Choose ready-to-eat or in-store-baked croissants if you want to serve them without having to plan around your oven. Bake-at-home or frozen croissants let you choose when to serve them, as long as you have the time and oven space. Mini croissants are an option for a buffet with lots of other dishes. Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for each variety.
You want to be able to put the croissants straight on the table. Albert Heijn features fresh croissants in its Easter brunch range, while Lidl describes bread that is baked in store. Check which croissants are available at your chosen shop.
You want to choose when to bake them and can keep the oven free for the job. Jumbo offers both bake-at-home products and frozen croissants; preparation depends on the pack you choose.
You’re looking for a product that suits your guests’ needs and want to check the latest ingredients and allergen information. Jumbo offers a plant-based croissant and, as a separate product, a gluten-free croissant from Consenza.
First, decide whether you want to serve the croissants straight away or bake them yourself. Then choose a size that suits the rest of the buffet, and check the product information that matters to your guests.
Choose this if: you don’t want to set aside oven time for croissants at home.
Bear in mind: what’s available in store and when you buy the croissants.
Choose this if: you want to take the croissants out of the oven at a time you’ve planned.
Bear in mind: the baking time and oven space, especially if you’re preparing other dishes too.
Choose this if: you want to shop ahead and bake them later.
Bear in mind: freezer space and the defrosting and baking instructions for the product you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving straight away and portion size | Check whether you can serve the croissants without baking them at home. Choose a smaller or larger size to suit the rest of the buffet. | If I need the oven for other dishes, I want to be able to put the croissants straight out; around 40% of consumers put convenience first. |
| Baking them yourself | Check whether the product is bake-at-home or frozen, and read the preparation instructions. | If I have a serving time planned, I want to bake the croissants myself and can keep the oven free; around 30% of consumers put having control over the baking time first. |
| Dietary requirements and allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings. Check that the specific product carries the dietary claim you need. | If a guest has a specific dietary requirement or allergy, I want to be able to check the product information before buying; for around 30% of consumers, this is their top priority. |
‘Sliced’ is useful when looking for bread, but it won’t help much when choosing between croissant sizes and preparation methods. Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer, among other things, mini croissants and a range of fresh, bake-at-home and frozen varieties.
On your shopping list, it’s better to specify the size and preparation method you want, such as mini, fresh or bake-at-home croissants.
Jumbo offers a plant-based croissant and a separate gluten-free croissant from Consenza. One description doesn’t mean the other applies too; if someone has an allergy, it’s important to check the full allergen information.
Check that the product you choose carries the claim you need, and read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings.
Baking croissants yourself takes time and oven space that you may also need for other dishes.
Choose croissants that are ready to serve if you can’t free up the oven. If you want to bake them yourself, read the instructions on the pack you choose beforehand.
According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains more iodine than table salt, but bakers aren’t required to use it. So this doesn’t tell you which type of salt is used in a particular croissant.
Check the ingredients of packaged products, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying loose croissants.
On its Easter brunch page, Albert Heijn features, among other things, butter and fresh original croissants. Its range also includes a petit butter croissant.
Jumbo offers croissants in different formats, including bake-at-home and frozen products, as well as separately labelled plant-based and gluten-free options.
Lidl describes an oven-fresh range that is baked in store, and offers a butter croissant labelled as available in store only.
ALDI lists croissants as part of its Easter breakfast and brunch range.
PLUS lists fresh croissants alongside bread and bake-at-home rolls as possible additions to an Easter brunch.
These Joybuy products offer options for serving straight away, smaller buffet portions and baking at home. For varieties without clear preparation instructions on the pack, check whether they need to go in the oven at home.
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An option if you want to serve croissants without baking them at home: the product information describes this variety as ready to eat and individually wrapped.
The product information lists cereals containing gluten, egg and milk as allergens. It also mentions the colourings E102 and E110, with a warning that they may affect children’s activity and attention. Check the current packaging if this is relevant to your guests.
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The mini size works well for smaller portions when you’re serving several brunch dishes. Check the pack weight and whether these croissants need baking before you plan portions and oven time.
The product information lists cereals containing gluten, milk, lupin, sesame and soya as allergens; check the current packaging.
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These four croissants are described as a bake-at-home product, making them a good fit for a brunch where you can plan in time to bake them. Check the pack for the baking time and oven temperature.
The product information lists wheat flour and possible traces of sesame, lupin, milk and soya; check the latest allergen information.
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A pack of four croissants to serve alongside other brunch dishes. Before buying, check whether you can serve them straight away or need to bake them at home.
The product information lists cereals containing gluten, milk, lupin, sesame and soya as allergens; check the current packaging.
When searching for croissants, it’s better to look by size and preparation method than by ‘medium sliced’. Albert Heijn and Jumbo, for example, distinguish between petit and larger croissants, as well as fresh, bake-at-home and frozen varieties.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers must inform consumers about allergens present in their food. Before buying non-prepacked croissants, ask for the latest product information.
You can’t tell from the product name. The Voedingscentrum states that baker’s salt contains more iodine than table salt, but that bakers aren’t required to use it. Check the ingredients list or ask which salt is used in loose croissants.
Follow the storage instructions for the product you choose, as these vary by variety. For example, Jumbo says its plant-based croissants should be stored in a cool, dry place and, once opened, refrigerated at a maximum of 7 °C, with a limited shelf life.
