Host on a tight budget
You want enough croissants for your guests without having lots left over. First decide how many you’d like to serve, then compare individual croissants with multipacks.
Who are these options for?
Planner who wants to serve them warm
You’re buying ahead, but need to fit the preparation around the rest of the dinner. Bake-at-home products, frozen croissants and croissant dough all have different preparation steps and take up your oven for different lengths of time.
Host with dietary or allergen questions
You want to know which croissants you can offer to which guests. Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the exact option you choose, including any warnings about possible traces.
What should you look for when choosing?
Individual fresh croissants
Choose these: if you want to serve a small gathering straight away without baking at home.
Bear in mind: availability in store when you need them.
Packaged bake-at-home croissants
Choose these: if you want to buy ahead and bake them just before serving.
Bear in mind: oven space at serving time and the fixed number of croissants in each pack.
Frozen croissants
Choose these: if you want to buy ahead and have space in your freezer.
Bear in mind: the specific baking instructions; according to PLUS, Délifrance frozen croissants need 18 minutes in the oven.
Croissant dough to shape yourself
Choose this: if you want to decide the size yourself or add a filling.
Bear in mind: the extra work involved in cutting and shaping, as well as baking time.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count your guests and compare the number of croissants per pack with how many you want to serve. | I want to serve everyone a portion without having lots left over. Around 42% of consumers prioritise finding the right number of portions. |
| Serving time | Check the baking instructions and how many croissants will fit in your oven at once. | If you need the oven for other dishes too, you’ll want to know when the croissants will be ready. For around 33% of consumers, planning this is their main concern. |
| Size and filling | Check the size or choose dough if you want to shape the croissants yourself. | I want to tailor the size or filling to my dinner and can set aside time to prepare them. This is the main consideration for around 17% of consumers. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging for each option. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to check the right packaging before serving. Around 8% of consumers give this their highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the packaging
A pack of four, a pack of six and individual croissants don’t provide the same number of portions. You could have some left over from a larger pack if you only need a few.
Decide how many croissants you want per guest, then check how many you’ll actually be buying.
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Leaving oven time until just before serving
Bake-at-home croissants, frozen croissants and dough you shape yourself all have different baking instructions. Cooking them in several batches could delay serving.
Read the instructions in advance and check how many will fit on your baking trays at once.
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Assuming a product name guarantees it’s allergen-free
‘Butter’ and ‘vegan’ don’t tell you which other allergens a croissant contains or may contain. For example, Albert Heijn lists wheat in its vegan AH Croissants.
Ask guests about their specific dietary requirements or allergies, and check the current packaging for every option you choose.
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Assuming all croissants contain the same type of salt
One product’s use of iodised salt doesn’t tell you what’s in another croissant.
If the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers, among other options, packaged, mini and frozen croissants. This gives you different ways to plan when you’ll serve them.
- Albert Heijn describes its AH Croissants as vegan.
- That description doesn’t replace an allergen check: the product’s ingredients list includes wheat.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other options, packaged butter croissants, plain croissants and other varieties.
- Different pack sizes make it easier to find a pack to suit your guest list.
- Check both the number of croissants and the weight: pack sizes aren’t necessarily equivalent.
PLUS
PLUS offers packaged bake-at-home croissants, individual croissants and dough for shaping your own.
- PLUS says you can cut at least six triangles from one roll of croissant dough.
- Shaping them yourself takes preparation; always check the instructions for the bake-at-home option you choose.
Dirk
Dirk offers both individual butter croissants and a four-pack under its own brand.
- Individual croissants can suit a small gathering, while the pack lets you buy four at a time.
- Bear in mind that you’ll need to visit a store: Dirk says it doesn’t offer a delivery service.
ALDI
ALDI offers individual butter croissants from its in-store bakery range.
- Buying croissants individually lets you match the quantity to your guest list.
- ALDI says freshly baked products are available in stores with a bakery; check your local store.
Délifrance
The Délifrance butter croissants listed by PLUS are a frozen option.
- According to PLUS’s product instructions, bake them from frozen for 18 minutes at 185 °C.
- Allow for freezer space and oven time; if anyone has allergies, check the packaging label.
Croissants on Joybuy
These packaged croissants are worth considering if you want to plan the quantity in advance. Compare the pack with your guest list, and check the baking instructions and allergen information for the option you choose.
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G'woon Mini Butter Croissants, 200 g
A mini option to consider if you’d like to serve smaller croissants. The pack states 200 g; check the number of croissants and the baking instructions when planning portions and serving time.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 stuks, 180 g
Four croissants in a 180 g pack make the number of portions clear in advance. Check the baking instructions if you’d like to serve them warm, and read the label if anyone has allergies.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 stuks
This pack contains four croissants, making it an option if you want to plan in portions of four. Check the baking instructions before setting your serving time, and read the current packaging if anyone has allergies.
Frequently asked questions
How much oven time should I allow for croissants?
It depends on the option you choose and how many croissants fit in your oven at once. PLUS says its packaged butter croissants need 4–6 minutes at 200 °C, while its Délifrance frozen croissants need 18 minutes at 185 °C when baked from frozen. Check the instructions on your pack and allow for several batches if necessary.
Can I serve butter croissants to guests with a milk, egg or gluten allergy?
Don’t rely on the product name: allergens vary between croissants. The small PLUS butter croissant checked lists wheat, egg and milk; PLUS also warns that its Délifrance frozen croissants may contain soya and nuts. Always check the current packaging for the exact option you’re serving.
Can I refreeze thawed croissants?
Follow the instructions for the specific product. PLUS’s product information for its small butter croissant and Délifrance frozen croissants says not to refreeze products once thawed. So decide in advance how many you want to bake.
How can I tell whether a croissant contains iodised salt?
Read the ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen. For example, Albert Heijn lists ‘iodised salt’ in the ingredients for AH Croissants; that doesn’t tell you which type of salt is used in another croissant.