Choose part-baked croissants if you want to serve them warm with little preparation just before Christmas dinner. Unbaked frozen croissants are a good option if you can plan for defrosting and oven space. Croissant dough lets you choose the shape and filling, but takes longer to prepare. Whichever option you choose, check the cooking instructions and the latest ingredients and allergen information for your guests.
Want to serve warm croissants without shaping the dough yourself? Part-baked options could be just the thing: the Albert Heijn and PLUS examples only need a short time in the oven. Just make sure the oven is free when you need it.
If you have freezer space and time to defrost them, you could consider unbaked frozen croissants. The Jumbo product we looked at must not be refrozen after defrosting, so plan when you’ll bake them too.
Fresh croissant dough lets you choose the size and filling, as long as you have time to shape and bake it. If any guests have specific dietary requirements, always check the latest ingredients and allergen information for both the dough and the filling.
First, work out how much preparation time and oven space you have for Christmas dinner. Then compare portion sizes and check the ingredients for each guest.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving them warm quickly | Check whether the croissants are part-baked and what cooking time and temperature the packaging recommends for your oven or air fryer. | If the oven is only free for a short time just before dinner, I want to be able to finish baking the croissants without shaping them. Around 27% of consumers are likely to prioritise serving them warm quickly. |
| Planning when to bake | For unbaked frozen croissants, read the defrosting and storage instructions, and work out how many you need. | I want to put unbaked croissants in the oven at a planned time and can make room in the freezer in advance. Around 27% of consumers are likely to prioritise when they bake them. |
| Ingredients for your guests | Read the latest label for allergens and other relevant ingredients. For unpackaged croissants, ask what allergen information is available. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in each croissant before choosing a pack. Checking ingredients for guests is likely to be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Shaping and filling them yourself | Check how many croissants you can make from the dough, and follow the instructions for shaping, baking and storage. | If I’m making small or filled croissants, I want to choose the size and filling myself, even if it takes more preparation. For around 13% of consumers, that freedom is likely to be the main reason for choosing this option. |
The Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS butter croissants we looked at list wheat and milk. A product name or butter percentage doesn’t tell you which other ingredients or allergens may be relevant to a guest.
Read the latest packaging, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. If croissants are unpackaged, ask about allergen information before buying.
Part-baked croissants only need finishing in the oven, while unbaked frozen croissants may need to be defrosted and fresh dough still needs to be shaped and baked. The Jumbo frozen product we looked at must not be refrozen after defrosting.
Choose how you’ll prepare them before deciding how many to buy. Make sure the packaging instructions fit your oven space and serving time.
Albert Heijn says that a product’s ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change. That’s why the packaging matters when you’re buying for guests.
Compare products in advance, but check the latest packaging for the exact version you’ll be serving when you buy it.
A good option if you’re looking for a pack of four part-baked butter croissants for dinner.
Worth considering if you want to compare different types, including butter, plant-based, mini and frozen croissants.
An option if you want to compare quick-to-bake croissants with dough that you shape yourself.
Worth considering if you want to compare an individual butter croissant with packs for several guests.
These croissants offer options for baking, smaller portions and serving straight away. Check the preparation method for each product before adding it to your Christmas dinner plans.
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A pack of four croissants for anyone who wants to plan a baking session before dinner. The product information says they need baking and lists 30% margarine, not butter. Check the baking time and temperature on the packaging; the description lists wheat and possible traces of sesame, lupin, milk and soya.
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Four croissants with a total weight of 180 g make it easier to work out how many packs you’ll need for dinner. The product information lists 25% butter and iodised salt. Check whether they need baking, and read the latest information about wheat, milk and other listed allergens if you’re serving them to guests.
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The mini size could be just right if you want to serve smaller croissants with dinner. The pack states 200 g, and the product information lists 25% butter. Check the number of croissants and the preparation instructions on the packaging, as well as the latest allergen information for your guests.
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An individually wrapped 85 g croissant for anyone who wants to serve one straight away. The product information describes it as ready to eat, not as a bake-at-home product, and lists cheese seasoning among its ingredients. If you want to serve warm croissants or cater for guests’ needs, check the instructions and the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Choose part-baked croissants if you’re short on time just before serving; according to their product information, the Albert Heijn and PLUS examples we looked at take 4–6 minutes to bake at 200 °C. Unbaked frozen croissants are a good option if you can fit in time to defrost them and plan a longer baking session. Follow the packaging instructions: the Jumbo product we looked at must not be refrozen after defrosting.
Don’t assume they’re suitable: the Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS butter croissants we looked at list wheat and milk. Check the latest label for the exact product you’ve chosen, and ask for allergen information if the croissants are unpackaged. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for pre-packed foods must appear on the label.
No, you can’t tell from the product name. The butter croissant examples from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list iodised salt, but check the ingredients list for the croissants you’re actually buying.
Don’t eat the PLUS croissant dough we looked at raw: PLUS says it needs to be baked. PLUS also says that once opened, the dough should be prepared and eaten straight away. For other dough products, follow the instructions on their packaging.
