If you want to serve them warm
Are you planning breakfast for a set time and want to use the oven? Pre-shaped frozen croissants let you choose when to bake them; with croissant dough, you can also decide on the shape.
Who might find the choice makes a difference?
If butter and ingredients matter to you
If you’re looking for a butter croissant, the stated butter percentage is a more useful point of comparison than the word ‘luxury’ alone. Check the size and preparation method too: the percentage by itself won’t tell you what a croissant will taste like.
If you need to choose ingredients carefully
If you need to avoid ingredients such as wheat, milk or egg, check the information for the specific variety you’re buying. Check the current packaging at the time of purchase, even if a croissant is described as plant-based.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want to serve them straight away, bake them yourself or shape them too. Then compare the packaging and label for the preparation method that suits your breakfast.
Fresh from the shop
Choose this if: you want to serve a croissant without having to plan time for baking.
Bear in mind: you can’t choose when it was originally baked; check availability at your shop too.
Pre-shaped and frozen
Choose this if: you want to serve several croissants warm at a planned time.
Bear in mind: you’ll need freezer space and an oven; follow the preparation and storage instructions for your chosen variety.
Croissant dough
Choose this if: you want to decide on the size, shape or filling yourself.
Bear in mind: shaping the dough takes extra preparation before it can go in the oven.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Butter and flavour | Compare the stated butter percentage and preparation method; don’t judge the flavour by the name alone. | If I’m specifically looking for a butter croissant for the weekend, I want to know what’s actually in it. For around 31% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Baking time and convenience | Check whether the croissant is ready to serve, needs baking from frozen or needs shaping first, and follow the relevant instructions. | If you want to serve guests warm at a particular time, you need to fit the preparation into your breakfast plans. For around 25% of consumers, baking time and convenience are the top priorities. |
| Portions and packaging | Check the number of pieces, the weight and how much storage space the packaging requires. | If I’m having a small breakfast, I don’t want to be left with a pack that doesn’t suit the number of people eating. For around 19% of consumers, portions and packaging matter most. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the allergen information and compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If certain ingredients aren’t suitable for me, I need the label for this exact variety to make that clear. For around 25% of consumers, ingredients and nutritional information come first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘luxury’ means more butter
The Luxe butter croissant shown by PLUS lists 24% butter; the Délifrance frozen croissants shown there list 18%. These percentages describe the products in question, not their flavour or overall quality.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional values for the same quantity, then decide which preparation method you prefer.
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Assuming fresh croissants and dough take the same amount of time
A croissant from the shop needs different planning from frozen croissants that still need to go in the oven, or dough that you need to shape first. That preparation makes a difference if you have a set serving time.
Work out how many portions you need and read the preparation and storage instructions on the pack before you buy.
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Assuming ‘plant-based’ means allergen-free
The plant-based croissant shown by Jumbo contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk. The product description is no substitute for checking the allergen or nutritional information.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, read both the ingredients list and allergen information on the current packaging.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
Dutch rules on adding iodine through bakers’ salt don’t mean that every croissant is made with this type of salt.
If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product rather than drawing conclusions from the product category.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers fresh, ready-to-bake and frozen croissants, including butter and mini varieties.
- The range of product types makes it easy to compare preparation methods.
- Some of the luxury croissants shown are only available in store; an online listing doesn’t tell you whether your local branch has them in stock.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers butter, frozen, larger and plant-based croissants, among other varieties.
- There are different pack sizes and preparation methods to compare.
- The plant-based variety shown contains wheat and gluten and may contain milk; check the label if you need to avoid certain ingredients.
Lidl
Lidl offers a butter croissant for anyone looking for one from the shop.
- The product information lists butter as an ingredient.
- The product shown is marked as available in store only; check local availability.
Aldi
Aldi offers a fresh butter croissant sold individually, which can be handy for a small breakfast.
- Buying them individually makes it easy to match the number of croissants to the number of guests.
- To assess the ingredients or quality, check the label for the specific product.
PLUS
PLUS offers both pre-shaped frozen croissants and butter croissant dough to shape yourself.
- The product pages shown list ingredients and preparation instructions, helping you plan when to bake.
- Check the current packaging when you buy: ingredients, allergens and instructions vary by product.
Dirk
Dirk offers a fresh butter croissant weighing 65 g per piece, as well as ready-to-bake options.
- The stated weight helps you compare sizes.
- A product being listed in the range doesn’t necessarily mean it’s in stock at a specific shop.
Croissants for portion planning on Joybuy
These g'woon packs are worth considering if you want to choose the size and quantity of croissants for your weekend breakfast. Before planning to serve them warm, check whether the croissants in your chosen pack are ready to serve or need to be prepared first.
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g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
A pack that lets you plan four croissants for breakfast.
Check the preparation method before counting on serving them straight away or baking them first. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the allergen information on the current packaging.
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g'woon mini butter croissants, 200 g
The mini size is a good option if you want to serve smaller croissants.
The pack states 200 g. For portion planning, check the number of pieces and look at the current packaging for the preparation method and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘luxury’ mean a croissant contains more butter?
No, the description alone doesn’t tell you the butter percentage. The Luxe butter croissant shown by PLUS lists 24% butter, while the Délifrance frozen variety shown there lists 18%. Always compare the ingredients for the specific croissants, and don’t judge the flavour based on the percentage alone.
Which croissants are suitable for serving warm?
Pre-shaped frozen croissants are a good option if you want to plan when to bake them without shaping the dough first. For the Délifrance variety shown, PLUS says to bake from frozen for 18 minutes at 185 °C; always follow the instructions on any other pack you buy.
Can I rely on the name ‘butter croissant’ if I have an allergy?
No, check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying. The Luxe croissant shown by PLUS contains gluten, egg and milk, and may contain nuts; the Délifrance variety shown also lists possible traces of soya and nuts.
Does every croissant in the Netherlands contain iodine from bakers’ salt?
No, you can’t assume this of every croissant. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be added to Dutch bakery products through bakers’ salt, with a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This rule doesn’t tell you whether the croissant you’re buying contains bakers’ salt; check the ingredients list to find out.