Who are these options relevant to?

Small Christmas market buyer without an oven

You want to hand out a few croissants without any preparation. Individual ready-to-eat croissants suit this approach. If they’re unwrapped, ask for allergen information if it isn’t displayed.

Organiser planning a large number of portions

You’re buying for a larger group and want to match pack sizes to the number of portions you expect to serve. Packaged or frozen croissants may be suitable if you can arrange the necessary storage and preparation.

Stallholder who wants to bake them fresh

You want to bake croissants just before serving, or shape the dough yourself. If so, allow for equipment, preparation time and the storage instructions for your chosen option.

What should you look for when buying?

First, work out how many portions you need and whether you’ll be able to bake the croissants at the Christmas market. Then check the preparation and product information for the specific option you’re choosing.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Portions and leftovers Check how many croissants are in each pack and estimate how many you’ll actually be able to hand out. When I’m buying for a group, I don’t want to end up with lots of unused croissants. Portion planning is the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Ready to serve Check whether the croissants you’ve chosen can be served without preparation and how you’ll transport them to the stall. Without an oven at the venue, I want to be able to hand out croissants straight away. Being able to serve them immediately is the top priority for around 27% of consumers.
Baking them fresh Read the instructions for the exact product and plan for equipment, storage space and time between batches. If I want to bake croissants just before serving, it needs to fit into my stall schedule. For around 20% of consumers, being able to bake them just before serving matters most.
Ingredients and allergens Read the label on your chosen pack, or ask for allergen information if the croissants are unwrapped. If I need to avoid particular ingredients, I can’t rely on the product name alone. Checking this is the top priority for around 26% of consumers.

Common buying mistakes

  • Treating all croissants as the same

    Standard croissants, butter croissants and filled croissants can differ in recipe, size and preparation method. So the number of croissants alone doesn’t tell you enough about what you’ll be handing out at your stall.

    Compare the product type, pack size and preparation method before deciding how many you need.

  • Choosing part-baked products without a preparation plan

    Part-baked croissants and fresh dough are only suitable if you can follow the product-specific storage and preparation instructions.

    Check what equipment is available in advance and plan when you’ll prepare each batch.

    Baking them fresh also requires space for equipment and time for preparation, transport and dealing with any leftovers.

  • Assuming the name ‘butter croissant’ tells you about allergens

    A product name doesn’t provide complete ingredient or allergen information for a specific product.

    Read the current label or, if the croissant is unwrapped, ask for allergen information before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority provides separate guidance on information for packaged and unpackaged food.

  • Assuming every croissant is made with iodised baker’s salt

    You can’t tell which salt has been used in a particular croissant just from where it’s sold in the Netherlands or its product category.

    If the use of iodised baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Offers individual croissants and multipacks, making it worth considering if you’re choosing between a small number and a larger supply.

  • The category page features individual petit butter croissants, as well as a 12-pack of AH butter croissants.
  • Compare the size and storage instructions for the options you’re considering. An individual croissant isn’t prepared in the same way as a packaged one.

Jumbo

Offers several types of croissant, including packaged part-baked products, butter croissants and plant-based options.

  • A choice of pack sizes makes it easier to plan portions.
  • Check the recipe, size and preparation method for each pack, as these vary between products.

Lidl

Lists a butter croissant as an in-store product, which may suit you if you want to hand out individual croissants.

  • The product page describes this option as made with butter.
  • Check the product and allergen information at the store you choose.

ALDI

Offers an individual butter croissant in-store, which may suit a small quantity if you’re not planning to bake them fresh.

  • Buying them individually lets you match the quantity to a small number of portions.
  • An individual in-store croissant requires different preparation from packaged part-baked or frozen croissants.

PLUS

Offers both a small individual butter croissant and options such as part-baked croissants and croissant dough.

  • You can compare a ready-to-serve option with products you prepare yourself.
  • For part-baked products and dough, read the instructions for the exact product before planning how to prepare it.

Dirk

Offers an individual butter croissant and a pack of four butter croissants.

  • The individual croissant shown weighs 65 g, while the four-pack has a total weight of 180 g.
  • The products don’t weigh the same per croissant. Take this difference into account when planning portions.

Croissants on Joybuy

This pack of four croissants is an option if you’re planning a small number of portions. Before using them at the Christmas market, check the preparation and storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen.

g'woon Butter Croissants, pack of 4, 180 g

g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g

A pack of four may suit you if you’re planning a small number of portions.

The pack has a total weight of 180 g. Check the preparation instructions before planning to hand these croissants out straight away.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are croissants made with baker’s salt always made with iodised salt?

No, don’t assume this is the case for every croissant. If the type of salt used matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen.

How do I check allergen information for individual croissants?

For unwrapped croissants, ask for allergen information about the specific product. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed food is shown on the label, while information for unpackaged food must be provided to consumers in another way.

What should I do with croissants left over after the Christmas market?

First, follow the storage and use-by instructions for the product you’ve chosen. For an opened croissant, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping it for two days in a kitchen cupboard or freezing it for one to three months. Freezing it for longer may affect its quality.

Can I use fresh croissant dough at the Christmas market without preparing it in advance?

No, fresh croissant dough requires suitable storage, work space and baking equipment. Plan the preparation according to the pack instructions: PLUS says its butter croissant dough takes around 15 to 18 minutes to bake.