Which option works best for you?

Hosting a small group

If you only need a few croissants, buying them individually lets you get just the right number. Dirk and ALDI both list individual fresh butter croissants in their ranges.

Hosting and serving them warm

If you’re planning to serve everything at a particular time, bake-at-home croissants let you prepare them shortly beforehand. Check what equipment and preparation your chosen option requires.

Home baker keen to add their own filling

Croissant dough lets you choose the shape and filling yourself. PLUS describes its croissant dough as suitable for sweet and savoury fillings. Shaping and baking takes more work than serving ready-made croissants.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how many croissants you want to serve and how much preparation fits into your evening. That will help you choose between individual croissants, bake-at-home croissants, frozen croissants and dough.

Fresh individual croissants

Choose these: if you only need a few and want to serve them without baking.

Bear in mind: individual croissants leave you with less for another time than a pack that still needs preparing.

Bake-at-home croissants

Choose these: if you want to bake the croissants shortly before serving and enjoy them warm.

Bear in mind: the equipment required, preparation time and number of croissants in the pack.

Frozen croissants

Choose these: if you’re planning your fakeaway night in advance and want to keep croissants in the freezer.

Bear in mind: freezer space and the defrosting and baking instructions for your chosen product.

Croissant dough

Choose this: if shaping and filling your own croissants is part of the evening.

Bear in mind: the extra preparation and the storage and baking instructions for the dough.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Getting the right number Count how many people are eating and check how many croissants are in the pack. Decide whether you want to keep any leftovers. If I’m eating with a small group, I don’t want to be left with more croissants than we can eat; around 42% of consumers prioritise getting the right number.
Serving them warm Check whether the croissants are ready to serve or need defrosting or baking first, and what equipment you’ll need. If I want to serve warm croissants all at once, the preparation needs to fit into my evening. This is the main priority for around 33% of consumers.
Shaping and filling them yourself Check how many croissants you can make from the dough and read the storage and preparation instructions. If you want to shape or fill the croissants yourself, flexibility is the main attraction; this is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing a pack without counting the croissants

    A pack may contain more croissants than you need for the evening. This matters most if you’re eating with a small group.

    Count how many people are eating beforehand and decide how you’ll store any leftovers.

  • Leaving the preparation details until just before serving

    Baking and defrosting are separate steps. PLUS says its butter bake-at-home croissants take a short time to prepare in an oven or air fryer, while its mini butter croissant needs to be defrosted before baking.

    Before buying, read the instructions for the exact product and plan the preparation around when you want to serve it.

  • Relying on the product name for allergen information

    A name such as butter croissant doesn’t tell you all the ingredients or potential allergens in the product.

    If you have an allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.

  • Assuming they’re all made with iodised salt

    The Dutch bakery sector notes that the use of iodised baker’s salt varies. So you can’t assume that every croissant in this product category contains it.

    If the type of salt used matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product.

Stores and brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers fresh, bake-at-home and frozen croissants in a range of sizes.

  • The range includes several preparation options to compare with your plans.
  • According to the store’s information, some fresh options are only available in store.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers, among other things, classic, butter, plant-based and frozen croissants.

  • You can compare products with different ingredients and preparation methods.
  • Check the number of croissants and ingredients for each option; these product types aren’t interchangeable.

Lidl

Lidl describes a butter croissant from its in-store range.

  • Worth considering if you’re looking for an individual croissant from the in-store bakery.
  • The product page says this croissant is only available in store.

ALDI

ALDI lists a fresh butter croissant sold individually.

  • Buying them individually lets you get the right number for a small group.
  • If you want to bake your croissants warm later, you’ll need to choose a different product type.

PLUS

PLUS offers bake-at-home croissants, an option that needs defrosting, and butter croissant dough.

  • The product information helps you compare quick baking with shaping croissants yourself.
  • Preparation steps vary between products, so follow the instructions for the one you choose.

Dirk

Dirk offers both a fresh individual butter croissant and a pack of butter bake-at-home croissants.

  • You can compare an individual croissant with a pack for a planned serving occasion.
  • The bake-at-home pack contains four croissants; check that this is the right number for your group.

Croissants on Joybuy

If you want to bake four croissants and serve them warm, this pack is worth considering. Choose the right amount for your group and read the instructions on the pack before preparing them.

SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pack

SCHOOF Croissants, 4 pack

A pack for anyone who wants to bake four croissants and serve them warm around mealtime.

Contents: 4 croissants. Check the preparation instructions on the pack and, if allergens are a concern, the latest ingredients information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

For a small group, should I buy individual croissants or a pack?

Individual croissants are handy if you want to buy exactly the number you need. If you’d like to serve several warm at once, consider a bake-at-home pack and check that it contains the right number for your group.

Can you cook bake-at-home croissants in an air fryer?

It depends on the exact product and the instructions on the pack. PLUS says its butter bake-at-home croissants take 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 180 °C. Don’t assume the same setting will work for other croissants.

How should I store leftover croissants?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened croissants in a kitchen cupboard for 2 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months. Freezing can affect their quality; for an unopened pack, follow the storage advice on the label.

Can I rely on a croissant’s name if I have an allergy?

No. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. Products with similar names can contain different ingredients and potential allergens.

Does every croissant contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume that it does. The Dutch bakery sector notes that the use of iodised baker’s salt varies. Check the ingredients list if the type of salt used matters to your choice.