Which option suits you?

Brunch hosts who want slices to top

If you want broad pieces to top or toast, look for a croissant loaf rather than individual croissants. Albert Heijn lists toasting as one way to serve its croissant loaf.

Hosts serving warm croissants individually

Part-baked croissants are a good fit for a table where everyone gets their own. Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend baking their respective products for 4–6 minutes at 200°C; remember to allow time for the oven to heat up too.

Home bakers who want to choose the shape and filling

With chilled croissant dough, you can choose the size and filling yourself. PLUS says its dough roll can be used to make mini or maxi croissants with sweet or savoury fillings, but shaping and baking them takes extra time.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with how you want to serve the croissants: as topped slices, individual warm portions or in a shape of your choice. Storage and preparation will then help you decide which option is most practical for Easter brunch.

Croissant loaf

Choose this for: slices to top or toast; Albert Heijn lists toasting as an option for its croissant loaf.

Bear in mind: you’ll be serving slices rather than individual, traditionally shaped croissants.

Part-baked croissants

Choose this for: individual croissants to finish baking shortly before serving.

Bear in mind: an individual croissant isn’t designed to be cut into broad slices.

Chilled croissant dough

Choose this for: croissants you shape yourself, with your preferred size or filling, as PLUS describes for its dough roll.

Bear in mind: the dough still needs shaping and baking; PLUS recommends around 15–20 minutes in the oven.

Frozen croissants

Choose this for: planning brunch around a freezer stock-up, provided you have enough freezer space.

Bear in mind: Jumbo says its premium frozen croissants must not be refrozen after defrosting and should be prepared and eaten within 24 hours.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Slicing Check whether you’re buying a croissant loaf, a dough roll or individual croissants. The fact that the AH croissant loaf is suitable for toasting doesn’t guarantee that every slice will hold its shape. If you want to serve broad pieces with toppings, you’ll need a product that can be sliced. This is the main priority for around 29% of consumers.
Preparation time Check the baking time, oven temperature and storage instructions for your chosen option, and allow time for the oven to heat up. If you’re warming the croissants just before eating, a quick preparation time is important. Around 29% of consumers prioritise being able to serve them warm quickly.
Number of portions Compare the number of pieces, net weight and stated portions; a loaf is divided up differently from individual croissants. When you’re hosting several guests, you’ll want to know how many individual or sliced portions you can serve. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers.
Ingredients Check the latest label, or ask for allergen information if the croissants are unpackaged. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion if this is relevant to your choice. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, checking that the chosen option is suitable comes before its shape or preparation. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking an individual croissant for a sliceable croissant loaf

    An individual croissant is a single portion. Cutting it open to add a filling is not the same as slicing broad pieces for a brunch platter.

    Choose a croissant loaf if you want slices, or opt for dough if you’d like to shape larger pieces yourself.

  • Assuming every croissant contains iodised salt

    Information on one pack tells you nothing about another version. According to information from the Dutch baking industry, using baker’s salt containing iodine is not compulsory for every product.

    Check the ingredients list for the croissant you’ve chosen to see whether it contains iodised salt or baker’s salt.

  • Judging allergens by the product name alone

    The butter croissants reviewed here have different ingredients: Jumbo, for example, lists egg in its premium frozen version. Information about possible cross-contamination also varies by product.

    Read the latest label for the exact version you’re buying. If you’re buying an unpackaged croissant in store, ask about allergen information before you buy.

  • Planning to refreeze defrosted croissants

    Jumbo’s product information for its premium frozen croissants says not to refreeze them after defrosting, and to prepare and eat them within 24 hours.

    Defrost only as many as you plan to serve, and follow the instructions on the packaging.

    If you defrost more than you need, you won’t be able to refreeze any unused portions of this product.

Brands to consider

The differences below apply to the products mentioned, not necessarily to a brand’s entire range. Always check the specific product you’re buying.

Albert Heijn

Offers both individual part-baked butter croissants and AH Excellent Butter Croissant Loaf.

  • Albert Heijn describes its 334 g croissant loaf as six portions and says it’s suitable for toasting.
  • The croissant loaf contains wheat and milk and, according to the retailer, isn’t suitable for home freezing.

Jumbo

Offers, among other options, a pack of four part-baked butter croissants and a premium frozen version.

  • These two product types give you a choice between part-baked croissants and freezer storage.
  • The premium frozen version contains wheat, milk and egg, among other ingredients. Once defrosted, it must be prepared and eaten within 24 hours.

PLUS

Offers part-baked butter croissants and a roll of chilled croissant dough to shape yourself.

  • PLUS says its dough roll can be used to make mini or maxi croissants with sweet or savoury fillings.
  • The dough needs to be shaped and baked. The part-baked butter croissants contain wheat, spelt and milk, among other ingredients.

ALDI

Lists an individual butter croissant for in-store purchase.

  • An individual croissant is a good choice if you want to serve one per person.
  • If it matters to your choice, ask for the latest ingredient and allergen information when you buy it.

Dirk / 1 de Beste

Dirk lists a pack of four 1 de Beste butter croissants, weighing 180 g in total.

  • The stated number of croissants makes it easier to plan individual portions.
  • Check the latest packaging for the full ingredient and allergen information.

Joybuy products for Easter brunch

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

What should I choose if I want thick slices to top?

Choose a croissant loaf if you want to cut slices, or chilled dough if you’d like to shape larger croissants yourself. Albert Heijn says its croissant loaf is suitable for toasting; PLUS explains how its dough roll lets you choose the size and filling. Cutting open an individual croissant won’t give you the same loaf shape.

When should I choose part-baked croissants, dough or frozen croissants?

Choose part-baked croissants for individual warm portions with little preparation: Albert Heijn and PLUS recommend baking their versions for 4–6 minutes at 200°C. With PLUS dough, you can choose the shape and filling yourself, but you’ll need to shape it and bake it for longer. If you choose Jumbo’s premium frozen croissants, follow the storage instructions: don’t refreeze them after defrosting, and prepare and eat them within 24 hours.

Can I rely on the name ‘butter croissant’ if I have an allergy?

No. Check the allergen information for the exact croissant you’re buying. The products mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat and milk; Jumbo also lists egg in its premium frozen version. If you’re buying unpackaged croissants, you can ask about allergen information before you buy.

How can I tell whether a croissant contains iodised salt?

Read the ingredients list for the version you’ve chosen and look for terms such as iodised salt or baker’s salt. Don’t rely on the product name: according to information from the Dutch baking industry, baker’s salt containing iodine isn’t used in every product.

How do I compare the nutritional values of different croissants?

Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then consider the portion you’ll actually serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 181 kcal for a 45 g croissant as a general reference; for a specific product, use the values on its latest packaging.