °C or 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 180 °C.

Small frozen croissants

A good choice when: you want to serve small portions alongside other buffet dishes and can plan ahead for defrosting.

Things to consider: according to the product instructions, PLUS’s small butter croissants need around 20 minutes to defrost, followed by about 14 minutes in the oven. The instructions also say not to refreeze them once defrosted.

Croissant dough

A good choice when: you want to decide the size yourself or add a filling.

Things to consider: cutting, shaping and baking take extra time. PLUS says its 400 g roll of butter croissant dough can be cut into at least six dough triangles.

Croissants ready to serve

A good choice when: you don’t have baking equipment at the barbecue venue.

Things to consider: you’ll be choosing from the shop’s selection, so check the details for the individual product. For example, Lidl and ALDI list butter croissants for purchase in store.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Serving time Check whether the croissants are ready to serve or need defrosting and baking, and plan for the equipment you’ll need. If I want to serve the croissants warm, baking them needs to fit in around the other dishes. For around 38% of consumers, serving time is the most important factor.
Portion size Compare the number of croissants and the pack weight. If you’re buying dough, decide what size you want to shape them. For a buffet with several dishes, I want individual portions that guests can easily pick up. Around 37% of consumers prioritise portion size.
Product information Read the ingredients, allergen and nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen. If the croissants are unwrapped, ask about allergens. If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, I want to know what’s in each variety. For around 25% of consumers, product information comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘medium sliced’ means a standard croissant size

    On its own, this search term doesn’t tell you how large the croissants are or whether they’ve already been sliced. These differences can affect how you serve or fill them at a buffet.

    Compare the number of croissants, their weight and the product description. If you want to slice them open for a filling, factor this into your preparations.

  • Underestimating the preparation time for small croissants

    Small croissants aren’t necessarily quicker to prepare. According to the product instructions, PLUS’s small butter croissants need around 20 minutes to defrost, followed by about 14 minutes in the oven.

    Check the instructions on your pack and plan the baking around serving time. If you can’t bake them at the venue, choose croissants that are ready to serve.

  • Assuming all butter croissants contain the same allergens

    The PLUS examples differ: the ready-to-bake variety checked lists wheat, spelt and milk; the small butter croissant also contains egg and may contain soya.

    Check the label for each variety you choose and keep the packaging handy in case guests have questions. Ask about allergen information for unwrapped products.

  • Assuming iodised baker’s salt is guaranteed

    The agreement published in the Dutch Government Gazette in 2008 describes efforts to encourage the use of iodised salt. NBC states that using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement.

    If you want to know whether a particular croissant contains iodised salt, check the ingredients list for that product.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes fresh, ready-to-bake and frozen varieties, from mini croissants to larger ones.

  • You can compare different sizes and preparation methods side by side.
  • Some individual varieties are marked as available in store only, so check how you can buy the one you’ve chosen.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists own-brand, plant-based, frozen and filled croissants, as well as varieties from Danerolles.

  • The pack sizes and varieties shown give you a useful starting point for comparing quantities for your buffet.
  • Check the ingredients and preparation instructions on the product page and the pack you choose.

PLUS

PLUS lists ready-to-bake croissants, small frozen croissants and croissant dough, including dough from Danerolles.

  • The product instructions can help you plan defrosting and baking.
  • Preparation methods and allergens vary between varieties, so read the information on the pack you buy.

Lidl

Lidl lists, among other products, a butter croissant marked as an in-store item.

  • An individual croissant bought in store is an option if you don’t want to bake them at the venue.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose in store.

ALDI

ALDI lists an individual fresh butter croissant as an in-store product.

  • Buying croissants individually lets you decide how many you need for the buffet.
  • Ask in store about ingredients and allergens if you need this information.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results include individual croissants, multi-packs and savoury varieties.

  • The product types shown can help you make an initial comparison of sizes and fillings.
  • For ingredients and allergens, check the information for the specific product and its packaging.

Croissants at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Which croissants can I serve at a barbecue buffet without an oven?

Choose croissants that are ready to serve if you can’t bake them at the venue. For example, Lidl and ALDI list individual butter croissants as in-store products. Check the details for the variety you choose when buying.

Can I refreeze defrosted croissants?

Always follow the instructions on the packaging. The instructions for PLUS’s small butter croissants say not to refreeze them once defrosted, so plan how many you’ll need to defrost for the buffet.

Which allergens should I check in croissants?

Check the allergen information for each variety you choose, not just the product name. The PLUS examples mentioned list wheat and milk; the small butter croissant also contains egg and may contain soya. Ask for allergen information if the croissants are unwrapped.

Is iodised baker’s salt compulsory in all croissants?

Don’t assume that every croissant contains iodised baker’s salt. The agreement published in the Dutch Government Gazette in 2008 describes efforts to encourage the use of iodised salt, while NBC says that using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. Check the ingredients list for the croissant you’re considering.

How can I compare the nutritional value of croissants in different sizes?

Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion for the products you’re considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 181 kcal, 5 g of saturated fat and 0.53 g of salt as general example values for a 45 g croissant; the values for the variety you choose may differ.