Hosts short on preparation time
You want to serve croissants while preparing other dishes too. The difference between serving them straight away and baking them at home can make all the difference to your plans.
Who is this choice important for?
Hosts catering for different dietary needs
You’re welcoming fussy eaters or guests who avoid certain ingredients. So you’ll want to check the ingredients and allergens for each variety you choose.
Portion planners
You’re matching the number of croissants to your guests and the other dishes, so a single croissant or a multi-pack needs to suit your serving plan.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how you want to serve the croissants. Then check the ingredients, pack size and any preferences around grain types for each variety.
Fresh bakery croissants
Choose these: if you’re shopping shortly before your evening and want to serve croissants without baking them at home.
Bear in mind: availability at the shop you’re buying them from; Lidl lists its butter croissant as available in store only.
Bake-at-home croissants
Choose these: if you want to warm the croissants just before serving. PLUS says its butter bake-at-home croissants need 4–6 minutes in the oven at 200 °C.
Bear in mind: the oven space you’ll need and the preparation instructions on the exact pack.
Frozen croissants
Choose these: if you want to stock up in advance and have room in your freezer. Jumbo lists frozen butter croissants among its options.
Bear in mind: freezer space and the preparation time for the variety you choose.
Croissant pastry
Choose this: if shaping and filling the croissants yourself is part of the evening; PLUS describes its croissant pastry as suitable for sweet and savoury fillings.
Bear in mind: the extra preparation and baking needed before you can serve the croissants.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Check whether the croissants are ready to serve or need to be prepared, and whether the time and equipment required fit your plans. | If I’m preparing other dishes too, I want to know how much attention the croissants will need. Around 36% of consumers prioritise being able to serve food quickly. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen warnings for the exact variety; don’t rely on terms such as butter or plant-based alone. | For guests who avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in their croissant before serving it. Choosing suitable ingredients is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Number of pieces | Compare individual croissants with multi-packs and decide how many you want to serve alongside the other dishes. | When I’m setting the table for a group, I want enough croissants without having lots left over. Having the right number of portions is the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Grain type and nutritional information | Check which grains are listed and compare nutritional information per 100 g or per portion on the same basis. Don’t assume it’s a white and wholemeal mix unless this is explicitly stated. | If a mix of white and wholemeal grains matters to my guests, I want to be able to point to this on the pack. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this choice of grains or nutritional value. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all croissants need the same preparation
A bakery croissant, a bake-at-home product, a frozen variety and a roll of pastry don’t all need the same steps. That matters if you also need the oven for other dishes.
Before you go shopping, decide whether you want to serve them straight away, bake them at home or shape them yourself. Then follow the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
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Confusing plant-based with allergen-free
The product name alone won’t tell you which allergens are listed for a particular croissant. PLUS lists ingredients including wheat, spelt and milk in its butter bake-at-home croissants.
If anyone has an allergy, check the current ingredients list and warnings, even when a variety is labelled plant-based.
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Assuming the product name means it’s a white and wholemeal mix
Seeing wheat or spelt in an ingredients list doesn’t, by itself, confirm a mix of white and wholemeal grains. PLUS lists wheat flour and sourdough containing wheat and spelt in the butter bake-at-home croissants reviewed.
If a particular grain mix is essential for your guests, look for an explicit mention on the exact pack before choosing that variety.
Brands to compare
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you want to compare fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants within one range.
- The online croissant range includes different preparation types and a filter for vegan options.
- Some fresh products are listed as available in store only; check where you can buy the variety you want.
Jumbo
Worth considering if you want to compare classic, plant-based, frozen and filled varieties.
- The croissant range includes different pack sizes and preparation types.
- You’ll still need to check the exact ingredients of any filled or plant-based variety.
PLUS
Worth considering if you want to choose between butter bake-at-home croissants and pastry for shaping or filling your own.
- PLUS gives oven and air fryer instructions for its bake-at-home variety, and also sells croissant pastry for sweet or savoury fillings.
- The butter bake-at-home variety described contains milk and gluten-containing grains; check the pack for your guests.
Dirk
Worth considering if you want to choose between an individual butter croissant and a multi-pack.
- Dirk lists both an individual croissant and a butter variety in a four-pack.
- Choose a pack size to suit the number of guests and check availability in store.
ALDI
Worth considering if you want to pick up an individual butter croissant from the in-store bakery.
- ALDI sells its butter croissant individually.
- The product page directs you to the store; check what’s available at the branch where you shop.
Lidl
Worth considering if you’re looking for a butter croissant from the in-store bakery.
- Lidl says its butter croissant is made with butter.
- This croissant is listed as available in store only; check the latest ingredient information there too.
Croissants for different serving plans
These Joybuy products suit two fakeaway-evening plans: a croissant described as ready to eat, and croissants to bake at home. For both, check the pack if the ingredients or a particular grain mix matter to your guests.
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Bakery Village Danish Croissant 85 g
For an evening when you want to serve croissants without baking them at home: the product description says this one is ready to eat. The title gives its weight as 85 g.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for your guests. The product description also warns that the colourings E102 and E110 may have an adverse effect on children’s activity and attention.
Look for an explicit mention on the pack if you want a mix of white and wholemeal grains.
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SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pieces
For anyone who wants to bake croissants at home and serve four. Check the preparation instructions on the pack before making room in the oven or air fryer.
Check the latest ingredients and allergens, including any may-contain warnings, if your guests need to avoid certain ingredients. If a mix of white and wholemeal grains matters, check which grains are listed on the pack too.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose croissants for guests with a milk or gluten allergy?
Check the latest ingredients list and allergen warnings for every variety you choose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that allergens must be clearly listed in the ingredients of packaged products; a plant-based product name doesn’t replace this check.
Can bake-at-home croissants go in an air fryer?
Use an air fryer if the instructions for the variety you’ve chosen say it’s suitable. PLUS says its butter bake-at-home croissants need 4 minutes at 180 °C in a preheated air fryer; don’t assume the same setting will work for another product.
How can I tell if a croissant contains both white and wholemeal grains?
Look for an explicit mention of both grain types on the exact pack. Wheat flour or spelt in the ingredients list doesn’t, by itself, confirm a white and wholemeal mix; compare the nutritional information too if it matters to your choice.
How can I check whether a croissant contains iodised salt?
Read the ingredients list for the specific croissant and check how the salt used is described. Don’t assume it contains iodised salt based on the product category alone.