If you want breakfast with no preparation, choose a croissant that’s ready to eat. If you want to bake your croissants, check what equipment you’ll need, how long they take to prepare and how they should be stored. For a plant-based or gluten-free option, check the description and allergen information for the exact product rather than relying on the product category. Don’t use ‘medium sliced’ as a way to choose croissants: compare portion size, ingredients and nutritional information instead.
If you want to serve breakfast straight away, check whether the croissant is ready to eat. A bake-at-home product could suit you if you have the time and equipment to prepare it according to the instructions on the pack.
A plant-based label doesn’t tell you whether a product contains gluten or may contain traces of milk. If you have a specific dietary requirement, check the full ingredients and allergen information for the option you’ve chosen.
Compare the number of croissants and the pack weight with how many you want to serve at breakfast. For chilled and frozen products, check the storage instructions, including what to do after opening or defrosting.
First, decide whether you want to eat the croissants straight away or bake them at home. Then check the label for dietary suitability, nutritional information and how much you’ll actually use.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to eat or bake at home | Check whether preparation is needed. If it is, read the cooking time and temperature, and check what equipment you’ll need. | If I want breakfast straight away, the croissant needs to be ready to eat; if I want a warm, freshly baked croissant, I can set aside time to prepare it. This is the most important consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen list and any ‘may contain’ statement. Check plant-based and gluten-free claims separately. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s in this option and what traces may be present. This is the main concern for around 31% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and, where shown, per portion. Also consider the sweet topping you choose. | When I’m having a sweet topping with breakfast, I want to be able to assess the croissant’s nutritional values and the size of my portion. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Portions and storage | Check the number of croissants, the net weight and the storage instructions, including what to do after opening or defrosting. | If I’m making breakfast for several people, I want enough croissants without opening a pack we won’t finish. This kind of planning comes first for around 15% of consumers. |
Iodised salt appears in the ingredients list for some croissants, but that doesn’t mean it’s a standard feature of every option.
If this ingredient matters to you, check the current ingredients list for the specific product.
The plant-based croissant described by Jumbo contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. So a plant-based label doesn’t answer every question about allergens.
Read the ingredients and allergen statement, including any ‘may contain’ wording on the pack.
Chilled dough, bake-at-home croissants and frozen croissants may all have different preparation and storage instructions. The instructions for one product don’t necessarily apply to another.
Follow the temperature, cooking time and instructions for after opening or defrosting on the pack you buy.
Portion size, fat, salt and fibre also vary between products. Sweet toppings are another part of the breakfast you’re putting together.
Compare the nutritional information on the same basis, such as per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll have in each portion.
These examples show the product formats and label information you can compare for individual croissants. The features described don’t necessarily apply to a brand’s entire range.
Albert Heijn describes both an individual luxury butter croissant and chilled croissant dough.
Jumbo lists both regular and plant-based croissants, among other options.
PLUS describes both bake-at-home croissants and a large frozen croissant.
Dirk lists individual croissants and multi-packs, including 1 de Beste butter croissants.
These croissants are options for a sweet breakfast; two product names specify a pack of four. Check whether each product is ready to serve or needs baking first, as this isn’t always clear from the product name.
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A pack for serving several croissants at breakfast. Before baking, check the cooking time and temperature on the pack. If you have allergen requirements, read the current ingredients and traces information.
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An option if you’re looking for mini croissants for breakfast; the pack states 200 g. Check whether they’re ready to eat or need preparing, and read the allergen information if it’s relevant to your choice.
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A pack of four croissants with a total weight of 180 g, ideal if you’re planning several portions. Check the preparation instructions before serving, and read the current allergen statement if you have dietary requirements.
No, don’t assume that. Jumbo lists iodised salt in the plant-based croissant described, and PLUS lists it in the butter croissants described. For another option, check its own ingredients list.
Not necessarily. The plant-based croissant described by Jumbo contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. Check the full allergen statement for the exact product to make sure it meets your dietary requirements.
No. Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. For the bake-at-home croissants described, PLUS gives instructions for 4–6 minutes in an oven at 200 °C or 4 minutes in an air fryer at 180 °C. For the dough croissants described, Albert Heijn gives instructions for 12–15 minutes in an oven at 200 °C.
Check the storage temperature and the defrosting and cooking instructions on the pack. The large butter croissant described by PLUS must be stored at −18 °C and must not be refrozen after defrosting.
