If you have little time to prepare
If dinner needs to be on the table at a set time, whether the croissants are ready to serve, any baking time and the number in each pack matter more than the product name alone.
Who are these options relevant to?
If you want to bake just before serving
Bake-at-home croissants, frozen croissants or croissant dough let you plan when to bake. Check how much preparation and oven space your chosen option requires.
If you need to consider allergies or dietary preferences
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product. Information about wheat, milk, egg and the possible presence of other allergens varies by product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide when you want to serve the croissants. Then choose a suitable size and quantity, and check the label before offering them to your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of serving and timing | Check whether the croissants are ready to serve or need to be defrosted, baked or shaped. Follow the preparation time on the pack. | If I’m short of time just before dinner, I don’t want to wait for several batches to be ready. Around 40% of consumers put ease of serving first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and warnings on the packaging for your chosen option. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in these exact croissants before serving them. For around 30% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
| Portions and oven space | Compare the size and number of croissants. For bake-at-home products, also count how many oven batches you’ll need. | For a sharing platter, I want to serve smaller portions, while for a larger group, the quantity and baking schedule matter too. Around 30% of consumers put that planning first. |
Common mistakes
-
Searching for ‘medium sliced’ croissants
Slice thickness isn’t a useful way to compare croissants for a dinner party. Relevant differences include size, quantity and how they’re prepared.
Choose your search and comparison criteria based on the portion size you want and when you plan to serve them.
-
Relying only on ‘butter’ or the product photo
That description doesn’t tell you which other allergens a particular croissant contains or may contain.
Read the label for the exact product and keep the packaging handy in case guests want to check the ingredients.
-
Counting the croissants but not the baking batches
A pack may contain enough croissants, but you might not have enough oven space to bake them all at once.
Check the capacity of your baking tray or air fryer in advance, and plan the batches around serving time.
-
Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt
You’ll need to check each product to find out whether it contains iodised salt. A general note about baker’s salt doesn’t tell you what’s in your chosen croissant.
Check the ingredients list if this ingredient matters to your choice.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Offers chilled croissant dough and frozen croissants, among other options. This makes it worth considering whether you’d rather shape the dough yourself or keep croissants in the freezer.
- For AH Verse original croissants, Albert Heijn states that 240 g of dough makes six portions and takes 12–15 minutes to bake at 200 °C.
- Check the packaging and preparation instructions for the option you buy. Quantities and preparation vary by product.
Jumbo
An option if you’re looking for a pack of croissants with a set quantity.
- Jumbo offers, among other options, a pack of six croissants.
- For this specific product, Jumbo lists wheat and gluten, possible traces of milk, and 1,4% alcohol in the unbaked product. Check the label for the option you choose.
PLUS
Offers mini croissants, bake-at-home croissants and croissant dough, among other options. The size you want to serve and the preparation involved will help you decide which to choose.
- PLUS states that its 180 g butter croissants take 4–6 minutes to bake in the oven at 200 °C.
- Preparation, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information can vary by PLUS product. Check the packaging for the option you choose.
Lidl
Lists mini butter croissants as an option if you want to serve smaller portions.
- Their mini size makes them a practical option for a sharing platter.
- Lidl lists this product as available in store only, so check the product information and availability in store.
Dirk
Lists both a four-piece pack of croissants and a six-piece frozen option.
- The listed packs of 4 pieces and 180 g, and 6 pieces and 330 g, give you different starting points for planning portions.
- Check the storage and preparation instructions for the product you choose. The two packs aren’t interchangeable.
Croissants for different serving plans
These Joybuy products offer different options for your dinner party: an 85 g croissant, a bake-at-home pack, mini croissants and a four-piece pack. Check whether each product is ready to serve and read its preparation instructions before planning when to serve it.
Image unavailable
Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
Ideal if you want to keep preparation to a minimum: according to the product description, you can simply open the pack and serve this croissant.
The product description lists wheat, egg and milk. Check the physical label if you have allergies, and see how many croissants are included in the sales unit if you’re buying for several guests.
The product description also warns that E102 and E110 may adversely affect children’s activity and attention. Read the packaging if you’re serving it to children.
Image unavailable
SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
A pack of four croissants for anyone who wants to bake them just before dinner. Plan the baking time and temperature according to the packaging.
The product description lists iodised salt and possible traces of sesame, lupin, milk and soya. Check the physical label if you have allergies.
Image unavailable
G'woon Mini Butter Croissants 200 g
The mini size could work well for smaller portions on a sharing platter. Check the number of croissants and how to prepare them on the packaging so you can plan accordingly.
If you have allergies, check the physical label. The product information lists wheat, milk, lupin, sesame and soya, among other ingredients.
Image unavailable
g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces, 180 g
Four croissants in a 180 g pack give you a clear starting point for planning portions. Check the packaging to see whether and how to prepare them before deciding when to serve them.
If you have allergies, check the physical label. The product information lists wheat, milk, lupin, sesame and soya, among other ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘medium sliced’ a useful description for croissants?
No. Don’t use it to describe croissant size for your dinner party. Instead, compare mini and standard sizes, the number of croissants and how they’re prepared.
How do I plan bake-at-home croissants around serving time?
Start with the instructions on the exact pack, then factor in your oven space and any extra baking batches. For example, PLUS states that its 180 g butter croissants take 4–6 minutes in the oven at 200 °C. Albert Heijn says its AH Verse original croissants made from dough take 12–15 minutes at 200 °C. These timings don’t automatically apply to other croissants.
Where can I check which allergens croissants contain?
Read the allergen information on the packaging for the option you’re serving. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly stated on the label. If you have an allergy, don’t rely on the product name or a photo alone.
Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume so. Check the ingredients list for your chosen croissant to see whether it contains iodised salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that even bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt, so this won’t tell you which type of salt is used in an individual croissant.