Choose a fresh croissant sold individually if you want to serve it straight away, a pre-baked croissant if you want to buy ahead and bake it briefly, or an unbaked frozen croissant if you have time and freezer space to bake it at home. Check the preparation instructions, portion size, ingredients and allergens for each product: the three types require different planning and do not automatically have the same nutritional values.
If you want to bake several croissants just before breakfast, bear in mind that you’ll need freezer space and time to use the oven. The Délifrance frozen croissants described by PLUS can be baked from frozen and take 18 minutes at 185 °C.
If you want to shop in advance but spend little time baking on the morning itself, look for a pre-baked, bake-at-home option. PLUS says the PLUS croissants reviewed take 4–6 minutes in the oven or 4 minutes in the air fryer.
If ingredients, allergens or nutritional values influence your choice, compare the specific product and portion size. Check whether the nutritional information is given per 100 g or per portion.
First decide whether you want croissants that are ready to serve straight away or whether you’d prefer to bake them at home. Then compare the preparation instructions and labels of products that fit your morning plans.
Choose this if: you want to serve them straight after buying and take only as many as you need.
Bear in mind: what’s available in store when you shop.
Choose this if: you want to shop in advance and serve warm croissants after a short spell in the oven.
Bear in mind: the product is pre-baked; follow the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
Choose this if: you want to bake the croissants at home and can set aside time to do so.
Bear in mind: you’ll need freezer space, and preparation may take longer than for a pre-baked option.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Baking at home | Whether the croissants are unbaked, and the baking time, temperature and storage instructions. | I want to bake croissants just before a leisurely breakfast and can use my oven and freezer. Baking at home is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Serving quickly | Whether the product is ready to eat, needs baking or needs to be defrosted first. | I want to do very little preparation on the morning itself, even if that means I don’t do the entire baking process myself. Serving quickly is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Nutritional value | Portion size and the fibre, saturated fat and salt values per 100 g and per portion. | I want to know how a croissant fits into my breakfast, so I compare the nutritional information for individual products. This is the most important factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The current ingredients list, allergen information and any details about iodised salt. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the specific product before I buy it. This check is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
That description doesn’t tell you how much saturated fat or salt a portion contains. An average value for croissants, such as the one given by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, also doesn’t represent the nutritional value of every individual product.
Compare the nutritional information for your chosen croissant per 100 g and per portion.
According to PLUS, the unbaked Délifrance frozen croissants take 18 minutes at 185 °C. PLUS says its pre-baked croissants take 4–6 minutes at 200 °C. This difference matters when you’re planning what time to have breakfast.
Before buying, check which type you’re choosing, then follow the instructions on the pack.
You’ll also need to set aside freezer space and enough time to use the oven for unbaked frozen croissants.
Ingredients vary from one croissant to another. With an unwrapped product, you can’t necessarily check the allergen information on a pack.
Check the current label on packaged croissants. If allergen information isn’t visible for unwrapped croissants, ask for it before buying.
The fact that bakers’ salt with iodine can be used in bakery products doesn’t tell you which type of salt is in any individual croissant.
If this distinction matters to you, check the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn offers a luxury butter croissant, among other options.
Jumbo sells both butter croissants and an unbaked frozen option.
PLUS offers pre-baked croissants as well as unbaked frozen croissants, among other options.
The Délifrance option reviewed consists of unbaked frozen butter croissants.
ALDI describes a fresh butter croissant sold individually.
These croissants offer options for serving straight away, baking at home and choosing different pack sizes. Check the preparation instructions for each product before planning your weekend breakfast.
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An option if you want to serve croissants straight away at your weekend breakfast. Each croissant weighs 85 g; if serving them to children, also check the pack warning about the E102 and E110 colourings and their possible effect on activity and attention.
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Four croissants for baking at home. Check the baking time and temperature on the pack; also check the ingredients if you’re specifically looking for butter croissants, and the allergen information if it matters to your choice.
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A pack of four croissants for your weekend breakfast. Before planning, check whether they’re ready to eat or need baking; if comparing nutritional values, also check the portion size and current product label.
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A mini option if you want smaller croissants on the table. The pack states 200 g; check the preparation instructions and compare the nutritional information per 100 g or per portion on the current label.
Fresh croissants sold individually can be served straight away. If you want to bake them briefly at home, look for a pre-baked option: PLUS says its pre-baked croissants reviewed take 4–6 minutes in the oven or 4 minutes in the air fryer.
Look for unbaked frozen croissants if you have freezer space and time to use the oven. The Délifrance option described by PLUS can be baked from frozen for 18 minutes at 185 °C; for another product, follow the instructions on its packaging.
Ask before buying if the information isn’t visible. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label, and must be made available in another way for unpackaged products.
No, you can’t assume that every croissant does. Check the ingredients list for the specific product if you want to know whether iodised salt has been used.
Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. The Délifrance oven products reviewed state that defrosted products must not be refrozen.
